This was during the height of the enlightenment in the 18th century. This secret society and brotherhood was seen as a space where people could talk about new ideas in a safe place. What made the masons special were their beliefs. Being a mason meant believing in equality and democracy. It meant rewarding merit over bloodline and it meant fighting for liberty and freedom. The role of a freemason was to practice these ideals in areas where they were not being practiced and encourage civic engagement. The masons saw value in social capital, meaning features of social organization that facilitated coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. They also believed America needed well-educated citizens, it was about building things with fine taste. Above all the mason's believed in a brother relationship, a relationship of equality and affection. Fraternity was fundamental, because it automatically implied equality4. .
Although equality was one of the most important beliefs of a mason, it is interesting that African American's were not allowed to join most White Masonic lodges. Prince Hall, founder of the first African American freemason lodge, took it into his own hands to build a space where Black American's could form a fraternal organization of brotherhoods. Prince Hall, an ex-slave, became a mason while fighting in the American Revolution alongside white soldiers who were freemasons. Prince Hall and his white counterparts were fighting for equality and while in battle the white masons made him a brother, i.e.: a freemason. The revolution was a complicated battle because Americans were fighting for equality, yet America had slaves. Upon returning from the revolution and opening the first black lodge in Boston, MA, Hall was faced with discrimination and the idea of separate but equal, meaning not equal. His lodge was not recognized as a real Masonic lodge by the white Freemasons, but he did not let this deter him.
