Russ, while I agree with you, just let me say that as a callow youth, I expressed that opinion to a group of black men I had occasion to be talking with. I even expressed that they were not black, but brown and tan. Without going into the sordid details, allow me to tell you that I was corrected VOCIFEROUSLY. Caucasians are NOT people of color, regardless of how pink you may be.Caucasians are people of color, we are PINK!
I was an auburn before I went gary & skin, I was VERY pink in the summer..
From what I have heard, this has become a problem with the GL of West Virginia. They apparently won't allow a black man to join a mainstream Lodge, and will not recognize Prince Hall. Beginning several years ago, it came to a head and now the GLs of Ohio and Michigan will not recognize WV. I believe there are others, but the Ohio and Michigan ones I can vouch for.
Casey, It's WV that will not recognize Ohio and it's over a Mason that they expelled who, years later, was raised in an Ohio Lodge.