The Hidden Hand: The Masonic Roots of Chicago’s Street Organizations

By Salaaheddin

In Chicago’s streets, organizations like the Black Gangster Disciples (BGD) and Black P. Stones (BPSN) are typically associated with crime and street-level violence. However, there may be a deeper, hidden layer to these groups—one that is tied to ancient, secretive traditions that extend far beyond the street corner. Could the origins of these organizations be connected to something much bigger, perhaps tied to Masonic influences? And what if neither the street organizations nor the Masons themselves fully realize the extent of this connection, but there is a controlling body—one that operates well beyond the public eye—manipulating all sides?

The Masonic Influence: Rituals, Symbols, and Hierarchies

At first glance, the Black Gangster Disciples and the Black P. Stones may seem like typical street gangs. But their use of symbols, rituals, and a hierarchical system reveals patterns that closely resemble Masonic traditions. Masons are known for their structured advancement, secret handshakes, and layers of initiation—all concepts that surface in these street organizations as well.

The Black Gangster Disciples use symbols like the six-pointed star, which is reminiscent of the Star of David, and the Black P. Stones have the crescent and star, both of which are symbols often tied to Masonic ideologies. These symbols are not merely decorative; they represent something deeper—a philosophy of balance, spiritual enlightenment, and personal development, which are central teachings in Masonic lodges. The similarities between these street organizations and Masonic practices raise a fundamental question: what if these groups were subconsciously modeled after or influenced by Masonic teachings? And what if the men and women who run them don’t fully realize the history and significance of the rituals they are following?

Both groups emphasize hierarchical structures where members rise through ranks and acquire new knowledge, mirroring the Masonic system of apprenticeship and promotion. The differences between an apprentice and a master mason—those levels of initiation—are mirrored in street organizations where individuals climb through levels of loyalty, knowledge, and power.

Leaders and Masonic Connections: The Influence of Prominent Figures

The connection between Masonic teachings and these street organizations isn’t limited to their rituals and symbols. Community leaders, activists, and influential figures in Chicago—along with many other cities—have been members of Masonic lodges, particularly Prince Hall Masons, an African-American branch of Freemasonry. Alongside them, leaders involved with Greek-letter fraternities such as Sigma Pi Phi (Boule) also embody Masonic principles of brotherhood, leadership, and empowerment.

It’s essential to note that many prominent figures, from politicians to community organizers, have been part of these Masonic networks or Greek organizations. These same leaders may have been involved in shaping or influencing the organizations like the Black P. Stones and Black Gangster Disciples, either through personal connections or through a shared understanding of Masonic principles. The involvement of these leaders in Masonic or Greek traditions may suggest that street organizations were influenced by, or even born out of, these older, more established networks of power.

A Vacuum of Power: The Civil Rights Movement and the Rise of Street Organizations

The Black Gangster Disciples and Black P. Stones didn’t emerge in a vacuum. They were born in the wake of the decline of movements like the Black Panther Party and the Civil Rights Movement. When the Panthers were weakened by government efforts and internal division, a gap was left in the Black community. In this power vacuum, groups like the Disciples and Stones rose to fill the void, using Masonic-influenced principles of unity, self-improvement, and empowerment as their foundation.

These organizations didn’t just form to survive on the streets; they were a response to the need for self-reliance, strength, and community leadership. But what if they were also shaped by the deeper, hidden forces of Masonic networks? Even if the leaders of these organizations weren’t fully aware of the extent of Masonic influence, the possibility that these principles seeped into their formation remains highly plausible. The leaders, perhaps, didn’t intentionally create street organizations based on Masonic teachings, but the structures, rituals, and symbols align so closely with Masonic ideals that it’s worth questioning whether these groups were unwitting extensions of a larger, more organized, and more secretive system.

The Degrees: Beyond 33 and the Hidden Council

The complexity of Freemasonry is not simply about the 33rd degree; it goes beyond that. The Masonic system is said to contain 360 degrees in a circle, but it is believed that there are even more degrees that exist beyond the 33rd. As I learned from a 90-degree Mason, the true extent of the degrees is more intricate than most people realize. A figure 8, for example, has 720 degrees, which ties into the understanding that there might be unlimited degrees in Freemasonry. While most people focus on the 33rd degree as the peak, a 90-degree Mason indicated that true Masons understand the degrees in a circle go far beyond what’s commonly accepted or known.

What if the men and women running these street organizations don’t even realize they are part of a larger Masonic network—one with ancient and far-reaching goals? The answer might be yes. Both the street organizations and the Masons may be unaware that their activities are part of the same structure—each serving its purpose, unaware of the true hierarchy that controls them. But the controlling council—the ones who sit at the very top, beyond the 33rd degree, likely know the truth: that all of these groups, from the Masons to the street organizations, are functioning within a larger, grander design.

It’s entirely possible that the men and women running these street organizations have been set into motion through forces far older and more established than they realize. What they think of as street-level power struggles may actually be pieces of a much larger, Masonic game. The groups, in their efforts to protect their neighborhoods, advance their positions, and assert their control, may be part of a hidden agenda—one that extends way past the 33rd degree, into a vast, Masonic network of influence and power.

A True Story of Masonic Influence in the Streets: The Case of Larry Hoover

One of the most revealing stories that illustrates the potential Masonic influence in Chicago’s street organizations comes from the case of Larry Hoover, founder of the Gangster Disciples. Hoover was incarcerated for much of his life, but while in prison, his reach extended beyond the walls of the correctional system—much like a hidden hand manipulating events from the shadows.

Despite being locked away, Hoover maintained control over the Gangster Disciples and influenced the lives of many members of the group, using his power to direct not only activities within the prison system but also on the streets. His case also highlights a possible connection to a larger, unseen network: while many may have viewed Hoover’s rise as typical for a street leader, the truth may be that his position was part of a larger, more secretive Masonic plan to control both the streets and the institutions that regulate them.

It’s important to note that Hoover’s influence wasn’t just about street-level crimes—it was about control. This is a hallmark of Masonic teachings: the idea of moving beyond the physical world and into the realm of influence, power, and control over not just the material world, but over the people who exist within it. Hoover, while in jail, is said to have run the streets, controlled the trade, and ensured that his people, even from behind bars, followed his orders. If street organizations are connected to Masonic networks, Hoover’s story may very well be an example of how these organizations serve a higher purpose that many of their members are unaware of. In essence, Hoover’s life could be seen as an illustration of how Masonic influence works, not just at the level of the elite, but down in the streets, where those who are not in the know are simply pawns in a larger game.

This story, among others, raises a compelling question: how much do the people running these street organizations, like Hoover, know about the greater Masonic network? The possibility exists that Hoover, like many others, was part of something far more complex than he—or most of his followers—could ever have imagined. And if this is true, it opens a door to understanding the deep, hidden structures of power and influence that extend from the streets of Chicago all the way to the highest echelons of society.

Conclusion: A Hidden Design Unveiled

As we reflect on the connections between Masonic teachings and Chicago's street organizations, one thing becomes clear: these groups are not just about street-level violence or illicit activity. They represent something deeper—an extension of an ancient, secretive system of control that operates in the shadows. And while the street-level players may not fully understand it, the higher council—the ones sitting beyond the 33rd degree—certainly do. The true game they play is one of influence, power, and control, and the street organizations are just another piece of this grand design.