HAIL

One of my favorite parts of the Annie Malone parade is the black Masons. The organization was founded in 1784 as a reaction to racism. Whatever you think of Masonry, the members in this parade are impeccably tailored and exude dignity.

Of course, Masonry in its current American form is full of Arab-ish mumbo-jumbo and gives its officials wild names. The sign on the car (a Cadillac) in the third picture hints at this. Missouri, in general, has moderate rainfall but some people of a, um, progressive bent might agree with the metaphor, except for some parts of St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia.