Support Stomp the Yard but Boycott Old Gold Soul. But first, here's the link so you can up my daily hits!
We continue to have conversations about how the producers of Stomp the Yard represent Alpha Personally, I plan to support the movie. Is any concerned about how this individual that writes the blog http://rashid.oldgoldsoul.com/diary/ is disgracing our great fraternity. His lifestyle is his business, but why is he using Alpha to promote it.
J.R. Green
I'm not "this individual" -- I'm your frat. Otherwise, thanks for the free publicity!
Posted on January 15, 2007 at 9:10 PM
Homophobe
You can't be a REAL bro....it is an abomination that you
would in a not so subtle way link Alpha Phi Alpha and your
lifestyle which are totally unrelated. Was it necessary to
call it ole gold and to use our fraternity colors? What you
do is your business but it is wrong for you to use our
frat's business for your personal benefit while puttig us in
an ugly spotlight.
You should reconsider where you choose to shine the light of
Alpha.
--- From an Alpha in New Orleans.
Posted on January 8, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Damn homophobes again! LOL
So I have my irons in a few fires, and one of them is a collective of Alphas who are involved in the arts. I sent out emails inviting more brothers to join this collective. In my email signature, I have a graphic of the cover of LAZARUS and a link to my website. This is a response I got:
What's with the book about gay frat brothers? Ummm...what? Is that what we're promoting now?
This bama REPLIED ALL.....so brothers from across the nation have read it. So already I'm like this mufuckin BULLY.....
So I replied all.....
You are late.
My novel has been out since 2005. It has sold well, even among Alphas, and has earned me an award.
I was an official vendor for the 2006 Centennial Convention. Not a single Brother out of 10,000 approached me about having a problem with the content of my novel.
If you have any further questions regarding my novel, you are free to contact me directly. I would rather not spam these groups with the unnecessary promotion of my novel, but I would love to encourage discussion on how we may further support and guide Alphas who are involved in the arts, even you.
But then I got EXTRA gully, and sent him a personal message with the subject line: "That was my nice message:"
Now hear my serious message:
You don’t have to read or support a single thing I ever write. But I will not tolerate your attempts to put me on blast among the various yahoogroups you have responded to. Your behavior is unbrotherly and cowardly.
We (meaning the artists of the Alpha Renaissance) have created an opportunity for Brothers to share, grow, support, and invest in one another. We do not judge each other by the content of our artistry, but we support each other because we are artists in a fraternity that values doctors, lawyers, and public policymakers.
If your own homophobia distracts you from that goal, so be it – the Renaissance doesn’t need people like you anyway.
Hear this: I will not be bullied by insecure Brothers who make it a point to make examples of Brothers who are different from them. Perhaps you can’t help it because of the teasing and taunting you no doubt incurred as a child because of your gender-ambiguous name, or other real or perceived inadequacies.
I don’t suffer fools gladly. If I were you, I would move along and have a nice life.
Y'all know I don't take kindly to that sort of bullshit and I strive to make an example out of every unbrotherly homophobe I encounter.
But hey, the new year wouldn't start out right without an O-Ren Ishii moment!
Bless y'all who support!
Posted on January 6, 2007 at 11:13 AM
My trip to Louisville
So yeah.... even though I ain't go no job, I was lucky enough to have the presence of mind to buy a laptop and digital camera while I was employed, lol.
Sooooo...... I am recording a few things I see and here while I am chillin in Louisville for the APO national convention. Here is my test video, the view from the room.
Posted on December 26, 2006 at 5:51 PM | Comments (0)
Happy Centennial Founders' Day!
It's Founders' Day, one hundred years later!
Did you know that you are supposed to give the gift of para on Founders' Day? That's right, shower your favorite Alpha Man with gifts of the Black and Old Gold variety. For some reason, no one in DC received that memo. That makes the Jewels sad. :-( However, I am accepting gifts of paddles from the following places:
Good Wood Paddles (Preferred), Greek Orriginals,
and Nate on Myspace.
Don't let this Founders' Day tradition pass you by! Shower your favorite Alpha with 'nalia today!
And don't worry -- all gifts received by Christmas will count!
Send them to:
Old Gold Soul
Founders' Day Department
PO Box 11337
Takoma Park, MD 20913
God bless you and enjoy your Founders' Day!
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 12:20 PM | Comments (0)
Things I still don't understand about Greek life....
So, I know a really artsy craftsy type of Nupe -- VERY talented, like Martha Stewart caliber. I was on his facebook album looking at the fine craftsmanship, and then saw the para table that his chapter had during an informational. If you ever been to an informational, they usually have some sort of table set up with the org's afghan, maybe a history book, canes if it's Kappas, paddles for everyone else, a brick, a stuffed animal, etc. basically a mini shrine.
And it got me to wondering..... I don't really "get" why our orgs do this. I mean...we fill up tables with things that aspirants really shouldn't touch. Ya know?
Hell, I even know of some sororities that would glare at you if you ate the pink/green/red/white/blue/gold part of the cake, or drank the wrong color punch at the informational.
Seems to me like the stuff at the informational should be about the chapter....exhibits documenting the service projects.... photo albums of the fellowship. You know, stuff like that.
Leave the brick at home if you can't talk about it.... leave the paddles if they can't be touched.
Just observations....
***
It also ticks me off when people act like it's a PRIVILEGE to learn their "history"..... dude, everybody's history book can be found somewhere. In fact, every Alpha I knew before I crossed let me hold, touch, skim, read their history book WAY before I ever was interested in the frat. To see Brothers NOW act like it's ritual information really tickle me.
The older the orgs get, the more backwards traditions seem.
Once up a time, the orgs had no history and we just tapped who we wanted to be brothers. You earned membership by your work as a man and as a student....there was no "proving" yourself to your peers.
*sigh*
Just observations.
Posted on August 29, 2006 at 6:44 PM | Comments (0)
I never knew there was a love like A Phi A...
Wow.
This has been my most amazing fraternal experience since crossing the burning sands three years ago.
In a bit, I will post pictures and commentary.....but in the mean time I just want to say how much I love APhiA.... and yes...
I FOUND MY ALPHA MOJO AGAIN!
Posted on July 30, 2006 at 12:27 PM | Comments (3)
Day One: Off the Hook
Highlights:
Discovering that the librarian from my old elementary school is the granddaughter of a Jewel. I almost cried.
THE BAG!
The medallion!
Meeting LOTS of Brothers again or for the first time.
The Alpha Museum! (Really called the Centennial Exhibit, but I like Alpha Museum better, lol)
PARA!!!!! OMG I have the two flyest Alpha jackets in the known universe.
Not as high-lights:
Registration took two hours. :-/ And started two hours late.
More highlights:
Conversation with Brother Hill from California.
Coversation/breakfast time with Brother Carter.
Snapping a picture of a cute Alpha/AKA Couple.
Reconnecting with some chapter brothers.
The Skee-Phi Affair!
More later.....much much later.
Posted on July 25, 2006 at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)
Holy Shit!
CONVENTION STARTS TODAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Posted on at 6:27 AM
Way Too Into It
My name is Rashid, and I'm an Alphaholic.
:-/
The Centennial Convention is two days away! Although I have many concerns about this event, my enthusiasm for it hasn't waned. I hope to be among the first, if not THE first to register on Tuesday. (I already paid for my early registration, I just need to sign in.)
I have plotted out nearly minute of July 25 through 30! That's crazy, right?
The good news is that I was pre-selected to be part of the Author Pavilion!!! I am super excited about that....unless E. Lynn Harris has ever participated in an Alpha concention, this may be the first time that an openly gay author has been highlighted in any National gathering of black fraternity men.
Whoa.
So I'll be signing my book for three days with Greg Parks, whom I have befriended over the past year. He's a cool cat....buy his book African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and The Vision.
I rented my tuxedo on yesterday and it will be ready this Friday. I wanted to go hardcore with it, but I just decided on the simple black tux with gold accessories.
I got a haircut yesterday....at first it was FUCKED up! But then they fixed it. It's a lot shorter than what I wanted, but it still looks okay.
I'm hoping I can wear my contacts this week. When I wear my glasses, brothers don't seem to recognize me anymore.
Only one more day of work before convention....woooo hooooo! I know I have to actually GET through the day, but what's ten hours? I can do that with my eyes closed, especially in light of recent events. I swear, anyone who works with kids in a managerial role has to learn to move from crisis to crisis. There is never a slow day.
But tomorrow will be slow. I am claiming it.
Also, I am cleaning house right now....two brothers are gonna be staying with me. There are just certain times where you have to be brotherly and hospitable. I can't let someone NOT come to DC because they have no place to stay. I mean, come on. "Let brotherly love continue," the Bible says. I forgot where though, lol.
So for all you brothers and guests coming to DC this week -- shoot me an email so we can meet up and have a grand old time!
PS - And yes, I re-watched the APhiA documentary this morning like a dork.
Posted on July 23, 2006 at 10:52 AM | Comments (2)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Celebrates a Century of Leadership and Service
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Celebrates a Century of Leadership and Service
Nation's First Black Greek-Letter Fraternity Reflects on Rich Past, Looks Toward Bright Future
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., announced today that the fraternity will kick off its official 100th anniversary celebration at its national convention in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, July 25, 2006. Founded on December 4, 1906 by seven distinct men at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, Alpha Phi Alpha is the first and largest inter-collegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for Black college students.
"Our founders envisioned a day when the leadership of African-American men would become widely-recognized and respected, despite challenges of social and economic inequality," said Matthews. "And since many of our members have had a tremendous impact on the nation's social and economic policies, this made Washington an ideal place to both honor our founders' vision and celebrate 100 years of Alpha Phi Alpha achievements."
Alpha Phi Alpha has not only been influential in the areas of government and business, but also in education, community affairs, sports and entertainment. The fraternity's prominent members include Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Charles Rangel, Marc Morial, Kwame Kilpatrick, Art Shell, Lionel Ritchie, the list goes on.
Over the years, Alpha Phi Alpha has lead hundreds of campaigns to uplift the African-American community, including the Million Dollar Campaign to support the NAACP, National Negro College Fund and the National Urban League. The renowned "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" campaign was the first real organized demonstration to encourage African-Americans to vote. The fraternity's most recent campaign, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Project, has raised nearly $60 million to date.
In addition, Alpha Phi Alpha has hosted many service initiatives that have directly affected the lives of African-American men. For more than 25 years, Alpha Phi Alpha has partnered with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation to implement "Project Alpha," a program geared toward providing education and guidance to thousands of teen males in hundreds of communities.
Alpha Phi Alphas' over 650 chapters combined have contributed an estimated 650K in scholarships annually. The fraternity's presence in the African-American community has remained unparalleled for the last 100 years, inspiring a host of other African-American fraternities and sororities.
"Alpha Phi Alpha has touched the lives of many individuals, in one way or another," said Matthews. "For us, this milestone is more than a celebration of the fraternity's 100th year. This is a celebration of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s steadfast commitment to improving the African-American community. As we reflect on our past, we look forward to the future, by continuing our commitment through dynamic leadership and service."
About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Since 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is committed to developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for the community. Today, there are over 200,000 members in 700 collegiate and alumni chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Posted on July 10, 2006 at 8:38 PM | Comments (1)
The Centennial -- Registered!
Dear Mr. Rashid Darden:
Greetings in the marvelous name of Alpha! This letter is to acknowledge receipt of your registration and payment for 2006 Centennial Convention.
On July 25 - 30, 2006 Alpha Phi Alpha Members, Families and Friends will converge on Washington, DC to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of an organization whose members have had an enormous impact on the lives of countless human beings. The Corporate Headquarters Staff and Centennial Planning team have been diligently working and are excited about welcoming the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to Washington, DC.....
Etcetera, etcetera...... I'm registered!
I became an Alpha in the Spring of 2003 while enrolled as a graduate student at American University. I've had plenty of ups and downs in the fraternity since crossing -- several of the downs had to do with Lazarus, my work as a writer, and this website. I was even surrounded by brothers of an undergraduate chapter and harrassed because heaven's to betsy, what would our precious Jewels think about oldgoldsoul.com???
lol....negroes, please.
I have registered for the convention because 1) It's a once in a lifetime event that I want to experience full on, and 2) I need my Alpha mojo back.
I am not affiliated with an alumni chapter right now and have no plans to do so. (But for all you pricks shaking your finger at me, YES, I am financial with the General Organization.) I guess in my experiences in these short years, I realize that not everyone does it for the same reasons. Me, I pursued Alpha for the Brotherhood, and the Brotherhood alone. I can do community service by myself or with Alpha Phi Omega. I can step with an independent step team. But I wanted that intangible thing, the Brotherhood that makes my heart swell when I watch the Centennial Documentary or when I see step shows like this one:
Those are the Bros from Cal Poly Pomona.
So what do I want out of this convention?
Fellowship with Brothers who think like me.....yeah, I know they don't all think like me, and maybe not even most. But some do. And I want to find them and chill with them and trade information and uplift each other in the coming years.
I want to find the ways that I can help Alpha. I want to compare my skills set to Alpha's greatest needs then go from there.
I want to meet Alpha Authors and network with them.
I want to party with the Sorors! Cuz you know Ethel's Girls will be there in full force. :-)
I want to purchase so much para that I never have to order any more ever again, lol.
I want to learn, learn, learn.
I want to attend the Public Program and see how the other organizations gush over us.
And I want to sing the hymn with thousands of Brothers.
And though I might be getting too old to do so, I want to learn a stroll or two.
Yeah, it's an expensive ass registration....but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. And look at how much I'm saving by the convention being RIGHT HERE in DC. No airfare....no transportation....just me and the Bros.
The hotness.
Posted on May 30, 2006 at 7:09 AM | Comments (0)
Non Black Members of BGLOs
(From an email)
My name is Matthew W. Hughey, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at the University of Virginia and a brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Rho Beta Chapter, Fall 1996).
I am looking to interview non-Black members of Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (HBGLOs) for a chapter to be included in a follow-up volume to African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision (2004). I am looking to include the history, culture, and interactive experiences of non-Black members in HBGLOs.
I am also interested in hearing from people who are Black members of HBGLOs who have experiences with non-Blacks as their fellow members.
I hope to start phone or email interviewing soon. If you would like to be kept anonymous, that is fine, and if you would like to be identified (if I include your comments in the final draft) that is fine as well.
Please contact me:
Matthew W. Hughey
Department of Sociology, University of Virginia
539 Cabell Hall, PO Box 400766
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4766
Office: (434) 924-7293 | Fax: (434) 924-7028
mwh5h@virginia.edu (or) matthewhughey@hotmail.com
Posted on February 8, 2006 at 7:36 AM
Happy Founders Day!
Today is Sunday, December 4, 2005 -- the 99th birthday of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc!
Who is your favorite Alpha man?
(Besides me, of course.)
;-)
Posted on December 4, 2005 at 4:25 PM | Comments (6)
Why did you join?
For all of the fraternity and sorority members who visit this diary, please leave your comments on this question:
How did you come to choose your fraternity or sorority?
Feel free to be as detailed as possible while exercising discretion. :-)
Posted on November 12, 2005 at 6:15 AM | Comments (12)
October 20 Round-Up
George Washington University AKAs host fourth annual "Miss Freshman Pageant"
Toochi Ngwangwa was crowned Miss Freshman 2005 out of a group of 11 contestants Sunday night during a pageant ceremony emphasizing students' academic achievements, community service participation, creativity and personality.
The Miss Freshman Pageant, which focused on the theme "Excellence: Unified through Purpose and Poise," was hosted by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and was open to all freshmen. At Sunday's final ceremony in the Marvin Center Ballroom, students involved in the event were judged based on their talent performances, interviews and evening wear presentations.
Prior to the pageant, participants attended workshops on ballroom dancing, etiquette, professional development and money management. The contestants accumulated points by participating in these events and by making bag lunches for two local shelters and fundraising through advertisement sales.
Ngwangwa, who received a $1,000 scholarship for first place, garnered enthusiastic applause during her performance of an original poem, and the crowd cheered when, during the interview portion, she said her most prized possession was her identity. Despite taking home the crown, Ngwangwa said all of the contestants should feel proud of how far they came since the start of pageant preparations.
"We all win," she said. "We practiced hard every day and every night, and we came together. We share this crown."
Freshman Macy Jenkins was first runner-up, and freshman Nadia Sesay came in as second runner-up. They received $500 and $250 scholarships, respectively. Freshman Teiko Akufo's enthusiasm and positive disposition during the pageant were recognized by judges, and they gave her the title Miss Congeniality.
This year's contest was the fourth Miss Freshman Pageant at GW. The pageant is a tradition for the GW chapter of Alpha Kappa and was revived this year because of the chapter's return to campus last year.
Although the participants competed against each other for the crown, most said they had a great time together and enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the pageant.
Contestants and organizers alike agreed that the pageant was far from ordinary.
"People usually think pageants are all about beauty, but this has nothing to do with that," freshman and participant Ivie Guobadia said. "At least not with outward beauty; it's more about inner beauty and the hard work that all of us put into this."
Other contestants said they enjoyed the workshop component of the event because they were able to learn new skills.
"I did think that they were very beneficial. In the one about etiquette I learned what to do in an interview, which was helpful," freshman Ursula Anderson said. "It will be good to know when I'm trying to find a job in the future."
Friends and family of the contestants and sorority members gathered in the Marvin Center ballroom decorated with pink, silver and black balloons. Several groups of students were there to support their classmates, and one group held a sign saying, "We love our ladies."
The Hilltop - Campus
Issue: 10/20/05
Ubiquity Replants After Damaged Tree Cut Down
By Keirsten Murrian
Ubiquity is a non-Greek, Afrocentric fellowship at Howard University
Members of Ubiquity, Inc. have planted a new tree where their old tree used to stand before it was knocked down by a severe thunderstorm over the summer.
Ubiquity planted the new tree earlier this week, not as a replacement for the one they lost, but as a part of their membership intake process. Discussions of a tree paid for by the University are still underway.
"I think the University should give them a tree," said senior psychology major Sheria Andrews. "It wasn't their fault that a storm came and knocked down their tree."
The loss of the tree that has stood for so long was a shock to members of Ubiquity. Some members even remember exactly where they were when they noticed or were told that their tree was being cut down.
Senior political science major Alisa Gilmore, member of Ubiquity, was on her way from class this summer when she saw the tree being cut down.
"When I walked out of my planetary sciences class in summer school, I watched them while they were cutting it down," said Gilmore. "The roots were still in the ground."
A fellow Ubiquitarian told Morgan that after the storm the tree was still standing.
Gilmore believes that the tree being cut down is a deeply rooted issue.
"Swygert didn't want it there," she said. "The tree was a problem during graduation because it got in the way," she said. "People in the bleachers sitting next to the tree were unable to see."
Senior television production major Asia Sutherland said whatever the reason, it was wrong to cut down the tree.
"I think it's wrong that they took down the visual representation of their organization," she said. "It's not as well known as the other non-Hellenic organizations."
Adam Wynn, senior public relations major, thinks Ubiquity is entitled to another tree just like Sigma Gamma Rho.
"If they gave the other organization a tree, they should give them a tree," he said. "They should be fair about it.
In September, there was a meeting between Ubiquity and Student Activities to discuss what could be done about the tree. According to Ubiquity members, there is talk of putting a sculpture in its place.
"We have mixed feelings about the sculpture or the tree," said Morgan about Ubiquity members.
Founder of Ubiquity, Donald Temple does not have a problem with the statue and said that he would pay for it himself. The tree was a very important aspect of the Ubiquity trial process.
"We have a rights of passage and the tree is used," Gilmore said. "It's nice to have a statue, but the tree can't be replaced," said Gilmore. "We knew we wouldn't get anything without a fight."
She along with other members of Ubiquity hopes that the statue that may stand in its place of the tree will be there by the end of the semester.
Several attempts were made to contact Steven G. Johnson, director of Physical Facilities Management, about this matter, however he was unavailable for comment.
Posted on October 20, 2005 at 6:35 AM | Comments (0)
October 13 Round-Up
The Hilltop - Campus
(Howard University)
Issue: 10/7/05
Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Filed Against Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
By Ayesha Rascoe
Two Howard Alumni filed a $10 million lawsuit against Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in US District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday, charging that the AKAs made false allegations of hazing against them.
Joie Jolevare and Salome Tinker, both members of the sorority, claim in their lawsuit that they were unjustly suspended from the organization after assisting members of Alpha chapter in a practice in March 2005 for the group's post initiation ceremony.
The two women allege that AKA Regional Director, Joy Elaine Daley stopped the sorority's authorized practice, and began an investigation into the event on the grounds that it constituted hazing because it was held outside.
In the lawsuit Jolevare and Tinker claim that contrary to regulations outlined in the AKA Constitution, they were never informed of the allegations made against them and they were suspended without any evidence that they participated in hazing.
They are suing the organization for purposeful defamation, breach of contract, negligence, and discrimination under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, the lawsuit said.
"The days are over when you can make false allegations against upstanding members of the community without consequences," said Jimmy Bell, the attorney representing Jolevare and Tinker.
Daley was reached at her office at 11:00 p.m., but refused to comment because she said that her office hours were over.
Bell said the actions of his clients did not warrant suspension.
According to Bell both women, who are members of the local graduate chapter Xi Omega, were asked to assist in the intake process of 2005.
Bell said that the alleged incident of hazing, however, occurred after the intake process was completed and that the new members practiced voluntarily.
"These aren't pledges," Bell said. "They are already AKAs."
He said the practice obviously was not mandatory because 12 of the 137 women who crossed last semester did not attend the event. Furthermore, Bell said it was not unreasonable for the practice to be held outside because it involved such a large group of people.
Bell also claims the allegations are frivolous because the AKA anti-hazing handbook "Just Say 'No' to Hazing" defines hazing as physical acts and or threats, none of which he said occurred according to the AKAs who were present at the practice. He said the nature of the alleged false claims made against the plaintiffs warrant the lawsuit.
"When you're saying my clients are [participating in hazing], you're saying they committed crimes," Bell said. "In the work force all you have is your integrity."
National AKA representatives were unable to be reached for comment. Alpha Chapter president Kimberely Mitchell also declined to comment.
Bell said he would like see an expeditious end to this conflict.
"I'm hopeful that the national office will resolve this matter," Bell said. "In the event that they do not we are confident a DC jury will resolve it and make my clients whole."
Alphas activate dual-membership status
Alpha Phi Alpha members participate in first meeting with National Pan-Hellenic Council; officially part of IFC, NPHC
(University of Virginia)
Becca Garrison
Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
The members of the Iota Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. attended their first official meeting with the National Pan-Hellenic Council Tuesday, cementing their unprecedented dual membership in two different fraternal organizations.
Alpha Vice President Gregory Jackson, Jr. said the dual membership will allow the Alphas to be involved in the general University community through the IFC and to work more thoroughly with the black community through the NPHC, an organization of African-American fraternities and sororities.
"It's important to understand we are committed to the overall University community as well as being focused on the black community," Jackson said.
The Alphas joined the NPHC when its charter became official Sept. 18. Last February, the Alphas left the Black Fraternal Council (now the NPHC) to join the Inter-Fraternity Council. They have maintained their membership with the IFC.
Jackson said the Alphas were not rejoining the Black Fraternal Council, which was the home to black fraternities and sororities at the University prior to the formation of the University's NPHC.
"It's a totally different organization, and the national support system of the NPHC is phenomenal," Jackson said. "We just felt like it was the right thing to do."
Jackson said that the Alphas are proud of their dual-membership status.
The Alphas "have historically been pioneers," Jackson said. "We've always broken new barriers and taken new steps."
IFC President Ross Kimbel said executing dual membership is likely to be very challenging because the Alphas currently have four active members.
"The two councils are structured so differently that it's kind of unknown how this will work," Kimbel said. "We understand that adjustments are going to have to be made on all fronts, but most of them are superficial adjustments."
Kimbel said the three parties will have to work out the number of meetings the Alphas will now have to attend as well as compliance with two separate sets of by-laws.
All parties involved said the decision would not change the relationship between the IFC and the NPHC.
"We are not serving as a liaison between the councils," Alpha President Thomas Mmbaga said.
Kimbel and University NPHC President Isaac Noye said the two councils have a strong relationship that will continue to grow from regular contact.
"One of the most important parts of my job is to be able to help bridge between councils, and we also have the [Inter-Greek Committee] that does that," Noye said. "That isn't [the Alphas'] job because we have many different vehicles for that."
Noye said he is optimistic that the Alphas will be able to participate in both organizations.
"Right now I'm just trying to observe and see how it goes," Noye said. "Because it's unprecedented, I don't really know what to expect."
The Alphas said they were confident in their ability to be active and productive members of both organizations.
"The chapter is committed to the IFC and the NPHC, and we expect to grow," Mmbaga said. "We will have no trouble having representation on both councils."
Mmbaga will serve as the Alphas' representative to the IFC as chapter president and Jackson will be the NPHC delegate.
Jackson said involvement in the nationally affiliated NPHC was encouraged by the national chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The national chapter was a founding member of the NPHC.
"As the NPHC, we follow a national structure of the national organization," Noye said. "APA, Inc. is part of that national organization, so joining the NPHC is in line with their national initiative."
Kimbel and Noye said the IFC and the NPHC do not have conflicting ideals that might create difficulties for the Alphas. They said the organizations have very different structures.
"NPHC fraternities are more geared towards service-oriented issues, while the IFC is more focused on governing and making sure social areas are properly addressed," Kimbel said.
Steppin’ onto campus
Newly chartered black sorority prepares to make its mark
(Northwestern)
By Deepa Seetharaman
October 10, 2005
The Daily Northwestern
Although Greek Scene, National Pan-Hellenic Council’s annual step show, is months away, at least one sorority is practicing to ensure they can step up to the competition.
Meet Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., a group of five women dedicated to service, scholarship and making their mark on Northwestern just six weeks after they were chartered.
“We have set a standard,” said Sara Sutton, Communication ‘05 and one of the founders of the Nu Sigma chapter of the sorority at NU. “What you see from us is what (is) associated with Zeta Phi Beta.”
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. is a part of the “Divine Nine,” a group of historically black fraternities and sororities throughout the United States. The sorority is the fourth black sorority to be instituted on NU’s campus. The other sororities are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho.
While at NU, Sutton’s search for a suitable sorority proved fruitless. She had almost abandoned efforts but friends in the Zeta Phi Beta sorority’s brother fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., urged her to look into starting a chapter at NU. As a senior in college, Sutton became one of the chapter’s six founding members. The founders joined in May and received their charter in August.
Dedication to service is the sorority’s identifying mark, Sutton said. Members work with Family Focus Our Place Evanston, a local not-for-profit that helps children, teens, parents and families, and four state and national organizations.
The chapter was honored for its service at the Zeta Phi Beta state conference in September. They received one award for raising the most money of any chapter — about $400— for The Stork’s Nest Program, a philanthropy encouraging proper pre-natal care for underprivileged families. The other award was for their $200 pledge to Katrina victims.
“Once you join us, it’s not even about you anymore,” President Keyonda Evans said. “It’s about what you do for other people,”
Developing good relationships with NU’s other Greek groups is an additional goal for the group, said Evans, a SESP junior.
On Oct. 21, the group will host an all-campus party at Tommy Nevin’s Pub and Restaurant, 1450 Sherman Ave., to raise money for March of Dimes. The charity organization promotes proper infant care.
Zeta Phi Beta also hopes to sponsor a party with an Interfraternity Council fraternity, something that rarely happens, Evans said.
Achieving such goals is difficult because the Greek community is fractured, said Treasurer Jessica Carrasquillo, a SESP junior.
“We’re the same Greek system, (but we have) different cultures,” she said.
The group’s lukewarm relationship with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life also makes impacting NU difficult, Evans said. Evans was given just a one-day notice of the last NPHC meeting. The group is also the only organization without a link on the Fraternity and Sorority Life’s Web site.
“We are still out of the loop,” Evans said. “We are very new and don’t always know what’s going on.”
Kyle Pendleton, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, could not be reached Friday for comment.
Zeta Phi Beta’s first chapter was founded Jan. 16, 1920, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The sorority became the first Greek organization to charter a chapter in Africa and to form auxillary groups to support young girls and women who had not yet or never attended college.
Despite the sorority’s history as a black organization, most of the group’s members come from different backgrounds.
“We’re not particularly looking for specific races or anything,” Evans said. “If you have it, you have it.”
The group has not scheduled “membership intake,” a recruitment program. What they do know is that the incoming class of Zetas will be held to the highest possible standards, Carrasquillo said.
“You have to want it, not just wear the letters but know the letters,” she added.
JSU Suspends Campus Fraternity After Shooting
POSTED: 8:03 am CDT October 7, 2005
UPDATED: 8:15 am CDT October 7, 2005
JACKSON, Miss. -- Jackson State University has suspended a national fraternity chapter after a campus shooting in September.
Investigators said graduate student Ryan Mack shot Omega Psi Phi member Ben Hart during a fight with Hart and two other fraternity members.
Hart spent weeks in the hospital with his injuries.
JSU has suspended Omega Psi Phi from the campus for three years.
The Hinds County district attorney is investigating the shooting.
The Chanticleer - News
(Jacksonville State)
Issue: 10/13/05
Greeks: Making the Grade
By Kimberly Davis
Greeks strive toward academic excellence by making their grade point averages their number one priority on campus. Many of the Greek organizations have reached their academic goals while others are still working hard to maintain their status.
The Greeks' overall GPA average is calculated by adding all the members of each chapter together and dividing it by the total number of members. The chapters are ranked in order according to their GPAs every spring semester from the previous fall grading period. The rankings for spring 2005 place Alpha Omicron Pi with the highest GPA on campus. Their overall GPA is a 3.08 and, they were honored by the university for their academic achievement.
"There are many incentives we have to maintain academic achievement like Pi Club, Panda Pal, Academic Center for Excellence, and our special Ruby 'A' badge," said AOPi President Lindsey Brown.
AOPi's "Pi Club" honors and rewards members who attain a 3.14 GPA. They also have a "Panda Pal," named after their mascot that matches up members in the same field of study.
The panda pals help each other throughout their college career. Alpha Omicron Pi sorority members are all required to visit the Academic Center for Excellence each week. The number of hours they are required to spend there depends upon their GPA.
The special Ruby "A" badge is rotated to the sister with the highest GPA in the sorority.
"Alpha Omicron Pi is founded on friendship and, we uphold everything we work for. Our GPA is above average over all the other women and, we will work harder this fall to maintain our number 1 spot," said Brown.
Delta Zeta ranks number twelve overall with a 2.35 GPA. They are improving their GPA by developing a class that will teach each member how to study.
"I am making sure that the girls are aware of how important our grades are, and we will try our best to improve individually for our entire chapter," said Delta Zeta President Jessie Owens.
Owens is encouraging her members to maintain a beneficial relationship with their professors, so their grades will improve for spring, 2006. Delta Zeta's goal is to improve their GPA to a 3.0.
Sigma Nu ranks number four with the highest GPA in the InterFraternity Council and over all the other fraternities on campus.
"We help guys focus on what they are in school for by making our grades priority and, we excel by having study groups," said Sigma Nu President Drew Wagner.
Sigma Nu fraternity prepares young men for the future by making their academics a priority with a 2.85 GPA.
Pi Kappa Phi ranks number sixteen overall with a 2.17 GPA. They are striving toward a higher GPA for spring 2006.
"We are working harder to improve our grades this semester by having a mandatory study session twice a week," said Pi Kappa Phi President Woody Rozier. Pi Kappa Phi goal is to improve their GPA to a 2.65 for spring 2006.
Delta Sigma Theta ranks number five with the highest GPA in the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Their overall GPA is a 2.82.
"We are striving for academic excellence as a whole by staying on top of our studies, attending classes, and talking to professors if we have problems around midterms," said Delta Sigma Theta President Marshonntri Reid.
Delta Sigma Theta maintain their grades through their Scholarship Committee which helps implement programs and develop study sessions.
They have received other rewards for their academic success, such as the Presidential Bronze cup for their accreditation program.
"Our goal is to regain that number one spot that we had in previous years," said Delta Sigma Theta President Marshonntri Reid, referring to the number one overall ranking the sorority held in fall 2003. They are aiming for that number one spot in spring 2006.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity ranks number 18 with a 1.73 GPA, and they are taking steps to improve their GPA by having brotherhood study sessions.
"We have implemented a brotherhood study session where each brother helps each other with their weakness, so we can excel as a whole," said Iota Phi Theta President SirArthur Edwards. " Our grades decline last semester because of personal problems within the fraternity, but we are now focusing own personal problems and academics so each brother is a brother to his brother."
Iota Phi Theta goal is to maintain a 2.0 GPA for spring 2006.
Many of the Greek organizations are hitting the books hard with study groups, tutoring sessions and classes, so they can maintain higher academic standards for their chapters. They have set goals to achieve, so their academic improvement for this semester will show in the spring 2006 rankings.
Students show off bodies at Fit Body Contest
(Indiana State)
By Leslie Wills Staff writer
October 10, 2005
Students lined up outside Dede II on Wednesday to get a look at the participants of the 2005 Fit Body Contest.
The fifth annual Fit Body Contest was hosted by Sigma Gamma Rho sorority to give students the opportunity to show off their bodies after following a strict food regimen and hard work in the gym.
The criteria the participants were voted on were confidence, presentation, and response to the question, "Why should you be Mr. or Ms. Fit Body?"
The event began with a casual scene where contestants introduced themselves.
The swimsuit competition followed and audience members were so enthralled with the contestants that they lined the stage with cameras and video cameras.
All the contestants answered the same question, "Why do you feel you should be Mr. or Ms. Fit Body?," during the formal wear portion of the contest.
Runner-up Lydia Thomas, a junior child development and family life major, replied with humor by saying, "I think I should be Miss Fit Body because I don't work out, and I eat all fatty foods but my body is still slim."
Dada Yarmento, Ms. Fit Body 2005 and a senior business management major, said she should be Ms. Fit Body because she has lost weight and was very comfortable with her body.
"When I was in high school, females always told me I was fat," she said. "Now that I'm in college, I lost 20 pounds, eat healthy food and drink a lot of water."
Male contestant Raidu Allen felt that he should be the new Mr. Fit Body because he is from another country and he had a special surprise.
"I wanted to represent the West Indies and Jamaica," Allen said. "Also, it takes confidence and that's what I have, pure confidence... and one last thing."
Allen then stepped off of the stage and gave roses to the female judges.
Mr. Fit Body 2005 Paladin Jordan, a junior public relations major, said he should be crowned because he was fit without being really muscular.
"I think I should be Mr. Fit Body because not everybody has the football players' build to represent health and fitness like myself," Jordan said.
Hanif Muhammad, Mr. Fit Body runner-up and a junior finance and marketing major, said his dedication to track and personal fitness made him the perfect candidate for Mr. Fit Body.
"I put in long hours of dedication on the track team and on Mondays and Fridays lifting weights and my body is the best."
After the formal wear portion of the competition, Jamie Dearman performed a song while the judges formulated the score.
Jordan said that he didn't expect to win.
"I'm surprised. I really didn't think I was going to win," he said. "I prepared by running track which got me as fit as I am."
Judge Adeola Adediran, a senior communications major, said judging was difficult because all of the contestants were very fit.
"I think it was a tough decision and it was very close," he said.
Judge Tyanna Jackson, a junior radio/TV/film major, said the event was a success.
I think that it went very well," she said. "The males were extra confident but I really enjoyed myself and it ended up being a well-put together event."
Sigma Gamma Rho president Mayreena Turner said that she thought all the audience had fun and can't wait until next year.
"It's always a fun event that we look forward to every year. Once again we had a lot of fun with it," she said.
Posted on October 13, 2005 at 8:18 PM | Comments (2)
"Bruh" and other traditions
I hate the word "Bruh."
There, I said it.
It doesn't sound distinguished to me and it reminds me of the Ques. I am not saying they own the rights to the word "Bruh" at all, I am just saying that where I am from, "Bruh" is just one of those words that is reminiscent of the Ques.
Also, a "bruh" to me is just any man at all...you know, country/urban slang or whatever.
Personally, I prefer the word "frat" if another brother is going to use slang to refer to me at all.
What Greek traditions irk you?
Posted on at 4:26 PM | Comments (2)
I don't suffer fools gladly.
From the mailbag:
Let me start off by telling you, I'm glad you're a young positive brother doing your thing. Congrats and I wish you much success. My only concern is you using the image and the colors of Alpha Phi Alpha to market yourself. How are the two interconnected? There is already a stereotype of Alphas being gay, and obviously your work is perpetuating it. You didn't start it, I'm not postulating that you did, I just don't get why you don't use your talent and not have to "lean on the letters" to sell books. Is it marketing, do you think it brings you more fans, more controversy? I'm an Alpha, a raving, raging heterosexual and I'm sickened when people equate Alpha with gays. Our legacy is one of strong powerful black men, exceptional men, and we are being defamed. To each his own, I don't necessarily agree with homosexuality but, I don't think anybody can tell another person who they can or should love, but, this is ridiculous. Using the fraternity colors, using the colors in your pen name? Old gold and your novels are about homosexuals? This is out of pocket brother and I wonder if Tandy, Kelly, or any of the founders would approve of your violation of the crest. You can chuck this in your hate mail box, but, hate it is not. Be blessed brother and I hope you realize what you're doing.
Your email is full of contradictions. You say that I am a positive brother, yet I'm not. You wish me much success, but have you purchased the book?
How am I using the image of Alpha Phi Alpha to market myself? I AM AN ALPHA. I cannot and will not turn off my Alphaness for those of you (if you are indeed my Brother) who are not "comfortable" with those of us who are comfortable with ourselves.
What makes YOU the voice of Alpha? Why target me for my gayness? Have you sent similar emails to those members who might be abusing drugs, abusing women, failing out of school, not taking care of their kids, or hazing? PLEASE....you want to talk about defamation? Let's start talking about dead and maimed Sphinxmen -- THEN we can talk about who is really defaming my fraternity.
My work doesn't perpetuate a stereotype...if you READ my work, you will see that it doesn't. It actually attempts to destroy quite a few stereotypes -- one being that all heterosexual men are homophobes. That should be the one you're working on, but so far, you're failing.
And you know what.....NIGGA PLEASE! If you only knew how much I do NOT lean on my letters when it comes to my work! "Old Gold" is a color..... do you know how many fraternities and sororities use old gold as a color? Hmm, I can think of one...Alpha Phi Omega. I'm a member of that too, genius, and I probably mention it a lot more than I do Alpha. One reason is because the raging homophobes in APO generally keep to themselves. (Take a lesson from them.)
It's presumptuous of you to think that I am using Alpha to promote my book. If I was, don't you think I would have been at all types of regional conferences and the general convention to promote this mug? I WASN'T. People expected me to, but I didn't.
You being sick of people equating Alpha with homosexuality is really and truly your personal problem. I was gay before I was an Alpha. Alpha doesn't stop my gayness and being gay doesn't stop my Alphaness.
Not to mention....gay men can't be strong? Gay men can't be powerful? Get a fucking grip -- a gay man organized the 1963 March on Washington!
And for the record, I don't have a pen name -- my real name is Rashid Darden. That's the name I write my books with, and it's real.
And why do mofos ALWAYS fall back on the Jewels when it comes to this issue? Why fall back on seven dead men who never made any public statements for or against homosexuality? That's...that's....what's the word... a cop out? Obviously we can't just ring them up and ask their opinion. So you don't know and neither do I.
In short...don't email me with this bullshit anymore. When you enter MY space by emailing me your ill-conceived opinions on how YOU feel I am representing the fraternity, prepare to be ripped a new one. You don't know me and you don't have to support me -- but IF you are indeed my brother, do the brotherly thing and keep your opinions to yourself.
I mean seriously -- did you REALLY think I'd change the name of my entire domain AND my business because YOU think I am "representing" Alpha? PLEASE believe that what an "Old Gold Soul" really is will be lost on you.
Now...if any of you sons of bitches got anything else to say, now's the fucking time!
(That one's for you, FratMan1906 *wink*)
Posted on October 6, 2005 at 7:55 PM
Why Alpha? II
OMG, I TOTALLY forgot to write the rest of my Alpha Story. Unless I already did and mis-categorized it. (Part I is here.)
Well, here it is....
So I became crazy active with Alpha Phi Omega as an undergrad. Became Vice-President of Communications (Second in Command) and then Pledgemaster. I LOVED my Alpha Phi Omega experience at Georgetown. It is one of the best things I did. (Along with living in the Black House and founding the GU Step Team.)
Speaking of the Black House.... it was there that I lived with Justin McLaughlin-Williams, who was an Alpha and very close friend of Maya Buseman-Williams. At first I was like "OH LAWD I'MA HATE THIS NEGRO." But it wasn't like that AT ALL. This was one of the coolest, funniest, smartest dudes I had ever met at Georgetown. And the BEST part was that he FULLY accepted me. I had this notion that he might be this ultra macho homophobic man's man -- well, he was everything but homophobic.
Justin, to me, IS Alpha Phi Alpha. Not because he's all super active in the fraternity, but because he was the very first person in Alpha that I looked up to. He was my friend first. Then, through his life, he showed me what Alpha was all about. He never once recruited me...nor do I think he thought I was remotely interested.
And truthfully, I wasn't! I was so wrapped up in APO that I wasn't even thinking about my NPHC quest.
When Justin graduated, I wrote an article for The Georgetown Academy, which was a conservative, traditionalist, Catholic, pro-freedom of association magazine/newspaper. I was not into the conservative aspects of the rag, but I loved the fact that all of the articles were well-written. Hell, I like anything that opposes the norm, whether it is on my side of the argument or not. Well argued debates.
At any rate, this article I wrote was titled "Shuttered Legacy" and it was about how Georgetown's non-recognition of black greek orgs was hurting the university. My "hook" was how much of a shame it was that Georgetown's ONE Alpha had graduated without leaving behind a legacy. How Georgetown itself had a role in killing that legacy.
Damn that was a great article. And to think, I wasn't even interested in Alpha when I wrote it! (I don't think most people believe that, but I really wasn't.)
But this is what happened....as I was researching and editing the article, I had a conversation with myself. It went something like this:
"Hmmm...W.E.B. DuBois is an Alpha. That's hot."
"Wow....Thurgood Marshall, MLK, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Cornel West, Kelley Miller, Hubert Humphrey...."
"Hmmmmm...... 'Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind'......those are some tight cardinal principles."
"Justin is really cool. So are his chapter brothers."
"You know....those Alpha teachers I had in high school weren't THAT bad."
Then I started to internalize the history.... seven men at Cornell University, a school not unlike Georgetown...racial isolation...daring to start something that had never been done before.... those men sounded like me, kinda.
So, I had decided that the history resonated with me, and the prominent members were people I aspired to be like....but what about the programs?
Go-to-High School, Go to College. Hmmm. I believe in that.
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People. You damn right!
Project Alpha. Yeah...that's a right program.
So, the national programs were projects that reflected my personal values.
But what about the BROTHERHOOD? Could I stand in a room full of Alphas and feel comfortable? Could I feel PROUD? Are these men in line with what I believe in socially, politically, morally? And if we differ, can I respect those differences.
The answer was yes.
So during my senior year in college, I chose Alpha.
Two years later, in Spring 2003, through the oldest alumni chapter in Washington, DC, Alpha chose me.
Posted on October 3, 2005 at 8:23 PM | Comments (2)
What Would They Be?
In this edition of "What Would They Be?" I post fictional characters from Days of Our Lives and then tell you which fraternity or sorority they would pledge.
Alphas
Jack Devereaux
Lucas Roberts
TEK (Thomas Edward Kramer)
Tony DiMera
Frankie Brady
AKAs
Marlena Evans Black
Belle Black Kiriakis
Lexie Carver
Kate Roberts
Kappas
John Black
Victor Kiriakis
Philip Kiriakis
Mickey Horton
Omegas
Roman Brady
Bo Brady
Shawn Douglas Brady
Abe Carver
Deltas
Jennifer Devereaux
Hope Williams Brady
Mimi Lockhart
Sigmas
Doug Williams
Shawn Brady
Zetas
Sami Brady
Julie Williams
Caroline Brady
Alice Horton
SGRhos
Celeste Perrault
Billie Reed
Maggie Horton
Nicole Walker
Iotas
Patrick Lockhart
Phi Mu Alpha
Brady Black
Sigma Alpha Iota
Chloe Lane
Posted on October 2, 2005 at 7:27 AM | Comments (3)
Pastors address inclusion of gays in churches
And now for a little positivity....
Forum focuses on gays in churches
Pastors address inclusion of gays in churches
by Kacie Foster
Indiana Daily Student
Published Friday, September 23, 2005
Pastor Robert Ferguson tried to "pray and fast his gay away." He was engaged to be married, and wanted to change. But, it didn't work.
He began to question his religion, but never questioned his faith. Ultimately, Ferguson said he decided to leave his church and attend one that reached out to gay African Americans.
A panel of Indiana ministers met Thursday night in a packed hall at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center to discuss ways to create spaces for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people within church and community settings.
Minister Ryon Cobb, Pastor Kelly Oglesby and Pastor Robert Ferguson all sat on the panel to discuss how to welcome the GLBT community in faith.
"I am not a representative of any denomination or group," Oglesby said. "However, we need to look congregationally and individually on how we can be approachable and reachable (to the GLBT community)."
Some audience members felt they should address personal beliefs questioning homosexuality as a sin. One woman said she believes homosexuality is a choice that could be corrected, and that church members should treat gays as sinners.
But facilitator Tahirah Akbar-Williams steered the discussion away from the subject of "sin" and geared it toward how the church can help gays and lesbians grow in their faith.
"We are here to talk about how we can respect one another," Akbar-Williams said in response to a comment about homosexuals being considered "sinners." "We need to create a space for GLBT people in churches or religious institutions. I hope and pray to start a dialogue of respect and begin the process which helps us acknowledge that we are all different and we practice our faiths differently. However, within these differences, we can respect one another and move forward."
Cobb explained a Biblical story about a community wanting to condemn a woman caught in an act of adultery.
"'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,'" Cobb quoted. "Regardless if we agree or disagree with someone's lifestyle, they are being oppressed."
The evening began with a prayer that was meant not to serve as an endorsement of any religion, but for the audience to "start with peace and love," Akbar-Williams said. A 20-minute screening of the film "All God's Children" served as an introduction to the topic.
"God loves me just how I am, because that's how God made me," said one woman in the film.
Cobb said people must support others who are marginalized.
"The Bible calls for us to stand by those that are oppressed, even those whose lifestyles we may disagree with," he said. "Discrimination is a human rights issue (and we need to) stand up against oppressive structures."
Philip Thomas, secretary of Iota Phi Theta, said his fraternity co-sponsored the event to educate people and end discrimination.
"We're here to learn in the classroom, but also to learn from the diversity of others," Thomas said.
Eric Love, adviser for the student group Blacks Like Us, said a lack of dialogue leads to "a lot of ignorance" toward marginalized groups. BLU is the first black group on campus for GLBT people.
"Ignorance leads to fear, and fear leads to hate," Love said.
Love said he was "thrilled" with BLU's efforts and proud of the Iotas for taking a step toward increasing understanding.
Ferguson asked the group to take positive steps towards accepting those who are gay or lesbian into the church.
"We need to separate the man-made stuff from the God stuff," Ferguson said. "That's when you find the truth."
"Forum focuses on gays in churches"
http://www.idsnews.com/story.php?id=31284
Posted on September 29, 2005 at 6:54 AM | Comments (1)
Kappa Alpha Psi gets new house (Minn.)
September 7, 2005
GREEK LIFE
Kappa Alpha Psi gets new house
By Elizabeth Cook
Kappa Alpha Psi president Jerome Stewart, center, and former members David Stibbins, left, and Nicholas Hooks, right, gather in front of the fraternity’s new house on University Avenue Southeast.
For the first time at the University, a historically and predominately black fraternity has a house on fraternity row.
Theatre arts senior Anthony Brown, the campus relations chair for Kappa Alpha Psi, said the fraternity just returned to campus last fall after taking a five-year leave of absence due to low enrollment. Having a house is expected to increase membership, he said.
The fraternity currently has 15 members living in a house on the 1000 block of University Avenue.
While the fraternity is predominantly black, membership is not limited by race.
The fraternity does not discourage anyone from joining, Brown said.
Fred Thomas, the adviser for the chapter said he is excited for the fraternity and the University.
Thomas said that having this diversity will increase socialization within the community.
There has already been talk of collaborating with other fraternities to help with activities such as community service, Thomas said.
Both Thomas and Brown mentioned that members of other fraternities on campus have already come to see the new location, and that everyone was very excited to see Kappa Alpha Psi get the house.
“I think this will be great news for the University,” Thomas said.
Jerome Stewart, a marketing student and president of Kappa Alpha Psi, said having the house on fraternity row will be a great way to bridge the gap between predominately black fraternities and other fraternities, which are traditionally white.
“I think it will create a better understanding (between diverse groups),” Stewart said.
Stewart also said the house is a place for minorities to feel comfortable.
“The house provides a safe haven as a place to socialize,” Stewart said.
Chad Ellsworth, a student activities adviser at the University, said it was mostly financial issues that prevented a black fraternity house from landing on fraternity row until now.
There are nine national fraternities and sororities in the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a body made up of predominantly black organizations. As of last year, five were registered with the Student Activities Office. But these fraternities and sororities are much smaller, Ellsworth said.
When there are only five members, it doesn’t make sense to have your own house, he said.
Ellsworth said a Kappa Alpha Psi house will break down some of the images of fraternities and sororities being predominately white.
“I think they will be real great for the community and (will help) break down some of those stereotypes,” Ellsworth said.
Ellsworth also said that this will bring a lot of different options to the greek community.
Eric Butz, a member of Beta Theta Pi and the vice president of public relations for the Interfraternity Council, said he is excited about a Kappa Alpha Psi house.
Butz said it is great because it makes people reconsider stereotypes of fraternities and will increase diversity.
“They’re as greek as everyone else,” Butz said.
For those interested in becoming members of Kappa Alpha Psi, there will be an informational session at 6:11 p.m. on Sept 21 at the house. The reason for the odd time is that the fraternity was founded in 1911, Thomas said.
Interested students can attend the session in a shirt and tie, Thomas said.
Posted on September 8, 2005 at 7:15 AM | Comments (0)
Introducing....
Brother Archie Andrews
Ace Club (Solo)
Spring 2005
Riverdale University
(Moose and Jughead went Que....)
Posted on August 31, 2005 at 8:03 AM | Comments (4)
Another hazing lawsuit....
Ex-SLU student sues sorority over initiation
BY ELIZABETHE HOLLAND
Of the Post-Dispatch
Thursday, Aug. 18 2005
A former St. Louis University student has sued one of the nation's oldest and
most prestigious African-American sororities, claiming a hazing ritual prompted
a car accident that resulted in permanent injuries to her.
The woman, Courtney Easter, filed the suit Wednesday in St. Louis Circuit
Court. Easter is claiming that the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, its top officers
and several of its members had roles in a car accident on Oct. 31, 2003, in
which she was severely injured.
Easter was being initiated into the sorority along with several other area
college students. She was a passenger in a car driven by fellow initiate and
SLU student Tracey Randall, the suit says. James A. Fox, Easter's attorney,
said the two were among a group of women being hazed by sorority members.
That hazing, according to Fox, included sleep deprivation. Sorority members
made the initiates stay in the same apartment and then repeatedly called their
cell phones over five consecutive nights, forcing them to stay awake.
"They hadn't slept in days," Fox said.
When four of the women, all SLU students, got into a car to go to classes early
that Halloween, each fell asleep - including Randall, the driver, Fox said. The
car crashed into a traffic control box at or near Grand Avenue and Delmar
Boulevard, he said.
Easter, a senior at the time, nearly died, Fox said. She suffered head and
chest injuries, including brain damage, he said. She now lives with her parents
in the Chicago area and is enrolled in a community college, Fox said.
In addition to those believed to be directly involved in the accident and what
led up to it, Easter is suing the Chicago-based sorority, the sorority's
executive director, Betty N. James, and other officials.
The sorority's national officers "haven't chosen to accept responsibility," Fox
said. "They just said our investigation showed . . . that there was no improper
behavior.
The suit also names the sorority's St. Louis-based Beta Delta chapter, some of
its officials and several members, including Randall.
A call to James in the sorority's Chicago office was not returned Thursday.
Randall returned a phone call but said she could not comment on the case.
A SLU spokesman said the sorority is not considered a SLU organization, nor is
it associated with the university. A Washington University spokeswoman said the
university does recognize the sorority, along with three other citywide,
historically black sororities and five such fraternities.
Alpha Kappa Alpha, which claims Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Jada Pinkett
Smith among its alumnae, was the subject of a hazing-related lawsuit settled in
November.
The sorority was sued after the deaths Sept. 9, 2002, of two Cal State-Los
Angeles students who drowned in what their families claimed was a hazing ritual
at a beach. Kristin High and Kenitha Saafir drowned during what police
detectives and coroner's deputies concluded was a group exercise involving
sorority members, according to the Los Angeles Times. High's mother believed
that sorority members led her daughter and the other victim into dangerous
waters tied and blindfolded.
Angela Reddock, the attorney who represented High's family, said the sorority
had agreed to settle with the families for a confidential sum of money and with
the understanding that it would make anti-hazing and initiation-related
reforms.
The sorority's Web site details an "anti-hazing policy," which says anyone who
violates the policy risks suspension or permanent expulsion from the
organization. The Web site also lists suspended chapters; Beta Delta chapter is
not among them.
Reporter Elizabethe Holland
E-mail: eholland@post-dispatch.com
Phone: 314-340-8259
Posted on August 25, 2005 at 7:59 AM | Comments (0)
Kids for King
If you work with children, the Kids for King program will be an excellent ongoing project!
Students to raise money for MLK memorial
By KRISTIE A. MARTINEZ
Cox News Service
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
WASHINGTON — Backers of a permanent monument for civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. kicked off a program Monday challenging students across the U.S. to raise money for the project.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation unveiled the "Kids for King" program less than a week after King's widow, 78-year-old Coretta Scott King, suffered a stroke in Atlanta. It also came in advance of the 42nd anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, which he made Aug. 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
The "Kids for King" program encourages elementary and secondary school students across the U.S. to collect donations and write 75-word essays about their "dream for a better America." The foundation will choose 12 of the students to fly to Washington D.C. for the memorial's ground breaking next November.
The monument will be a granite boulder with an image of King emerging from one side of the rock, said Harry Johnson, president of the foundation. The monument memorializes the sentence, "With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope," from King's "I Have a Dream" speech. The monument will also feature 24 panels with King's words written on them, Johnson said. He expects the project to be finished in 2008.
The King memorial, which will stand near the Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt memorials, will be the first on the National Mall — the area stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, and from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial — that does not honor a president or a war. It also will be the first on the Mall to honor an African American.
"I feel personally that once this memorial is complete, that the Mall itself will be reflective of America," Johnson said. "I believe it's just right to have him there with the other heroes."
Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and owner of the Washington Mystics women's basketball team, announced she is donating $1 million dollars to the project on behalf of her children.
"Martin Luther King is not with us physically," Johnson said at a press conference at the Tidal Basin, "but standing here on this memorial site, he will continue to speak to all of us, to all the children and the generations to come, to challenge you to become leaders and to love not only yourself, but all mankind."
The memorial will cost $100 million to complete, and the foundation has raised $39.5 million in private funds so far. General Motors is currently the memorial foundation's lead sponsor.
Last month, lawmakers in Congress agreed to provide $10 million in matching funds if the foundation raises $10 million in the next two years. Johnson said he expects the "Kids for King" program to bring in at least $3 million by next June.
Some lawmakers opposed the matching funds, saying they should be used only for presidential memorials.
Judy Scott Feldman, chairman of National Coalition to Save Our Mall, a group seeking to preserve the National Mall's "historical and cultural integrity," said the group does not oppose the construction of the King memorial.
"I don't think there is any opposition and I think everyone feels that this kind of memorial is deserved," she said of the King monument. "We're just going to be watching as the design develops. That's going to be the only concern."
In addition to the "Kids for King" project, the foundation is raising money by selling blue "Build the Dream" bracelets similar to Lance Armstrong's yellow "Livestrong" arm bands. And in New York, Texas and Illinois, the organization is airing commercials featuring black celebrities, including actor Morgan Freeman and rapper Nelly.
In 1996, King's fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, set up the memorial project foundation and former President Bill Clinton authorized the building of the memorial two years later.
Posted on at 7:08 AM | Comments (0)
Grade Changing Scandal at Miami HBCU
I post good news all the time. Now it's time for a good, old-fashioned scandal.
HERALD EXCLUSIVE
Two FMU employees accused of changing grades
By SUSANNAH A. NESMITH
snesmith@herald.com
Florida Memorial University student Tricia Lockhart wanted to raise her grades and turned to a sorority sister whose boyfriend was more than willing to help.
Some $600 later, 14 of Lockhart's grades magically went up.
But there was no magic involved, according to Miami-Dade police, who say Lockhart was one of 122 students who paid to have their grades changed in a long-running, grade-fixing operation at the small university in Miami Gardens.
A pair of Florida Memorial employees and five students, using employee passwords to break into the school's computer system, bolstered grades for basketball players, friends and fraternity brothers. Four of the seven were arrested last month; police are still looking for the others. They all face racketeering charges.
Students wanting better grades paid anywhere from $150 to $2,000 to improve their report cards. One woman twice had sex with an employee in exchange for raising seven of her grades enough to allow her to graduate, according to court records.
REGISTRAR'S DISCOVERY
The scam began to unravel three years ago when the school's registrar noticed that some grades had been changed after 5 p.m., according to the school's vice president, Harold Clarke. ''The registrar brought the matter up to senior leadership and we determined that yes, indeed, something was certainly going wrong,'' he said.
After interviewing several students and employees, the school brought in an independent auditor, Robert Leopold, to investigate in October 2002. The audit found the 122 students who had grades fixed and identified the two employees who were responsible, Clarke said.
Ellis Peet, 37, a former Florida Memorial student who worked in the admissions office and the campus computer center, was fired by the university, Clarke said. Clifton Franklin, 22, also an alumnus who worked in the registrar's office, resigned during the investigation, Clarke said.
Peet changed a total of 580 grades, including seven of his own, according to court documents. Franklin changed 73, including three of his own.
Peet and Franklin acted independently, Clarke said, although police said that both were members of a campus fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. Two other fraternity members William King, 25, and Terrance Bell, 28, were also charged in the case for allegedly finding students willing to pay for better grades.
Ben Simmons, 22; Eric Marshall, 24, and Quabinor Campbell, 25, all students but not members of the fraternity, were also charged with allegedly rounding up students who wanted better grades.
Peet, Simmons, Marshall and Bell have all been arrested. Police are still looking for Franklin, Campbell and King, police spokesman Juan DelCastillo said.
None of the seven could be reached for comment, nor could any of the students who had their grades changed.
Simmons had 12 of his own grades changed, King had 19, Campbell had 20 and Bell had nine, according to court records, which do not say whether Marshall had any of his own grades changed.
After the school discovered the problem, officials suspended some of the worst offenders and set up a system to discipline all students involved, Clarke said.
Clarke said school officials at the historically black university were extremely dismayed by the scam, especially since the two employees are Florida Memorial graduates.
''I think disappointing is an understatement,'' he said. ``We were very disappointed that folks that we entrusted with that level of responsibility decided to take this course of action.''
`INVOLVED YOUNG MAN'
Peet was once featured in The Herald for his work in a Florida Memorial role-model program for young black men.
''He was a very involved young man when he was here as a student,'' Clarke said. ``And a very accomplished young man I might add. That's why when he graduated, he was able to get a job in our [information technology] office.''
Clarke said the information technology office set up a series of safeguards, seven steps in all, to make sure no one can get into the system to change grades in the future.
''I think we were all taken by surprise that a student would take advantage of something like this. Whether it was nine or 109 it would still be a shocker and a surprise to us,'' he said. ``Keep in mind it was 122 and we're talking about a student body of 2,100 to 2,200. But yes, we were very disappointed that the 122 would be involved.''
Herald staff writer Scott Hiaasen contributed to this report.
Posted on August 18, 2005 at 10:27 AM | Comments (6)
Why Alpha?
I don't generally write about my fraternal experience in my blog. It's a rather personal thing to me and most of the time off limits. However, since my fraternity has been mentioned so much in the past few weeks lately, I wanted to share with you why I chose Alpha and how Alpha chose me.
My mom is a Delta. One of my earliest memories of my mom's life as a Delta involves me seeing these weird symbols that looked like they COULD be letters of the Alphabet, but not quite. I asked her what they meant and she said "Delta Sigma Theta -- my sorority." I'm sure I asked he what a sorority was and she probably said something like "A club just for women and girls." That was enough for me.
Later, when I transferred to Keene Elementary School, I noticed that sometimes, different teachers would wear t-shirts with the same letters on them. So I would go up to them and say "My mommy is a Delta!" and their ENTIRE demeanor changed. This one teacher, Ms. Gilchrist, had to have been the meanest lady I had ever met to that point. Well, not mean, but definitely not a friend, lol. She smiled SO WIDELY when I told her that. Well, this other teacher that was with her, Ms. Washington (the first grade teacher, not fourth) said "Oh, so you're gonna be a Que?"
Ms. Gilchrist said "YOU BETTER NOT BE!!!!"
Confused, I went home and asked my mom what a Que was. She said it was a fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.
Neat-o.
In high school, I was exposed to Greek life more, mostly through teachers. And let me just be honest -- teachers at Coolidge were PRESSED! Not all of them, but there were always a handful that just took it too far. (I found out recently that one of them is a licensed vendor for their sorority!)
By too far I mean the art teacher (who happens to be frat) made door signs for all the teachers with their names in really big letters. Instead of the school colors, he made them in that person's sorority colors. So it's like mentally, the "battle lines" were drawn in the sand any time a kid walked around the school. And (in my 14-year old mind) all the "cool" teachers were Deltas and all the bitchy teachers were AKAs.
Which actually wasn't always true -- Ms. Griffin was one of the strictest teachers in the school (higher level math) but she was so down to earth. She was also the Athletic Director and, at the time, Vice President of the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Whenever we had short periods (45 minutes as opposed to 90 minutes) we knew a GREAT way to get out of doing real work. (Too bad she's moved on up in the world and isn't in the classroom anymore, I'd tell all Coolidge kids to try this out.) This plan was great when more than one student was on board:
Random student: Ms. Griffin, what does that elephant mean?
Griffin: That's one of the unofficial symbols that means I'm a Delta.
Student 2: A sorority? Don't you have to be HAZED to be a member?
Well, the hazing conversation always set Ms. Griffin off into a tangent about Greek life. It was GREAT! We wouldn't NEVER get work done on those days. We'd do the warm-up and that was it. Okay, so that didn't happen all too often, but she taught us some really good life lessons and ALWAYS told us we never ever had to be hit in order to be someones frat or soror. So responsible, that Ms. Griffin.
Then we had the AKA teachers. Let's just say I ain't like them too much.
We had more Alpha teachers than anything else, but there were only two, and frankly, I thought they were a little saditty. No, not arrogant. But saditty. We had one Que, one Kappa, and one Sigma. To be honest, the Sigma was the absolute coolest man in the school. He was the track coach, Adrian Dixon. Everyone love him and his wife Alice, who teaches business classes.
Anyway....gosh, you know how long my stories are.
So the Alpha/AKA teachers used to always plan this step show and they ONLY invited AKAs and Alphas! I thought this sucked and was blatantly biased! True, they were just exhibitions and not all-out step shows, but come on -- I was sick of seeing Alphas and AKAs at our talent shows. What about the Deltas? We liked those teachers better anyway.
So, when I became class President, we had our own talent show and we invited the Alpha Chapter Deltas and Ques. Well, in 1996-97, the Deltas were just beginning their four year suspension, so they were out. But the Ques were down! Let me tell you, those were some of the greatest guys I had ever come in contact with in my youth. They were all about mentoring youth and making them feel like yes, YOU can go to college and yes, YOU can be what you want. They were laid back, but still about business. They used the opportunity to really "Uplift" the youth.
Some cool dudes from Alpha Chapter took me under their wing as I made the transition from high school to college. Although I was at Georgetown, I knew that La'Mont Geddis was only a phone call away. And in fact, when I had an issue with one of the white boys at Georgetown, I really think I had to keep La'Mont FROM coming to campus to beat his ass. I was like "Naw, please stay at Howard, I am cool!"
So Freshman year, I am bitten by the brotherhood bug. I know that being part of a black fraternity was for me! I wanted that unconditional brotherhood that I saw the Ques from Alpha chapter exhibit toward one another. So logically, Omega Psi Phi was the first organization I researched -- and I researched it HARD.
By the end of my freshman year, however, I knew that Omega wasn't for me. There were lots of reasons why that was, but mostly, it just wasn't in my heart. I wanted brotherhood, but not necessarily theirs. Had I been in another place at another time, maybe.
All in all, and no offense to the Greeks who were at Georgetown at the time, I just really wasn't impressed. I didn't see them doing much on campus, so I couldn't make a decision on where I felt most comfortable. And forget the hype -- you can't make a life-long decision on a fraternity based on a website. So I was like "Eh, maybe a grad chapter."
When I least expected it, Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity came into my life. That's another story all together, but the point is that I had finally found something to fill my time, to create brotherhood with a diverse group of people, and new people to socialize. And of course, performing service that I didn't physically see other Greeks performing, though I believed they did it.
APO and school took up lots of my time, so my "quest" for a black fraternity was postponed.
Okay this is too long now, the rest will have to be in a Part II. Maybe later!
Posted on August 17, 2005 at 9:53 AM | Comments (6)
Justice Still Sought in Murder of Iota
The Iota Phi Theta member in question, Damon White (aka "Sermon" #1-Beta Tau-Spring '95), is thought to have been murdered by his lover, Anthony Jackson, in 1999. Jackson was recently convicted of murdering his more recent lover, Rahmaan Belton, in 2003.
Read more here: Sisters still hope for resolution in tragedy.
In doing additional research for this story, I found some interesting tidbits. The above, 2005 article portray's White's sexuality as an afterthought, if that. It simply reports the facts. But apparently, in 1999, his campus didn't know that he was gay -- the campus paper that featured an interview with his mother, essentially "outing" him, was stolen right off of the stands to the tune of $1,500 in losses.
From Newspaper Thefts Multiply on Campuses:
At the University of Missouri at Columbia, thieves stole 6,000 copies of the Sept. 9 issue of the student newspaper, The Maneater, that publicly outed a missing student as a homosexual.The stolen issue featured a controversial cover story about the missing student and a theory behind his disappearance.
Jake Wagman, editor of The Maneater, said the newspapers were stolen sometime during the weekend after Friday's publication. The stolen papers were worth approximately $1,500.
The feature piece, "Six Months Later," which Wagman believes may have prompted the theft, told the story of the disappearance of Damon White, the former president of the university's Legion of Black Collegians and Iota Phi Theta fraternity, through an interview with his mother, Janet White. The story included the progression of the case since White's disappearance on March 2.
Janet White told Maneater reporters that her son's boyfriend, who claimed White gave him the HIV virus, may have had some responsibility for Damon's disappearance.
"The campus did not know [he was gay]," Wagman said. "As far as we know, we outed him [by publishing his mother's comments]."
Wagman said The Maneater does not know who stole the papers.
"It's not a stretch that [the groups White was involved with] were unhappy about the article," Wagman said.
The Maneater is not planning to pursue the case.
"The next day is a new day and a new issue," Wagman said. "Rather than focus on the past, we are just going to keep publishing."
This is an article from before Damon was found and there was still hope he could be alive. In it, his sister describes Jackson as an "ex-friend."
Another article was published last year -- called The Search for Closure. Please be advised that it is very disturbing.
This is one of the saddest stories I've heard in a long time. You all know I have a soft spot in my heart for gay Greeks, even if this man didn't outwardly identify as gay to his campus. I've been there. Adrian Collins has been there.
I hate that I never heard about this before.
The whole thing makes me think about public and private lives of gay black men on college campuses. What if I had died before I had come out? What if Damon White was me? Although I can only speculate on what happened to those missing newspapers, had I been an Alpha at the time, would the Bros have tried to destroy evidence of my sexuality in order to "preserve" my image? How about the Black Student Alliance? My close friends?
I hope that now that the murderer of Rahmaan Belton is behind bars, maybe he will confess to murdering Damon White. Maybe new evidence will be found.
I hope....I hope so hard...that this statement from Damon's sister isn't true, that ..the Kansas City Police Department mishandled her brother's murder case. 'They botched it,' Dulin said. "It was like they didn't care. It seems that they were like, "He's gay, he's black, he's poor, so what?"'
Posted on August 4, 2005 at 7:14 AM | Comments (11)
August 4 Round-Up
Delta Sigma Theta: Minneapolis/St. Paul Wins Midwest Alumnae Chapter of the Year!
Alphas in Houston Battle Prematurity
Oklahoma AKAs get License Plates
Posted on at 7:03 AM | Comments (0)
Stuck in a haze
Central Florida Future - News
Issue: 6/15/05
Stuck in a haze
By Sean Lavin
The odor of burning flesh permeated the air as two blazing hot irons seared the Greek letter Omega into both sides of Byron Washington's chest two years ago. Minutes later, a third and final Omega was scorched into the fraternity member's upper arm.
What Washington endured is known as branding. And Washington was not the only UCF student that allowed a red hot Omega-shaped iron to leave a lasting impression across his body. Twelve brothers of Omega Psi Phi also asked to be branded alongside Washington that night.
Washington, who is currently serving as president of his chapter, says branding in this context isn't hazing because it's not performed as a condition of membership. Nearly 80 percent of Omega brothers choose to get branded on their own accord, he added, pointing out that branding is only permitted after someone pledging his fraternity is initiated as a fully vested member.
But a tough new law that criminalizes violent hazing in Florida directly cites branding as a form of hazing, referencing the popular activity as type of "brutality of a physical nature."
The Chad Meredith Act, crafted by Rep. Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, is considered by many as the strongest anti-hazing statute in the nation. The law is named in honor of a Kappa Sigma pledge that drowned as a result of hazing at the University of Miami in 2001.
When Gov. Jeb Bush signed Hasner's bill last week, high school and college hazing resulting in serious bodily injury or death became a third degree felony. Hazing that doesn't cause an injury - but could have - is now classified as a first-degree misdemeanor throughout the state.
When asked about the Chad Meredith Act's effect on branding, Hasner acknowledged that "it could be prosecuted" under the new law. But he stressed that, "cases like that, if they were prosecuted, would probably be determined on a case by case basis."
"Each case is going to have to be looked at on its own merits by the prosecutors," Hasner explained.
The very prospect of seeing his fraternity brothers prosecuted and potentially put behind bars for carrying out the age-old tradition of branding, which has been alive for generations within the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, has Washington concerned.
"I would be worried if they want to take it that far to prosecute members of my organization," Washington said. "I'll never risk my personal freedom or college education for anything."
If prosecutors do start bringing charges against students for branding their fellow fraternity brothers, Washington says he and his brothers will launch a campaign to change the law.
Citing the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of expression, Washington said members should not be restricted from bearing their fraternity's symbol on their body in the form of a brand, much like they wouldn't be restricted from having the symbol tattooed onto their skin.
The state should "at least define [branding] a different way," he said, suggesting a distinction be drawn between incidents of forced branding and the consensual branding that his fraternity brothers enjoy as a symbol of pride in their organization.
But while Washington says branding is "not that big of a deal," and compares it to getting a tattoo, other UCF students see it as unnecessary.
"I can't even think of a reason why people would do it, I really can't," said senior Ashley Sturm, who feels the law should stay the way it is. "Because if the arm gets infected, then they can throw it back on the fraternity and say they were pressured into it."
"It just creates more harm than good," the criminal justice major continued. "There are going to be those issues you just can't escape."
Looking beyond the branding issues, Hasner called hazing an "epidemic" plaguing the state, and condemned the recent rash of incidents - including a high school soccer player from Deltona who was dropped on her head during a hazing incident - as "senseless and heinous acts that lead to physical injury and sometimes death."
"I think there is a much more positive way to impart brotherhood and sisterhood and team-building," added Hasner, who explained how he spent much of his life working to achieve just that as a chapter officer, advisor, and ultimately national officer of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
"By increasing the penalties and criminalizing hazing in the state of Florida, I'm confident that we're going to put more students on notice that the state will no longer tolerate this type of behavior," Hasner said.
A major intent behind the law appears to focus on preventing what Hasner describes as hazing incidents that "may seem like fun and games," but instead "result in serious injury or sometimes even death."
Victims often consent to activities that seem harmless or fun, but unfortunately end in tragedy.
"Willing participants sometimes aren't willing participants," Hasner said, while pointing out how it was difficult for prosecutors to obtain a conviction in battery criminal cases related to hazing before his bill became law, because perpetrators used the victim's consent as a defense in court.
"This new law prevents the perpetrators of hazing from using the victim's consent as a defense," Hasner said. "It's an important new distinction in the law."
Aside from increasing the penalties for hazing, the bill only slightly altered the definition of hazing, which in part reads, "any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student ... "
The law cites the following as further examples of hazing: "pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor or drug ... or forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student."
And in addition to consent no longer being a valid defense against the crime of hazing, members of campus organizations hazing others can no longer escape culpability even if the activity resulting in the death or injury of the hazing victim wasn't part of an official organizational event.
Prosecution can now occur even if the fraternity's leadership or general membership had no knowledge the action was taking place, and only a handful of members violate the law on their own.
Another key addition to the definition of hazing is the language providing that hazing occurs for "purposes, including, but not limited to, initiation" into a campus organization. This language also throws out another frequent defense organizations use when trying to beat accusations of hazing - that the act was not required as a condition of membership to enter the organization.
Prior to Hasner's bill, hazing plaguing Florida's universities was handled by university and fraternity judicial boards. The biggest punishment previously dished out for hazing was expulsion from school - a slap on the wrist compared to the five years in jail violators now face.
Hasner says he is "very positive about the outlook of fraternities and the role they play in society." Hasner says his commitment to the Greek system will not end now that the Chad Meredith Act has passed.
"I've made myself available to all the state universities," Hasner said. "I will travel to any of the schools - at my own cost - to speak to student groups and the Greek system and explain why it was so important to make hazing a criminal act in the state of Florida."
Posted on June 16, 2005 at 7:20 AM | Comments (1)
Frat/Soror Round-Up for May 26
Grambling set to give degree to late student
By TIMOTHY P. BUSH
Staff Writer
Though Shanita Sharmaine Shine was unable to finish her last semester of college because of her death, Grambling State University plans to award the former Beauregard Parish resident's degree to her mother this Sunday morning at the university's fall commencement. The ceremony will take place at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium beginning at 8 a.m.
Rosa Cole, Shanita's mother, received a letter from the university saying that the senior would be awarded her degree posthumously.
"I didn't think they were going to give her the degree since she had not been in school since December," Cole said.
The 3.8 GPA student left school on December 2nd after being confused and disoriented. She died on March 21, 2005.
Cole said she wasn't aware of the impact her daughter had on so many people in her short life. Since her death, a tree has been planted in her memory at GSU. She was honored with an award from the GSU chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. The award will be named in Shine's honor and given to a deserving member within the organization.
Shanita was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Society, Beta Phi Society, Student Mentor, Big Brother Big Sisters and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
"It really gives my heart joy that even though she's not here physically, she is leaving a legacy behind," Cole said. "It pleases me to know that she touched so many people's lives. She was so focused and hard working, so it pleases me that her hard work is being recognized.
Delta Sigma Theta recognizes community work
By Jennifer Peltz
Staff Writer
May 22, 2005
WEST PALM BEACH · Delta Sigma Theta is a sisterhood and a distinguished one, counting congresswomen, a presidential cabinet member and noted activists and artists among its members.
But the Deltas aren't chary about giving men credit, too. In fact, the predominantly African-American sorority's West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter alternates its annual community-leadership awards between men and women every year.
"We don't recognize the men enough, not in our community. So we have made a concerted effort," explains awards chair Allyson Smith. "It's a very proud thing, I think, for a man to say, `The women think that I'm doing something that's contributing to their lives.'"
If Saturday's Men of Excellence Awards gala was any indication, she's right. As honoree Alfred "Zack" Straghn put it, "It does make me feel that I have touched people that I thought I hadn't."
The gathering at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts recognized the men for their work in fields ranging from arts to business, but above all for their commitment to community service. The sorority evaluates not only nominees' achievements, but their zeal.
And it does not consider elected officials, aiming instead to recognize "the everyday person who's doing great things," Smith said.
The Deltas did make a bit of an exception for one very recognizable honoree, actor/producer/director Tim Reid. He said the sorority had impressed him since his days at Virginia's Norfolk State University.
"I know the power, prestige and the dynamics of the organization," said Reid, whose 30-year career includes starring in WKRP in Cincinnati and writing and directing the critically acclaimed film Once Upon A Time ... When We Were Colored.
Reid's fellow honorees may not have screen credits, but they are luminaries in their own respects. Straghn, for instance, is an esteemed Delray Beach community activist. The owner of Straghn and Son Tri-City Funeral Home, he headed his hometown's Human Relations Board and led South Palm Beach County's branch of the NAACP for 10 years, among many other civic endeavors.
Elder Robert J. Hendley Jr. has worked to make Greater Bethel Primitive Baptist Church a resource for those in need, in ways as diverse as starting a school and making buses and buildings available to disaster victims. The pastor's work at the Riviera Beach church dates back decades.
James J. Jefferson of West Palm Beach is a retired educator and seemingly tireless volunteer. He calls bingo at a nursing home, provides advice and referrals on a 211 crisis-line shift, helps staff his neighborhood's citizens patrol and that's just the beginning.
Orville Lawton started and directs the Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches, a highly regarded volunteer chorus that centers on preserving black spirituals. Lawton also teaches at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts, a public arts magnet school.
Joseph Orr spent more than 40 years as a teacher, principal and high-ranking administrator in Palm Beach County's public schools. He's now working to start a Montessori-method charter school, a public school run by a private group, in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Responsible Fatherhood Initiative of Palm Beach County, led by director Kevin T. Irvin, works with fathers and potential fathers, some as young as 9. Offerings range from afterschool programs to support groups for dads.
For more information about the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, see www.deltasigmatheta.org v or call 202-986-2400.
Jennifer Peltz can be reached at jpeltz@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6636.
Copyright © 2005, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Local students learn valuable lession
By Kerry Batey
The Daily Sentinel
Published May 18, 2005
Students from the Alabama A and M University recently paid a visit to Scottsboro thanks to Coordinator Tiajuana Cotton. Members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity visited and performed Step Shows for students at the Scottsboro Christian Academy and the local Boys and Girls Club.
The students enjoyed the Step Show, but they also learned some valuable advice. Advisor, Kevin Walker, told students a little about his childhood experience and involvement with the Boys and Girls Club. Walker said that he had tried becoming a part of other groups and organizations. However, he found that the Boys and Girls Club organization really cared about him and helped him succeed in life. According to Walker the Boys and Girls Club aided him throughout high school and even his first year in college by teaching him valuable skills.
NPHC Event To Step Up Black Culture Week
by Jason La - Staff Writer
Friday, May 20, 2005
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) will host its annual Yard Show tomorrow on the UCen lawn as part of the 2005 Black Culture Week celebration.
The free event will last from 12 to 2 p.m. with a live DJ. The Black Student Union will host a raffle with prizes, and the show will feature performances from the Black Reign and Skyline dance troupes. Third-year law & society and black studies major Karen Everett, NPHC president, said the show is meant to serve dual purposes.
"It's not only a form of entertainment -- it's a time for us to educate the community about different aspects of black culture," she said.
Everett, who is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, said the Yard Show drew about 200 people last year. She said the NPHC used to host the show in Storke Plaza, but as the number of people attending grew, the organization had to relocate the event to the UCen lawn.
The dance routines at the event are called "stepping," where performers dance, clamp and stomp to create a beat.
"Stepping is a dance form that derives from African culture," Everett said. "It began as a song and dance routine, and it evolved into a more acrobatic or rhythmic performance."
Zakiyah Shepard, Black Reign dance team president, said the group performed at the Yard Show in previous years and drew a large crowd. She said last year's celebration was fun and is one of the last performances for Black Reign this year.
"We're going to do a hip hop dance -- real funk -- lots of flavor like we always do," Shepard said.
Rounding out the 2005 Black Culture Week celebrations, the Delta Sigma Theta sorority will put on the "Red Hot" barbeque from 2 to 4 p.m. in the UCen courtyard today. The Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity will host a bowling event Saturday night at Zodo's. On Sunday, Zeta Phi Beta is having a three-on-three basketball and dunking tournament Girsh Park in Goleta from 12 to 4 p.m. The winning three-person team will receive a $350 cash prize, while the dunking champion will be awarded a $50 prize.
Posted on May 26, 2005 at 7:17 AM | Comments (0)
I really want this paddle!
Isn't this a nice paddle?
I soooooo want this paddle when I grow up, LOL. That joint is 65 bucks! It's good workmanship though. If you want it for yourself, click here to be directed to the ebay auction for it.
Posted on May 21, 2005 at 10:46 AM | Comments (2)
Round-Up for May 14, 2005
NPHC handles outdoor dispute: Northwestern
Kappa Alpha Psi and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternities engaged in an altercation near Bobb
by Marcy Miranda
May 10, 2005
Several altercations early Friday morning involving two rival fraternities were provoked by a non-Northwestern student at a fraternity initiation ceremony Thursday night, said the president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the organization that governs the historically black Greek system.During Thursday's Alpha Phi Alpha probate, where new members of the fraternity were presented to other NPHC fraternities and sororities, a balled up piece of paper was thrown in the direction of Alpha neophytes -- the new members of the fraternity -- on the basketball courts outside of Bobb Hall and McCulloch Hall, witnesses said.
NPHC President Jonathan Reynolds said witnesses thought that a member of Kappa Alpha Psi threw the paper -- a disrespectful gesture that "Alpha Phi Alpha had a right to question," he said. But after five NHPC organizations held a meeting with university administrators, they decided that the paper probably was thrown by a student who is a member of another university's chapter.
After the probate, members of Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi were involved in four to six disturbances with four to 10 people involved in each altercation, said Asst. Chief Daniel McAleer of University Police.
A resident assistant called University Police to report unauthorized people in the area around 11:06 p.m. Thursday, according to McAleer. UP sent four officers to the basketball courts, where they estimated the crowd to be about 80 to 100 people. After noting that nothing was happening, three of the officers left the scene and left one officer behind to monitor the event.
The altercations broke out around 12:39 a.m. Friday. More UP officers arrived, and the crowd moved out of the basketball courts and into the Sports Pavillion and Aquantic Center parking lot. After the altercation, UP estimated the crowd grew to 150 people.
Evanston Police Department officers were called to assist with crowd control, McAleer said.
UP officers gave verbal warnings and were able to contain the altercations with "minimum or no police intervention," McAleer said. There were no reported weapons or injuries, and no arrests.
Because the incident probably was started by a student outside of NU, Reynolds said, there will be no repercussions or penalties for either of the fraternities.
Kyle Pendleton, director of fraternity and sorority life, could not be reached for comment Monday.
It is not uncommon for members of fraternities from surrounding chapters to attend events like probates in support of their organizations, said Reynolds, who is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. He also said there have been no other instances where non-NU chapters caused trouble.
There are other Alpha Phi Alpha chapters at Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago, Chicago State University and a joint chapter for the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University Chicago. Kappa Alpha Psi has another a chapter at the University of Chicago.
"I think it was a misunderstanding, and all the police that came escalated the attention drawn to it," said Weinberg junior Ketica Guter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, who witnessed the event. "There was miscommunication between the frats."
Reynolds agreed that the police response magnified the situation.
"The nature in which the police responded to the situation sent the perception that it was a much bigger thing," Reynolds said.
NHPC hopes to initiate a forum with UP to discuss the way in which the police responded to the situation.
"Responses like that take the focus away from the positive things these communities do," Reynolds said. "They put the focus on the one minor incident that is completely magnified."
The rivalry between the two fraternities is healthy, Reynolds said. It is comparable to the rivalries between other fraternities on campus, he said.
"Everyone has an affinity to their organization," Reynolds said.
First-Ever Children's Book Published About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) - Fresh Publishing, LLC has done it again with the release of its forthcoming title My Mommy Is An AKA due to release on Mothers Day, 2005. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will be impressed with the dynamic portrayal of their great organization in this first-ever children's book about the first African American sorority ever established.Fresh Publishing and Teach Me Greek continue with their mission of releasing educational periodicals about the positive influences of the Divine 9 African American greek lettered organizations and author Audra P. Jackson continues to depict all organizations at the highest levels of excellence in her vibrant, colorful children's book series.
When asked how she can write about other organizations, Audra simply states, "All of our organizations were based on the same premise, public service and the cultural, social and civic betterment of our communities. The historical information of all of our organizations is public domain, and since I am a writer, I do extensive research, have focus groups from each of the organizations to help keep me in line and I let my natural, creative talent and ability do the rest."
Her natural talent continues to pay off as the resounding appreciation for this trend setting idea is noted throughout the African American greek community to the music industry where she was a publicist and marketing executive for many years. Audra has also received many accolades for her literary contributions including those from New Jersey's Secretary of State, Regena Thomas as well as a congressional recognition and an official proclamation from Dr. Joyce Beatty from the Ohio House of Representatives just to name a few.
Audra's unique delivery of information about fraternities and sororities continues to keep members in the greek community happy as they struggled to find periodicals to explain their organizations to their children.
Fresh Publishing has managed to fill a void in the marketplace for positive children's books about African American fraternities and sororities and honestly boasts the originators of the Divine Nine children's book series. "All of my sorority sisters will be really proud of My Mommy Is An AKA, it is truly a one of a kind, literary masterpiece and an heirloom to pass down to our children that is done in a cute and colorful format promoting literacy," states AKA member Cheryl Bell from the Atlanta Tribune.
Interested parties will have a one-of a kind opportunity to meet the author and personally get their book signed on Saturday, May 7th at Tarrazu Gourmet Coffee Bar located at 265 Ponce DeLeon Avenue, N.E., in Midtown Atlanta from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Executive Realty Group and A Class Scholars Day Care are sponsoring the event, which will prove to be an exciting and fun filled afternoon for those patrons receiving their books one day prior to the release date of Mothers Day, Sunday, May 8th. The only other way to receive a specially autographed copy of the book is to be one of the first 100 pre-ordered copies at www.teachmegreek.com or call 1-866-302-2669. The retail price is $18.99 plus tax.
The first-ever children's book series chronicles the nine existing, also known as the Divine 9 African American greek letter organizations in an inspiring light that will educate young children and youth about the positive influences of sororities and fraternities and their historical contribution to African American culture and history as we know it today. Other titles in the series include: My Mommy is a Delta (www.mymommyisadelta.com), My Mommy is a Sigma Gamma Rho (Mothers Day 2006), My Mommy is a Zeta (Mothers Day 2006), My Daddy is a Kappa (Christmas 2005), My Daddy is an Omega (Christmas 2005) My Daddy is an Alpha (Fathers Day, 2005), My Daddy is a Phi Beta Sigma, (Fathers Day, 2006) and My Daddy is an Iota Phi Theta (Fathers Day, 2006). Visit www.teachmegreek.com for these other titles.
Stanford: Alpha Kappa Alpha hosts 11th Dating Game
By Jenny Allen
Senior Staff Writer
Friday, May 6, 2005
Even though the participants of Stanford’s 11th annual Alpha Kappa Alpha Dating Game were not alive when the original show aired in the 1960s and 1970s, the event’s popularity rivaled its vintage namesake. Manzanita Dining Hall, artfully decorated with the sorority’s colors, green and pink, was packed with by the time the program began at 8:30 p.m. yesterday.The game consisted of three rounds — two with three bachelors competing for one eligible bachelorette, and one with the situation reversed. Audience members participated as eligible bachelor and bachelorettes, and off-campus contestants were included for the first time in the event’s history.
Questions posed to the potential suitors included: I just won a trip for two to the Bahamas, why should I take you with me? Describe the perfect meal you would cook for us. If I were in a candy shop, what kind of sweet would you be? And do you wear boxers or briefs and can you please show the audience?
Contestants’ voices were scrambled so that the selector could not identify them. Audience members assisted during the decision-making process by applauding for one of the three contenders.