Unlike and like most of you I did not pledge a greek fraternity when I was in college. About 10 of me and my friends were all going to go Kappa and after the first initial interview I personally felt like a punk so I just didn’t go. About half of my friends went through with it and are now Kappas. Most of the cats I hang around are either Alphas or Omegas and besides the not being part of the funny hand shake ceremony and I guess not being called frat brothers I still feel like I made the right choice. I still consider it weak minded and more over I consider it to be following mentality. I know I’m going to hear some brotherhood or sisterhood speeches from some of you but I still don’t see any reason to join besides false brotherhood.
Ok,Ok I offended enough people but truth be told I don’t know what the hell they do. Besides the big Delta meetings, so called networking, the occasional ice breakers and handing out turkeys on thanksgiving I never hear of anyone who is Greek doing anything for our race. Some of you are going to start naming people from history like Crispus Attucks, Kunta Kente, Alex Haley, Bill Cosby, or Michael Jordan but still none of these real or fictional motherfuckers have done anything either. The funniest shit to me is some of them are honorary Greeks, so since they didn’t want to be Greek in college now I guess someone just nominates them and says “Yeah we want Will Smith”!
When I was being interviewed or questioned all these guys were telling me about their history. I got to know it started in 1911 or 1906 or some date when Blacks couldn’t organize. Then someone starting telling me they had African Names too because the whole idea of Black Greeks is just as stupid as a Chocolate Cow. I began looking around and I started thinking to myself I barely want to be friends with these motherfuckers when I see them on campus I sure as hell don’t want to know them for the rest of my life. I have to admit though I am biased growing up in Compton we have gangs and when people are loyal they are life and death loyal. I looked at most of these guys and thought if shit hit the fan these fuckers would run and they would just write me from jail.
Personally I believe all these social organization are just bullshit feeders into other bullshit organizations. Maybe someone will join the Mocha Moms, or the Masons, or maybe they’ll go Alpha Grad Chapter, or maybe they’ll enroll all their kids in Jack and Jill. I have had the fortune of running into some of these motherfuckers and I always think why would I join anything that is just a fucking Black Middle class association for the furtherance of nothing that moves the race forward collectively. I even had one girl shocked that I wasn’t sending my tithes into the NAACP.
I guess I would be less hard on them if I thought they were pooling their money together to make changes in the neighborhood. Shit I would be happy if they pooled their money together and started creating Kappa Town or bought a fucking mall or shit even a franchise of Subways. I just don’t see because I am not on the inside what they are doing and since I am not on the inside I criticize them from the outside. What is the reason for having all these upwardly mobile blacks in a group if you aren’t going to build something. I just find it a humongous waste of talent, money and potential power.
Solution: If you joined because in college it was cool to join I have no issues with you. I just don’t know what the hell they do besides celebrate their own GREEK/BLACK accomplishments. When I was a kid I used to watch the Flintstones and I would laugh at them going to their Loyal Order of Water Buffalo meetings. I guess I’m just laughing because I thought the shit was stupid then and I still think the shit is stupid now.
I didn’t pledge because I didn’t know anything about it. My parents never got past high school and neither did my brother. I think that it is a cool thing to do in college, it helps you to feel connected to something bigger than yourself, engages tradition, and most fraternities and sororities do participate in community events and charitiable work. This exposure is good for most kids.
I also think that being in a fraternity or sorority is great networking and gives you resources you wouldn’t necessarily have otherwise. But really… some folk DO take it just a little too far. The Omegas branding for instance… I don’t effing think so. I would lose my effing mind if my son came home with that bs on his body.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I am not sure I know much about this issue but this is a food for thought
Thanks for stopping by my blog
u brought back some great memories re the flinstones
Tell us how you really feel!! Damn…you put it out there didn’t you! I loved it!! My hubby and I are GDI as well…he said he is allergic to clowns putting their hands on him and me…I’m just different. I think perhaps if I had been a “traditional” college student I may have had different ideas, but considering I was married and had children as an undergrad…my priorities were different than others. However…I have a friend that is a Delta and I think it is great to see how she still gets together with her sorors after all these years.
oh my. i thought about it in college. i thought about it before college. i think about it from time to time now… it’s because i benefitted from programs sponsored by some black/greek letter orgs when i was a youth in the streets. (LOL! if you knew me, you’d know how ridiculous it is that i refer to myself as “a youth in the streets.”) anyway, i am a networked person strengthened by my associations and circles of influence, so the idea of being part of a group like a sorority doesn’t seem so weak minded to me as it does to you.
like any member organization, it’s as strong as the people in it make it. some chapters are more conscious than others. some orgs are about more than strolling and wearing colors than others.
it definitely is not for everyone.
FreeMan… I can tell You haven’t seen the movie “Stomp The Yard” which focuses on brotherhood and stepping lol. On the serious tip the film was made by some young men that captured the essence of joining a frat for more than the ladies, careers, prestiage. Also in the film it featured many many great leaders that pleadged and made a difference just to name a few Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott, and there are a host of others that the film highlighted that I didn’t know were PEOPLE THAT MADE HISTORY that pledged Greek. So that film out if you haven’t I personally enjoyed the film it kind-of made we wanna go pledge.
You know how I love quotes lol there is a line from the film that said i’m paraphrasing “You make the Letters, the Letters don’t make You!”
As a proud Omega Man, I have to point out how utterly irrelevant your opinion of my Fraternity is; except for the obvious entertainment value of course. Frankly, I always find it funny when outsiders, especially those who didn’t join an organization for whatever reason, have this type of view. I strongly suggest that you ask your friends who are Omegas what we’ve done and who we are. If they can only spout some entertainers or athletes (hell if they only know one of the astronauts), then they are doing the Frat and you a grave disservice.
On the other hand, some of your points are very valid. My fraternity, just like any other organization throughout human history, has some element of followers and losers. After all human beings are naturally herding animals. So to that point we, just like the rest of the Black community have a ways to go and a lot of work to do. But at least we’re out in front, still leading instead back there with the pack.
I remember when I was in college, I used to think fraternities and sororities were funny, I would actually laugh at them when I saw them. I went to an Art School, so our focus was on individuality, so when I used to hang out at UIC or Chicago State, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Why would a grown man get his ass kicked to be apart of a fraternty? I didn’t understand this.
But once I graduated and my cousin (who is an AKA) started inviting me to her sororities events, I started to understand a little bit more. A lot of them are very active wihin their communities.
People who pledge and are not active after college, those are the people that did it for the parties and popularity. But those that are still active years and years after pledging, those are the ones that did it for the right reasons.
I’ll read this post later. You owe me an apology first. Your tone was WAY OUT OF LINE. And trust me, I can be an asshole on other peoples’ blog. But I never try to tell them what to write about. I’m just guilty about forcing my views on them. And the only reason I’m doing this here is because you don’t publish your e-mail address.
I’m going to have to ask you nicely to not talk to me like that on MY BLOG!!!!!!!!
Re read what you wrote and if you don’t have any remorse about it, then please don’t come back bruh. “You need to chill, Zack?” Are you fuckin serious? And you write about the same shit on this blog? C’MON MAN!
@RMOM – My issue is besides them pointing out our brother is a Astronaut, or a CEO or the first Black to ride a Zamboni I don’t know what they build. Wouldn’t you think all these Black college graduates would build something. Not fall back and say we are involved in our community. I know plenty of people who are involved in their community. You can’t just say we are a service organization and have nothing to show for it but a big meeting at a hotel, a step show, and the annual turkey giveaway. What a waste of talent!
@Standtall – Thanks for coming through.
@Raw – I know everyone remember when Barney and Fred would put on their Water Buffalo hats. Of course I took it to far but then again I have to try to get people to respond.
@Raven – I forgot about GDI LMAO. I have friends who are Alphas, Kappas, and Omegas so I really don’t have a beef with them individually. I just always hear about the networking that is going on but besides sharing information I have never seen anyone move forward. Now I have a ton of friends who are GREEK/BLACK so I don’t want you to think they are losers they own companies are in politics and are all really decent men. If I wanted to just network with Black people I could just join the Urban League or NAACP without worrying about the secret oath and the hazing.
@mdot – Well what’s the use of a organization if it’s not to further the advancement of their goals? What’s the use of networking if the only thing you make is a whole bunch of friends you can do that anywhere. I am trying to find some brick and mortar building that one of these guys have built. If you collect all these dues where are the works. Now if we were talking about a church everyone just allows their money to disappear and says God took half, but in these GREEK/BLACK organizations what have they built. Networking is great to meet and get something out of other people but a organization builds things and furthers their goal. What have they built and what do they further? Turkey Giveaways?
@Freedom – You know I am not watching Stomp the Yard! That and DrumLine I think are great to encourage people to go to college by sensationalizing unique opportunities we have within our HBCU’s and our organizations. On the MLK thing did he pledge or did they make him a honorary Greek? I’m willing to be corrected as this is a open forum and I don’t mind being challenged.
@Carl – My main man Carl! Well if you find it funny when people talk about your frat that makes two of us. Now I’m not trying to question the intelligence or denigrate a person who is in a fraternity I’m just asking what have they built. Like I said I have plenty of friends who are GREEK/BLACK so individually I know what kind of cats they are and I don’t have a bad impression from any of them. I just look at the sheer number of black college graduates who give dues and are upwardly mobile and I wonder where are the works? Not the tutoring, not the turkey giveaways, not the so called service stuff, I’m asking what has been built? You know Carl I can take a correction in stride I’m just waiting for someone to provide a link of what has been purchased, provide a organized effort by any of the organizations of purchasing land, a mall, a franchise, not by the individual but by the group. I understand any group will have a lot of followers but if it’s a organization it organizes the people to fulfill a goal! What is the goal? Carl I welcome you to point me in the right direction and I’m not putting you on blast to carry the whole organization. Just point me to who I should email and I will as I want to see what has been built. Maybe I’ll join grad chapter to help build their goal!
@RPauline – I understand the meetings all organizations have meeting, I understand the networking all organizations throw networking functions, I understand the followers all organizations have followers, what I don’t get is where is the proof. You don’t have to be inside a construction company to see what they built. You don’t have to be inside a toy manfacturer to see the toys. They say they are building young men and women well where is the proof. Are they taking credit for college graduates which most likely would’ve graduated anyway. What have they built?
@Zack – Check your blog and like I said if the worst I said to you was to chill and you come over here to let me know cool homie. Like I said sometimes someone says the wrong thing at the wrong time and I could’ve made the mistake of that. So even though I don’t see a reason to apologize I’ll do so now “I apologize” because no matter what I’m sure my post on your blog did not intend to cause you any discomfort. I can be a grown Man about it and let you know that.
I started as a person who pledged to learn what it was about, because “friends for hire” made no sense to me. My goal was to learn why they were so gung-ho over some letters, and maybe pick up some kind of philosophy, which I was into in my early 20’s, and then drop right before it was time to cross. I didn’t realize how much my life would change in those 8 weeks, 6 days, and 22 hours. Other than my relationship with Jesus Christ, no relationship outside of my family has had the impact on my life that my relationship with my Frat has.
Yes, there were the drunken parties, and trying to kick it to a sister after a step-show that I knew wouldn’t give me the time of day if I wasn’t a step-master. But there was also the working for Habitat for Humanity, campaigning door to door in a “foreign” hood for Black Political Candidates, and annual cultural festivals, Halloween Parties for kids, and fundraising basketball tournaments for Cancer cures. Most important was the fact that both our constructive, and destructive actions were monitored by the Graduate Chapter. Fraternities/sororities have a built in system of rites of passage based on wisdom of elders. It is mentoring for those who have already shown the desire to commit themselves to something others didn’t… four years of college. You are mentored through college, then you are mentored into the graduate chapter. As you gain understanding of the mission of the organization, and all of them have great missions, you expand your level of commitment to the organization’s impact on the community. Unlike other folks who finish college and often find themselves alone, or having to stay in touch with “that person at school that took you under their wing”, you can leave a chapter in one part of the country and immediately find a “home” in another; with new brothers, sisters and mentors to help you transition into the world of work.
Like most things in our society, the best of what goes on goes on in private, while what is newsworthy is the worst of what happens. That’s not to excuse the insanity that does happen, but to point the finger at the reality the situation. If a brother points at his “history”, he is pointing at his/our “roots”. Rooted in the roots of Black History in the last hundred years is the impact of the Fraternities, the Sororities, and their members. Sometimes the true power of an organization is the impact it has on the individual members. So many older Frat/Sorors, are committed church members, youth club volunteers, community leaders, college advisors, etc. They are not working with the organization when they do these things, but the organization is working in/through them. The love of service they developed in college, and the training in how to be an effective leader/participant that they received from the elders comes out in their personal lives. That is the primary power of the local organization. On the national level, while not as powerful as they used to be, the organizations still have great influence on legislative bodies nationally based on their vast memberships.
Like I said in the beginning, I once hated the organizations based on what I “saw”, but I chose to learn as much as possible about what I criticized. Once I did, I developed the respect that I still have today. I still didn’t mention what organization I’m in, because I always said they were four roads to the same place. There is one for every personality, and every focus of service. I know I can’t mentor every young brother on my road, ‘cause they are in a different place personality wise. I thank God for my brothers on those other three roads that teach the sons I’ll never know. As long as we get to the same place, that’s all that matters.
Here are some Frat folks, in founding organization order:
http://alphaphialpha.truman.edu/Famous.htm
http://omega.rso.wisc.edu/FAMOUS_OMEGA_MEN.html
http://studentorganizations.missouristate.edu/KAPsi/Famous%20NUPEs.htm
http://comp.uark.edu/~phisig/famous_frat.html
FreeMan your the man!
@Jordan lol I think you meant to say FreeMan he is the Man. For I am the Woman LMAO!
@FreeMan… Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and many other influential rush and pledge Alpha Phi Alpha. http://www.greekforme.com/alpha-phi-alpha-info.html
Freeman, to quote you: “I wonder where are the works? Not the tutoring, not the turkey giveaways, not the so called service stuff, I’m asking what has been built? ” I’m really not trying to turn this into an argument, but what the fuck do you consider important then?
Here’s a link to our website: http://oppf.org which should answer some of your questions. By the way, that address listed is the Omega World Headquaters; which we own. That’s 1 example of something “brick and mortar” that we’ve created. There are several others across the country. My chapter (just like many others) provides multiple scholarships each year that are renewable every year that the recipient is in college. So in that way we do have quantifiable evidence that many students over the years have graduated because of us.
Let me make this clear, I (just like the average Omega) doesn’t care what some GDI thinks about us. Unless maybe if you’re a fine woman. But since we’re here to learn, I’m just trying to help keep the discussion factual. While we are by no means perfect, to act as if the very real contributions of our members are limited to some trivial bullshit is not helping anyone. Again, I’m not saying you’re all wrong; but you are presenting a skewed point of view.
the concept of secret societies came from afrika to begin with
when the greeks conquered egypt they ripped them off on every level
they learned at the feet of afrikans in their universities and temples and the copied almost EVERYTHING the high priests taught
the paterned groups such as the masons and the “Black Greeks” (thats an oxy moron btw) off of ancient afrikan secret societies
and the black greeks of today are only good for consuming masive amounts of alcohol, filling up the hotels supporting that industry
they are no good AT ALL to the black community
as a matter of fact they are a hindrance to the overall progress of the black community because they are taking more money our of the black community to support others through their consumption patterns
black people just dont get it lol
@Dwane T – I commend you for going on the inside and finding something beneficial to you. Like I said I am not attacking the individual but more the organization for their works. When Farrakhan assembled the million man march there were plenty of misleaders jumping on him saying he should register all these black men, he should do this and do that. Now I don’t know all the members of the BLACK GREEKS but I would think there are a million. So to me it’s weird that they can get away with just being of service like they are a religious organization and not produce in tangible brick and mortar ways. Service is a band aid and we need cures. It’s entirely a waste of time to keep handing out turkeys and sponsoring events to bring light to the damn problem when we need people who can do things with their hands to prevent them in the first place. Like I said if you found a enriching experience in there great I’m all for any Black Man becoming stronger but ask yourself this. GOD MADE US MEN WITH THIS STRENGTH TO BUILD THINGS NOT TO PAT EACH OTHER ON THE BACK AND DANCE!
@Jordan – Thanks for the compliment bruh!
@Freedom – I changed Jordan’s comment so don’t think you read it wrong. Now I knew the name dropping would start but that’s not what I am getting at. Thurgood Marshall and MLK that’s great but the question is did their association with whomever the frat make them who they are? Did it aid them in their struggle? Or are we celebrating that Malcolm X went to Little Rock High class of 52 and implying that the High School made him who he is today. We can’t just build organizations just to pat each other on the back and then come out into the world and ask our people to be part of the Grammy Awards. You can’t just keep giving away turkeys and tutoring without someone stopping and saying we should do this ourselves. WHERE ARE THE LEADERS OR ARE THEY A SHITLOAD OF FOLLOWERS?
@JTubman – Yeah I know the BLACK GREEKS don’t make sense that’s why I keep highlighting it in the post. Now I’m going to give them a pass when they are in college everyone has fun and you can’t expect a couple younglings to act like grown men. So the partying, step shows, funny noises are alright with me it’s a bonding experience. Now I’m with you on them renting big ass hotels for their meetings instead of someone saying we should pool our money and buy our own hotel and run it as a business when we don’t need to meet. Now I’m not even going to go into why they are still called Greek organizations when we are not Greek. Nor will I go into the History behind always trying to emulate the masses in everything we do. That can all be implied.
Personally my thing is if they are secret societies what’s the big secret. That Black Men are meeting behind closed doors to talk about what they are going to do with the dues. Are they planning the Illuminati or something? All I say is what do they have to show for this short of 100 year history besides some name dropping. What has been built that they can show any of us. Not some community foodbank shit, I can do that. We are talking about a brain trust of young black men and women and all they let the public know is we like to throw parties and we network with each other “see here’s a picture of me and my sorors” Don’t you think if they built something people would want to join?
Well let me say this about that.
Fraternities and Sororities are not based solely on community service. In most cases it is an aspect, but by design social service isn’t the priority. It’s about brotherhood and sisterhood. Mostly centered around those who you are currently pledged with. Although there is a significant emphasis on heritage and history, for the most part members tend to focus on those they are directly connected with. These are bonds that traditionally last a lifetime.
As far as moving the community ahead or furthering the cause, it is unlikely the Greek social network will work very well. It simply doesn’t have the power structure. They can barely take care of their own on occasion. But that isn’t to say that it’s not a starting point.
In the end however, you cannot forget what the Greeks are really all about. They are social organizations, always have been and always will be. If they were really anything else, why would they “exclude” people from membership?
Hey Thanks for stopping by one of my blogs today.(.I think you’ve been on my main blog -”Keith’s Space” too.) As you probably know,
I’m a Kappa and I’ll be honest..I pledged when I was an undergrad..
for purely personal and social reasons (all the girls were going for guys that were in frats..) but prior to the semester I pledged,I felt the same way you do…The 9 guys I pledged with are close friends of mine to this day and I made many many friends over the years
just by being in that particular organization..Like my fellow Black
Greek, The Que, stated in his comments above..Every organization has it share of drunks and losers…That’s just human nature…but
Since I have graduated from college,I have taken part in Voter registration drives, a campaign to free the Jena Six, An activity to help the homeless and a few others not just with my Fraternity, but with The Omega Psi Phi Organization, The Alpha Phi Alpha Organization and the sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Zeta Phi Beta.. I have friends and associates in all of those groups and they take community service very seriously.
Like everything there is positives and negatives…Let’s not just look at the negatives.
All things considered though this was a good post. I am having a discussion about Black male -female relationships after the age of forty on my site “Keith’s Space” (url-www.ariesrules.blogspot.com).
I welcome your insights.
Thanks again for dropping by…and don’t be a stranger to either
of my blogs.
Mensa “excludes”. Are they a social group? Let me clarify for those outsiders who don’t get it when we say “Greek”. Nobody is calling them selves Greek. It’s just short for Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO).
Someone (sorry I don’t feel like reading over this shit again) mentioned their opposition to branding. Did you know that Africans have been using scarring as identification with and/or status within their individual nations for eons?
Ok, now to the rest of that hatin-ass bullshit I say HA! Because I bet some Que is doin the chick that dumped in high-school…right now!
Hey, still love your blog though!!
@Terry – I am coming around to your point of view on this whole discussion. I guess I shouldn’t ask a social group to make leaders and I should accept it for what it is. So I know I opened up some deep feelings on people but hey I wanted to start a discussion and that’s what we got.
@Keith – Thanks for falling through bruh and I do appreciate your honesty in the post. I in no way want to challenge you guys man to man on your acts. I know personally that there are things that frats are part of and they help to serve our community. I’m just asking why not more. I agree with you that there is a lot of positive that is being done and I will shed more light on that but that doesn’t mean no one can’t challenge your position. If you stand up as a MAN and you ask for other people to follow you can’t be mad when they question who you are and why you should be the leader.
@Carl – Hey Man you are one of my favorite people who respond so don’t worry I’m not taking offense. I know you shoot from the hip so it makes for good reading on my part too. I’m not in any way trying to say the Greek frats are not good in one way like a social organization but I think it’s hypocritical to site so many famous people who have some kind of status and then fall back and say we are a service organization. On the one hand there’s Thurgood Marshall and lets champion him and then on the other hand we have some drunks. What is the organization about? Is it leadership training or is it just a place to make friends? Either way I’m OK with it like I said I have many of friends who are good productive Black Men who pledged and still enjoy their membership to this day. So please don’t think I wrote this over some college beef over a girl because that would demean the whole post. Besides of the hypocritical stance I actually seen how it gives some brothers better self esteem and focus. Keep it coming Carl you know I can take a punch or two. LMAO
Also Carl I just read your previous posts about what I think is substantial. Well I’m glad you guys own your own frat house that’s a good step. I’m glad you sponsor scholarship, and hand out turkeys and tutor and the like, that’s all needed. I’m just saying with an organization of men no one in there thought about opening up a market in a neglected neighborhood. You mean no on in there thought about operating a Jiffy Lube aka oil change place where maybe you can train some kids on just the basics while making a profit. You mean no one in there thought about opening up a after school program furnished with strong Black Men as examples for our folk to see and interact with. You mean no one has thought about how to buy up land with all the dues that are collected so we can build what we want on there. You mean no one has thought about getting all of you guys together and making a run for mayor of the city or even a council seat. You mean no one has thought of pooling your monies together to buy a strip mall and rent it out to other people. You mean no on has thought of starting a neighborhood watch to make sure violence is at least slowed down against our own folk. You mean no one thought about buying a office park and leasing the space for other businesses. I guess not but I’m glad you guys do what you do maybe I’m asking too much of a service organization.
Ok, so what you’re saying is it was a Delta who dumped you for a Que that was cheating on her with an AKA that you had a secret crush on, who was the sister of an Alpha, and engaged to a Kappa? Sorry man…sorry.
Seriously though, from my perspective my organization is more of a leadership development organization. But just like any leadership development program the pressure can make diamonds (like Dr. David Satcher) or it can crush you (like Lac). I’m sure you’ve heard of Dr. Satcher, but you’ll never hear of Lac because he’s the type that slipped in and found out the hard way that he’s much better off on the outside.
@Carl – Yes Mensa does exclude. They have after all IQ requirements, which I suppose is the point of their organization.
Don’t misunderstand my point here, I’m just suggesting that how socially minded can you expect any organizations to be, that socially has a tendency to discriminate in one form or another.
GOD MADE US MEN WITH THIS STRENGTH TO BUILD THINGS NOT TO PAT EACH OTHER ON THE BACK AND DANCE!
I understand where you are coming from, but God is pleased by us doing for our Brother. THERE ARE VERY FEW THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE AS POWERFUL AS BUILDING UP ANOTHER MAN. God made us our brother’s keeper. He said that we could have no greater love than to lay our lives down for our brothers. Jesus said that when we give out a turkey at Thanksgiving, we are feeding Him, because that which we do for the least of His children, we also do for Him. The person who wants to move the earth is disheartened by organizations with thousands of members giving away turkeys. But the men who took the turkeys home to their hungry families thank God for those organizations. The Civil Rights movement was not a brick and mortar movement. It moved the hearts of individuals, who moved the goals of organizations, politicians and legislators, who moved to create an environment where brick and mortar building could take place. The Bible says that service IS the cure. Jesus took individuals, brought them together to do projects, sent them out to do projects, brought them back together, sent them out, etc. There was no brick and mortar. There was changing of hearts and minds, which led to brick and mortar by those whom were gifted in those areas.
Your assessment is just as valid for the Congressional Black Caucus as it is for Fraternities and Sororities. The same could be (and is) said for the NAACP and the Urban League. You’re right in that they don’t do the things you say, but that was never their goal. They are there to uplift the individual and the community as a way to uplift the race/mankind. They are all grass roots based… for Fraternaties and Sororities, that was originally campus-based. They never believed they would be this big when they started, but the strength of the membership and the desire to contribute over the years lifted them to unimagined heights. They adjusted on the fly, and still accomplished great things. Check out Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Phi Beta Sigma on Wikipedia, or just go to their National Office web pages. Truth be told, Fraternities/Sororities have built additions on schools, and libraries, and led the capital building campaigns for community centers, and formed small businesses which grew into large businesses, and spearheaded political campaigns, and developed and ran little league sports teams, just as they have been presidents of major corporations and African countries. But those things are done for the people, not the glory, so they aren’t presented in a way that you would know it was a Frat/Soror production. Still, don’t think that every time Bill Cosby drops a million on a Black College, he isn’t swelling with Fraternal pride.
Just as concepts like Republican and Democrat have probably outlived their usefulness, so may have the concept of Fraternities and Sororities. But if people are spending more time pointing to what those organizations should be doing than they are developing and cultivating new organizations that do those things, it proves they are still needed. Even if while we criticize them, we should still support those organizations/individuals who have committed themselves to trying something… whatever it is; because God also made us to remove the beam from our own eye before we remove the speck from our brother’s.
Freeman, I like where you’re at on this topic now! Fortunately, I’m just a typical Que. In other words MANY of us have thought of and already executed some of your suggestions. It’s just that we don’t bother to advertise that we do. Before you say it, i know that we should do a much better job of promoting what we do. Our Headquarters is NOT just a frat house. It’s actually an office building with space rented out to other businesses; there should be a picture somewhere on the website. It also houses our Credit Union; yeah I know you’re shocked that we have one of those too. Ask your Omega friends for more info.
I don’t know the specifics but I remember something where the Alphas in Ohio developed an entire neighborhood. Which goes directly to the type of economic empowerment you mentioned? Ask your Alpha friends for more info.
I really truly don’t want to end up being the spokesman for all BGLO’s so I’m not going to write a dissertation on this. The bottom line is that we’re not the end all solution to the Black Community’s issues; but when (not if) that solution is found I gauran-damn-tee a Que will be at the table working with other BGLO members. Keep in mind that without Martin Luther King (an Alpha), Jesse Jackson (an Omega), wouldn’t have helped make it possible for Barack Obama to win.
Side note: so what Jesse turned into a crazy old man at the end, I still love the Bro! Side note: special thanks to 22 Deltas who wanted to vote in 1913 (DST knows what I mean). Side note: Kappas, Sigmas, AKA, Zetas, SGRhos all played a part too but sorry I couldn’t remember any by name right now.
I never had the inclination to pledge any sorority. I’ve never been much of a “joiner,” and have always enjoyed having a fairly independent way of acting and thinking.
I remember seeing pledges on campus making complete and total fools of themselves. I could never see me having someone making me look like a complete ass…I could do that all on my own! (LMBAO)
FreeMan… the name dropping is necessary so that those that are within and outside these organizations WILL remember the ones who came before them and the Service that contributed. Thus giving the current members and future members Role Models to pattern their themselves after in field of service and profit. I am not a part of a soro because I was damn near married while I was in college. But On today 53 years ago December 1, 1955, an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Rosa Parks sparked the successful Montgomery bus boycott! Now that is something worth mentioning don’t you think?
The TRUTH of the matter is We all can DO better and I just hope we ALL take something from each other’s comments and put this discussion in ACTION and DO some of those “You mean no one has thought of”…you listed!
Peace!
@FreeMan… You better be doing some work at work instead of on this computer all day because I’m gonna tell the BOSS on YOU LOL…HEY BOSS FREEMAN – Freeman IS ON THE INTERNET ON COMPANY TIME…LMAO!!!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Allow me to apologize for cursing at you, bruh. You have always supported me and I was wrong for what I wrote back to you.
It’s interesting. This post IS just like what I wrote yesterday. That’s what surprised me most about us temporarily falling out.
Just try to be careful in how you “reprimand” me in the future. I’m way younger than you, so every once in a while I do show my age. But that’s no excuse for what I did. (Telling you to “move the f on” and “Go To Hell”). From the bottom of my heart, I’m very sorry for that, bruh.
Now for your post, I already wrote about this on July 8 . Check it out if you haven’t already done so.
Like any big organization I you have your good and bad elements.
I am sure the greeks do very well in helping each other out but your right their pressence out side a school yard is lacking but to each there own.
@Carl – It’s good to know the Que’s will fight. You are doing a good job defending your frat. LOL I understand that you can’t control the type of people who join and you can’t weed out the undesireables then it can give any organization a bad reputation. But I think Terry is not to be messed with as Terry is unloading on you! LOL
@Terry – I agree with your point and I agree we should adjust our thinking accordingly. The fact that they discriminate on letting people in I guess should be a tell tell sign.
@Dwane T – “The person who wants to move the earth is disheartened by organizations with thousands of members giving away turkeys. But the men who took the turkeys home to their hungry families thank God for those organizations.” I think that statement is exactly how I feel but I truly understand the turkey giving is needed. I agree that it applies to most of our organizations and what exactly is their goal. We have real basic problems and we have egg heads trying to provide inspiration when our folk need basic food, education, and safety. Now I believe most of these organizations are needed if they refocused on what they were supposed to be. NAACP used to be our Legal Arm, Urban League is for job fairness, CBC is to make sure we have a seat at the table in politics and your Greek Organizations are to provide a spring board networking opportunity for those who may want to pursue anything in life and need help. I think they have a place but let’s not just allow them to act like they are more. To me none of these organizations try to tackle the needs of the masses of our people. There are more of us who relate to American Gangster than there are of us who are awe inspired by Thurgood Marshall. We need a Booker T. Washington approach.
@Carl – That’s all I really wanted to know. If any organization has a reputation of producing dancing Negroes then you would think the MEN of that group will let you know what they are doing not who they WERE! Go ahead and speak for the BGLO’s you have been doing it all day and it’s alright. I represent the GDI’s and I’m still shitting on you guys. LMAO
@Robusta Barista – I think alot of people felt how you felt as did I. I’m also sure all the people who pledged think we are hating on them. It’s just going to be because you have to justify getting treated like shit and beat so let them be. It’s like a boxer who got his ass beat saying at least I fought and holding that over your head. Either way I think it’s stupid way of bringing people in but no one ever said tradition had to be intelligent.
@Freedom – I’m sure those within the groups know who their great members are. For those outside I guess I just take it as them saying that guy right there neurtering the dog he’s Greek. I don’t want to take their pride away from their group. It’s just a very interesting conversation that went on today.
Don’t worry I am always at work. When you have other people working for you the work I do is all mental not to much operation anymore. So I can talk on this all day and still be profitable.
@Zack – As a MAN you don’t have to apologize to me, I have brothers and sisters and I know a disagreement is just that. Like I said somedays I am the wrong person making the wrong statement at the wrong time in someones life so I can take a couple of jabs. I always check out your blog so don’t think this will make me pissed off. I’m a pretty easy going guy, life is good, I have a mission and I am executing that everyday so disagreements are just that. I’ll check out the blog homie! Let’s Keep it Moving!
@Mike – That’s exactly what I am getting at. How can you be of service when you seem to only take care of your own. I always wonder if they are doing shit like the Turkey Day’s and protesting to fill a line on their resumes. I shit you not I debate thier true meaning and involvement whenever I see their name on something. So with that I say what you say to each their own.
thanks for stopping by my blog. this post is hilarious, but I will make no comments on either side. my dad is greek, an old kappa. i never wanted to pledge but everyone is different, i’m more me phi me. I’ll be checkin back with you l8r. Rx school is kicking my a*& as usual
LMAO@Kunta Kinte
Yeah that fucked me up right there; good one!
I’m feeling you 100% on this. I wrote a similar blog on my old page and ni99as damn near killed me for posting it. Matter of fact, I think I’ll post it and link this blog.
I always wondered what the people in these orginization did, Good post and I also read everyones comments.
I never liked the idea of the hazing, just sayin’
Alpha Man checking in:
Freeman. U Mad? U Mad Son?
‘If you haven’t been to the ghetto, don’t ever come to the ghetto, because you wouldn’t understand the ghetto.’
—Treach Naughty By Nature
There are some things that are very difficult to understand without being immersed into a particular community. Let me break it down for you without lecturing:
1: Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities vary from campus to campus.
2: The internal groups are stratified along particular lines as are all classes of people.
3: The work that is put in and the intangible rewards that are reaped belie a ‘Can – do’ mindset. No obstacle is too Great.
4: A sheep in letters is still, a sheep.
Strangely, I feel that these words may only resonate on the surface, Mr. Freeman. My advice is that individuals should not pledge simply as a means to change their status, marketability, etc. A square is not going to pledge, cross over, instantly pull scads of women, ring up a 4.0, and get an internship at Goldman. (scratch that, I dunno if GS is cool anymore, but you get the point.) Legions of good Brothers and Sisters have been made that were already dynamos in their own right and the overall experience has effectively enhanced these talents.
The Fraternity is a Pillar of Strength that I, and many others have leaned upon in the Darkest of moments.
FreeMan – What I can’t stand is when these groups (as a whole) do less than myself (as an induvidual). I get asked by all of our local chapters to join them but I decline because I’m too busy doing actual work.
Even the Omegas at UCR back in the day asked me to join (I was at a different college). I was promised going-over without having to do the pledge work. They just seemed to want to have all of the “cool” people as their “friends”.
Nope. Not for me.
IMO- The NAACP and other groups need to merge and focus on a common goal – not their personal stake at the political table.
(But I really wanted to mention that I left one of those blogger awards for you at my site.)
@TMaintenance – To me it’s a funny issue but to others it’s offensive. Glad you came through and hope to see your contribution on later posts.
@Rippa – I threw in Kunta just to piss people off a bit. I tried to really not attack the individual but of course some people are the fraternity instead of just being a member.
@Jim – Thanks for reading the post and the responses. Usually people just say what they want to and wait for a response. You’re a different cat Jim.
@Kofi Bofah – I actually like that Naughty By Nature song “Ghetto Bastard”. I am not knocking the fact that the fraternity structure can build MEN. I believe it to be a great thing to be part of something that you have struggled to attain. It’s like the same way the Army trains soldiers by stripping them down and building them up in their image. Going back to what someone said you guys are a social organization and although you have members of Whose Who of Black America your organizations are not the determining factor. They are not the reason but like you said they may enhance the gifts and talents of these people. I still think you guys can do more but so could we all.
@UBJohn – I have had a couple of people query as to why I don’t go grad chapter too. I think they are smart to try to get people in there who they think are a success story. I think the Compton in me has warped my view of organizations because I think of any alliance with a little bit more do or die loyalty not just a bunch of guys getting together. I actually think the NAACP and the like need to scale back and refocus on what their true mission is. They do so much now it feels like they actually do nothing.
Thanks for the award I appreciate the recognition. I just don’t know how to manipulate this wordpress template to do much more than write my post and respond. I’m still in the learning phase. Thanks for the blurb on your blog.
LOL. I agree totally. I never joined any sorority because I thought it was so silly. I saw how the sororities treated members of the other sororities and thought, “Do they realize that we are all Black people?” I thought it was stupid too. Spike Lee’s School Daze just reinforced my not joining a thing. Great post.
I’ve always thought these organizations were more about brotherhood and sisterhood… I guess i never really looked that deeply into it, cause it’s not really something of grave interest to me. Nevertheless, I do believe there is more to it than just community service or what have you.
P.S. Moved the blog – dumping-groundz.blogspot.com
yeah we dont do non of that stuff here in the UK.
But if we did i wouldnt bothe pledging, it seems so childish. i mean you go to uni/college to vecome independent and break away fromthe cliques and stupidities of highschool yet people stillw ant to carry it on through adulthood. hmmmmmm,
definately not for me. and why would you send your tithes to anyone but your church? no really.
@Tyhitia – In college it’s alright to join groups. Most people are coming of age and they really think they can change the world or their voice really counts. On every college campus you have plenty of Young Republicans or Democrats. You have the Black Student Union and all kinds of stuff. So I can’t know them when you are in college I just have been let down that there isn’t a true focus.
@GLO – To tell you the truth I never think about it until someone asks or assumes I am Greek/Black. Either way I’m with you it’s a non-issue just wanted to shed some light on the subject.
@DFiend – Well here in the States we have a lot of dumb groups that people join at the University level. You have to remember most people still operate at the high school level. What do you think trendy clothes are about? What do you think living in the right neighborhood is about? What do you think all these titles people flaunt from their jobs are about? The High School mentality gets called popular society and it continues all the way to your death.