Broken Bonds: Are Black Greek Organizations Making Themselves Irrelevant?
It is rare that one finds a venue to advance balanced, yet critical, debate over Black Greek Letter Organizations, or BGLOs.
http://www.diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/cat_index_38.shtml
June 19th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Excellent article. How do we get BGLOs and the general student population itself to rise up and address relevant issues in our community in general and not have an elitist attitude “just because we’re in college”?
June 19th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
The commentary on BGLOs is thought-provoking. However, to ask the major question of “‘how are BGLOs to remain relavant in the 21st century?” without some proactive thoughts on solving the problems cited has no practical significance for answers. What might change the BGLO course?
June 19th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Very interesting article brothers. Not supringsly, this article seems to echo the whispers of our founders and a handful of mentors within our organizations. Through insight and collaboration of critical minds such as yourself and many others, these battles came be quite possibly be tamed. Sadly, the realization is that a strong resistance, a period of un-learning, must occur first to achieve our goal of a positive future of sustainability for these organizations.
Thanks for put the thoughts out in the open!
June 19th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
As a member of a BGLO we need to look at what we are doing and how our efforts impact the community as a whole. At this time in my life, I feel the need to give back something of me in order to make the collective a better place. The BGLO’s need to examine what their foundation was built upon and get back to the basic’s help our fellow man and not feeling just because I am a part of this organization I am better than other, we are all in this togther
June 20th, 2007 at 2:13 am
I’m just curious, is anyone questioning if white GLOs are still relevant? Why are BGLOs being singled out?
June 20th, 2007 at 6:26 am
The question about whether BGLOs are relevant or not could also be applied to other traditional black organizations (e.g. NAACP and the Urban League). While these organizations have steep history, you would be hard pressed to find many young folks (under 35) who could give a good account about the current activities of these organization and how it relates to their daily life.
In response to the comment below asking for practical answers I would suggest the following: 1) Neophyte training needs to be mandatory of all new initiates. Not just a one day thing but an ongoing bonding between new and old brothers about the fraternity, the chapter, the vision for the future; 2)Critical self analysis by each organization about the situation we are in today and the way forward. Suspend all national conventions for one year to have time to look inward; 3)NPHC is a sterile organization. Outside of college campus politics, I doubt the organization serves any useful purpose. Instead of NPHC, I would suggest a Grand Meeting of all the BGLOS (lay members and leadership) to develop initiatives for remedying hazing and underground activities, common economic development programs and benchmarks to make sure these goals are achieved.
June 20th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
As a member and current President of my undergraduate Black Greek Organization, I must say that it is painful to hear some of the statments made about my organization and my counterpart member organizations within NPHC but the painful reality is that these statements bear much truth. In reflected on why I decided to join a Historically Black Greek Organization, I remember all of the positive things that I was told about becoming Greek and recognizing many of the honorary and successful members within my organization, I have never doubted or second guessed my decision to join. Although there are problems and battles that we must overcome, we must first realize that it is possible for us to overcome these battles if we 1) come together and cease to create divides amongst ourself, 2) realize and reflect on the primary purposes of ALL of our organizations, and 3) recognize that the African/American/Black community will never grow out of its negative stereotypes, harsh realities of poverty, and educational inbalances without our help. We have so much power and so much talent as the author of this article stated yet we are not putting it to use. Everyone can help in making this much needed change.
June 20th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Critical conversations about African American sororities and fraternities are much-needed at this time in their history, especially if the discourse provokes the kind of debate and discussion at the campus and national levels with respect to improving student behaviors, practices, and academic performances. As such, I welcome the contribution the authors will make to the literature about these campus organizations in their forthcoming book. If, however, the book—“Our Fight Has Just Begun: The Relevance of Black Fraternities and Sororities in the 21st Century”—takes on the same tenor as is discussed in “Diverse Issues in Higher Education,” I am concerned, as it presents an uneven dialogue about the value these groups bring to college campuses and communities.
Admittedly, there are pockets of local NPHC-affiliated chapters demonstrating behaviors antithetical to the principles on which these groups were founded. Yet, so many of these campus-based groups enrich the collegiate experience for their members, create additional and important opportunities for learning, and engage undergraduate students in complex social conditions in certain communities—conditions that might otherwise be ignored. Not to mention the impact African American sororities and fraternities have on improving the graduation rates of their membership, which is a vexing problem for American higher education, especially for African American men.
As a former national official of an African American fraternity, I can assure this readership national leaders are very concerned about and are working to address anti-intellectual and anti-social behaviors, racism, and so-called interfraternity rivalries to name a few. This is also the case for regional and local leaders and members, including undergraduate women and men. That the authors would advance the sweeping argument that African American sororities and fraternities do not take seriously hazing is befuddling and unequivocally wrong! The only “fight” that is needed at the moment is to end the perpetuation of the myth every African American sorority and fraternity throughout American higher education is irrelevant.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:53 am
The authors have effectively summarized the state of affairs in BGLO national community. To the one who brought in the issue of white similar organizations and whether the black organizations are \
June 21st, 2007 at 8:15 am
The authors have effectively summarized the state of affairs in BGLO national community. To the one who brought in the issue of white similar organizations and whether the black organizations are “being singled out”, it is not a matter of that. Discrete issues in higher education have been and will be treated separately without any diluting of the gravity of similar issues that were not mentioned in a treatise. Can you imagine an article about the state of affairs in say Biology Education being dismissed because the authors didn’t mention similar issues and problems in other fields of education such as Chemistry Education?
The idea that the NPHC could function as a kind of United Nations is a good one. That was the idea I had in mind when I suggested and then organized the first national headquarters for the NPHC and served as its first Executive Director. The fact that all those efforts to get to the “nitty gritty” issues facing the undergraduate sphere with such ideas as “A Symposium On Undergraduate NPHC Issues” or even longitudinal studies on basic trends of college campuses regarding NPHC were thwarted and either ignored through sparse attendance or through suspicion of anything that seemed to threaten territorial lines, is no reason that some new approaches to this idea of NPHC being at the helm of study and reform should not be continually tried.
While it is true there are some admirable “pockets” of success in the undergraduate areas, overall, nationally, the situation is grave.
June 21st, 2007 at 4:32 pm
As a high school teacher and a BGLO member, I have to say that I do not think that the anti-intellectualism that is being talked about is centered in BGLO organizatons - I see it more as a community problem. When W.E.B. Dubois talked about the Elite Ten, he as well as others of his time understood education to be about SELF-DEVELOPMENT not self-acquirement.
Too often do I have students who do not see learning as an endeavor to improve themselves and communities but rather as a way to reward themselves without riches; accordingly, it is not surprising that we have so many students who never excel but instead meet the minimum requirements. For Greeks, I see this same attitude - a lot of organizations have become obsessed with “not dying”, and the quality of the members that they are taking are overshadowed by the quantity. Being Greek for the “bad” Greeks is not about self-improvement but rather about acquiring something.
My students in high school have serious misconceptions about being Greek, and I teach juniors and seniors. They believe that being Greek gets you things - girlfriends and boyfriends, popularity, jobs, etc. rather than that being yourself helps you to achieve. They want to join specific organizations for very shallow reasons, and the students rarely know anything in depth about the BGLOs.
Because I see this as an overarching American identity issue rather than a BGLO issue, I would say that we all as a community need to help students develop intrinsic motivations and understandings rather than continually focusing on extrinsic rewards and that, within our own organizations, we need to develop the types of communities that create norms of respectability, intellectualism, and self-development rather than the spaced out corporate structures that seem to have become the norm in what is supposed to be a brotherhood/sisterhood relationship.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:12 pm
I found the article to be very refreshing, as well as the commentary. As a member of a BGLO, and a recently new member (graduate member) I agree whole heartedly that after crossing over what does it all mean? As a new member I feel it is important to educate neophytes on what it means to wear their letters proud, and confidently. Not just the secrets,passes, or the code words but the legacy of strength that was passed on by our founders. Why it is important stay active, and become a lifelong member, and what does that mean to our community, and org.
How prevalent are we in our communities, that when we wear our paraphanelia, people can identify with us on civic level, not just a social level. BGLO’s have become more social than anything else. Members have joined BGLO’s for varied reasons ( i.e. image,and status), and truly I believe that all of these organizations have gotten away from the precedent setforth by the founders. No we are all not one organization, and our uniqueness is what makes each of us stand out, however we all have the same mission, and goal; OUR COMMUNITY. We should be able to do some real service together, and represent, and still be impactful. Hopefully that would be an incentive for aspiring greeks to join based on the cohesiveness, and respect they view with the organizations. All of these orgs. are in jeporady of being extinct, because you have people who are turned off by our elitist, and non- active behavior that they are not joining, forming their own, and picking up where our founders left off, and are being seen in the community.Or worse members are in active, or pay dues and do no work. On the flip side, BGLO’s are recognizing the shift in membership, so are letting their membership standards fall by the waist side, and initiating 50, 99, 105 initates, at a time, that is crazy. Do you really think these intiates can bond ??? Most are just meeting the GPA requirements, and are not leaders on their campus, aren’t positive, and conscious citizens, prior to joining so there is no way that these BGLO’s are getting outstanding, well deserving, and exemplary individuals that will carry on throughout their years being dedicated to the initiatives of the org. Most members view the deserving, and measure of a woman , and man on how much they can withstand in verbal abuse, and physical abuse;HAZING.
The divide and conquer strategy is working, and has been working for years. The petty rivarly that goes on between the different orgs. incites hatred, and a lack of respect for one another, when all of these organizatios were founded on principles of a commitment to service, and a collective effort to eradicate a lack of civil rights for African Americans. In addition, someone needs to alk about real members
(whatever that means, if you are not financially active, or doing any service are you really, real?. ) versus Paper members, that too is a form of divide with the BGLO’s internally that is reflected in public. I am really interested in finding out when did hazing start, because nothing in any of the BGLO’s history regarding the founders even speaks to that process and this whole concept of breaking you down as an inividual to build you back up as a group. That may be defined by some as the bonding process however, what it has become is dehumanizing process to throw around power and instill fear. I have always thought that most (not all) undergraduates who don’t have a real sense of self, and who want to be down with something, are infact the ones who pledge, and after graduating stop being active. Or those who pledge early in their college career, and don’t graduate thereafter. Stepping, and sounding off calls, and throwing up signs, has been the primary focus. Most of them are the ones who, create the negative personas that follow the image of these BGLO’s, whereas graduate members, are more mature, focused, and are commited to service. On a graduate level it is about commitment, business, and expansion. I know some may question, why White GLO’s are not being targeted for their lack of service, but I ask you,” service to who?” WGLO’s were really founded on an elitist, silver spoon privlege idelogy. Most of their communities were not in distress, though white women’s rights were not elevated at that time, they had more rights then us, all of us blacks. I say that to say on the very premise for which BGLO’s were founded our level of service must surpass their’s ten times over, because our communities continue to be a mess. Members are educated, successful, and should not forget who they need to help. NPHC should really step up and govern these BGLO’s correctly.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:11 pm
First of all, I found this article to be very insightful and powerfully accurate regarding the issues facing BGLO’s today. I am a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and recent MBA graduate from the University of Kentucky. From my experiences, BGLO members on the undergraduate level are under constant internal conflict from peers, social forces, and professional members of the organization looking from a graduate perspective. I truly believe though the relevance of BGLO’s though seemingly decreasing, remains a valuable means of leaderhsip development, community involvement, social awareness, professional networking, as well as others very positive things for the black community if used properly. From a financial perspective, hazing will ultimately be the end of BGLO’s if it isn’t stopped. Dues, fundraising, and contributions are simply not enough to combat $1M lawsuits, increased legal budgets, and the deterence of potential candidates. From my perspective, you also have the emergence of other major african-american organizations both social and professional that are honestly outshining what BGLO’s today exhibit. For instance, just as a college student and young professional you have: National Black MBA Association, National Association of Black Accountants, 100 Black Men, and many others. These organizations are rich with community involvement, auxillary programs for youth, professional development(networking), and basically all of the things BGLO’s supply without the cost of being hazed for 2 months. So the problem and question that BGLO’s will have to face and answer from qualified potential candidates is “why?” I found as an undergraduate member that the highly qualified candidates though very interested in the Fraternity did not want to pledge into the organization. For this reason alone, many were alienated or unfortunately never accepted into the organization as a whole. There are some plausible solutions to the crisis though…and it will take the integration of new ideas and old traditions to really allow BGLO’s to survive in the future.
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:30 am
This article has spawned much needed conversation, on this board and elsewhere. Thanks Brothers Parks and Hughey. I just spent an hour with ony of my Bruhs debating the issue of ‘relevance’. In that vein, here are some comments:
On the issue of white GLO relevance…my short answer is who cares? One thing I know is that white frats aren’t struggling to keep a college chapter of 7 members at a university with more than 30K students! But guess which groups are having such struggles…yep, us. There are many underlying currents to this, but for the sake of your eyes I’ll remain succinct. When our frat and sorority houses are bursting at the seams, then we can drop the issue of relevance…oh, my bad, most of us (including my undergrad chapter) don’t have houses.
On the issue of relevance itself…I ask a simple question (which I asked of my Brother earlier tonight). What can a college student get nowadays by joining a BGLO that they can’t get elsewhere? What unique value do we add to today’s students? I ask you the same. My short answer to my Brother was…NOTHING. Someone earlier mentioned other groups like 100 Black Men, etc. I think this is right on point.
More on relevance…Consider this: what is your organization doing today? Is you organization at its greatest now, or has it seen better days? And don’t quote your hallmark programs, which no one outside of your group has ever heard of before. Why is it that, when we wear our letters in public, everyone references BGLOs as they were in the past. They always say something like: “I remember when the Alpha did yada yada yada” or “My father was an Omega and yada yada yada” or “Those Delta’s use to yada yada yada”. No one speaks about what BGLOs are doing today, another sign of the time as the authors call it.
My last words…do people on this board, especially members, think that their groups will just exist long into the future just because? Will Alpha continue to be in 2106? Which of the Divine Nine will be the first to cease to exist, as the authors suggest, in the upcoming decades? I’ve got my guess…any takers?
June 25th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
What orgs are the authors a member of? When deciding to join Iota Phi Theta, I looked at the 100 Black Men of D.C. and the NAACP. The 100 Black men of D.C. website asked for a 400.00 fee, and seem to speak for of golf tournaments and galas than helping the youth, and also to agree with an ealier comment, the NAACP does not seem to be the relevant force it once was. I have a Masters in Management and recently crossed into Iota Phi Theta. My decision was based on what I saw the brothers, and other BGLO’s doing in the DC community. If you were to ask any high school senior do they know someone in a BGLO you would get a yes at least 80% of the time. If you were to ask the same high school senior do you know someone in the NAACP, you may get a 15%. We are here, we are not going to cease in the next 10-15 years. There is always room for internal discussion and improvement, but Dr. Parks is wrong, and when the D9 becomes the D10 in the next to 20 years, he will feel foolish.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I’m an Alpha; Matthew’s a Sigma.
I’m not sure I agree with Eric. I think if you ask the average black person if they know someone who is an NAACP member or a BGLO member, Eric’s numbers wouldn’t hold up. If you ask if they know “active” BGLO members, Eric’s numbers definitely won’t hold up.
I pray Eric is right–that in 15 to 20 years the D9 will become the D10 or D50. The problem, however, is not that there are not enough member organizations to NPHC or that all 9 will cease to exist in the near future. The problem is that the organizations have grown increasingly impotent over time, and there are no clear signs that the trend will reverse any time soon.
June 25th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
First, congratulations, Dr. Parks, for your diligence and scholarship. Establishing a dialogue on the relevance (future) of BGLOs is a part of what needs to occur among all fraternities and sororities, whether members of NPHC, NIC, NPC, NALFO, or other fraternal umbrella support groups with which I am not familiar.
Second, I am a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and my colleague, Dr. James Wallace, is a member of Phi Beta Sigma. In Winter 2006 we published an article in the AFA Perspectives, “Form and Function in the College Fraternity: 1776 - 2006,” reviewing the 1976 projection of the American College Fraternity Bicentennial Commission of “Fraternity for the Year 2000.” Unfortunately, I do not recall any mention in the 1976 publication of BGLOs, despite the fact that at that time the principal leaders of the Civil Rights Movement were almost all members of BGLOs.
Much has changed since 1976 for both traditionally white fraternities and traditionally black fraternities. Since the 1980s both sets of organizations have experienced membership declines, hazing, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and assault issues. Both sets of organizations have made efforts to adapt to changing conditions that have met with limited success. In both cases, those of us who are members must first work to “tend our own gardens” before we look beyond our own challenges to comment on what others have done, are doing, or plan to do.
In that spirit, I believe in the value and importance of all fraternities and sororities. We all have challenges to proactively address in order to become “relevant” in the 21st Century. Among the challenges is the form in which we can thrive, and the functions we can effectively serve in order to pass the core values of each organization to a new generation of collegiate members. “Form” deals with the organizational structure within which we operate at both the national level (umbrella group, national organization) and local level (alumni / graduate level, undergraduate chapter / campus level). “Function” has to do with what fraternities and sororities can meaningfully offer to their members, and that will encourage non-members to want to join the groups.
If we as critical thinkers about the fraternity and sorority experience are to be successful in the task before us, we must work together to achieve a consensus for change. Among the challenges to address may be a change in the form of the fraternal structure on which the “fraternity experience” is based. Dr. Walter Kimbrough’s comments in several publications address the issue of “form” for BGLOs, though I would hope his extreme remedy for present ills need not be taken.
All fraternities and sororities WILL change in both form and function across time. The objective of critical analysis the present forum promotes is to identify planned change that is beneficial for all stakeholders. If we work toward consensus about that “planned change” and include all stakeholders (especially including undergraduates) I believe we have a reasonable chance of success.
June 25th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
All debate is healthy, but I question the premise of this article and forthcoming book.
An example: Forth-coming qualitative research on these groups suggests that there are growing cultures among BGLO undergraduates that extol anti-intellectualism, hyper-masculinity, thug-gishness and promiscuity over scholarship and gentlemanliness.
Does that apply to sororities too? Also, it would seem to suggest the kind of social elitism that the authors want to diminish.
Like any private organization, BGLOs should be able to be selective about who their members are. And there is some justified argument that standards have become lax in terms of the character and leadership capabilities of new members (as well as old ones). And I believe that all BGLOs are racially inclusive. My BGLO is certainly racially inclusive. But I digress.
In my BGLO, no one is perfect, though we aim for excellence. We need to keep that in mind. It’s a growth process for many of us, who have made our fair share of mistakes along the way and have grown from it. The same will happen for new members too.
There will always be discussions. CW or ABC is coming out with a series called Greek that focuses on a fictional white fraternity. Are white Greeks talking about their relevance? No, it’s crazy to do so.
We should be discussing how BGLOs are contributing to their respective communities and I believe the majority of them are: volunteering, business investment, church obligations, school adoptions, health fairs, blood drives and more. That will continue to be the relevance of BGLOs in the future.
The same for the NPHC. I wonder if the authors have ever been to an NPHC meeting?
Heck, are they even financial?
June 25th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
I’m a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha, active in the Ithaca, NY alumni chapter, been advisor to undergraduate chapters of my organization, served as a Greek Affairs advisor for several years, and have been to an NPHC meeting.
As for the quoted research, the focus is on fraternities.
June 26th, 2007 at 1:24 am
R. Thompson,
Since you “asked” …I am a financial member of Phi Beta Sigma, a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma graduate chapter (Washington, DC), advisor to the UVA undergraduate chapter, and have published various works on BGLOs. But talk like this is a part of the problem…
Ad hominem argumentation regarding whether someone is financial or not, if they possess the right ‘cultural capital’ to speak on BGLOs, if they attend the ‘right’ meetings, or to so lightly throw the label of “social elitism” around makes what point exactly? It does not yield us any purchase on how to make BGLOs better–what I think Thompson and I would agree IS the main point. In order to push this agenda (if BGLOs will survive, how, and if so, to what ends), placing focus on questions of credentials and class-based superficiality is not of assistance. It is counter-productive.
The kinds of problems Parks and I are trying to illuminate in order to get a truly intra and inter-organization going often become mystified in the caveats that BGLOs are just “making mistakes” and “doing their best.” Such reductive minimalization might be enough for some, but I fear it is that type of dismissive discourse that is not helpful.
Instead, let us discuss if “volunteering, business investment, church obligations, school adoptions, health fairs, blood drives and more” are occurring, where, in what form, to what effect–specifically and empirically. For those of us truly concerned with how BGLOs can reckon with a plethora of socio-economic problems (aside from a meager commitment to a figurehead philanthropy here and there), and hoping that they can serve as some from of remedy for, or at least partial amelioration of sexism, white supremacy, and poverty, “doing out best” not only falls short, it borders on callous indifference. I hope I speak for Parks when I say that we hope that we can rise above mudslinging and learn how to activate the latent strength of BGLOs against the rampant economic neo-liberalism ushered in by the dismantling of the Keynesian welfare state, the rise of patriotism that obfuscates xenophobic, white supremacist discourses, and the increased attention paid to narratives that support black and brown “pathologies” as rationales for growing social inequalities. If not, BGLO discourse will be only a hallow hagiography of history that will only privilege those voices that think our decline is just “a growth process.”
June 26th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
I agree with they article and many of the points made by “Alpha”. I attended a Historically Black University and BGLO’s being represented in small numbers is unheard of at an HBCU. Greek life is still a hot ticket but the perception is not the reality. I think there are a lot of young, bright and talented students that desire membership and have big plans once they obtain membership but these organizations no longer foster their talents. Most BGLO’s have targets and aims that they are focused on and that it. There is no room for these young minds to think outside of the box. You end up following a path that has already been mapped out.
Two main factors that have perpetuated this ideology are the power struggle between graduate chapters and undergraduate chapters and the heavy focus on anti-hazing and pledging laws. It’s as if these organizations sole purpose is to make sure everyone is staying on the right side of the law, which is valid, but what about serving your community? Brotherhood? Sisterhood? It is as if these things have become a very distant second. Hopefully this article opens up some much needed discussion.
June 26th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I agree with Alpha, and S.G., and again I say that the focuses have shifted drastically. Though concerns of legalities surrounding hazing and pledging ritutals have been of primary focus, education of neophytes should not fall under the radar. Having attended both an HBCU, and a white university, there is an obvious difference in visability on the two campuses. But it’s not just about visibility on campuses, but visability in our communities which would then entice hopefuls to join, when they enter college. Not having greek life in my family, which 80% of freshman fall under , I joined my sorority based on my examples before me. So in order to keep the legacy going, we have to set a better more attractive example of what self-fullment in joining a BGLO looks like.
Mediocrity, both academically and through the demonstration of leadership will definitely be the crippling factor of the BGLO’s. Like our founders a higher standard of excellence has to be re-established. We have to weed out the letter wearers, from those who are eager to serve, and exapand the org. Undergraduate, and graduate members have to be better selected. To respond to Hughey, it is very important that you are a financial member, part of a orgs. growth is through their membership dues, and as a financial member you have an invested interest in the future of your org. Yes, the bridge between undergraduate, and graduate members have to be mended, and as graduate members we do that by being examples. Showing undergraduates through mentorship, and service what the extension looks like, and the benefits of continuing the legacy pass the stepping,pass barbecuing at plots under the tree, homecoming, and graduation.
My point exactly, Eric, orgs. like the National Coalition of a 100 black women, and the Urban League Young Professional, NABAccountants, have done more for me with regards to professional development, social conciousness, and service then my own sorority and though I love my sorority, I am disappointed that this is not where I am fed, nutured, and developed.
Ultimately, what needs to occur is a serious dicussion between the national /international presidents of these respective orgs., and NPHC . The discussion, should be about the shortcomings, and the repair. They have to be willing to accept that BGLO’s are in a very vulnerable state, and to change the course serious demands need to be made at Regionals/ Boules and like conferences to challenge members, and those in leadership positions to go back to the founders initiative of service. Even when you look at the web pages of some of these orgs. the latest postings are either a year old, or just dated. Within a year, 3-4 activities have occurred, so I agree the perception is not the reality. The national programs are not occurring, which supports the topic at hand are these orgs. relevant?
June 27th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Such an academic.
Ad hominem argumentation regarding whether someone is financial or not, if they possess the right ‘cultural capital’ to speak on BGLOs, if they attend the ‘right’ meetings, or to so lightly throw the label of “social elitism” around makes what point exactly? It does not yield us any purchase on how to make BGLOs better–what I think Thompson and I would agree IS the main point. In order to push this agenda (if BGLOs will survive, how, and if so, to what ends), placing focus on questions of credentials and class-based superficiality is not of assistance. It is counter-productive.
Like it or not, your respective involvements add credibility to your argument. Who would care what you have to say if you were never active at all and if you did not understand the need to continue to financially support your respective organizations. So, there was a point.
What you regard as dismissive, I regard as operating from a point of strength, not weakness. You think like victims.
Yes, BGLOs are vulnerable to a number of things, but name anything that is totally shielded from effects of the elements? You are asking for perfection and that is unreasonable.
It’s unreasonable to expect BGLOs to be the silver bullet that cures everything that ails the African-American community and areas at large.
Sure, they are supposed to contain some of our best and brightest, but in and of themselves, BGLOs are just one egg in the proverbial basket.
I don’t mean to insult your respective intelligences, but you insult your readers’ by quickly dismissing any suggestion that your “limited” views of BGLOs might be incorrect in some respects. If I followed your logic, I would think that your ultimate goal would be to have just one fraternal organization period.
Yes, BGLOs can be improved, but I’d rather not waste time on combating the natural processes of individual maturation and focus on a more realistic assessment where BGLOs can become more effective.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:56 am
Thompson raises several interesting, and at times strange and sensationalist, points. I do not share his interest of starting a personal polemic on “Diverse”, but instead feel compelled to clarify several mischaracterizations of what he says Parks and I advocate. My hope is that, at the least, this back and forth will spur needed conversation, and hopefully, critical thinking among others. In this light, thank you Thompson for writing and providing an opportunity for others to learn. After all, ‘the shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.’
First, Thompson writes: “Who would care what you have to say if you were never active at all…” Well, I guess people who were more concerned with the actual text of what we wrote, rather then our credentials, would care. And that might be a lot more than Thompson realizes. It might help to have BGLO affiliation or financial status to speak on this topic, which is why Parks and I are trying to engender democratic discussions on this topic, but those things (like credentials) are ultimately not very important. If some cannot afford the financial burden of joining a BGLO or if current BGLO members can’t afford to pay graduate chapter, state, regional, and national dues for a little while (due to the unfortunate phenomena of a rising class of black graduates that are caught in immoral predatory lending student loan programs), I don’t think that situation merits their exclusion from this discussion. Rather, it is exactly those voices that would be most qualified to speak on how BGLOs can become (either on their own or through non-Greek partnerships) vehicles for black economic self-determination to fight off a rising form of economic white supremacy — especially since more and more social welfare policies seem to be cut back for profits of ownership and fewer and fewer options exist for a growing and economically vulnerable class of black collegiate graduates. This leads to my second point.
A main difference (between Thompson and myself/Parks) stems from two different assumptions regarding social life writ large: what Thompson sees as “natural,” I view as indicative of social processes. Thompson writes: “Yes, BGLOs can be improved, but I’d rather not waste time on combating the natural processes of individual maturation and focus on a more realistic assessment where BGLOs can become more effective.” “Natural processes?” So current BGLO problems exist because we are immature? It is not natural that BGLO’s are losing many members in their transition from college to alumni chapters. Rather, this has to do with the aforementioned financial problems of neoconservative capitalism that, ‘vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks.’ Thompson reflects a dangerous logic. In this line of thinking, the problems affecting BGLOs are simply “natural” (biological?) dynamics and we should simply take a laissez-faire faire approach to them and let them correct themselves (akin to neocon economic policies—“let the market correct itself”). I simply don’t take the attitude that BGLOs are going through something “natural.” BGLOs have changed quite a lot over their now collective 100 years, showing quite a bit of social heterogeneity. And those changes have been anything but a linear timeline toward either “maturity” or “immaturity.” At different historical moments, BGLOs have committed different actions. Not only is there temporal diversity among BGLOs, various BGLOs themselves have different approaches, they vary by region, they vary by specific context and by socio-economic class-make-up, etc. It is dangerously oversimplified to say that what BGLOs are experiencing in our contemporary moment is natural due to their lack of maturity. “You think like victims.” No, I’m afraid that reducing all social phenomena to the realm of naturalness would effectively delimit any free-will or agency at all, making us all victims of some magically natural process. We are not slaves to conceptions of “maturity.” BGLOs are not all the same, different organizations and members have different choices based on a variety of social dynamics. , Tell the family of dead hazing victim that he was killed due to the fact that we are tied to a natural process of maturation and there was nothing we could do. No, we can stop these things in the future, and most importantly, we have the maturity and potential to resist destructive practices and traditions that we have taken on. No sarcasm intended, but some people clearly have more choices than others. There is nothing “natural” about the current challenges that may lead to a few of the D-9’s extinction (or at least their irrelevance) in a few years. If we adopt this logic of naturalization, it will only serve to perpetuate many of the problems BGLOs face, because it will cut off any belief that what BGLOs are going through, just might have more to do with correctable occurrences—thus making us a bit more responsible for ourselves then soime would want to be.
Third, “You are asking for perfection….It’s unreasonable to expect BGLOs to be the silver bullet that cures everything that ails the African-American community and areas at large.” No, we are not asking for perfection, just a dialogue that takes into account the dynamics that are affecting, effecting and infecting BGLOs today that rises above individual “growth processes” or “natural” phenomenon. But wait, it IS unreasonable to expect BGLOs to be the silver bullet that cures everything—but of course, we never said it did. Thompson attempts to build up straw men of Parks and I and then proceeds to burn us down.
Fourth, I sincerely hope we are not insulting readers by “quickly dismissing any suggestion that your ‘limited’ views of BGLOs might be incorrect in some respects.” Surely many of our suggestions could be incorrect. Might we have something wrong? Sure. That is the point of getting a national dialogue going on this topic, so that we can collectively consult on these issues and together forge a new path for BGLOs.
Fifth and finally, to respond to “If I followed your logic, I would think that your ultimate goal would be to have just one fraternal organization period.” What? Where did this come from? Here is where it becomes very important to actually engage with what we write and not simply throw around wild and anti-empirical assertions. Greg is an Alpha, I am a Sigma. Diversity of orgs is a strength, their lack of cooperation is a weakness.
It is at this point that I wonder what is so dangerous about having a conversation about BGLOs’ future that transcends garden-variety solutions? Again, we should all thank Thompson for serving as a catalyst for more discussion on this topic.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Hughey said it all. But let me add one comment–a refrain, if you will, if you’ve read my blog. Thompson opens with “Such an academic,” as if a critical and scholarly look at BGLOs is so bad. What a philistine! Just such an anti-”academic”, anti-scholarly, anti-in-the-trenches-doing-the-hard-research-on-BGLOs attitidue will never allow us to reach any out-of-the-box ideas on how to solve the “natural” problems BGLOs face.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
The responsibility for having BGLOs that are doing what they were created to do lies with the members of these organizations. Im sure that the older brothers who are active have seen a steady decline in the caliber of scholar, gentleman, etc. that has been initiated. I am a third generation BGLO member and my father and grandfather represent our organization well. We are all leaders in our communities and we try all that we can to show others who may not be as fortunate how they can better their situation. I look at the members coming into our organization at the undergraduate level and I cringe. I look at other organizations and see that they are having the same problems and it is very disheartening.
My grandfather (maternal) was a charter member of his chapter, my father was sought out for membership by his BGLO in undergrad. I held the organization in such high esteem that I chose to forego initiation on the undergraduate level just because of the horseplay I saw between members of the chapter at my school during an interest meeting. I would have been a chapter legacy, but I did not want to be associated with people who did not respect the organization more than to do handstands on the wall or play tag with each other at the interest meeting. It is not one of the more fond memories of my college days.
Many individuals in these organizations try to show “initiates” that they are not “needed” in order for the survival of the organiztion. This mindset is very deleterious to the advancement of any organization. If the best aren’t sought out for membership, and made to feel welcome when they begin the process of becoming a member, then the only thing you are left with is the one who is willing to deal with any “unnecessary foolishness” required for membership just to feel as if they are part of something. These people then recruit others like them who they feel they can subject to anything and we end up where we are.
The principles taught in the organization which is the basis for ALL BGLOs have been passed on for centuries and it has not met its demise. Was anything said about it in the book? I didnt see any refence to it in the excerpt.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Mr. Stockton,
There is reference in my first and second books to white African society and mystic systems, white fraternities and sororities, black benevolent societies, and black secret societies–Prince Hall Freemasonry among them.
June 27th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I think the use of the word “irrelevant” is harsh, especially when reviewing the true nature of BGLOs. Please correct me if I am wrong, but Black Greek orgs have done very little in comparison to organizations like the NAACP, Southern Leadership Conference, and the Black Panther groups to name a few, in organizing poor and disenfranchised African Americans and exacting political and legislative change in the US. That is not to say that the organizations haven’t had voter registration drives on their campuses, parties to give scholarships, and other events that require little to no effort to execute and administer. When I was a freshman on UC Berkeley’s campus, I protested the implementation of proposition 209, and the only other blacks on campus involved along with me were the ones considered “militant.” There were no Deltas, AKAs, Sigmas, Kappas, Omegas… none of the Divine 9 were involved even though each group, save for the Omegas, had representation on campus that year. What I have noticed is that “individuals” within the greek orgs would participate in hands-on black-oriented student groups, but the BGLOs themselves never/rarely tackled difficult issues as a group. There were several “woman to woman” forums, “sip and chats” and other meet-and-greet type events, given by the BGLOs but the main focus was always membership, and in that realm who will or will not snitch during the pledge process. To say that the organizations are now “irrelevant” would imply that the organizations were once politically and socially”relevant.” Wasn’t the reason for the AKA/Delta split because the latter group only held socials and tea-parties? What polical or social relevance is there in administering a “paper-bag” test to gain membership? (Not saying that AKAs were the only to do this, ALL did.) Delta Sigma Theta in 1913 participated in the Womens Sufferage march, the only black organization to do so, but it didn’t organize the event. Again, participatory, but passive. BGLOs have always had little relevance in the grand scope of the achievements of the Black community over the past 100 years. Some of the membership of BGLOs have individually shaped our world, but they did so individually, not through the efforts of the group. The alphas did not lead the march down Washington, Martin Luther King did. So what kind of relevance are we talking about here? What are your expectations of BGLOs? What is it that we are not doing?
While it is hard to face, affluent blacks have always done poorly when placed in a position of power with the resources to exact change. Look at the Black Leadership during the Reconstruction era and how reluctant they were to champion the cause of the poor share-cropping ex-slaves we all assumed they took office to protect? BGLOs, the Bouille, the Links, Jack and Jill and other groups are meant to separate the haves from the have-nots within the black community. These sort of essays and books and articles come up when the have-nots get into your BGLOs which is what this article, in my opinion, is really griping about. To say that there has been a huge shift that has transpired to render these organizations irrelevant would require that specific proof to their relevancy be applied to the argument. I can’t think of any.
June 27th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Kellie, this is certainly true to a large extent, there have always been problems and inconsistencies. However, maybe not to the degree you posit. Read “What a Mighty Power We Can Be: African American Fraternal Groups and the Struggle for Racial Equality” by Theda Skocpol, Ariane Liazos & Marshall Ganz (Princeton UP, 2006).
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations vii
List of Tables ix
Preface xi
CHAPTER ONE: African American Fraternalism: A Missing Chapter in the Story of U.S. Civic Democracy 1
CHAPTER TWO: The Panorama of African American Fraternal Federations with the assistance of Jennifer Lynn Oser 21
CHAPTER THREE: African American Fraternals as Schools for Democracy 61
CHAPTER FOUR: Proprietors, Helpmates, and Pilgrims in Black and White Fraternal Rituals by Bayliss Camp and Orit Kent 95
CHAPTER FIVE: Defending the Legal Right to Organize 135
CHAPTER SIX: Black Fraternalists and the Mid-Twentieth-Century Movement for Civil Rights 174
CHAPTER SEVEN: The Achievements of African American Fraternalism 214
Notes 229
References 265
Index 283
June 28th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Hughley,
No thanks required. I’m not the conduit for discussion. You and your colleague are.
Let’s not resort to hype. Danger is hype. This discussion is not life-threatening at all. Don’t overstate your case.
You know, as I think about it, Kellie has a point: the same discussion of relevancy could be applied to any African American organization and it has. Why? I think it’s because we cannot accept anything as our own. Maybe, we fret about our worthiness. Or better yet, are we really acting “white” with these letters? Nonsense. Then again, should this BGLO debate devolve into a greater discussion about “blackness” itself?
Because, it’s really a reaction to how “others” perceive us — on film, at stepshows, on campuses, in the courthouse. That battle on perception is never-ending, and one reason is that we can’t accept ourselves and thus the targets — the indicators of relevancy — are always unstable.
Additional hyphenation aside (i.e. “Black-” for those following at home), our forebearers created these organizations and they have evolved to be far more expansive than any movie, stepshow, campus protest or court case can define. And while BGLOs must be aware of issues, like litigation, that could impact them going forward, let’s not get so focused on the so-called fear and demise that we forget our own achievements and potential. Fear, as I have learned, is a mindkiller.
BGLOs are not perfect, but nothing is. And again, you can be frustrated because they could do more — as individuals we all could — but that doesn’t mean that they — or us, individually — aren’t making an effort at all.
Enjoyed it. Take care.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Forgive the error on the name. Nothing personal.
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Gentlemen,
I found this article very worthwhile to read. Originally from the South, I am an undergraduate member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on the West Coast.
One major problem I see, as Polemarch of my Chapter, is apathy. Sure, it exists in all organizations, but we’re working with such small numbers that we have to cut out the fat in order to program and serve effectively while holding down a full courseload and part-time jobs. In an large frat with 100 guys, maybe 70 of them are apathetic; however, that’s still 30 brothers who can collaborate. When you have your typical non-HBCU BGLO chapter of 10 and 7 are apathetic, it’s exponentially harder to do that. We always say “quality, not quantity”, but the latter begets the former.
Another problem is the inherent disrespect that some organizations have for each other. It’s absolutely ridiculous to think that there are about 30 of us in the NPHC on my campus and we’re steadily trying to divide ourselves! If just once we collaborated on a cohesive set of programs, we would be dangerous. I hope we can really pull it together in the next year, or else I’ll be coming to my 10 year reunion with no BGLOs active on campus.
July 10th, 2007 at 3:42 am
First and foremost, I will urge each of my sorors to read each and every comment. (Brother Hughey, please help the process of understanding by shortening some of your future sentences. Yes, I am an old girl from the old school.) Each and every comment, even those that seemingly are in disagreement, reinforces my strong belief that we must assume direct and very immediate responsibility for effecting and affecting changes and improvements in our organizations. The need for same is clearly and readily obvious, if for no other reason than the fact that “time brings about change.” (Witness the current trends in hazing and pledging, which are indicators of the problems we face.) Moreover, I regret that I share the variously expressed concerns about the current state of affairs of BGLOs, especially my own. I nonetheless thank each commentor for his/her contribution to some possible solutions that I would like to explore further. To this end, Brother Parker, I earlier contacted you about your book and the possibility of you visiting my bookstore. Because of the aforementioned discourse, however, I now wish to have a further discussion with you and the issues that you and Brother Hughey’s writings have highlighted. I take this approach because I strongly adhere to the teachings of my brother, Eldrige, that “One is either a part of the problem or a part of the soultion.” Assuming the problems to be as difficult and deeply entrenched as the comments appear to indicate (and I think they are), I think we can work towards resolution while we talk. Thus, the desire to have further contact. Again, a deep note of thanks to those who submitted comments. You have contributed greatly to my continuing education and reinforced my commitment to being a part of the solution.
July 10th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Rather than using sensationalism to write articles to sell books rehashing the same issues . . . I work on a partial solution.
I designed and created http://caLLLendar.com
It is designed to take in information on what we do (our relevence) and redistribute it through mass media.
Some people overlook how many NPHC affiliated chapters there are and how many events we do. Moreover, some people overlook the fact that the money that gets raised at (NPHC hosted) parties and stepshows ultimately gets spent on the community. It is as much “community service” as passing out turkey dinners (which by the way was funded by the party).
Too often we fall victim to “paralysis by analisys”.
Ultimately, that (aside from selling a few books)
will be the sum value of this cliche’ discussion.
July 11th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Mr. Brown, the article is not sensational but merely an analysis, as we see it, of the state of BGLOs. Though we could be wrong in our analysis, at the very least we are trying to generate dialogue regarding problems that afflict our organizations. At the end of the day, BGLO members may think that we are perfect or have few flaws, and there will be no need for critical self-examination and problem solving. We think dialogue helps us come to a well-reasoned conclusion on that front. As for using the article to sell books, that was never the intent. The tag-line at the end of the article is simply so folks know that we are individuals who actively research these groups. Furthermore, in a 600-800 word article, there is but so much ground one can cover. In other articles written by me and Mr. Hughey, we’ve laid out solutions to some problems that face our organizations. Additionally, the books you implicitly critique lay out old (and long-unresolved) as well as new problems and a host of solutions. You should check them out, even if it is only from the library. Also, I invite you to my blog (http://bgloscholar.blogspot.com/) where we have and will continue to tackle a wide range of issues related to BGLOs.
November 12th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Until blacks in general, look at our history through HONESTLY, there will be no changes. As for the black church having anything to do with the founding of BGLO’s, what black church are you talking about? Not the ones preaching against sin and Salvation through Christ alone. I dare any Black Greek to take a look at the Negro Project, and answer the question, How could these Talented Tenthers promote such a thing?
November 14th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I found the article and arguments to be interesting, but pedestrian. Certainly the topic of “relevance” is a good one…yet it seems to me that the brief description provided by both Dr. Parks and Dr. Hughley were superficial and ahistorical.
I am a second generation Alpha.
This conclusion that BGLOs “must grapple with a number of internal and external issues” is nothing new. It has always been this way. And the BGLOs have persevered. There is no real indication that today is different…except that these two gentlemen make the assertion.
Popular Culture? Give me a break. BGLOs are not about the popular culture. Indeed, the popular culture is pretty much unaware of the existence, purpose or function of BGLOs. Sorry, Animal House, School Daze and Stomp the Yard really cannot be seriously construed as indicators of anything meaningful related to BGLOs. BGLOs are not for ‘everybody’; I am unimpressed by the notion that somehow we need to “convince collegians” of anything. This is nothing new. Only a small portion of college students have ever been Greek and or supporters of Greeks.
The case for internal issues was rather weak. Same ol, same ol. Fact is that most BGLOs have addressed hazing formally. Today…the old school practices are so long gone that members who are 30 years old or younger…barely know or have any experience with that. True enough that rouge members or chapters exist and cause serious problems that pose some threat to the national bodies. But those threats are much less today than they used to be. Don’t believe the hype. Training? LOL. Well…I can’t speak for the experience of these gentlemen. But where I am from, training and preparation are alive and well. Historically, for example…IUL chapter in Montgomer County, Maryland has a long tradition of leadership and community service. Al Bailey for one…is one of the Alpha’s who is behind getting the MLK memorial built on the capital. Local politicians who want the Black vote do not dare miss the MLK breakfast that is held annually. And young brothers who are active…learn and are groomed for a broad array of leadership positions in the County. Many of the Black leaders are Greek…many Alphas. That tradition continues.
Where I am in Denver, we are well networked. The Alumni chapter works with and helps sponsor the Undergrad Bruhs. They come to our meetings. We support their events. For the past two years us old folks have worked with the young ones to even step…and come away with first place trophies each time! More importantly is our fidelity to the national Alpha Program that involves tutoring, scholarships, feeding the needy. Sorry. Where I am from…Alpha is relevant. As are the Ques, Kappas, Deltas and AKAs. We raise a lot of money and provide a lot of service.
Of course, there are always challenges. But in my experience…BGLOs have it together. We are not going anywhere. One of the best ways to get leadership experience, training and work in community service is to get Greek. It’s not the only way…never has been. But it is one of the sure ways. Still today.
Carry on. The topic is nice and the discussion has been nice too. Even though I disagree strongly with most of the posts.
Congratulations to both gentlemen in stimulating the conversation. Congratulations to those who have provided thoughtful responses here.
November 15th, 2007 at 12:52 am
To R. Thompson
I think that I had a similar reaction. The points raised are nice for discussion, but rather overstated.
As time goes on, the issue of sustaining relevance is common and important. But it’s not as big a deal as is hyped.
At the dusk of the civil rights movement for example, young people wonder about the relevance of the NAACP. What have they done for us lately. Yet. When cases like the Jena 6 come up…people remember to access the NAACP legal defense team(s) because the infrastructure and legal talent is still in place and ready to roll. It becomes relevant real quick when people have a problem.
I agree also with Drew Brown who notes the broad array of fund raising and community service that occurs still today. I even have to laugh…because being active hits my pocketbook regularly. With the dues I pay for the Fraternity, plus the Alpha events I support that’s about $1K a year just to start. Then, in order to sustain support for our programs…to get people to come…I also support the main events of the other Greeks…not to mention the Pan Hellenic Council here. I don’t really count…but I easily spend $5K a year supporting Black Greek community activities…all going back to the Black community. That does not include other volunteer and pro-bono work. I don’t think this has changed much over the years. One thing that is different is that many of us belong to a variety of service organizations…so our resources are spread out and sometimes less coordinated than in the past. But where I am from…relevance is not even close to being an issue.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As I said earlier, BGLOs still have issues. It has long been that way. We are still here. In 20 years, we will still be here. Probably be here in 100 years.
Relevance? Oh. Well. As many of the respondents observed, there can always be questions of relevance. Right?:
Is “Black” relevant? Is “African-American” relevant? Is “race” relevant?
Why do we even need organizations like NAACP or Urban League?
Is affirmative action relevant?
Is Civil Rights relevant?
Why do we still have HBCUs?
Are Black magazines and newspapers relevant?
Why do we need the Black Church?
Is it time to discontinue categories of Black Music?
Are Black image awards relevant?
Isn’t it time to bury the n-word?
On and on. I think that these are fine discussions to have. But the alleged crisis is a bit over the top. Because of this…I think that talk of “solutions” are premature because the so-called “problems” are not well defined…or even very accurate.
Yet the dialogue here seems to be good, productive and suggests a lot of potential for addressing the challenges of the future…particularly as they pertain to BGLOs.
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Before I initially posted and for the most after, there was NO MENTION of Jesus Christ, Christianity, etc. Now I am sure most who have posted here would say they were Christians and that their organizations are founded upon Christian Principles. We do not see that here and many, many other places where greeks congregate. This blog is the sad but true reality that Jesus is still out and Satan is in.
This foolishness about the N-word is crazy. You restrict this word and you will open up the restriction of other words. You will restrict the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Min. H
919/278-8911
December 19th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Hatchett: Matthew Hughey and I hope to thoroughly examine the issue of faith in our next book.
Diggs: Good points. But same old issues in a different context likely yeilds greated results. When my next book comes out, let me refer you to DeSantis and Coleman’s chapter. The book Hughey and I are editing will raise some other issues–especially the chapter I, along with Porter, am writing. Maybe given that I am privy to a growing body of historical, qualitative, and quantitative work on BGLOs prior to most people, I feel freer to make certain assertions. In the end, I may be totally wrong. Time will tell.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:32 am
As an old school brother(per say) I find the article interesting. The BGLO’s of today are revelant but need alot of tweaking, it is imperative that we older brothers teach the younger generation of brotherhood and what it means to belong.
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