Phi Beta Sigma Celebrity Inductions Crystallize BGLO Debate
July 15th, 2009
The Divine Nine BGLOs
UPDATE 7.30.09: NEW Discussion Piece – Freedom of Speech in the BGLOs, but with Omega Psi Phi in the center of the discussion. Click HERE
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Let Mo’Kelly say right off the top…this is NOT going to be a popular piece. But Mo’Kelly never writes according to what might be “popular” only what needs to be said. Let the hate-mail flow, but this needs to be said.
By now you’ve heard the news that historically Black fraternity Phi Beta Sigma has had a slew of high-profile honorary members inducted into the fraternity.
President Bill Clinton, Rev. Al Sharpton, Stevie Wonder, Martin Lawrence and other notables have been ushered into the ranks of the Phi Beta Sigma brotherhood. All obvious jokes aside, the continuing discussion surrounding the complex and arguably controversial nature of honorary/celebrity “members” is part in parcel of the larger debate about the contemporary relevance of historically Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLOs).
There is a common blood line which runs through all of the “Divine Nine” BGLOs. All of their respective roots, traceable back to a time and place in which African-Americans could neither attend the same schools nor join the same collegiate organizations as Whites. Their “need” and relevance were inarguable at the turn of the 20th century and their direct impact on American history is unparalleled. Most of the civil rights leaders and Black historical figures we know and celebrate today are/were members of these organizations.
In many ways, America “is,” because BGLOs “are.”
BGLO members are/were our teachers, our pastors, our soldiers, our mothers, our caregivers our doctors, lawyers et. al. You likely can not meet anyone who hasn’t been positively influenced by a member of a BGLO. It’s just not possible.
Yet somehow, some way, somewhere…the world of BGLOs was turned upside down on its way to the 21st century. There used to be a time in which the organizations developed future leaders and way-makers, their future success and achievements serving as a perpetual advertisement of their importance and influence. In 2009, it is standard operating procedure for many of the organizations to simply seek out the already successful, already famous and of course considerably wealthy in the hopes of pinning their respective letters on them.
In lay vernacular, it’s become ass backwards.
There used to be a time in which the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood would have bound all members together, irrespective of era. The rivalries between the organizations were intense but invariably respectful. Yet ever since 1990 when most of the organizations first abolished officially sanctioned pledge programs, the strength of brotherhood and sisterhood largely devolved into “pledged vs. intake,” “real/made vs. paper,” “undergrad vs. graduate (initiated)” The inter-organization rivalries were then supplanted by the intra-organizational elitism. If there was one seminal moment in which we can point to the organizations having begun losing their collective way…it was in 1989 with the death of Morehouse student and Sphinxman (Alpha Phi Alpha pledge) Joel Harris. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (the collective governing body for the BGLOs) abolished pledging across the board in response in 1990.
Of course, something needed to be done to address the spiraling costs of lawsuits and the financial havoc they wrought. To some, the complete eradication of sanctioned pledging was an overreaction and knee-jerk response. Unfortunately though, it signaled a separation and segregation arguably little different than the Jim Crow segregation which the most prominent members of the civil rights era fought against. It’s doubtful that there was any more compelling example of the BGLOs earning the “elitist” criticism. The same classism they collectively fought against; had in effect become the norm and status quo. “Separate but equal” moved out of the deep south and into the Black supposed aristocracy.
In lay vernacular, it became ass backwards.
In the 21st century, honorary members have become both the norm and for many the notoriously ridiculous for BGLOs. If you are a famous singer, actor, politician or just a regular business person with ungodly amounts of money…it is quite likely that your name has been submitted for induction into one or more of the Divine Nine. Gone were the days of the individual first seeking this fraternity or that sorority. Gone were the days of the fledgling youth hitching his/her wagon to the star of the sorority or fraternity, hoping one day to become one of the “greats” listed in the annals of its history. The 21st century is the age in which the organizations have “sold out,” trading in their legacies to ride the coattails of the rich and famous.
The organizations want big names, big checks and instant status upgrades, calling into question where our collective priorities lie.
Yes, “our” collective priorities.…even my fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.
This isn’t a critique of any particular organization, but the recent high-profile inductions by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity offer the
"Blu Phi" Terrence Howard
perfect entry point into the discussion of the direction of the nine members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. All of our organizations are intertwined, and the future of one invariably affects all, as history has shown us.
The college sophomore with a 2.5 GPA with his heart set on Phi Beta Sigma and dreams of changing the world dancing in his head may not be selected for induction into the fraternity, but the actor Terrence Howard who attended the Pratt Institute (an art school), zero notable contributions to society and a questionable disposition towards women is freely given membership? Martin Lawrence who has never seen the inside of a college classroom as a student is the
"Skee Wee" Alicia Keys
educational example Phi Beta Sigma fraternity wants young African-American men to emulate? Alpha Kappa Alpha is somehow elevated by inducting Alicia Keys who dropped out of Columbia to pursue to her music career?
Really? Honestly?
That’s ass backwards and it sends a troubling message, one that’s loud and clear. Young people hear very well and recognize hypocrisy in all of its forms.
Beyond the manner in which members are chosen, selected or “pledged;” there has been a sliding scale in terms of the leadership. It is illogical to think a person, the likes of vulgar comedienne Sheryl Underwood would have ever
Sheryl Underwood
become the face and voice of Zeta Phi Beta sorority twenty or more years ago. It would have been simply unacceptable and surely the organization wouldn’t have sent out a press release “celebrating” her election. Zeta would have had the good sense and home training to be too embarrassed to do so. “Finer womanhood” and “Sheryl Underwood” simply could not and would not co-exist in the public space in previous generations.
If the 80s were the age of the hazing lawsuit, then the first decade of the 21st century will undoubtedly be remembered as the age of embezzlement. Although Zeta Phi Beta and Alpha Kappa Alpha sororities have most recently publicly battled its own leadership with lawsuits alleging all types of financial malfeasance and mismanagement, the same types of issues are bubbling under with most if not all of the other seven.
All…yes, all. YOUR BLGO too. Mine, yours, errrbody’s.
The argument can be made that as we collectively move further and further away from the principles of brotherhood and sisterhood and closer to big business, these are the inevitabilities. The deficiencies in our brotherhood and sisterhood quotients have borne themselves out from the top down.
On the undergraduate level you hear more and more how it becomes harder for the lay person to distinguish the fraternities from the gangs, for often times the behavior is just that, indistinguishable. Having nothing to do with our “hand signs,” the stepshow altercations between organizations have increasingly become the rule, not the exception. Maybe the caliber of membership has decreased relative to the sheer numbers of African-Americans in college, which have also dropped. Maybe the talent pool is just too shallow or maybe…just maybe, our organizations have become too shallow in and of themselves. I will say without a doubt that there is a measurable and despicable criminal element within my very own Omega Psi Phi; an element in direct contradiction
Founders of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
to everything my founders Oscar James Cooper, Frank Coleman, Edgar Amos Love and Dr. Ernest Everett Just championed.
Yup, I said it and I meant it.
It’s not the popular thing to say, but it needed to be said.
To be clear, there are many chapters of many BGLOs which are doing wonderful work in the community and around the country. To allege otherwise would be simply untrue. At the same time, there seems to be a growing trend of community inactivity. This may be a function of the multi-cultural evolution of this country and the changing landscape of universities.
The all/majority Black Greek-letter organization doesn’t necessarily hold the same appeal to a college freshman in 2009 that it did in 1989 or even 1969. Kids can “step” in high school (which aggravates Mo’Kelly to no end). They don’t need to go to college and definitely don’t need to join an organization to reach the dangling carrot of stepping anymore. Membership used to have its privileges, now people can get the privileges without the “inconvenience” of membership. For instance…
http://www.highschoolstepshow.com/
Not only that, the big business of college athletics has also short-circuited the recruitment of members on the undergraduate level as many prized college athletes are forbidden from joining BGLOs.
President Clinton
It’s not lost on Mo’Kelly the need for our organizations to evolve as business entities. But the foundations in which we all are built have noticeable cracks. The solution is though NOT found in President Bill or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama or whoever is the next unaffiliated star comedian or actress. The solution is simply going back to the original intentions of our respective founders and highlighting educational and community service achievement, not fame and celebrity.
What does it say when in the latest round of Phi Beta Sigma honorary inductees, only the White man above has a degree from an accredited 4-year college or university? Just ‘what’ does it say is being ‘honored’ with these ‘honorary’ inductions?
It says, it won’t be long before all of us are irrelevant and then extinct.
Posted in Uncategorized | 
Tags: Al Sharpton, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Bill Clinton, Criminal Girls with 20 Pearls, Delta Sigma Theta, Divine Nine, Hillary Clinton, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Martin Lawrence, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, Stevie Wonder, Terrence Howard, Zeta Phi Beta
101 Responses to “Phi Beta Sigma Celebrity Inductions Crystallize BGLO Debate”
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Well stated. I agree with several points made about offering honorary membership. Alpha does not have honorary membership and hasn't offered that for years. If you want to be an Alpha, you must express interest and go through the process just as Joe Student/Community Leader would.
When dealing with individuals who gain honorary membership but DID attend college, what differentiates them from someone who correctly comes through MIP. From my understanding it is simply whether or not they have a chapter affiliation.
A Phi A -- quit playin’ ya’ll started the honorary membership with folks like Fredrick Douglass and W.E.B. Dubois.
@wrgiv…I understand your point, BUT if you notice my comment it reads “Alpha does not have honorary membership and hasn’t offered that for years.” Pay attention to the last half of that statement.
In the early days of Negro Greekdom, there were some "honoraries" inducted to demeanor (lend prestige) to the fledgling organizations.
Honorary membership can be tricky, the Alphas may NO LONGER ihduct honoraries but back then, all of the organizations were guilty of "making themn in the grave". That's how Paul Laurence Dunbar and others can be considered QUES though their birth/death dates do not coincide with the founding of the organizations.
I have had a difficult time explaining to my local chapter in St. Louis that although Annie Malone was an honorary Zeta, she was not a member of Xi Zeta. In fact, by the time our chapter was chartered (1935), she had been gone (to Chicago) for almost 10 years. Very very messy divorce. Those of us who know ANYTHING about St. Louis history are well aware.
At that time, each graduate chapter was permitted to have one honorary member -- would have to ask my 100-year old Soror, if one was the limit.
Our honorary was Jessie Housely Holliman who painted murals in the area. When the practice of local honoraries was discontinued, she was permitted to be initiated since she already had the academic qualifications.
You want to get a BIG fight? Start asking about those who wait and "go grad"? And then there are those who deliberately shop around for the chapter of their hoice…………………
Can I have another turn?
If you want to get yet another GOOD STORY, ask about Soror Underwood going on national readio (Tom Joyner, who else) the morning after the submission of the committee's report and blabbing the names of the entire list?
It is my understanding, subject ALWAYS to correction, but only five had been contacted and "arrangements" made for an induction at a later date. Some names on the list had not yet been contacted and there are a few whispers-snide remarks that at least one belongs to another organization………..
But that's our Media Whore, Soror Sheryl Underwood, who claims to be the IGB but didn't win the election, fair and square………….
@Edda R. It is only 1/2 truth. I will say what Soror Underwood, the legal Grand of ZPhiB, did incorrectly is talk about the list. The whispers which u talk are about an earlier list that was only from a committee discussion not from Conclave.
I am a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma. This was an intersting article and has some valid points. However, whatever your personal views about your fraternity or someone else's doesn't stop the violence within the community. I wish people were as zealous within the community as they are on email or blogs. Every organization was formed with the intent of providing a need within the college community as well as the black community. Some of these (honorary) people may not have attended college but may have provided a significant influence as well as service to the African American community. Alicia Keys has received numerous awards for her humanitarian work. Who cares if she dropped out of Columbia. Also I'm positive that no person with a 2.5 grad point average is being denied selection in order to let Terrance Howard. Last I checked Phi Beta Sigma doesn't have a quota or maxium amount of selections per year. So rest assured that kid whose, "The college sophomore with a 2.5 GPA with his heart set on Phi Beta Sigma and dreams of changing the world dancing in his head" will be selected if that chapter desires him. The definition of honorary is, "conferred or elected in recognition of achievement or service without the usual prerequisites or obligations." Hence the defintion infers that each indiviual has achieved or has provided service! This is a prime example of what Marcus Garvey was talking about below!
"I have no desire to take all black people back to AFRICA; There are BLACKS who are no good here and would be likewise no good there."
Marcus Garvey
<<<>>>>>
As the young folk would say, "Whatever" -- such was that the Ques took great measures to allow her to represent but not to address the training conference.
And she is NOT the legal IGB, having won 605 votes out of the 1600 ballots cast.
That is NOT a majority -- unless you count differently?
P. S., Was NOT aware that she wears yet another hat as the publicity agent for the Phi Beta Sigmas……..
I know it's old news now, but I was wondering if any of the Sigmas were going to addresss how d-breath Sheryl Underwood was blabbing their business on national radio. I am so not fond of that vulgar, loud-mouth chick. And I am so sorry that the lovely ladies of Zeta have someone of her caliber representing them on an inteenational level. She sucks. Literally. Ask her, she'll be proud to admit it. *rolling my eyes*
I guess I can't speak for the organization but I can speak for me. I could care less. She did that not as a representative of Sigma or Zeta but as an individual. The first lesson I was taught was not to make my letters define me. Just as many of my frat blabbed the info before she did via twitter. Who am I to judge. If anyone wants to judge our orgs by one member so be it. An officer to me is NOT a representative of the org just a means by which my decesions are carried out. Love Bro Hammock (no homo) but we are very different. He is not Sigma but simply a Sigma.
To Edda R.,
Who ever said that Paul L. Dunbar was a que?????? I've never heard of this. LOL
Please show me this on any website or in any book.
Also, you stated, "all of the organizations were guilty of “making them in the grave”."
Which other NPHC organization inducted someone after they died? The only NPHC organization that inducted someone after their death was Alpha Phi Alpha-Frederick Douglass.
Ladies and Gentlemen please note my noble klan of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraterntity, Inc. have NO Honorary membership into our bond.
I love this article and think it is right on time.
One thing I will say that was missed in this piece was when I see a brother/sister who has been labeled as paper because he/she went through alumni or did not take wood but works hard for the fraternity/sorority is treated like crap by others. Now these same others will run and want to say cheese with these honorary members because of their status and post on facebook.
WE GOT TO DO BETTER! Excellent piece
I am still waiting for someone to differentiate a honorary member from a member who comes through proper MIP as stated in the books.
To answer your question Occasio…an honorary member does NOT go through the MIP process. The MIP requires frequent meetings, history quizzes and other responsibilities that a prospective member must complete and pass for membership. An honorary induction does not require as such and there is no possibility for “failure,” with the exception of the invited to withdraw their name for induction.
So Mr. MoKelly what is the issue with Alicia Keys dropping out of Columbia to pursue her music career?? Are you saying that a college degree defines someone?? PLEASE!! I’m sorry but last I checked there were many influential people (deserving of accolades) that either didn’t go to college or attended college and dropped out for WHATEVER reason. Must I mention Bill Gates? (Yeah he’s not a part of a BGLO but you get my drift) Alicia Keys is very involved in community activism, which is evident through her effort to fight HIV, her participation in the Keep a Child Alive organization and the many scholarships she gives to young black adults to pursue their education every year. Therefore making her an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, IMHO, doesn’t shine a negative light on the organization. It doesn’t send a ‘troubling message’, it sends a message that you can pursue your passions/dreams whether it be to obtain a degree or not, and still be a pillar in the community.
VP, we’ve already addressed Alicia. You can honor someone’s achievements/community service without granting honorary membership. But yes, it matters that she dropped out of school to pursue music. It is in direct contradiction to everything the organizations stand for.
If she doesn’t become successful musically…then what?
How many African-Americans have dropped out of school to pursue music careers, sports careers…etc. And then fall flat on their faces?
It’s called standards.
The expectation of all of the organizations was to finish your education, hence them being COLLEGE fraternities and sororities, not rotary clubs or the YMCA or the NAACP.
In fact in Omega Psi Phi, we give out awards during Achievement Week (National Program) each year for “Superior Service,” recognizing just that…”superior service” of individuals within the community. They are sometimes brothers of the fraternity…other times, non-members. But it doesn’t mean we make non-members into members.
It means we honor their achievements…note the difference.
Education is the key component. It’s why you can’t join in high school. The creation of the organizations is very specific in this regard.
I stand by what I said, it sends the wrong message. You can honor someone and their achievements and not contradict the founding principles of the organization.
To Mo’Kelly,
Bro. Harvey did not finish his degree at Kent State so were you against him becoming a Que in 1999?
I am against Q giving membership to celebrities who never went to college “at all”(example: W. Basie, W. Morris, L. Elder, etc.) because they did not have the college experience.
But people who went to college but dropped out at the time of their induction, I would give them a pass if they can substitute their academic deficiency with great achievements in their field. For example, S. Harvey, D. Justice, S. McNair, and many other Q athletes.
Interesting…a couple of points. Steve Harvey entered through Tau Tau chapter, he’s not an honorary. I can’t confirm that he did not finish Kent State…I honestly don’t know. All I do know is that he came through Tau Tau chapter.
http://mightytautau.tripod.com/photoalbum.html
Wanya Morris attended and allegedly graduated Temple. Also initiated through Tau Tau chapter. I’ve never met Wanya so I can’t confirm his graduation but I do know he attended Temple and was initiated through Tau Tau in Compton, CA.
Steve McNair is not an honorary. He was initiated through Eta Chapter. Honoraries are initiated through the “Grand” (national member-at-large) chapter, not a local chapter.
But there’s a contradiction in your statement. You would “forgive” academic deficiency if they had great achievements in their field. You’d “forgive” David Justice, but not Count Basie…one of the greatest musicians of all time? Lee Elder, one of the pioneering Black golfers, the first to play in the Masters, you wouldn’t “forgive?”
Dropping out of school to play baseball is little different than Alicia Keys in my estimation. David Justice is “successful” but not a towering figure in baseball or life on any level. To elevate those like him yet dismiss someone like Count Basie is problematic. I’m not “impressed” by 1.5 years of college. Don’t get it twisted, I’m not all that keen on honoraries at all…but 1.5 years of college and a pro baseball career doesn’t impress me in an “Omega” sense.
That’s an inconsistency.
I know that they are not honoraries. I was just talking about celebrity inductions “in general”. Harvey did not finish at Kent. McNair was not inducted at Eta-Alcorn State, he was inducted at Eta Tau Port Gibson, MS graduate chapter and didn’t finish at Alcorn.
Wanya never attended Temple. Both Wanya and Steve Harvey were inducted at Tau Tau 1/3/1999.
So knowing that Steve Harvey didn’t earn his degree at Kent would you have voted against his membership into Tau Tau?
Wanya’s degree from Temple was an honorary degree.
To Mo’Kelly,
Knowing that Steve Harvey didn’t earn his degree at Kent would you have voted against his membership into Tau Tau?
Voted against? No. I would have abstained.
I am so glad A Phi stopped doing honary brothers. He makes a lot of good points as far as the frats acting like gangs. The underground process has taken away the unity element among different frats. Now everybody wants to prove how “hard” their chapter is instead uplifting the community. “First of All, servants of All, we shall transcend All”.
AD, your comment has been deleted and with good reason. You’re the first and only person unable to play well with others. I laid the ground rules in post #1. Have a good day. Everybody was doing so well, contributing to a thought-provoking conversation and you instead want to go in the other direction to start a frat diss fest. Very disappointing. If the conversation is too high-brow for you, may I recommend a celebrity gossip site. This is not that place. I will neither make mention specifically of the organization you represent nor the exact nature of your comments. Neither should be highlighted in connection with one-another.
I am proud member of Phi Beta Sigma, and love everything the Fraternity has afforded me. I feel in no way that our organization has been damaged by the induction of these men. Phi Beta Sigma has many non African American members, and it makes no sense to think that a white man could make us any less viable in the Greek world. Kappa does not do honorary and that is fine, but the rest of the organizations do, and this is more than just Sigma. What is Omega Psi Phi’s “special intake” that Shaq and Alonzo Morning were brought in through? Also Elenore Roosevelt is an honorary AKA. Also, Fredrick Douglas died long before Alpha was even formed. It seems like some people are taking the Michelle Malkin route on this one. Who people take in is their own business, but lets not act like Sigma is hurting the NPHC.
Can I make some additional comments?
It is my understanding that Count Basie and other entertainers were “made” as THEIR condition for employment at conclaves and such.
We have forgotten about the Happy Warrior being made an Alpha, but as I wrote previously, I might be telling my age?
The subject of honorary BGLO membership is almost identical to that of Bible college doctorates among black folks.
Unless Phi Beta Sigma has done a recent change in their rules, a 4 year degree is not required for graduate chapter membership.
60 college hours and a significant standing in the community would suffice.
An interesting discussion would be on how the situation is handled in mainstream greekdom. It is my understanding that many times IFC advisers are “made” so they can serve on campuses -- something we should think about?
And then there would be the subject of honorary doctorates in academia?
Soror Edda Pittman, Xi Zeta Chapter, St. Louis MO
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Phi Alpha Chapter
(Harris Teacher’s College -- St. Louis MO) Winter 1963
“STANDING FOR THE RIGHT -- never for the might!”
Exactly!!! If you all want to attack honorary members in BGLO then go in on some of these “doctors” out here with all their honorary degrees from colleges they have never even seen let along studied at. Black people love to kick each other around, and that is our problem, its not the white man holding us down its us holding us down. Its always Jack and Jill V. Huey and Angie. Some of you brothers and sisters out there and looking a lot like Larry Elder and Ezola Foster.
Honestly, my sorors may be angry with me, but I am highly upset that Sheryl Underwood is my president right now. Due to circumstances I will not discuss, she is the president. Now, i’m sure she’s a wonderful lady. But finer womanhood is our tenant that makes us distinct, and even if u do use vulgar language regularly, there is a time and place for everything. Having a national platform is not that time or place. I am only 6yrs deep in Zeta, and even though everyone thinks the young BGLO members do not uphold their organizational tenants, I beg to differ. Some don’t, but a lot of us do, in all the organizations, and it is an insult to us and our organization when older people dont uphold those tenants while we get bad names from them and we’re out here working hard for the cause.
Give it a rest. Martin Luther King couldn’t be MADE. Neither could Ethel Lyles or anyone else for that matter. Last time I checked, membership was selected based on GPA, standing in the community, character, and how the rest of the community views that person.
Just like racism and any other “ism.” Arguments of “authenticity” or(paper v. made) come to play when a particular group fear they are losing their prestige or place of power. Study your history and you’ll see it’s true with the KKK, white supremacy, and all kinds of xenophobia throughout the globe.
The real reason why I believe greeks are losing their power is because young people are being more selective with what they affiliate with--they are evolving whether we like it or not. Not to discredit the significant contributions of the organizations, but young people are watching these chapters on campus and how they act. They are searching academic records. Many are choosing to keep a great GPA over a “pledger’s GPA.” Many are saying that they do not choose greek life because it would taint their character (even though BGLOs are supposed to project good character). These young people are choosing. They are the brave ones. They are thinking for themselves and tiems are changing.
BGLOs are not going to die…but they are going to struggle to hold the attention of young people. I think the sooner people come to grips and accept the flaws of BGLOs then there can be healing and real change.
As a member of Phi Beta Sigma, I believe it is okay to induct members into your Fraternity as long as there character is in alignment with the fundamental beliefs of the Fraternity or Sorority in question. When Celebrities exhibit Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service to their fellow man, either through monetary donations, behavior, our physical contribution; I stand firm in my belief that it is okay to honor them. As for Zack Isaacs, I am sorry you never reached your goal of being a Sigma and I sincerely apologize for those misguided brothers who mistreated. But as for your comment of saying and I quote; “Plus, as a black male still living in inner-city Chicago- nothing matters except getting things to turn around for us. We’re a dying breed- even folks like me who finished college. Nobody cares about us. So, that’s why folks get pissed to see folks still beholden to Clinton or any other “celebrity”. Sir, it’s not that others don’t care about us (BLACKS), it is the fact that we (BLACKS) don’t care about ourselves. We Kill Ourselves, We Mislead Ourselves, We Hinder Ourselves, We have offspring with Women, then we leave Ourselves behind to raise Ourselves. I am Wilfred Brown of the ZETA ZETA chapter of PHI BETA SIGMA at the UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON. We Graduate (Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, C.E.Os, Teachers, Preachers, and Statesman.), We Serve, We Educate, We Graduate, We Lead!
Though not perfect, we are all still relevant (THE Divine NINE), and are an instrumental and dynamic part of the continued success of America as a whole, not Just African America.
As a Member of a BGLO, even though I Pledge for 6 months, I think every Organization want High Profile and Good Character Members that represent their Organiztion. Now Organizations are doing things like duplicating steps, and traditions to put their organization on top. Funny thing is…its working.
. Many of the honorary members are great people (MLK) for example -- Completly Untrue, Dr, King PLEDGED at the Sigma Chapter of A Phi A, Boston College, he was Sphinxman #5..
As a zeta, i do agree some have fallen for all the fame and fortune,and trying to be the fastest to get certain ppl in their respective organizations, we have lost sight of our original goals and purposes set up by our founders.
however, i disagree that just because u didnt go to a 4yr university, or are not a known civil servant and humanitarian, that these ppl wont make good members in our organizations. i believe in all actuality, that if they were civil rights activists, or soing service in the private sector, they will continue to do the same for our organizations.
Lastly, in reference to your comments about our IGB Sheryl Underwood. So what she is a comedian. That is not all she is. If all her detractors would hve looked up her record for years in Zeta, the offices and positions she’s held, the committees she has worked on, then u would understand why she was elected and selected by her sorors. I mean, i look t it this way.. the comedian sheryl is a character she’s playing and she is not as vulgar or demeaning as she once was. I mean, nobody says anything about stars like Denzel Washington’s portrayal of that bad cop in Training Day, and how he’s supposed to be so religious and into the church and God. Just as u say some of us Greeks are sold out to fame and fortune. Some of these big churches that these stars go to, are teh same way!!!
I won’t knock her record of service in your sorority, but she is now THE FACE of your sorority. Its not that she is a comedian, she is rauchy as hell as a comedian. I like her as a comedian and her jokes are not for the faint of heart. SOme members do well on committees and there are some who should never sit on the top throne. YOu can say her professional life is separate from her role as IGB, but I believe they go hand and hand. Usually NPHC presidents use what they can in their professional life to enhance their org. You can’t tell blowjob jokes and proclaim finer womanhood. Not to say people don’t talk about sex, but it is a major part of her comic routines, a routine that nowadays doesn’t seem to stop when she leaves the stage. She has even made crass comments and the public meetings of different fraternities and sororities. I saw that with my own eyes. 2x I think she works hard for Zeta yes, should she tone it down alot now that she is IGB YES.
I feel the idea of honorary membership is silly and cheapens the idea that many of the organizations were founded upon. Its down right insulting. As those the members that worked hard to earn their letters aren’t ood enough to rep their organization alone, they have to give the letters away to someone who can do a better job. Smh. Like really??? Honorary I wish someone would tell me that. follow me @DamonCampbell
Update: Bootsy Collins and Terrance Howard were inducted into PBS on 2/18 and 2/19, respectfully.
http://pbseast.org/v4/?p=770
http://omicrondeltasigma.com/?p=1106
I am a member of Phi Beta Sigma and although I may only be a few years deep, (to put a different spin on the situation) I believe that the induction of honorary members (more specifically past leaders) gives new members and non-greeks someone to correlate with.
Just for a second, forget about whether or not what some of the honorary people are doing now (assuming they haven’t passed). For people like MLK and John Lewis who were activist in the civil rights movement…for actors who made it when we weren’t really seeing too many famous black actors or actress and singers who we can jam to even now that were successful in their craft.
In the movie Stomp the Yard, the segment when the main character went to look at the pictures of famous blacks (who were either pledged or inducted) it meant something, and it is one of the things that means something to upcoming non-greeks. Prestige.
Sure, their are a few that have their flaws as far as the standards of what the organizations stood or still stand for, but this is a new day and age, and its not those same people in the past pledging and crossing now.
I find it so interesting that despite the facts, non-Alpha keep reciting the false mantra that Dr. MLK, Jr. is an honorary Alpha.
HE IS *NOT* HONORARY!! Good LAWD!! How many times do we have to keep repeating that?? He pledged @ Sigma chapter (Boston College). A brother mentioned debunked the "honorary" claim earlier, but I guess everyone's too busy to post the "mantra" and not read previous comments….
Terrence Howard is INDEED an honorary member of Phi Beta Sigma, and here is proof of his induction:
http://progressivegreek.com/news_events/awards_re…
uuugggghhh…I HATE it when MoKelly’s Right!!!!!! LOL! Great Piece…snooping around your site to see if you Uplift as much as YOU commentated and INCITE…Be Well
We are at a crossroads. Our organizations were founded at a time when we couldn't attend the same schools or join the same organizations. Those lucky enough and privileged enough to defy the odds recognized that "to whom much is given, much is required" and they banded together to donate time, talent and treasure to their communities. Are we relevant in the 21st century? We could be but the leadership seems unmotivated to try and the membership unwilling to care. If the hazing lawsuits and financial malfeasance don't do us in, maybe we'll evolve into a purely social organization. One that you join in college and remember fondly once a year at homecoming.