"The Lighter Side of Alpha" (Part Two)

BY BROTHER GREGORY SCOTT PARKS
GUEST COLUMNIST

In several recent interviews, I asked some White brothers their perception of their experiences in the fraternity.  The following is some of what I found:

Greg: Initially, what attracted you to Alpha?

WB5: I was introduced to Alpha by my freshman year roommate, who later became my line brother.  He...thought the fraternity might be appropriate for me.  I attended what may be termed a "pre-smoker" with a
variety of men in the room from their early 20s to their 50s--and was completely blown away by what I learned.  I was in a room of dedicated, ambitious and successful men who all held the fraternity dear to them,
even so long after college.

Then I did some research.  I found out what Alpha stood for, what kind of men Alpha attracts, and what kind of men Alpha makes.  I realized then that the ideals of the organization were very much in line with my own, and the fraternity's concept of brotherhood was perhaps the most admirable philosophy I had ever known.

(Almost all of the brothers interviewed talked about the level activity and leadership of the Alphas on their yard.  They also spoke about the sacrifices they saw Alphas willing to make for one another as a true
display of brotherhood.)

Greg: Why did you choose Alpha over Kappa, Omega or Sigma?

WB1: The other African-American fraternities on campus struck me as far more image conscious.  I was dumbstruck by Alpha's history, which I had begun to read about, and had been very impressed with the roll call of past brothers: King, Owens, Ellington, Marshall, to name a few.

Greg: Why didn't you join a White fraternity?

WB1: At [my school] they were basically social organizations, if not drinking clubs.  Any evidence of greater purpose was minimal and transparent.

(Similar feelings were expressed by all the others.)

Greg: Were you involved in any other Black organizations on campus?

ALL: Memberships ranged from working for the Office of Minority Affairs on recruitment of undergrads, to vice-president of the gospel choir, to President of Pan-Hell.

Greg: Are you currently involved in any Black organizations?

WB2: I have been involved in the Black church for about 8 years.

Greg: What are your feelings about Alpha's Afrocentric thrust?

WB1: I was amenable to it at the time and remain so.  I'd been doing a lot of research on Malcolm X out of curiosity and as part of a fellowship I'd earned, and much of my intellectual time at....was spent wondering about Alpha's relative position vis-a-vis Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Franz Fanon, and a number of other social thinkers.

Greg: Do you believe that your pledging/intake experience was any different from your line/intake brother(s)?

WB1: I'm sure that it was--especially when we visited other campuses.  I was the immediately obvious exception and made a convenient scapegoat for slip-ups committed by the "intake" class.  But unlike my pledge classmates, I was joining an organization of like-minded individuals who did not share my skin color.  It was a lesson in solidarity and contrast, in sameness and difference, and it was a lesson learned every day.

WB2: ...I believe that I gained a new appreciation  for the idea of being a minority... I honestly believe I studied harder, worried more, and in some ways simply pledged harder than most people... Just like I
will never understand what it really means to be a Black man, it would be hard for me to believe my line brothers really understand what it was like for me to be a White Sphinxman.

WB3: No, because all my line brothers and I were treated the same way through the whole pledging process (we were truly "as one").  Yes, because I had to stay tougher mentally due to the fact that I knew the older brothers would challenge me more.

Greg: Have other brothers treated you differently because of the color of your skin?

WB4: At first, some treated me different[ly], but once they got to know me, it passed.
(Similar sentiments among all brothers).

Greg: What is your relationship with your line/intake brothers and your chapter brothers?

WB4:  My line brothers and I will always remain close.  They truly are my brothers to the end... Although I have graduated, I still have contact with them... They never cared that I was White, just that I did the work of Alpha.

Greg: What was the response of your White friends to your becoming an Alpha?

ALL:  Friends and family were supportive and accepting.  Some parents had worries about their child might not being accepted.

Greg: What was the response of the Black community on your campus when you became an Alpha?

WB2: Black people at ... were enormously positive about my becoming a bro.  From the moment I crossed, people were walking out of their way to congratulate me.  Three weeks after I crossed, I participated in my
first step show (which we won handily).  When I started to step, the noise was deafening... Many people knew me from community involvement.  Many were probably just enjoying [the] novelty.

Greg: How do Black people in general respond to you when they find out you are an Alpha?

WB5: Shocked amusement would be the standard response.

(Most brothers responded in a similar fashion.)

Greg: Are you currently active?

ALL: Four out of five responded yes.  I am working on the last one.

Greg: Do you think there is feeling among Black brothers that Whites should not be initiated into the fraternity?

WB1:  I think there is probably a feeling that not too many should be initiated, and given the history of the fraternity's founding, I don't think this hesitation is in any way illegitimate.  But I've never felt that there's been a concern about admitting some White brothers in general.  Perhaps I'm naive or optimistic, but I've found [Alpha] to be at once full of conviction and yet enormously open to change. That is its strength.

A few years ago, I could never have imagined that I would be accepting of a White man in a Black fraternity--let alone my own.  Alpha has truly opened my eyes over the past couple of years.  I consider myself a Black man who is deeply concerned about the condition of our people and the need to make a change in that condition.  However, I am always reminded and inspired by the aims that our Jewels set forth: manly deeds, scholarship, and love for ALL mankind.  Be reminded and inspired brothers, and always hold the Light of Alpha high.

References
"The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life," Charles Harris Wesley
Ebony, October 1946
The Sphinx, October 1946
The Sphinx, Spring 1994

Questions, comments, criticisms, and lingering concerns may be forwarded to Bro. Greg Parks

A BROTHER WRITES ABOUT HIS WHITE LINE BROTHER:

Non-black brothers...

It was difficult to write that phrase above because, I never thought of my line brother as anything other than brother. On December 14, 1967, four new brothers were initiated into the Iota Chapter at Morris Brown College in  Atlanta, GA. One member of that line was a brother from Sobrogen Wisconsin, Brother David Miller.

David was a great brother. Although I have to admit he did get us into a little trouble while pledging. For one thing, he could not step as well as the rest of us. Another thing, is that he wanted to be an Alpha so bad that he would do anything the big brothers asked.  That sometimes got us into commitments we did not desire.

How did a non-black happen to be a student at Morris Brown College in 1967?  Morris Brown had an exchange program with North Central University in Wisconsin.  We would send two black students to spend one semester at North Central and they would send two white students.  David enjoyed the experience so much at Morris Brown that he transferred. Some say it was to pledge Alpha.  David ended up graduating from the University of Georgia. His first wife was Indian (India) and his second wife was hispanic.

We celebrated our 30th year in Alpha on December 14, 1997. Unfortunately, David was only with us in spirit. He entered the Omega Chapter in Feb. 1997.  His widow and two sons attended the function.  

David taught us all that you cannot judge a man by the color of his skin.  Something even us blacks need to remember.

John H. Carter
Iota 1967
Eta Lambda
 

LETTERS TO SKIP MASON
FROM TWO 'NON BLACK" BROTHERS 

Bro Mason: It's taken me awhile to respond to you, and I apologize for that.  I like to think that my experiences within the frat have been no different from anyone else.  True, my skin is lighter, but I have never felt like this held me back from anything, once I got in the frat. During my initial interest period, I had to apply to the national office a couple of times before I was given the opportunity to join the process.  That bothered me for a while, but by then it was time to show that I was worthy.  I was only the second Caucasian to pledge Alpha in 25 years of existence at USC.  Once I crossed, I got nothing but love from the bros.  Most of the other people on campus I guess had no problem with it.  I never cared anyway, for if I had I might not have done it.   I like to think that my experiences with Alpha have been very close to those of other brothers.  Occasionally a comment will come up that does make me angry, but most stuff I blow off.  For example, at the most recent Southern Regional in Augusta, during the bros' step show, a Vanilla Ice song was played, and for some reason a bro looked at me and said "Go Vanilla Ice!"  I looked around and didn't even act like he was talking to me.  How ignorant can you be?  We are all Brothers, and besides, Vanilla Ice sucks.  Anyway, he tried to come over later and apologize, but I told him not to apologize for his ignorance, because I never regarded it in the first place.  Little stuff like that gets on my nerves sometimes, but I'm secure with who I am.   

When I first told my parents about my ambition to pledge Alpha, their only reservation was that I not be a token.  Well, if that had been the case, I would not have been there to begin with.  I was treated like my other line brothers, in that none of it was fun.  The biggest problem I have with the frat now is the lack of commitment I see from bros.  I see plenty of Alphas where I work and in the community, and 9 times out of 10 the guys aren't financial.  I invite them to our grad meetings, and they say "Oh I have to do so and so or I have other commitments."  Man that's bulls---, [Skip, if you allow scatological language in your SHM now and try to censor it later, you'll be accused of letting 'the white guy' get away with it.  This is the first instance I've read of it in your column.  Now is not the time to let it in, especially in opinion pieces like letters.  While the floodgates won't necessarily open, you'll see more than you'd be comfortable with.]excuse my language, but that's how I feel.  We meet once a month, and you don't even have to be  financial to come and participate.  Brothers pledged and went through all that hell, and then quit.  I worked too hard to join the organization, and I'm not going to give it up because I don't have one night a month.  There are some Sorry Bros' out there, period.  Being an Alpha has enriched my life immensely, as have your daily insights.  My likes and dislikes are like all the other bros.  The national office needs a major overhaul and refocus on why and how Alpha was founded.  I don't remember reading in Wesley's wonderful book about the proper way to gouge brothers for their loot, or how to properly cut off a concerned bro when they call, do you?  I am an Alpha, I will always be an Alpha, and I will always hold the light high.  I hope I have given what you wanted.  I like Bro Parks' article on Tuesday, and I look forward to Thursday.  I did an interview with him on paper, and I look forward to his Sphinx article (if it happens).  Skip, take it easy and I want to meet face to face one day.

Bro. Sniffin
Avalanche/ 14 Phantoms of Obliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiivion
Spr '96/ Theta NU /"The NU era"

A LOOK BACK AT THE CONVENTIONS

The ninth General President Charles "Pup" Garvin emphatically reflected  in 1936 upon the fact that the earlier gatherings and conventions were not of the present gala social types as are the present  ones. They were occasions of work from four in the afternoon to four in the morning -- one sitting, the setting up of a fraternity structure in ritual, laws and bylaws in brotherly love and quality of manhood that would be a model for generations to come to emulate. And all around a single bowl of punch and a few dozen cookies were these accomplishments effected.

"It is our task to blaze the way and keep our feet upon the path of progress and with prophetic vision keep alive in us the spirit of cooperation. These thoughts, my brothers, are my conception of our duties and responsibilities to Alpha Phi Alpha.
Jewel Robert Harold Ogle, April 21, 1936  

"There are gains for all our losses.
There are balms for all our pain."
Charles Harris Wesley, 1935

THOSE FAMOUS ALPHAS 
The following list was taken from a chapter's Web site.
Which names do not belong to this list of Alphas?

Entertainment: 
Duke Ellington -- Jazz musician 
Quincy Jones -- Producer, Musician 
Tony Brown -- Journalist/Producer 
Countee Cullen -- Poet 
Donny Hathaway -- Musician 
Eugene Jackson -- National Black Network 
Chuck Stone -- Philadelphia Daily News 
Keenan Ivory Wayans -- Comedian, producer 
Daryl Bell -- Actor 
Lionel Richie -- Singer 
Stuart Scott -- SportsCenter anchor 

Sports: 
Jackie Robinson -- First Black man in major league baseball 
Jesse Owens -- Olympic gold medalist 
Eddie Robinson -- Winningest coach in college football history 
Lenny Wilkens -- Winningest coach in NBA history 
Rosie Greer -- NFL player 
Art Shell -- NFL coach 
Charles Haley -- NFL player 
Todd Day -- NBA player 
John "Hot Rod" Williams -- NBA player 
Wes Chandler -- San Diego Chargers 
Fritz Pollard -- First Black head coach in NFL history 
Gene Upshaw -- President of NFL Players Association 
Reggie Williams -- Cincinnati Bengals 
Quinn Buckner -- Former NBA player and coach 
Wes Unseld - NBA general manager, former NBA coach and player

Answer- Quincy Jones and Jackie Robinson. 
During the 1960's, an article that Quincy Jones wrote was featured in the Sphinx. He is not to my knowledge, an Alpha. Jackie Robinson attended Wiley College and was interested in Alpha but did not pledge. As I have said before, his mentor Rev. Karl Downs was an Alpha.

LOTS OF RESPONSES ON ALPHA ATHLETES 
Skip,

Adrian Murrell, who is the starting running back for the Arizona Cardinals, is also a brother.  He pledged at West Virginia University.  I met him a few years ago at a club in Atlanta.  He was playing for the Jets at the time and they were in town for a game.
Gary Fails
8-Delta Gamma - '90

Skip, on the topic of Alpha Athletes: 

J.T. Woodard (James Todd)
PI KAPPA - Cal. State Northridge 
Olympic bobsledder (don't know the year) 

Claudius Wright
Univ. of Arizona Spring '93
NFL Europe/Berlin Thunder
 
ALSO, IN REPLY TO BROS.  
In the NFL the bruhs forgot to mention Trezelle "Tree" Jenkins -- plays offensive line.  He pledged Epsilon chapter (Univ.of Michigan).  He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and was coached by another Alpha man in the NFL, Art Shell (former offensive line coach) before  he went to the Falcons.  Recently in the paper I [saw that] "Tree" signed on as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings for the upcoming season.    He's a good brother, but I would not want to trade "wood" with that brother for nothing in the world. Once again, Bro. Mason, thank you for enlightening both old and young Brothers with the info.  Our not only our fraternal "(Alpha) history, but black history," as my Afro-American studies professor always says.

Fraternally,
Bro. Landry Alexander
Eta Delta -- Spr '94
Resurrection -- #1 Visionary

Skip: I have some information on brothers in the NFL that may be helpful.  The following current or former pro players are definitely frat:  
Barry Foster, former RB -- Pittsburgh Steelers  
Charles Haley, former DE -- 49ers and Cowboys pledged at James Madison
Adrian Murrell, RB -- Jets and Cardinals;  pledged at West Virginia
Charles Fisher, CB -- '99 2nd round pick of Bengals  pledged at West Virginia
John Thornton, NT -- '99 2nd round pick of, I think, the Titans; pledged at West Virginia

George H. Stroud
Assistant Director
Minority Student Affairs & Cultural Diversity/Family Foundation
B101 University Union

What Brother Kelly Miller had to say about sports:

Sports are the greatest socialization agencies under our civilization. We forget our artificial distinction when we sink back to the primal instinct which sport appeases. Even race prejudice is for the moment overlooked. There is greater brotherhood in sport than religion. The Christian who would not sit by another Christian of a different color, to worship a Common Master, fraternizes freely with him on the baseball bleachers.

*Every Beta Brother should know the name of Dean Kelly Miller. He assisted Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones in the selection of the charter members of Beta and was for many years a loyal supporter of Alpha. He served as Dean of Howard until his death.

FROM THE PAN HELLENIC ARCHIVES

Notable and Famous Members of Sigma Gamma Rho
Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Gospel Singer
Willie T. Barrow, Nat'l Executive Director of Operation for PUSH
Corrine Brown, US Congresswoman
Merri Dee, Chicago Television Personality
Cynthia Horner, Editor of Right On Magazine
Mother Love, Television Personality
Hattie McDaniels, First African-American to win the Academy Award for her role as Mammy in Gone With the Wind