The Divine Nine
 

I wasn't going to post this topic, however the book is out so what the hell. What do you all think about the book? I have mix views. It is a good book, I have to give the Author props, however {to me} it focused more on Alphas & Deltas. No offense. It kould have focused a little more on the other Frats & Soros. After all it is kalled "The Divine NINE(9)" PNOTY(Prettiest Nupe Of The Year)

You may be interested to read these threads which discuss that very book:
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/...ML/000387.html

and
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/...ML/000827.html

Happy Reading! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

BURNINGSADS,
I second you. I believe the book is good but even better for someone who is not a member. I think I made the mistake of reading it from the point of view of a NPHC member. I paid the $30+ expecting WAY more than I got. To be honest with you, it was kind of boring. I also think he was BIAS (did I spelled that right?) You are right; he made his personal opinions about certain orgs. shine more than others. I did not like how he phrased some of the points regarding the foundation of DST and how some of the founders were AKAs. ALthough the above is a fact, I first I kind of took it as damn, why is he "dissing" the AKAs?
Ok, enough
PLEASE DO NO TREPLY TO MY POST WITH NEGATIVITY- I could be wrong but this is the way I felt when I read the book (1 year ago)
ALso, he had MANY facts WRONG and people listed as member of orgs. were don't belong
Burnigsand, hope I answered you ques.
The book is a good reference guide. Although I have all the above mentioned problems with it, I have to give him props because he took the energy to put it together.

While I agree w/ the general concensus, I feel a different bias. His wife is a Delta yet the DST section was the shortest. Also DST is the largest of the nine yet the list of famous members was the shortest (what? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif ). I also saw a general bias against sororities because the frats' list of famous members was padded w/ athletes.

Oh well. As mentioned, the author gets an "E" for effort.



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MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

I was just wondering, who is the ninth organization in the Divine Nine? I thought my school had a full yard of NPHC orgs, but we only have eight -- frats: Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Pi Beta Sigma, and Alpha Phi Alpha; and sorors: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta. So who's the Ninth?
I haven't read the book yet, but the reviews I have seen give it good marks for anyone that work with Greek orgs.

Iota Phi Theta is the 9th organiztion.

Pike4Life,

The Divine Nine consists of:

(Fraternities)
Phi Beta Sigma
Alpha Phi Alpha
Kappa Alpha Psi
Omega Psi Phi
Iota Phi Theta

(Sororities)
Zeta Phi Beta
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Delta Sigma Theta
Sigma Gamma Rho

While we are at it,
if you can, read "Inside America's Black Upper Class -Our Kind of People" by Lawrence Otis Graham.
THe book is SOOOOOOOOO good and his writting style is very interesting. I liked the way he includes personal experience with the facts of researched orgs. he discussed. I love my org. and NPHC as a whole but, it does not stop there. This is some baby stuff compared to Jack and Jill, Cotillions, Links, the Girlfriends, Boule, Guardsmen, Mason, OES and on. What I mean is, if we think our org. and NPHC as a whole is deep, wait until you read this book.
I hope people don't interprate this wrong, but on the real, check this book out. It left me with a good feeling about our accomplishments but it also made me a little ashame of some people's attitude towards those less fortuned.
Those who read the book, tell me what you think. Those who have not seen the book, if you to comment of my comment, please don't be rude.
ONE.

Ghostface,

There were some interesting and some not so interesting parts of the book. There were quite a few things that pissed me off in it. For example, the way the guests acted at his brother's wedding when they saw the broom. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif Overall, the book was a pretty good read. It was definitely eye opening.

Ahhh..."Our Kind of People"...I had a friend ask me about that book, whether it was worth reading (I guess he assumed that I had read it). So I did...it was pretty good, but it seemed as if he was sucking up in some ways. (to me at least), he mentions Barbara Delany, the first African-American woman to pledge an NPC organization, Sigma Kappa. Does anyone know if she was/is active? (I don't know if she's deceased)

[This message has been edited by AlphaChiGirl (edited January 11, 2001).]

Since Mr. Ross is an Alpha and his wife is a Delta, I expected the book to have some degree of preferential treatment in it. But I do feel that he could have done a more thorough job of researching some of the other organizations. Now I may be biased, but in the book there were pictures of Sphinxmen, Scrollers, Lamps, and Centaurs. Where were the pictures of the Crescent Club? Conversely, where were the Archonians? The Blue and White Family was around during above-ground pledging. Additionally, in the info section he mentioned something about PBS being associated with the term "Fire and Brimstone". Now I know we are a diverse organization, but I don't know of any chapters that are still using that. Other than that, he did what he could I suppose.

Sir.
I know ther are those of us who would like to write our own books about the Black Fraternities and Sororities,but we didn't,so OH WELL.This book was very informative for the lay person who is not Greek and for Greeks who are not familar with other organizations.I learned a lot about the other Eight organizations.Personally I think we should still be the "Elite Eight".
There will be a second edition,I am sure all the organizations will have the opportunity to make additions and subtractions.All the organizations were contacted before printing,no one objected,if they had I am sure there would be law suits.
The only thing I objected to was the list of famous people,Joe Blow who sits on the bench for the Bengals is not famous.Mr smith who made one movie is not famous.Some list are shorter than others,some Organizations listed people who are not members,who are not even greek.Or member of another organization.
Overall this is a must read for ALL greeks,I am glad I now know some of the History of the other Frats and Sorority.I am now trying to obtain copies of everyone history book,let me know if this is possible.

JUSTMUYO,
As I read your post it made me wonder if you are the author of the book. True that he is the first one to put the info "together as it is" but, I am not a impressed. As far as learning about the other org. DAMN!!!!!!! It is a shame you learned it from that book. If you are a part of the DIVINE NINE, you LEARNED, or should've that info as you were coming in. Better yet, even before you made your decision, you should've looked up all orgs.
MATURE AND OPEN-MINDED REPLIES ONLY-PLEASE

Just my 22 cents.

Ghostface
I am not implying that there were no flaws or mistakes in the book.There were some things that I disagreed with.I was only defending Mr.Ross for making the effort to compile this information.
As far as my knowledge of the EIGHT organizations that made up the National Pan-hel,I have always been well aware of the general history of all of them.When I was in school,in the not-to- distant pass,we were the only organization with our history book in the library.The other information came from searching out this information wherever I could,actually my research into other greek organizations went further than a mere history book.There are constitutions and by-laws filed at most universities.
If it were me,but it's not.I would give every organization equal space,and make sure everyone had an equal amount of pictures.
I am sure Mr ross ran into some opposition from some of the other organizations when he began to solicit information from them.But the information in the book is public information,just with information from the Library at Howard university and the Internet I can compile a simular book.The most interesting part of the book was the interviews with the members themselves,and I am sure there are some members who wished they had not declined to participate.
Each of us would love to produce a fantastic book of our organization,I have read the first part of The Delta Book,after a while it's only interesting to them.My own history is surely a bore to anyone but the brothers.I have seen some history books,which from the size of them there isn't much history they want to tell.I hope this clears my name and shows how open minded I can be,and I hope this reply is mature enough.

LOL...OUR HISTORY BOOK WAS IN OUR LIBRARY TOO,WHEN I WAS THERE BUT...
IT GOT STOLEN...GO FIGURE! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

SOROR PINK...
WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, THERE WERE ONLY EIGHT, TOO... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

GHOSTFACEKILLAH: allow a dissenting opinion. Along with JUSTMYO, I found the book interesting in that I did not know the history of the other orgs. Since I pledged pre-intake, there was no internet or research other than actually interacting with members and observing previous lines pledge. If you know what you want to be, there is no need to check out other orgs (with the exception being that you just want to be greek). I did not learn jack (nor care to) about anyone elses org except when and where founded. The Divine Nine lacked some things, but it could not serve all nine equally. That is too much to ask. I liked the interviews the best also. I know John Chaney personally and I never knew that he was a Nupe. I think that as an introductory piece for novices, it works well.

Well said, Alpha1906!!!

I commend you for taking the initiative and time-consuming task for writing an informative book (which I do have a copy of, BTW). For those that did not like it I hereby challenge them to write a better book on the subject.

Thanks again, Alpha1906.

Rain Man

Speak the truth Lawrence. I have the book and believe it to be a wonderful resource for non-NPHC members to get an introduction into the history, etc. of our organizations. In fact, my chapter donated a copy to our local library. Did the book contains errors? Yes. Did each organization have the same number of pages dedicated to them? No (and I suspect it has less to do with the author's bias and more to do with lack of organizational cooperation). However, that does not lessen the achievement of The Divine Nine. It is about time a book about our orgs was was mass marketed. I look forward to your efforts to get a documentary on the air.

Gail C.
Eta Alpha Zeta Chapter
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

CONGRATULATIONS,KEEP US INFORMED SO I CAN PROGRAM THE VCR.

Speaking from a non-greek perspective, I liked the book, the interviews, the famous lists the whole nine yards. I can understand a little wny the book MAY be a little boring to some greeks simply because a lot of info may be repetitive to them. Its really cool for us folks who have not been so fortunate to enter greekdom. FYI I have read a lot of books that have mistakes no one is perfect you know but if people have a little common sense they can usually see what was meant to be said...I did not go through every part to see whose longer than someone elses I think that everyones section was decent..............I especially liked the section on Delta Sigma Theta that one was the best http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I don't recall reading anything in the book that was not,or should not be public knowledge.Let us know when you'll be in the midwest,IL.IN.WI.

... in addition to his other thinly-veiled slams against Iota Phi Theta.


At the risk of fighting a battle that's been already been won, I will say the following:

It is the "Divine Nine," and there is nothing else you or anyone else can do about it.

Open up your mind and learn to live with it.

Nobody from my organization has come on this board slamming your fraternity so a little "common courtesy" is expected.



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IotaNet
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
3AH80

Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Nu Chapter, Spring, 1979

Just a bit of regional humor.I personally didnot know about your organization until I read this book.I had heard of Gamma's,Wines,Grooves,Me's,Smokes',and a bunch of other quasi-greek organizations.But you should be thankful this book has opened my eyes to your organization,and I must say your organization was well represented.You should be proud and if I hurt any feelings I apologize.
Besides that my question is to Mr.Ross,on the back cover you mention Colin Powell,but his name is no where in the book,I have always been curious if he was a greek.My research has found no reference to any Greek letter organization.If he is greek please tell me where he became a member and what organization.

I think Colin Powell is an Omega...

Now I could be wrong, but I don't believe that Colin Powell is an Omega man. I heard (this might just be gossip), but he approached us about being an honorary, but of course we don't do the honorary thing.

MN

Prettygirl, if Mr. Powell is Greek, he is not an Omega, although many of the African American Army top brass is i.e General Togo West, Sec of the Army.

well I heard that on another forum by an Omega that said that he and Shaquille were on this "Million dollar line" or something they called it...I guess for the honorary folks with $$$.

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

My Greek Sista: Shaquille O'Neal is not honorary. That "Million Dollar" line was a special line but that was a product of it being used as part of the celebration of the dedication of our World Headquarters. Most of the "famous" people on that line delayed their initiation into their local chapters to participate in this historic event. As an editorial comment, as someone who pledged pre-intake, all intake initiations are practically honorary. Omega has very few honorary members.

kool!

Thanks for the information,But I still don't know when he was made and what chapter is he a part of.

I am too mad with you right now to offer a "fair response". Basically, the best thing I could say is WHO CARES IF YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE 8 ORGS.. This post and your other post was EXTREMELY disrespectful, but you know what IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INCCCCCCCCC. is going NOWHERE! Aight, we will be here FOREVER. Plus you probably aren't a greek anyways......go figure!



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Suntzu 1963
Member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
OW OW
LIPTTDID
W.W.N.O.R.T.

http://www.angelfire.com/va2/suntzuipt4uva

-"Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content, will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual."

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I haven't yet finished the book. I do however, want to commend the author for his attempt to write a book about all of the nine organizations compiled into one resource. Although, I am not a Kappa and I know there is a lot I don't know about the history, I think that particular section should have been more informative. It was almost as if he spoke of the founding of Kappa Alpha Psi in 1911, and there were'nt many accomplishments until the 1940's & 50's and I know that wasn't the case. Overall the book is good for a first attempt, and I am sure others will follow the pattern he has laid.

PS. A brotha, I guess was just looking for more information on Kappa Alpha Psi!! :0)

My Brother,

Hold Up the Light!!!!

"06"

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"The World Belongs to Those Who Care Deeply,
Who Dream Broadly, and Who Work Steadfastly."

A question to the NPHC Greeks: from what I understand about the basics of an educational process, this confuses me. Is it possible to cross into any NPHC Sorority/Fraternity without at least learning that there are 9 orgs in your NPHC?? I've never met an AKA or a Delta or a Zeta or a Kappa, etc. that had NEVER heard of Iota Phi Theta.

It is possible if 1. You pledged before 1996 and have not been active since.(Go figure!)The question many should be asking is not WHEN did you cross but are you ACTIVE? 2.You pledged and the chapter did not require you to learn NPHC information. 3. You simply consider your organization so fly that NPHC has no significance in your Greek life experience, hence you do not respect ANY organization except for your own...harsh, but I have witnessed such narrowmindness.

Yes, I went there.
It's what I do.

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

[This message has been edited by Finer Woman10-A-91 (edited February 08, 2001).]

I came through in 1991! And I have been active since I graduated from undergrad in 1993. HOWEVER, I had NOT heard of Iota until like 1999. Down here, IOTA IS NOT BIG, really YOU DON'T SEE 'EM! ( NO disrespect) It is just A FACT!

I spoke with an Iota one time and he told me that it is hard to get on HBCU campuses for various reasons, especially in the south. There was a chapter at SU, but there was no interest. So, that was that!

SO, it is not TOTALLY fair for you to make the statements you have made. AROUND these parts, it's really STILL about the 8!

My big sisters (skeerious 'OLE SCHOOL (pre-90) taught us everything we need(ed) to know) http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

I had no idea. All of the NPHC Greeks I've met thus far are fiercely proud of their organization as well as the NPHC itself. I guess that's just my region.

All I can say to that is the NPHC was very vocal about the introduction of our newest member. I too crossed in '91 and although the Iotas were not active at Howard at the time, I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of Iota neophytes who had recently chartered a chapter in Philly, Temple U. I believe.

I stand by my previous statements. You need to question your local NPHC on why 3 years after the fact you were just learning about Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Or perhaps in your neck of the woods there needs to be a greater extension of information dissemination in NPHC affairs.

Best as Always,
Finer Woman 10-A-91

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

[This message has been edited by Finer Woman10-A-91 (edited February 09, 2001).]

Finer Woman10-A-91:
That was well said! Thank you for being true to the creed that we must stick together as NPHC members and as Greeks.

To the lady of AKA, all I can say is that the NPHC chapters down there need to do a better job of letting people know what's up. My frat brother's are trying really hard to spread the word, both by roadtripping to various schools and spreading the B&G influence and by stepping at schools without chapters. Just like the "it takes a village to raise a child theory", we must all make a real effort in our NPHC offices to make people aware of ALL the NPHC is about. I know at UVA, we try to make sure everyone knows that there are 9 member orgs. of the NPHC and what these orgs. and the NPHC is about.

The funny thing is that at UVA we call the NPHC affiliated umbrella organization the Black Fraternal Council. Now if we can do that and we are not really the NPHC, then everyone can make an effort to educate and uplift (we don't have to b/c we are not officially "NPHC-sanctioned").

TO ALL READERS of BGLO NPHC affiliation and others:
We all have to remember that we are AFRICAN-AMERICANS and/or well-wishers of our community *non-black members of BGLO's*, so as Greeks we must do our best to uplift ourselves and "each one teach one". Do not make our differences get in the way of the fact that we serve our community first and foremost.

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Suntzu 1963
Member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
4-FALL-99
UVA Colony
OW OW
LIPTTDID
W.W.N.O.R.T.

http://www.angelfire.com/va2/suntzuipt4uva

-"Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content, will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual."

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

GO 'HEAD FINER WOMAN! SUCH "FINE" STATEMENTS! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif