Analyzing the 5 POINT THRUSTS of DST
 

1. Of the five point thrusts of Delta Sigma Theta, which do you see as the most critical in our society? Why? What are the strengths of this particular thrust?

2. Each thrust has several international programs that aligns with the mission or objective of the respective thrust. Some national programs include the Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, Thika Memorial Hospital, and Summit V: Health and Healing -- Let It Continue. Using the thrust that you deemed as most critical, identify or create a program that coincides with Delta's mission. What does your program hope to accomplish?


*****EDITED********
In case not everyone knows, here are the 5 POINT THRUSTS of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.:

1. Economic Development
2. Educational Development
3. International Awareness and Involvement
4. Physical and Mental Health
5. Political Awareness and Involvement

Summit V: Health and Healing

Why? I am so tired of seeing these young girls (12, 13 year-olds, etc.) on Maury, Montel, and my hometown walking around with their "swolen bellies" as the old folks say. If they're pregnant, they're not having protected sex and they're just running out spreading diseases. They have multiple sex partners, so they don't know who the father is even after two or three blood tests! :eek:

Young girls need to understand their body, don't be ashamed, but don't use it a tool to get what they want.

Yes, I'm 'bout it!

Political Awareness and Involvement

I think that more people need to be aware of what is going on politically in the United States and get involved and take a stand. There are so many people that complain about the government and politics but don't vote because they believe there voice doesn't count. When someone knows whats going on politically it can really help them understand why certain things are certain ways and if they see a problem with it tose who are politically educated may actually go out and do something to make change.

Educational Development
 

I say educational development. I have a lot of problems with the education system, but if I had to point out one in particular it would be literacy. As a people, we really do not read. I think many black children may have problems that are ignored. As a result, kids become frustrated, embarassed, and they hate to read. A program targeting young black children (particularly boys) to help with basic phonics would definitely be beneficial.

I'm going to choose Education and Development, and here are some of my reasons.

I volunteer with the Delta Academy with my local DST alumnae chapter and I am hear to tell you that these young girls really need guidance. The area that the chapter has adopted is a low income area, and I truly love helping out in the area. When we have our meetings some of the girls are just to "flip with the mouth" as my grandmother use to say.

You can really tell that a lot of these girls come from families where they get no attention at home, and the attention that they are getting is not what they should be getting if you know what I'm trying to say. I constantly hear them belittling one another. I had a case the other day where one of the girls wanted to make sure that I didn't have a daughter out in the group before she started to make fun of one little girls "wig" that she had on. Yes she had on a wig and it was a mess. Apparently the girls father cut her hair and messed it up and made her wear this wig. She was laughed at in school all day. Some of the girls said that her hair got caught in the door in school, so you know laughter was all over the room after this.

I like spending time with these girls, to show them that they can survive, and that they do have someone that cares about them and their well being. I wonder if thigns are ok when they missed a class. A lot of them say all the time, why do you care if I dont' show up. I simple state that again I have come to know them, and I worry when they are not there. One little girl asked me "why you care when my mom doesn't even care". I grew up in a close family and I trip when I hear girls talking about how they are left home alone all the time, or that their mother or father (if there is one in the house) doesn't even talk to them at all.

I feel that we have to let our youth know that they do make a difference, and that they will be missed if they are not there. I also feel that they should know that they can grow up and also make a difference in someone's life as well.

Sorry for the long post.

Educational Development
 

This is a key thrust because without education, all of the other thrusts are just dreams. Education does not just mean earning a degree; education is a lifelong journey that is basic for our survival as individuals and as a people.

Re: Analyzing the 5 POINT THRUSTS of DST
 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Right now, we have Summit V, which is doing a great job with mental health and depression, but I think Delta MUST focus on PHYSICAL HEALTH. In particular, I think that it is CRITICAL for us to focus on WEIGHT LOSS, EXERCISE, AND HEALTHY EATING HABITS - not just for ourselves, but for our CHILDREN.

Okay, I ain't small - I am overweight and earnestly fighting the battle of the bulge, but at our National Convention in Chicago, I saw some sorors who made me look downright TEENSY WEENSY. WE got some BIG sorors y'all (don't be giggling AKA's, Zetas, and SGRhos - y'all got some big 'uns too). But Delta is just a subset of the Black community - OBESITY IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITIES!!! We are OVERWEIGHT, our kids are OVERWEIGHT, and we're getting sick with high blood pressure, diabetes, and other obesity-related diseases.

Delta doesn't currently have a program to address this CRITICAL ISSUE (and probably won't ever have one because it's not POLITICALLY CORRECT to call out folks for being FAT). But you know we've GOT to do something before it's too late. We must do something to PRESERVE THE HEALTH of Delta women AND the African American community in general.

Though this is my first post I have an opinion
 

..."The Target Market News reported that Black buying power increased to $392 BILLION in 1997, up from $367 billion in 1996.
The report revealed the our biggest advances were in the area of personal care items and online services. In fact, Ken Smikle, spokesperson for Target Market News, stated, “There frankly are signs of splurging, spending on items for individual gratification......”

For far to long the research has consistently revealed that we are a consumer oriented culture. Living in New York, I see signs of this all the time. In the city the housing projects which are primarily occupied by african american and hispanics are those in which you see satellites, SUVs, "label worship" and other signs of reckless spending. Now thats not to say that an individual should not buy themselves some nice things, but if one lives in a condition below poverty level (a prerequiste for occupation in a housing project) that is not an option. ECONOMIC EDUCATION is imperative.

I would offer a program directed to the heads of households to help them plan their spending and I would target their children to teach them about finances at their level. I would make sure to cover the basics, family finances, investing and retirement plans. I would like to see levels to the education and later mentoring of new students by successfull former students to model the behavior.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my opinion!

I am choosing EDUCATION and DEVELOPMENT also


I am choosing EDUCATION and DEVELOPMENT because alot of young girls from low-income families tend to repeat family history like if mom/dad didn't go to college and mom/dad don't reiterate going to college they don't know any better, if mom/dad have 4-5 kids with different baby daddies/momma's they tend to do they same thing and when WE step in we help let them know there is a better way. WE show by EXAMPLE and tend to be role models.
Some young girls are only around a "ghetto atmosphere" and WE help develop them into respectable young ladies despite the atmospher again by EXAMPLE and with activities such as tutoring, mentoring and college visits.

Hard Question...Would Have to Go with Educational Development
 

I believe education has been the basis of my ability to succeed in life, and to also give support to those who come behind me. I mentor three young women in New York, and helping them through school and giving them support academically has changed their lives drastically. The desire to want more out of life through education has kept them away from many pitt falls that sisters seem to face everyday. Self confidence has been raised through their pursuit of high school and collegiate honors. Knowledge of culture, international politics and social issues has been increased through reading, exposure to museums and cultural fairs etc. The basic education on their bodies, sexually transmitted diseases and many other health related issues have given them the power to make smarter decisions about their futures. Educating them on their financial futures, savings, knowledge on the way the market works etc. has allowed them to help their families better manage their money and lives, and to put emphasis on much more tangible qualities "character, leadership, responsibility etc." and not soley money.

So I guess education has been the back bone to support the other Four Important Thrusts in their lives...

Political Awareness and Involvement
 

The question is very interesting, but I find it difficult to answer because the thrusts may seem distinct, but proper program planning will inevitably cover more than one thrust - or at least that is the approach my chapter has taken. A single project may be narrow, but chapter programs tend to be broad and encompass more than one thrust. That having been said, I'll approach it from another angle and address economic development because I find it to be extremely critical, but can sometimes be the most difficult to attack on the local level unless the chapter has conceived a long-term vision beyond the current president and her administration.

Educational Development
 

I am a participant in my chapters Delta Academy and I have been for the past 3 years (started out as a volunteer/prospective).

But these girls need guidance, they need to see that there are other alternatives then the one's presented to them by the other not-so-positive women in the community.

This year alone, a girl started with the program saying she didn't want to go to college, her mom wasn't trying to hit her off with her taxes to apply for fin-aid so she decided to opt out of trying for higher education. A week ago the same girl tells me that the chairperson and myself have helped change her outlook on college, and she has decided to apply to a local school where she can get the feel of campus life and still be close too home (plus, I checked it out and there's a DST chapter there :rolleyes: ;) heheheh... ). But making that one young lady, think about her options and where she wants to be in life and giving her the resources I think is all worth the 2 hours a week every week from September to June. OOOOhhhhh I can't wait till June I need a break.. nahmean!!!

But through Delta Academy we also require them to participate in the chapter's public service event, take the to different cultural events. The girls even volunteered at our IDS event.

I often wish that I know of the program or one like it when I was there age. Its like if you have education all other goals can be reached!

Re: Political Awareness and Involvement
 

I have to agree with Salience. I believe political involvement is the most important. Although I believe all of the thrusts are important to our community, I fall on the side of political activism, mainly because of history and because this is where my passion lies. :) For the African American community, the most effective means of change has been prayer and becoming more politically active. Examples such as CORE, SCLC, and Thurgood Marshall's part in the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Eduation. One of the things that attracted me to DST is that OUR FOUNDERS realized how important political activism was and did something about it!

It saddens me to see how apathetic our community can be when it comes to voting or just being aware of what's going on politically. Sometimes we can be very reactive as opposed to proactive when things go wrong in our community. We have to do our part to get people elected that represent our issues. When you have political power, you can vote on issues that are vital to our community such as welfare reform, education, vouchers. etc.

When we're not politically involved, our interests are ignored and our voice is not heard.


PS - I know many Sorors are teachers/in education....could that be why so many of you picked education?? :)


VERY GOOD POST!! :D

Re: Re: Political Awareness and Involvement
 

Although I never stated my personal opinion, I am of the same opinion as Soror McCoyRed in terms of education being the most important because education overlaps the other thrusts. We can EDUCATE folks about Econcomics, International Awareness, Physical and Mental Health and Politics.

I do believe that all of our thursts are beneficial and important but without education we cannot move forward as a people. Without education, we would not be in the sorority. :D Can I get a yaaaaaay men as I grade these papers. :o :(

I know you said one but...
 

International and political awareness and involvement.

If I'd answered this question, lets say 14 months ago, I probably would have said educational development or physical and mental health. Since the events of September 11 I feel the need to become more knowledgeable of what's going on in other countries.
As a college student my thoughts, time, and energy are focused on my next test, a paper that I have to write, or preparing for graduate school. When asked about my opinions about terrorist, homeland security, and war with Iraq my responses are very limited. I know I'm not the only one who is ignorant about what's going on. In all actuality we all may be a little ignorant, especially since they claim that the government new about the possiblity of what happened on Sept. 11 ten years before it happened.

Educational Developement
 

Similar to what has already been said I think that education is KEY. We can educate everyone about the other four thrusts while using the educational thrust as an umbrella thrust. The strengths of this particular thrust is that this can be applied to everyone. A person is NEVER to old to learn.

Currently, I work with my area's Delta Academy. We are stressing education as the primary goal this year. We have used education in a very broad sense. We have different elements that we like to work on including: academics, self-love, sheroes, etc. While it is important to stres education for everyone, I believe that young African-American women have a lot to benefit from the academy. For one, they are able to see other African-American women in a positive light and can also use these women as role models.

I myself have learned a lot from the Academy, not only from the members of Delta Sigma Theta but the young girls themselves. I believe CT4 said it best, "without education we cannot move forward as a people". :)

Political Awareness and Involvement
 

This is the thrust that is most important to me. Social Action is my passion in Delta Sigma Theta. I feel that is truly the basis of the Sorority and that it was demonstrated by the first public action of the Sorority, participation in the Women’s Suffrage March.

In order to meet the goals of the other four thrusts, political involvement is needed. Whether it is funding for education, AIDS research, business development, or international aid, our government touches some part of the issue. So for me, social and political action plays a part in each of the thrusts.

I'm gonna go with Political Awareness because the country is in dire need of more policy change and urban representation in ALL areas of politics, from Local to National. If we as black people don't understand how voting really affects us, then things will change very slowly or not at all.
I've been to places and actually have lived in a place where the people weren't given any choice as to who their leader was, and all they could do was hopelessly look on as these people (I like to call them degenerate bastards:p) embezzled the country's money, assasinated journalists and citizens who tried to tell the truth about them, and commit other awful crimes against the citizens/human rights.
So I think that trying to increase and encourage Political Awareness will do a lot for the community and country, and stirring people to action over issues that affect them is the best way to stimulate change, IMO.

Misstery....

ttt for 2005

Economic Development/ Homeownership Iniative!
 

I know I am responding to a super old post, but I love this topic!!! I think that the thrust structure is a very efficient and effective way to both communicate purpose and serve the community, but I am most drawn to "Economic Development."

One of the things that I value is homeownership for African Americans (and all Americans, really)...which is why at 22, I made it a REQUIREMENT to purchase a home for myself (toot, toot! :D). But seriously, with our nation's flailing economic situation, many community service orgs do not want to touch the homeownership topic. I love the fact that Delta is embracing it with the "Delta Homeownership Initiative." I've seen that many chapters are holding financial literacy workshops and equipping people with the FACTS to be able to pursue dreams of financial freedom and even homeownership!! I love it!! It's time for African Americans to gain parity in the money game, and I appreciate that Delta is diving in full force!!! :)

fyi, Delta is not the only one--the first of the NPHC, but not the only one with a home ownership initiative. Just want to set the record straight in the spirit of D4 unity.

Absolutely, thanks ladygreek! I was moreso referring to community service orgs in general (as opposed to just Greeks/Black Greeks). I have a lot of respect for all of the D9 Fraternities and Sororities and all of the things they've done to advance African Americans over the years.


It's definitely good to know that these Black Greek orgs are moving toward similar, positive goals.

Physical and Mental Health

On College Hill last night, students participated in an event sponsored by the Ludacris Foundation. IT WAS SO FLY!!!!!!!!

A venue was secured and food tables were set up.
Set up took approx. 1 hr. The children arrived and the College Hill students cooked with them.

Some of ya'll know how little ones love to get in the kitchen to help mommy. They learned about the food chart, eating well, measuring, safety, etc. Teaching the children from young re: Physical and Mental Health could help our people live longer, ..... and better.

All of the kids had on little chef hats. Their smiles were so awesome. It was so adorable. Very Jack and Jill. THENNNN, the kids took home a gift.

Finally, they actually ate the food they prepared. Very Nice Event. I also loved the Kings Who Cook event in Harlem. Seeing dads step up to the plate was very hot. And Tastey.

I think Educational Development is the most important of the five thrusts. It is important to prepare our youth so that they can become tomorrow's leaders. They need better schools, mentors, and someone to teach them about their history. Like someone said earlier, all of the other thrusts can be taught through education. And every successful person (doctor, lawyer, business owner, etc.) has a teacher to thank.

The unsuccessful ones have a teacher to thank as well.:)

I totally agree. Once our people become more involved and aware of what the powers-that-be are doing, we can make greater strides.

I believe that Delta overall does a great job in exposing the public to the political realm, especially through voter registration drives, a core part of political involvement.

Physical and Mental Health

I think that preserving our health is most pertinent in today's society. Kids and adults are fatter & more unhealthy than ever. Disease is ravaging our community, from Diabetes to Cancer to AIDS/HIV. Diseases related to poor diet and lack of exercise are slowly killing us. Physical weakness prevents the accomplishment...

Physical and Mental Health

In society today there is a need to care for our mental health. We see more senseless killings from angry children, wives, husbands etc. Not just murder, there are more attacks in general on the psyche of people. We need to address mental concerns especially in minority communities where there is a stigma attached to seeking any sort of counseling or any help when dealing with issues of mental health.

My program is going to address the needs of the community through the art of spoken word and writing. The program will be geared towards youth ages 8-17 and hopefully through the children the parents will become involved. The program will have different levels beginning with just exercises in writing how you feel and learning to journal and ending with shows where the children will showcase their writings, at least the ones they want to share!

I have more developing and tweeking to do!

I would have to say educational development:

I say this because I am currently researching the cause of educational gaps nationwide, and previous literature links educational development to quality of life. The world is filled with inequality and it starts at the educational level, because a degree opens the doors that a diploma can only knock on. Some have already said this, but I had to piggy back and give my little two cents.