The Divine Nine...
 

Although I am a proud Alpha Chi Omega girl,I decided to read The Divine Nine, the history of BGLO's. I am African-American, and I wanted to know even more about the Black Greek Organizations, especially the newer groups like Sigma Gamma Rho and the Iotas (I can't remember the other letters for the life of me). I've heard from some BGLO members that the book isn't well-liked. I thought it was a fulfilling read. Any input? Have any GLO members, regardless of race, read this book?

I picked up a copy but I'm not halfway through it yet. I must admit though I did read some of the interviews of the members and was suprised and pleased to see a fellow classmate of mine from jr high school and college as one of the interviewees: Shannon Reeves,(Q). So far it's ok. I think it's a good reference for historical facts. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I think the Divine Nine is a good book for people to read who know very little about BGLO's and would like to inform themselves better. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I have a copy of the book. It has good information in it but some of the info isn't correct. That's why some people do not like it. I am on a listserv that the author of the book is on and he has stated that all of the info in the book that is not right will be corrected in the next print.

Some people have also stated that they think the book has a 'slant' in favor of his and his wife's organization. I don't 100% agree with that, I think it's natural to give your organization an extra 'push'.

ZetaAce

I personally applaud him for doing something that no one has ever done and that is to compile the history of these organizations into one. Unfortunately, I can't overliook the fact that he made so many incorrect info especially on my organization especially when the info is right there on our international webpage. I understand that every first edition has mistakes but did he consider having someone from the international office verify info...I think I'll wait for the second edition...Regardless, after saying all that I still applaud him for what he has done.

I am halfway through with it, and I don't see a slant towards his wife's organization, rather his "sister" sorority. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

It is okay, and I have learned some tidbits about different organizations, but the typos and misprints are a wee bit annoying. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

Sal

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@~~^~~~~
Subtlety is the key ;o)

I'm curoius-what is Alpha Chi Omega? Is that a white organization-not to sound racist. It's just that I haven't heard of that before. ANd since we're on the curiousity level, what made want to join/pledge that organization,(if in fact it is a white one.) I find it very interesting....

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Now Salience, I have read a lot of your posts and you know full well his organization does not have a "sister" sorority. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif



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

When I read the book, I didn't think it had a slant towards any of the sororities. I think it had a slant toward his organization, but like I said earlier, I think that's natural. IMO, that section seemed to be more complete.

I have also heard some of his sorors say that they did not particularly care for their section of the book.

AlphaChiGirl-The Iotas are Iota Phi Theta.

ZetaAce

I've yet to hear from anyone in the NPHC who is satisfied with the book. Everyone I've talked to (this includes Alphas, AKAs, Deltas, SGRHOs, Zetas) have said there are "inexcusable" errors in their respective sections. For the most part, I think they're of the type that you'd have to be a member to notice.

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Kelli
12-DN-94
SSU c/o 1997

12dn94dst- You're right! I know one group was complaining because he got some of their founders wrong-I can see how they were offended because you can find that information on the net easily.

But, overall it is a good learning tool for people who are trying to learn more about the organizations in the Divine Nine.

The author, Lawrence Ross, will be at all of the National Boule's/Conventions/Conclaves that are happening this summer to sign the book.

you know what's funny...he blames his many errors on the editor.....and typos...NOT!

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The Epitome of Style and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

<<I'm curoius-what is Alpha Chi Omega? Is that a white organization-not to sound racist. It's just that I haven't heard of that before. ANd since we're on the curiousity level, what made want to join/pledge that organization,(if in fact it is a white one.) I find it very interesting....>>

If you'd like to know, please feel free to email me and I'll explain it to you. :-)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AlphaChiGirl:
[B]<<I'm curoius-what is Alpha Chi Omega? Is that a white organization-not to sound racist. It's just that I haven't heard of that before. ANd since we're on the curiousity level, what made want to join/pledge that organization,(if in fact it is a white one.) I find it very interesting....>>

To Rhoyal Blue_22:
If you are wondering about Alpha Chi Omega, check out the website at: www.alphachiomega.org
It is a NPC sorority and I believe that it originated from a sorority that was oriented towards Music students (the badge has a lyre on it, to show the musical origins). I suppse historically it was a "white" sorority, but today the chapters would reflect the ethnicity of the campus.

Hope that this is of interest to you!
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif

FYI- The second printing of the Divine Nine should be out sometime this summer.

ZetaAce

I bought the book New Year's Day and have only read the interviews. I am glad that someone took the time to write a book of this magnitude. However, I was not feeling some of the info that he divulged in his book. Some of the info about DST, I did not find out until I was on the road to becoming a Delta. I think that the way he executed his book was random and not what I was expecting at all. I was really looking forward to reading the book, but was not impressed when I tried to read it. I have not yet noticed the errors but that adds to my further displeasure of this book.

I agree that he did have far more info about Alphas and AKAs but I truly am not bothered by that, primarily because Deltas have a published book written by a soror.

<<FYI- The second printing of the Divine Nine should be out sometime this summer.
ZetaAce>>

My goodness, that's quick! I have the book also. I give the brother (Lawrence C. Ross) credit for trying since it's never been done before. I have my own opinions that shall remain undisclosed.



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Sweet Deliverance's PHI-losophy:
"What you do or do not do today determines what you can or cannot do tomorrow."

Now I'm confused. I've heard people state that the author slants/gives favor to his wife's organization (Delta Sigma Theta), AND I've heard folks say he did so with his fraternity's "sister" organization (Alpha Kappa Alpha). Are people thinking that his wife is an AKA, or are people putting forth two different statements?

I found the book useful as a general guide and overview of history. Though my organization is one of those that the author allegedly slants toward/gives favor to, I enjoyed learning much about other organizations, as I didn't expect to learn much about my own from this account. Apart from the "who got more pages/space?" arguement, if there are typos and mistakes, I find that inexcusable. Scholarship and precision are precepts taught to us in our journeys toward initiation in our respective organizations, and I expect better of Mr. Ross.

DG
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Spring, 1990

P.S. I would have enjoyed seeing more varied archival materials and photos. Perhaps the various orgs.' national offices didn't want to give permission to reprint such material, because I'm positive these offices MUST have some great archives.

L. Ross's wife is a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Iota Phi Theta

What frat does the author belongs to?

The author belongs to Alpha Phi Alpha.

I bought the book expecting more. I found the way he wrote the history of each was little boring. I have come acrossed books I could hardly put down, and since the history of BGLO is soo interesting I think he could have done a better job. I give him a check plus, however, because he did something not done before. A QUE friend happens to feel the same way but then, after brain storming about how he could have made it better, we reliazed that it was our fault for reading the book with the eyes of BGLO members. It is a good reference guide, but it leaves out many apects of the greek experience. I posted something here under "GREEK HISTORY"
check it out. It is a little off the subject, but interesting enough to read it.
PEACE TO ALL-
Everyone: teach one

Just wanted to clarify something to AlphaChiGirl ...Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated was founded in 1922...two years after Zeta Phi Beta..and 9 years after Delta Sigma Theta and so forth (you do the math for all other org.) now the reason I am posting this is because when people don't do their research they are missinformed....Sigma Gamma Rho was not founded on Howard Universities campus and I understand why we are not well known amongst many people but to put us in the same group as Iota Phi Theta is ingnorance...from my research they were founded in the 60's...the other reason why I found this thread interesting is because today with technology at our finger tips it is only a click away to learn this simple info on the net on national websites.


"I wanted to know even more about the Black Greek Organizations, especially the newer groups like Sigma Gamma Rho and the Iotas (I can't remember the other letters for the life of me)."

Please. Have confidence but don't try to change the words of my soror's poem phenomonal woman.

Thanks

Pinkice9

Soror Pinkice9:

I wish I had an email address for you so I could respond to your last post privately. Please email me when you read this.

DG

Now sister-soror...

I would have expected better. Let's please not go here. This aspect of the topic is closed. Please.

Thanks & Sisterly, Shelacious.

Now, that's an obvious statement. I have learned more about your organization, and I've always considered it a newer organization because of its relative newness in my community. I apologize if that offended you, but oh well.


"now the reason I am posting this is because when people don't do their research they are missinformed...."

Now YOUNG LADY I don't recall asking for an apology I just wanted to inform/educate you on the organization. If the organization is new in your area then that should have been stated when you said new and compared it with Iota Phi Theeta what other conclusion should I have drawn....and if you want to apologise that's fine but I doubt that putting "oh well" at the end consitutes a real apology.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY

Shaking my head ...


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

Oooh girl you got me, that's why it was in quotes.. LOL http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

I can't even INSTIGATE up in here w/out gettin called out..

ROFL

J/K y'all! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

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@~~^~~~~
Subtlety is the key ;o)

I heard the some of the founding members of SGRho were white. Is this true?

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Just teasing. Have a good one!



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

No they were not white. I am proud of the fact that my Founders started a black sorority on a white campus. Most proud. I remember very well when I was an undergrad in the mid-80's at a white university and how hard it was at times to have any kind of "black" meeting without everyone wanting to know what we were up to. To Ms. Alpha Chi I am very informed of your organization, please take the time to do the research on mine. How can anything be new when it was formed in 1922?

I read the Divine Nine and can say that there are some errors with regard to my sorority but I still think he did a good job as far as informing someone who may not know anything about BGLOs.

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BE POSITIVE!!!

Also for those of you who don't know, I wouldn't consider Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. as "new" either. It is the year 2000. The fraternity is over 40 years old.


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BE POSITIVE!!!

I think that the reference to SGRho + the Iota's being "new" was in relation to the other BGLO's. (SGRho is the newest of the sororities and Iota is the newest of the fraternities.) No, they're not new, but I don't think anyone meant to disrespect these orgs, either.

On a positive note, I hope the 2cnd edition has some of (if not all) those errors corrected. I'm gonna wait for it before reading. So I'm glad that there's another one on the way!



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SilverTurtle@greekchat.com
Phi Beta Fraternity
Phi chapter

They're not quite 40 yet. They were founded in 1963.

BlueReign-

AlphaChiGirl IS trying to educate herself about the BGLOs. So don't get mad if she doesn't know everything yet.

And as far as who's considered new and who's not...I've always considered any group founded after my own "new". http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

So that means I consider Alpha Chi "new".

Of course I know it's not actually new, but that's just the reaction I've had to younger groups.

Here's my question: How new does a group have to be to be new?

By the way, I'm not trying to tick anyone off. I'm just callin' it how I see it.

SoCalGirl--

Thanks. Like you, I do consider any organization founded after my own "new" (especially if it was founded 50 or years later). So, what's your sorority? Since it was founded before 1885, I think I have an idea. :-)

I think she realizes she made a MISTAKE - it does happen, and to me, this is why there is so much negativity on this board. Why can't people just say "oh yeah blahblahblah was incorrect, it should be yaddayaddayadda" - why does everything have to be "To Ms." this, or whatever! People need to act like they have some sense! BlueReign, as a moderator, I would expect a better attitude towards the people that contribute to this board! Would you want someone to call you out on a mistake (or do you not make any?) like this? DO UNTO OTHERS.....