[the411]

Let me introduce myself:

I'm "The 4-1-1" #3-Pi Kappa-Spring '97. I do not consider myself ol' skool by any stretch of the imagination-- I simply consider myself a die-hard, proud Delta lady! I love everything about my beloved Sisterhood, including the many thousands of PHENOMENAL Divas who make up my family. So, Sorors--please don't be offended by the things I will say in Doggy's defense. I happen to know him very well-- he gives a meaning to the word "FRIENDSHIP" that no language in any culture has the words to accurately express. AND I know, for FACT, that his RESPECT and ADMIRATION for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the women therin is beyond measure!!!

As a moderator of the DST forum, I can and do respect Doggy's caution because, unfortunately, it is a SAD REALITY that many, many, many prospectives use the forum as a channel through which they can be the person they long to be-- older/younger, college-educated, professionally employed, stunningly attractive, and yes--GREEK. So, don't get me wrong--I definitely understand why we need to step in when someone outside the fam attempts to determine whether or not someone is/isn't who they say they are, but please try to see Doggy's POV, too. As a moderator, he does have the right to question whether or not someone is/isn't a member of an org based on what they post. Whether or not the Soror's question warranted that kind of suspicion...well, unfortunately that's in the eye of the beholder.

Now me personally, I'm all about Private Messenger (PM). If I were asking the question, I would have PM'd the moderator, rather than submit a public post--but that's just me. Had the question been asked in my forum, I would have responded via PM or e-mail, as I do 99% of the time--but that's just me. I am who I am and he is who he is. Were I to solicit suggestions about this from 10 other people, I'm sure I'd get 10 more different responses. All I care about is that we try to see at least a teeny, tiny bit of where the Bruh may have been coming from and that his intentions weren't motivated by a disrespect toward her or our Sisterhood.

Now, I have to disagree with the argument that someone who is NOT in XYZ frat/sorority can't "check" someone who claims to be in XYZ frat/sorority. Yes, there is a "this-ain't-yo'-business" issue to consider because there are definitely limitations. However, as members of the NPHC family, I think we all (should) know enough basic info (official and/or traditional) about EVERY other org in the fam to be able to recognize some signposts that suggest that someone might be perpin'. Personally, I have busted a many a folk who claimed to be Ques, Sigmas, Alphas, Kappas, AKAs, Zetas, or Iotas. Because I respect ALL GREEKS in the NPHC family, I refuse to let anyone get away with something like that. Yes, I know my limits--who am I to question things that I shouldn't even know? But, TRUST--if I meet a "Que" who doesn't know who I'm talking about when I call him "Frank", or if I meet an "AKA" who SWEARS she pledged at a school during a semester when I KNOW that chapter didn't have a line, or if a "Kappa" spells Crimson with a "C" (instead of a "K"), I feel compelled to follow through. I may ask a few more questions ('cuz I love to see liars get tongue-tied) or call out names of people they should definitely know; if I'm still suspicious but not convinced, I just dial one of my buddies in that org and let them follow up. What it all boils down to for me is this: "If
you're not in an org, don't act like you are."

Doggy shares that same philosophy and dedication to black greekdom and especially to Coleman siblinghood, so he is very protective when it comes to who's who. One of the first things we all learn as prospectives is the importance of DISCRETION. Please don't fault him just because the question (posted publically like it was) may have sent up a red flag about the Soror's membership. Now, the way he said what he said in response... well, I'll leave that alone. But, TRUST ME-- he meant no disrespect toward her or any of us. Believe me, if Doggy had been born female, he'd be a Delta! The brother is a true Omega Man who loves him some Deltas (especially me--don't ya Bruh?)!

And I'm Out!