Quote:
Originally posted by Betarulz!
Okay, can one of our D9 members explain how one is chosen to be the tail to all us IFC/NPC members?
I'm really curious about this.
|
I'm not a member of an NPHC group, but I might be able to give you some insight.
Different organizations do it differently, and I have heard of some differences based on location of the particular chapter of the organization. From my experience, the most common method is by height. Persons chosen to participate in the membership intake process (formally known as pledgees) are placed in height order and given a number to represent their place in line. Shorter ones in front, taller ones in back. The first and last positions in line are seen as places of honor and may have additonal responsiblities. Some groups (this is from my personal observations as a college student in the 80s when pledging was above ground/out in the open) would even fudge on who was tallest/shortest to get a "tight", knowledgeable, or "rhythmically blessed"
person to serve as the tail or front (some call it the ace) of the line.
D9 members, and some other multicultural orgs from what I can gather via the internet, tend to feel a kinship with people of other orgs who have the same number or the joined their org the same year.
That's kinda it in a nutshell.
edited to add: That what I get for being longwinded and trying to post/work. Others answer the question before me! LOL