The divisivness of the debate didn't center around Bro. Sensuret's pushing his book on the Alpha Ave. of GC, but that the message of the book, and his "open gayness" could become associated with Alpha Phi Alpha. Even though I don't think that He made this association intentionally, I think that perception would be that an openly gay Alpha implies that Alpha accepts homosexuality, which I believe, (and this is just me) isn't fair to the fraternity as a whole.
I do think that many homosexuals have an agenda, and rightly so (for those who agree), to try to normalize the homosexual lifestyle as much as possible (for instance the debates about gay marriage and the literature that is placed in schools that notes that "Johnnie has two dads") to try an win validation from larger society. Heck, If Bro. Sensuret I didn't have an agenda, would we even know of his sexual orientation? I think that this is where the issue of personal agendas lie. I was strictly thinking about personal agendas to normalize certain ideas, not necessarily commerce. Even if I were to start saying that since I am a Christian (which I am) and I have joined the Brotherhood, therefore the brotherhood should affirm my Christianity, I would believe that to be out of the scope of the brotherhood to do. Alpha Phi Alpha doesn't have to validate my Christianity for me to be a part of it. There are brothers who are agnostic, Muslim, Hindu, or subscribe to the Gospel of "Willie" (I actually have a chapter brother who claims this), but I will affirm that Alpha is not a Christian (nor religious ) organization. There may be many things that I can do as a Christian that will affirm some values of Alpha, but that does not make it a Christian organization. Will people associate my Christianity with Alpha, sure they will, but I will be quick to affirm that Alpha is not a religious organization, if asked.
But when people advocate for something in the name of Alpha when it is something that Alpha really doesn't affirm, then it can be percieved as trying to normalize the stance that they take, and I find that on some level disingenuious. I have searched, talked, and searched again and I can find nothing in the History book or the by laws that state that Alpha Phi Alpha affirms homosexuality, stealing, violence, religions, political parties, economic systems, or other personal beliefs that any brother may have. Alpha does state that it will not discriminate from allowing anyone to apply solely based on race, religion, or sexual preference, but as a private institution, this does not mean that we have to accept anyone we deem does not measure up .
Blackwatch!!!!!!
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