AKA in mentioned in a best-seller...

[Poplife]

Hello Ladies,

I was wondering if anyone has read "Our kind of People: Inside the Black Upper-Class" by Lawrence Otis Graham (1999). If you haven't, you should run by the library today and check it out. There is a whole chapter entitled "The Right Sororities and Fraternities" that hits on many issues surrounding AKA, Delta, and other sororities. It might be offensive and annoying to some people but Graham really puts an interesting perspective on the way some people look at BGLO's.

If you did read it then I'd love to hear what you thought.


[This message has been edited by Poplife (edited February 10, 2000).]

[OneDay]

Poplife, I absolutely loved "Our Kind of People!" Some of the customer reviews I read on Amazon.com were very negative. I don't know about other readers, but I am very pleased to know that the black upper class exists. Others would like us to believe that success and wealth (for black people) started in the 1980's with the Winfreys, Jordans, and Cosbys of the world. But, as Lawrence Otis Graham points out, the black upper class has existed for decades. No, I do not agree with all of the sentiments mentioned in the book. It is clear that some members of the black elite have embraced the oppressor's twisted views (on skin complexion, pedigree, other socio-economic classes, etc.), but there are ignorant people in every economic bracket. While reading this book, I could not wait to get to the section on sororities and fraternities. What I read only reaffirmed what I already knew -- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the best. I cannot wait to one day become a member of this organization, which is so "rich" in history, tradition, scholarship, community service, and sisterhood.

[Poplife]

OneDay:

Yes, I agree with you. Black roots run deeper into history's soil than a lot of people think. While I do admire many aspects of Alpha Kappa Alpha, I don't think I can bring myself to say it is the best overall because everyone's needs, expectations, goals, and standards are different and I try to respect that. I do think it is the best for ME though. I have to disagree on the point that Graham says that AKA is the best (read on the top of page 96). I would have love to hear him say that but he tried to be fair to all the Sororities.

I also noticed that Graham mentioned was raised with an AKA bias because he has family members in AKA. I kind of figured that in the OLD GUARD black upper class AKA would be preferred because in the first 50 years of history Alpha women were the daughters of judges, doctors, and succesful bussiness people. It's a lot more diverse today. Still I won't lie when I say if I see a woman that is doing well for herself if she is a greek at all she is an AKA!

------------------
"If you believe you hold the truth in your hand, how will you know it when it comes to your door?"

[This message has been edited by Poplife (edited February 09, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Poplife (edited March 06, 2000).]

[famegirl4]

No- his wife belongs to no organization. His wifes mother though, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

[shadow01aka]

I to just read the book it was wonderful to see two of our most noted Soror's being interviewed for the book, it shows that we really got it going on!!!!

Pinky Up Soror's

[NayNay]

Hello everyone!
It's so funny that "Our Kind of People" was mentioned in this forum. After reading the book, I let a white co-worker of mine read it. This book has been passed around to about 5 people at my company already.(I am the only African American woman at my company) I've had so many people stop by my office to tell me, "I didn't know". It feels so good to share our positive history with them. I felt like saying, "How ya like me now"! but I didn't go there. I am so glad that this book was written. It not only educates us, but can be used as a tool to educate the white community as well.

OneDay, you are not alone. I am also looking forward to the day when I can be a part of the "rich" history of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.... hopefully real soon. I read the section on sororities and fraternities before I read the rest of the book and I felt the same way you did.

Have a blessed week everyone!

[Poplife]

Thanks famegirl4! I read your post and looked in my book and read a little more carefully. I stand corrected! =)

[pink bunny]

Speaking of books and thanks i want to go get the book of discussion it sounds great. Has anyone read the Divine Nine, i've read mixed reviews and i was really looking forward to purchasing a copy. Any comments on that book?

[Poplife]

Pink Bunny,

First of all thank you for answering my Rejection question. I really never thought about my character being scrutinized. I guess it's because I have a good one. :-)

I really enjoyed the Divine Nine. It gave a positive look at the history, goals, and achievements of the organizations and allowed them to show off some of their famous Sorors/Frat's. Prominent members are also interviewed.

History wise, it was good for people like me that are trying to solidify knowledge of basic information. For those who are very knowledgeable it's just a review. The interviews should be interesting to all though.

It may seem silly but I also enjoyed looking at the wonderful black and white photographs of they early members. The feeling I was looking at the first faces of a long wonderful legacy was a positive experience.

[CkretCrush8]

I read this book recently (it went along with a lecture from my one of my classes). I wasn't surprised at all that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated was mentioned as a sorority for those in the black upper class. It just fits. I've learned from my own family background, that many of those who have come before me, are members of this sorority. My grandmother is not a member; however, her cousins and aunts are. I was upset with her because she had the chance of becoming a member, but because she felt she was too old, she declined membership (she was invited on the graduate level by friends of hers). Now she is really pressing me to follow through with that goal. However, back to the topic, this book was definitely good.

[PrettyPetite]

It's funny that this topic popped up. I just read the book like, two days ago!

I do like the fact that the book talked about how our 'upper class' handled things, but I didn't like the tone that the author used at times, like how being a member of a prestigious organization validated him, and how he felt that because he didn't pledge an org. in undergrad, he wasn't up to par to others that he met. I really don't like it when I read, see, or hear about people like that.


PP