The Divine Nine

[suntzu1963]

I am too mad with you right now to offer a "fair response". Basically, the best thing I could say is WHO CARES IF YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE 8 ORGS.. This post and your other post was EXTREMELY disrespectful, but you know what IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INCCCCCCCCC. is going NOWHERE! Aight, we will be here FOREVER. Plus you probably aren't a greek anyways......go figure!

Originally posted by justmyo:
Ghostface
I am not implying that there were no flaws or mistakes in the book.There were some things that I disagreed with.I was only defending Mr.Ross for making the effort to compile this information.
As far as my knowledge of the EIGHT organizations that made up the National Pan-hel,I have always been well aware of the general history of all of them.When I was in school,in the not-to- distant pass,we were the only organization with our history book in the library.The other information came from searching out this information wherever I could,actually my research into other greek organizations went further than a mere history book.There are constitutions and by-laws filed at most universities.
If it were me,but it's not.I would give every organization equal space,and make sure everyone had an equal amount of pictures.
I am sure Mr ross ran into some opposition from some of the other organizations when he began to solicit information from them.But the information in the book is public information,just with information from the Library at Howard university and the Internet I can compile a simular book.The most interesting part of the book was the interviews with the members themselves,and I am sure there are some members who wished they had not declined to participate.
Each of us would love to produce a fantastic book of our organization,I have read the first part of The Delta Book,after a while it's only interesting to them.My own history is surely a bore to anyone but the brothers.I have seen some history books,which from the size of them there isn't much history they want to tell.I hope this clears my name and shows how open minded I can be,and I hope this reply is mature enough.

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Suntzu 1963
Member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
OW OW
LIPTTDID
W.W.N.O.R.T.

http://www.angelfire.com/va2/suntzuipt4uva

-"Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content, will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual."

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[KMOT]

I haven't yet finished the book. I do however, want to commend the author for his attempt to write a book about all of the nine organizations compiled into one resource. Although, I am not a Kappa and I know there is a lot I don't know about the history, I think that particular section should have been more informative. It was almost as if he spoke of the founding of Kappa Alpha Psi in 1911, and there were'nt many accomplishments until the 1940's & 50's and I know that wasn't the case. Overall the book is good for a first attempt, and I am sure others will follow the pattern he has laid.

PS. A brotha, I guess was just looking for more information on Kappa Alpha Psi!! :0)

[Professor]

My Brother,

Hold Up the Light!!!!

"06"

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"The World Belongs to Those Who Care Deeply,
Who Dream Broadly, and Who Work Steadfastly."

[Asia2000]

Originally posted by justmyo:
Just a bit of regional humor.I personally didnot know about your organization until I read this book.I had heard of Gamma's,Wines,Grooves,Me's,Smokes',and a bunch of other quasi-greek organizations.But you should be thankful this book has opened my eyes to your organization,and I must say your organization was well represented.You should be proud and if I hurt any feelings I apologize.

A question to the NPHC Greeks: from what I understand about the basics of an educational process, this confuses me. Is it possible to cross into any NPHC Sorority/Fraternity without at least learning that there are 9 orgs in your NPHC?? I've never met an AKA or a Delta or a Zeta or a Kappa, etc. that had NEVER heard of Iota Phi Theta.

[Finer Woman10-A-91]

It is possible if 1. You pledged before 1996 and have not been active since.(Go figure!)The question many should be asking is not WHEN did you cross but are you ACTIVE? 2.You pledged and the chapter did not require you to learn NPHC information. 3. You simply consider your organization so fly that NPHC has no significance in your Greek life experience, hence you do not respect ANY organization except for your own...harsh, but I have witnessed such narrowmindness.

Yes, I went there.
It's what I do.

Originally posted by Asia2000:
Is it possible to cross into any NPHC Sorority/Fraternity without at least learning that there are 9 orgs in your NPHC?? I've never met an AKA or a Delta or a Zeta or a Kappa, etc. that had NEVER heard of Iota Phi Theta.

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

[This message has been edited by Finer Woman10-A-91 (edited February 08, 2001).]

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Finer Woman10-A-91:
It is possible if 1. You pledged before 1996 and have not been active since.(Go figure!)

I came through in 1991! And I have been active since I graduated from undergrad in 1993. HOWEVER, I had NOT heard of Iota until like 1999. Down here, IOTA IS NOT BIG, really YOU DON'T SEE 'EM! ( NO disrespect) It is just A FACT!

I spoke with an Iota one time and he told me that it is hard to get on HBCU campuses for various reasons, especially in the south. There was a chapter at SU, but there was no interest. So, that was that!

SO, it is not TOTALLY fair for you to make the statements you have made. AROUND these parts, it's really STILL about the 8!

My big sisters (skeerious 'OLE SCHOOL (pre-90) taught us everything we need(ed) to know)

[Asia2000]

I had no idea. All of the NPHC Greeks I've met thus far are fiercely proud of their organization as well as the NPHC itself. I guess that's just my region.

[Finer Woman10-A-91]

All I can say to that is the NPHC was very vocal about the introduction of our newest member. I too crossed in '91 and although the Iotas were not active at Howard at the time, I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of Iota neophytes who had recently chartered a chapter in Philly, Temple U. I believe.

I stand by my previous statements. You need to question your local NPHC on why 3 years after the fact you were just learning about Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Or perhaps in your neck of the woods there needs to be a greater extension of information dissemination in NPHC affairs.

Best as Always,
Finer Woman 10-A-91

Originally posted by AKA2D '91:

I came through in 1991! And I have been active since I graduated from undergrad in 1993. HOWEVER, I had NOT heard of Iota until like 1999. Down here, IOTA IS NOT BIG, really YOU DON'T SEE 'EM! ( NO disrespect) It is just A FACT!

I spoke with an Iota one time and he told me that it is hard to get on HBCU campuses for various reasons, especially in the south. There was a chapter at SU, but there was no interest. So, that was that!

SO, it is not TOTALLY fair for you to make the statements you have made. AROUND these parts, it's really STILL about the 8!

My big sisters (skeerious 'OLE SCHOOL (pre-90) taught us everything we need(ed) to know)

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

[This message has been edited by Finer Woman10-A-91 (edited February 09, 2001).]

[suntzu1963]

Finer Woman10-A-91:
That was well said! Thank you for being true to the creed that we must stick together as NPHC members and as Greeks.

To the lady of AKA, all I can say is that the NPHC chapters down there need to do a better job of letting people know what's up. My frat brother's are trying really hard to spread the word, both by roadtripping to various schools and spreading the B&G influence and by stepping at schools without chapters. Just like the "it takes a village to raise a child theory", we must all make a real effort in our NPHC offices to make people aware of ALL the NPHC is about. I know at UVA, we try to make sure everyone knows that there are 9 member orgs. of the NPHC and what these orgs. and the NPHC is about.

The funny thing is that at UVA we call the NPHC affiliated umbrella organization the Black Fraternal Council. Now if we can do that and we are not really the NPHC, then everyone can make an effort to educate and uplift (we don't have to b/c we are not officially "NPHC-sanctioned").

TO ALL READERS of BGLO NPHC affiliation and others:
We all have to remember that we are AFRICAN-AMERICANS and/or well-wishers of our community *non-black members of BGLO's*, so as Greeks we must do our best to uplift ourselves and "each one teach one". Do not make our differences get in the way of the fact that we serve our community first and foremost.

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Suntzu 1963
Member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
4-FALL-99
UVA Colony
OW OW
LIPTTDID
W.W.N.O.R.T.

http://www.angelfire.com/va2/suntzuipt4uva

-"Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content, will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual."

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[BlueReign]

Originally posted by Finer Woman10-A-91:
All I can say to that is the NPHC was very vocal about the introduction of our newest member. I too crossed in '91 and although the Iotas were not active at Howard at the time, I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of Iota neophytes who had recently chartered a chapter in Philly, Temple U. I believe.

I stand by my previous statements. You need to question your local NPHC on why 3 years after the fact you were just learning about Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Or perhaps in your neck of the woods there needs to be a greater extension of information dissemination in NPHC affairs.

Best as Always,
Finer Woman 10-A-91

GO 'HEAD FINER WOMAN! SUCH "FINE" STATEMENTS!

[Chicagochillin]

my comment is about the book Our Kind of People by Mr Graham....

Please do not spend your hard earned money reading this crap....

Im a member of a NPHC organization....the first couple of chapters of the book are okay... i guess they give you a little insight into organizations like Jack and Jill, Boule etc....(but honestly, all of this black elite group stuff bugs me....because we complain all the time about division division division, but yet people are still interested in joining elites groups among our own people that discriminate on family status, or name, or position held in govenment...come on people when are we going to learn from the mistakes of the majority) when I reached the section focusing of Black organizations, I was disgusted and threw away the book, mainly because of the content. The facts were wrong and way off for my organization and the other ones also...I have friends in all the other 7 (i dont know any iotas), and thus i know a little bit of history, and not just history, but facts...and his facts were way off....Analogy----it seemed like an old fraternity guy talking about the frat/soros on his old campus back in 1950-----excuse, Mr Graham but a lot of things have changed, and each organization has its own personality, enlarged membership and prestige......this is 2001....the nine groups are pretty similiar these days and homogenous.....

[RaHel]

Originally posted by Big Deuce:
But I do feel that he could have done a more thorough job of researching some of the other organizations.

I second that, he didn't do a very good job of researching most of them. The chapter on Zeta Phi Beta was particularly short in comparison to the others.

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*selah*

[mccoyred]

I recently read this book. I sensed that he wishes he was in the mainstream of the elite instead of on the fringes.

Originally posted by Chicagochillin:
my comment is about the book Our Kind of People by Mr Graham....

Please do not spend your hard earned money reading this crap....

Im a member of a NPHC organization....the first couple of chapters of the book are okay... i guess they give you a little insight into organizations like Jack and Jill, Boule etc....(but honestly, all of this black elite group stuff bugs me....because we complain all the time about division division division, but yet people are still interested in joining elites groups among our own people that discriminate on family status, or name, or position held in govenment...come on people when are we going to learn from the mistakes of the majority) when I reached the section focusing of Black organizations, I was disgusted and threw away the book, mainly because of the content. The facts were wrong and way off for my organization and the other ones also...I have friends in all the other 7 (i dont know any iotas), and thus i know a little bit of history, and not just history, but facts...and his facts were way off....Analogy----it seemed like an old fraternity guy talking about the frat/soros on his old campus back in 1950-----excuse, Mr Graham but a lot of things have changed, and each organization has its own personality, enlarged membership and prestige......this is 2001....the nine groups are pretty similiar these days and homogenous.....

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[lyttlebit]

Speaking from the perspective of a non-greek letter member, I think that the book "The Divine Nine" was a nice reference book for those who are interested in Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities, in regards to membership and history.
Although, I do agree that some of the featured chapters were a little shorter than others, I dont think that we should look at the book as a way to "Tell All". If I am not mistaken, every organization in that book has SOME TYPE of documentation of their history, and if "The Divine Nine", in essence, gave readers the drive to do more research on their own.
I must admit, right after I read "The Divine Nine", I felt inclined to read about other organizations. Not because I was so much interested in obtaining membership in any of them, but I was interested in finding out how they played a role in Black History, and, lets face it, all organizations in the divine nine play an INTEGRAL part in Black History, a part of history that does not get much recognition.
Many organizations in the Divine Nine have put people through college during the depression, played a hefty role in the Civil Rights Movement, and are responsible for many issues that affects blacks today. I think it was well written, and maybe the author did misconstrue information, but that only gives prospective members reading the divine nine more drive to do more research on that particular organization.
I think that all members of the Divine Nine should be honored their organization was featured in the book instead of being upset. As I previously mentioned, each organization played an huge role in the shaping of African Americans and our history, and that's the main reason why one should feel honored.

[lyttlebit]

To Suntzu1963-
I dont think you have much spreading to do. As a brother of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., I am quite sure that you know that yourr Fraternity is the fastest growing organization in the country. Congrats Iotas, and keep up the good work!

Lyttle
Iota Sweetheart:> )