Black Greek 101

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by SIAsensacion
If you would care to post any of his ideas about Latino Greeks, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

He starts out by discussing the increase of Latinos attending college from the 60's to the present.

He spends some time discussing the discrepancies in the story of the founding of Phi Iota Alpha.

He then discusses a handful of representative LGLO's, lists a pretty thorough list of the orgs, discusses their similarities to BGLOs, issues of Latinos who "sell out" by pledging BGLOs, and finally, he spends a lot of time talking about NALFO and future challenges that LGLOs might face.

[LawyerGal]

Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92
Does anyone know if it's out in paperback anywhere yet? I checked Amazon, but they don't have the paperback in, and I'd much rather pay $23.00 than $40 something.

I just bought the paperback from Howard Univ.'s bookstore plus they have a 20% sale you could try to order it on line at

http://www.bookstore.howard.edu/


It's a GREAT book!

[mccoyred]

I just ordered this book and can't wait to read it. Dr Kimbrough has some very well thought out views on the various issues that BGLOs face.

[enlightenment06]

Originally posted by LawyerGal
I just bought the paperback from Howard Univ.'s bookstore plus they have a 20% sale you could try to order it on line at

http://www.bookstore.howard.edu/


It's a GREAT book!

Are you serious? I just bought it a HU a few weeks ago for fifty bucks! Ah well, frat is getting the money.

This is a GREAT book. I recommend it to anyone interested in Greek life on any level in order to gain a more complete understanding.

My only current critique is that he didn't mention strolls and partywalks in his "That Thing You Do" chapter. Other than that the book is golden.

EVERYONE GO OUT AND BUY THIS BOOK! IT IS A MUST READ!!!

[DoggyStyle82]

I would appreciate Mr. Kimbrough a lot more if he did not testify against other BLGO's as an expert witness for the prosecution. Its blood money to me.

[Steeltrap]

Hermes - SU News
Issue: 10/07/03

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Reknown author dissects trials of fraternity community
By Zandile Blay

More than 60 students recently gathered in Grant Auditorium, chatting and laughing as they awaited their guest. But the man they came to see, sat in the front row alone.

He wore a simple gray suit and a serious demeanor. For those wondering about the man, his picture projected overhead, displaying a copy of his newly released book and the author's name: Walter Kimbrough.

Kimbrough is a renowned national expert in the field of collegiate greek studies and he is an AFA brother. He visited Syracuse University on Sept. 27, informing the audience from the onset that such publications as Rolling Stone, the New York Times and the Washington Post have quoted him and his work.

And, said Tanya Ortiz of WFB, the sponsor of Kimbrough's visit, hopefully that work will prompt students to think critically of greek-related challenges.

"Our vision was to open up discussion, to get people talking about the issues," Ortiz said.

Kimbrough wasted no time in helping to do so, taking the stage and tackling several hurdles facing the greek community, especially black and latino chapters. He at times, however, used his comedic flare to do so, announcing his distinction as "intergalactic sex symbol" and boasting of his culinary mastery.

He began the presentation with a brief discussion on the origin of fraternities and sororities: literary clubs.

These clubs, he said, emerged around 1753 as an outlet for students frustrated with the academic vigors of college. As universities grew in size, the number of literary clubs declined, and greek letter organizations soon began to take their place.

Greek organizations quickly grew popular and multiplied throughout the country. While doing so, Kimbrough said, they reflected common themes, or a "blue print." This blue print involves five tenants: character, scholarship, fellowship, service and religion.

Kimbrough shared how greeks betrayed these tenents in recent years. To emphasize the point, he quoted a statement he overheard a brother make.

"The university's rules are getting to the heart of what my fraternity is all about," Kimbrough quoted the student as saying. "Drinking and partying."

Kimbrough displayed for students newspaper articles that detailed the decline in greek membership and also described recent hazing incidents, some resulting in death.

But a series of photos proved most useful to the argument, showing pictures of students who had died due to injuries received while pledging, shots of pledges dressed alike and walking in lock during Rush and scenes of hooded figures holding skulls -- symbols now, unfortunately for greeks, are synonymous with college fraternity life.

For Kimbrough, these photos provided an element to the presentation he could not articulate himself.

"The images always tell the story better than I could," he said. "It brings the point home to the students."

And the point is simply this: greek life on college campuses is not what it used to be and, consequently, it needs to be improved. Underscoring this statement, Kimbrough said, is a recently publicized ranking of risks, used by some insurance companies when establishing policies. On the list, greek life is in the top 10, above pesticides and hazardous waste.

The issue is of particular urgency for National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters, Kimbrough said. Though the NPHC's national office official banned pledging more than a decade ago, the group continues to battle hazing-related injuries and deaths each year.

For those organizations looking to minimize the risk, Kimbrough shared a tentative solution he dubbed the Student Development Theory. Chapters should reincorporate pledging back into the membership process, he said. They've got nothing to lose.

"Sometimes you have to try the absurd thing," he said. "And the absurd thing is going back to pledging."

The discussion, however, needs to continue, Kimbrough added. Though books like his own can provide insights into topics of greek life, larger forums can speak to more students and have far-reaching effects.

"This is a lot broader," he said referring to his visit and presentation. "This is more general to include all greeks."

But will such visits by prominent figures in the greek community help chapters boost intake numbers?

"This alone won't help," Ortiz said. "Each chapter has to take a pro-active effort into increasing their numbers."

If one student is any indication of that progress, freshman Tiffany Lewis said she is better equipped to make decisions having listened to Kimbrough.

"I got a lot of insight," Lewis said. "It's going to help me determine what path I want to go down in the future."




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[enlightenment06]

Originally posted by DoggyStyle82
I would appreciate Mr. Kimbrough a lot more if he did not testify against other BLGO's as an expert witness for the prosecution. Its blood money to me.

On the one hand I agree with you 100%

But on the other hand I also wish people would stop doing stupid stuff like breaking people's bones and endangering people's lives. I think if our founders were here today they'd be extremely dissapointed with the extent to which people are being beaten.

I think Membership Intake is a joke that not's funny; but we're fraternities, not gangs.

[LawyerGal]

Originally posted by mccoyred
I just ordered this book and can't wait to read it. Dr Kimbrough has some very well thought out views on the various issues that BGLOs face.

he is a very intelligent young brotha and he did a lot of research!!! Enjoy and post your thoughts after you get it!

[LawyerGal]

Originally posted by enlightenment06
Are you serious? I just bought it a HU a few weeks ago for fifty bucks! Ah well, frat is getting the money.


Well you got the hard cover (I am sure) for that price this was only the paperback so you still made out ok If he does a book tour I may buy the hardcover for collecting purposes....


>>>This is a GREAT book. I recommend it to anyone interested in Greek life on any level in order to gain a more complete understanding.

I was really surprised at how in depth he went you can tell a lot of work went into it, its says a lot about younger members b/c he is only 38 and has been a member for 10 years, the level at which he presented this research you would have thought he was at least a member for 20-30 years!


>>>My only current critique is that he didn't mention strolls and partywalks in his "That Thing You Do" chapter. Other than that the book is golden.

Hummm that's trueeeeee the history of stepping was good and that would have been a nice addition as well b/c that is a well grounded practice for sure. Volume II I guess

EVERYONE GO OUT AND BUY THIS BOOK! IT IS A MUST READ!!!

I wholeheartedly agree! Whether you are an Aspirant or just a die hard Black history buff its an excellent addition to your library!

[DoggyStyle82]

Originally posted by enlightenment06
On the one hand I agree with you 100%

But on the other hand I also wish people would stop doing stupid stuff like breaking people's bones and endangering people's lives. I think if our founders were here today they'd be extremely dissapointed with the extent to which people are being beaten.

I think Membership Intake is a joke that not's funny; but we're fraternities, not gangs.

Believe it or not, people have been getting hurt since the inception of BLGOs. This is nothing new. What is new are the laws and lawsuits. Trust that if one could sue from the '40's through the ''80s, there would be no BLGOs left. I damn sure could have gotten 6 figures for my purple ass. I still say that it is Blood Money and Kimbrough is doing the "bogeyman" routine in his speeches, with his "scared straight approach. No matter what he discusses. what his speeches all boil down to are those few moments of drama when he shows pictures of an injured pledge. Does he ever mention in his speech about what percent of pledgees are actually injured (less than 1%) during a true pledge process. That only one death has occurred as a result of physical violence. No, those facts don't sell books, nor get you lectures, appearance fees, or used by bloodsucking lawyers as an expert witness against that which you purport to love.

[enlightenment06]

I can see your perspective on the matter. But I think it comes down to whether his intention is to profit off deceiving people or if he really believes he's doing good. Although I could be wrong, I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[deuika]

Pardon me Gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha. I just searched and ran across this topic and I wanted to weigh in.

I had an opportunity to finish this book last night and I must say I was impressed.

The thing about this book, in comparison to the other literature concerning Black Greeks, or Greek Life in general is that...it's broad. Most only focus on the positives, or the negatives, he did both and rather in-depthly.

Black Greek Organizations have such a strong history, each with many accomplishments to be proud of. It's beyond sad that people are losing their lives for letters, it approaches repulsive.

The discussion on the different types of fraternalism was rather interesting.

I think that what this book showed was that tradition is fading. Instead of being about service, and promoting positivity, BGLO's are indeed viewed as high-priced gangs. One must remember nearly everyone who has ever contributed significantly to Africans in America was indeed a member of a BGLO.

Yes, it's true, hazing is nothing new. But to the point things are now? Where all an organization is known for is beating people's ass? Or the occasional stepshow riot?

The way an organization is perceived will dictate it's membership. Society influences all culture. If, in the African American community BGLOs are only shown stepping and fighting one shouldn't be surprised that the new members attracted to these organizations bring forth these qualities. It's like, marketing for losers. Though, there are those who still uphold the traditions of these wonderful organizations, how often do you hear about the positive? The media doesn't do positivity. Get rid of the renegades, get back to the fundamentals.

EXCELLENT book!