Black Greek-letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun » (1st Edition)

Gregory S. Parks is coeditor of African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. A life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he received his PhD in psychology from the University of Kentucky and is a JD candidate at Cornell Law School.

For much of the twentieth century, black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs) united individuals dedicated to excellence, fostering kinship ties, and uplifting African Americans. Despite the profound influence of BGLOs, many now question the continuing relevance of these groups, arguing that their golden age has passed. Partly because of the influence of hip-hop culture, the image of BGLOs has been unfairly reduced to a stereotype — a world of hazing and stepping without any real substance. Not only does the general public know very little about these groups, but often the members themselves do not have a deep understanding of their history and culture or of the issues facing their organizations. Gregory S. Parks has assembled an impressive group of contributors to show that the BGLOs' most important work lies ahead. Black Greek-letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun provides historical context for the development of BGLOs and explores their service activities as well as their relationships with other prominent African American institutions. The book examines BGLOs' responses to a number of contemporary issues, including non-black membership, homosexuality within membership, and the perception of BGLOs as educated gangs, in order to demonstrate that these organizations can create a positive and enduring future.

Foreword Julianne Malveaux Malveaux, Julianne

Introduction Toward a Critical Scholarship Gregory S. Parks Parks, Gregory S. 1

Pt. 1 The Founders

1 The First and Finest: The Founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Stefan Bradley Bradley, Stefan 19

2 The Vision of Virtuous Women: The Twenty Pearls of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Stephanie Y. Evans Evans, Stephanie Y. 41

3 The Last Shall Be First: The Founders of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Judson L. Jeffries Jeffries, Judson L. 67

4 Women of Vision, Catalysts for Change: The Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Jessica Harris Harris, Jessica 75

5 Constitutionally Bound: The Founders of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Matthew W. Hughey Hughey, Matthew W. 95

6 The Pride of All Our Hearts: The Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Michael E. Jennings Jennings, Michael E. 115

7 Seven Schoolteachers Challenge the Klan: The Founders of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Bernadette Pruitt Pruitt, Bernadette Caryn E. Neumann Neumann, Caryn E. Katrina Hamilton Hamilton, Katrina 125

Pt. II Social Activism

8 A Narrative Critique of Black Greek-Letter Organizations and Social Action Jessica Harris Harris, Jessica Vernon C. Mitchell, Jr. Mitchell, Vernon C., Jr. 143

9 Black Feminist Thought in Black Sororities Caryn E. Neumann Neumann, Caryn E. 169

10 Giving and Getting: Philanthropic Activity among Black Greek-Letter Organizations Marybeth Gasman Gasman, Marybeth Patricia Louison Louison, Patricia Mark Barnes Barnes, Mark 187

Pt. III Groups Outside The National Pan-Hellenic Council

11 Strategic Essentialism and Black Greek Identity in the Postmodern Era Cynthia Lynne Shelton Shelton,Cynthia Lynne 213

12 "I've Got All My Sisters with Me": Black Women's Organizations in the Twenty-first Century Shirley A. Jackson Jackson, Shirley A. 233

Pt. IV Organizational Functioning

13 Sisterhood beyond the Ivory Tower: An Exploration of Black Sorority Alumnae Membership Marcia D. Hernandez Hernandez, Marcia D. 253

14 Exploring Black Greek-Letter Organizations through a Positive Organizing Lens Laura Morgan Roberts Roberts, Laura Morgan Lynn Perry Wooten Wooten, Lynn Perry 273

Pt. V Diversity

15 Not on My Line: Attitudes about Homosexuality in Black Fraternities Alan D. DeSantis DeSantis, Alan D. Marcus Coleman Coleman, Marcus 291

16 "I Did It for the Brotherhood": Nonblack Members in Black Greek-Letter Organizations Matthew W. Hughey Hughey, Matthew W. 313

Pt. VI Contemporary Debates

17 Eating Disorders within African American Sororities Tamika C. Zapolski Zapolski, Tamika C. Gregory T. Smith Smith, Gregory T. 347

18 Modern Fraternities, Ancient Origins Charles S. Finch III Finch, Charles S., III 365

19 "'Cuz I'm Young and I'm Black and My Hat's Real Low?": A Critique of Black Greeks as "Educated Gangs" Matthew W. Hughey Hughey, Matthew W. 385

Pt. VII Advising Undergraduate Chapters

20 Black and White Greeks: A Call for Collaboration Edward G. Whipple Whipple, Edward G. Martin Crichlow Crichlow, Martin Sally Click Click, Sally 421

21 Advising Black Greek-Letter Organizations: A Student Development Approach Ralph Johnson Johnson, Ralph Darnell Bradley Bradley, Darnell LeKeisha Bryant Bryant, LeKeisha Darren M. Morton Morton, Darren M. Don C. Sawyer III Sawyer, Don C., III 437

Afterword Marc H. Morial Morial, Marc H. 459

Index 465

Illustrations follow page 186