At the turn of the 20th century, Greek life amongs African American college students found itself working into the fabric and culture of American society. What started as an assembly of African American males gathering to nurture scholarship and promote a prominent working image of Blacks in society at an Ivy League institution quickly found that its grasp was far reaching. Where as in the year 1906 African Americans were only indulged with a single male oriented Greek-lettered fraternity, today nine organizations comprised of male and female and multiple ethnicities have taken form.
American Black college students readily took interest in these new organizations that encouraged fraternal and sisterly bonds. Greek letters gave these organizations aliases to align themselves as a whole with and a name by which they could be recognized for their humanitarian efforts. Alpha Phi Alpha; Kappa Alpha Psi; Omega Psi Phi; and Phi Beta Sigma identified the male fraternal bonds. On the other hand, ladies were identified as either Alpha Kappa Alpha; Delta Sigma Theta; Zeta Phi Beta; or Sigma Gamma Rho. Though each of these organizations chose to distinguish themselves by their individual names, they all work toward the same goals: manly or womanly deeds, scholarship and service.
Over the route of a few decades, fraternities and sororities have slightly deviated from their original purpose. Though they all maintain their core foundation of promoting humanitarian efforts, college students across the nation have begun looking at these organizations for something other than selfless acts but for recognition. On university and college campuses across the nation, Greek organizations have become popular for their step shows and bringing out the masses to social events. Once aligned with these groups, individuals are now giving a certain level of prestige.
Greek-lettered organizations are integral in the college life experience. In communities where these organizations are present, the community is expected to grow in areas of scholarship and service. The “Divine Nine” are regarded as a source of light and encouragement wherever their presence is sought. Even more so, they are a symbol of Black unity, scholarship, and excellence.
By: LaMarco McClendon
Education, Politics and Pop Culture Blogger
ReelUrbanNews.com
