KarMel Scholarship 2008

Personal Story

“My Perception of Brotherhood”

By David Butler

Desciption of Submission: “Personal Reflection on the discrimination many Gay African American Males face attempting to join Black Greek Lettered Organizations” - David

When it comes to the topic of individuality, most of us will readily agree that it is always preferable for one to be oneself. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of societal acceptance of individual qualities and personal representations. Whereas some are convinced that you should be yourself no matter what, others maintain that if you do not fit into an identifiable and acceptable normative status, you are not worthy of membership in certain social circles. Why is it so hard in this world for people to accept you for you? Why should you have to jump through hoops and run an arduous course for membership in an organization that current members and other prospective members wouldn’t have to run if they are immediately appeasable to members of the group? I am tired of being excluded from organizations and opportunities because of my sexual orientation. Discrimination is never a justifiable practice to refuse a person membership in an association; it’s illegal for a reason.

Sometimes you have to sympathize with the admissions evaluators for specific groups. It must be so hard to maintain your respect and credibility as an organization that promotes the building character, brotherhood, service, and unity when you yourselves perpetuate the very deterioration of such ideals by unfair admissions practices. What would it be like if you had people who could bring different perspectives to the organization based on personal experience and triumph? How can you have brotherhood that is worthwhile if all of the brothers are mirror images of one another in personality, character traits, and thought processing? How can you unify if all you make time to do is dissect? Real uplift in any community is the result of a conglomeration of ideas and hard work that anyone can offer an organization regardless of sexual orientation or any other difference that may pose an unsubstantiated threat to the image of that organization.
For African-Americans, the mere idea of homosexuality has always been an extremely taboo topic. Black Greek Letter Organizations take this “tabooism” seriously, and further the practice by rejecting potential members of their organization who are even suspected of being homosexual. Similar to the military, these organizations often follow a “Don’t Ask- Don’t Tell” policy, which has worked for some, but can be obliterated if one current member of a given organization even hears a rumor of suspected homosexuality. A recent article in Ebony Magazine explores this issue. The Headline “Male ‘Sorority’ has Black America Ticked Off” offers the story of a gay male created imitation of the first African-American sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA). The men call their sorority, MIAKA (Men Interested in Alpha Kappa Alpha) and had their own initiation process, and even went as far as to extract key signature paraphernalia of AKA, pearls (instead of necklaces- bracelets) and the signature colors pink and green. After hearing a story like this, one would be forced to question why the need for this type of organization has arisen. The obvious answer to this question is that homosexual students are excluded from Greek Lettered Organizations, even those that are non-black. Homophobia is rampant in these organizations. A self identified member of Black Greek Letter Organization, Omega Psi Phi, states in the article, “I can care less about being politically correct. Homosexuality is wrong and it is tolerated too much, especially on our black campuses.” This fraternity member is not alone in his perspective on homosexuality. The entire black community backs him on this. A member of the first African American Fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha had this to say about the situation, “Certainly homophobia is there… you would get an angry reaction if they were gay men or White frat boys.” This quote may be true as it does highlight the discrimination that would be inherent in such an imitation, but White frat boys, have fraternities that they can become members of, gay black men do not.

As homophobia takes center stage in the fight for acceptance in these black organizations, the greater issue at the center of this situation is discrimination. These organizations were developed to unify the African American community. The organizations were developed during a time that you were considered a second-class citizen if you were black. These organizations regularly discriminate when determining eligibility of perspective members, and it is not always sexual orientation that can disqualify a candidate. Early chapters of these organizations instituted the use of “colorism” (consideration of skin tone) in admissions criteria, and that practice over time has been retired. I submit the screening of sexuality also needs to be retired as part of the admissions process. Discrimination in America is illegal. It is illegal because every citizen of this country should be granted the same rights and the same opportunities based on the fact that they were born in this country. Individuals should not be unjustly denied admittance to these groups because of qualities that should operate independently of base admission standards being considered on potential applicants.

Because I meet the minimum requirements of the organization – GPA, involvement on campus, being a male – I should not be denied access to any Black Greek Letter Organization of my choosing. I am not saying that these organizations should not have minimum requirements for admission. I realize the need for weeding out potential detriments to any organization. But I am saying that in most situations, sexuality, particularly homosexuality, offers no threat to these organizations. Further, I am saying, no arguing, that brotherhood should be all encompassing. Society should not dictate how we govern ourselves, but we should appeal to our moral conscious of what is right – just and fair treatment to all – regardless of personal disagreements with particular personal qualities a person might have. The character building principle these organizations rave about should be more about teaching acceptance of reality and refusal of the status quo. The brotherhood building principle should apply to all interested brothers so that real brotherhood can grow. The service principle can only be fulfilled if there are brothers who have creative ways of thinking about approaching service opportunities. If all the brothers are mirror images of one another, this may not be very effective. Finally, if we are to unify our communities and ultimately mankind, we much teach tolerance, not hate. And if we are to be effective in these roles we must be leaders on the outset. Forget about image to others; focus more on the positive influence that could be cultivated in every community. The best image to have anyway is that in which one is revered as a trendsetter.

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