[23250] in APO-L
[APO-L] Pre-Convention Greetings to my Brothers
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Joel Bryant)
Sat Dec 7 13:21:27 2002
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2002 10:21:19 -0800
Reply-To: Joel Bryant <joelbryant2001@yahoo.com>
From: Joel Bryant <joelbryant2001@yahoo.com>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Brothers,
Greetings in LF&S. I am Joel Bryant, ,Fall 1977,
Omicron Upsilon chapter, Life Member. My name and
situation has been discussed on the list serve and I
would like to share a few thoughts. First of all,
Black APO Brothers are not monsters. We are not
uncivilized, We will not snatch your purse or mug you
just because we are Black. We do NOT condone hazing or
the breaking of any of APO's rules and regulations. We
are very dedicated to LF&S and DO NOT want a seperate
Frat. We already have one because some of our White
Brothers are not comfortable with us. They would find
it an enjoyable experience if they ever took the time
to fellowship with us and not believe the rumors or
Pre-judge. We were FORCED to seek each other out for
fraternal intercourse because, since 1976, our
National has always treated us differently than White
chapters. I am a proud, branded A-Phi-Que. I am from
an intergrated chapter and have been a centrist,
bridge builder between White and Black Bros.
throughout mt 25 yeras in the frat. Though most want
to deny it , racism and prejudice still exists in
America and our beloved Fraternity. I have been
suspended by the National Board for "Interfering with
a sanctioned extension effort" I have nothing to hide.
I have to accept the Board's unfair ruling and will
continue to work for more understanding between the
races once I am re-instated.I want to say to my good
Brother Rashid Darden and all APO Brothers: I
APOlogize and am sorry for my actions which offended
you and don't like to be labled as a "troublemaker or
"rule-breaker".Please don't judge us until you get to
know us. Those who have done so have found it to be a
pleasant acculturational experience. We believe in our
frat and want to considered as equal Brothers and not
outcasts. Though I cannot participate in sessions, I
had already purchased my non-refundable ticket to New
Orleans and will be in the lobby with the other
A-Phi-Ques who aren't considered worthy enough to
participate in OUR fraternity convention. I encourage
each of you to call, e-mail, write, or approach me at
the convention if you'd like to ask me any questions
you may have, generally engage in fraternal fellowship
and find out that we don't bite! That is a stereotype
that many people want you to think is true so they can
get us niggers out of the fraternity. Don't believe
the hype. We have dedicated Brothers with good ideas
like any other group. I would love to meet every one
of you and am perpetually avilable for the same. We
have different ideas on different topics but that
doesn't make us inferior. The court of public opinion
should entertain and respect ALL points of view. Below
please find the documents associated with my
suspension. I love all of you and look forward to
seeing you in New Orleans.
In LF&S
Joel Bryant
2200 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Suite South Seven
Phila. PA 19130
215-563-4019 e-mail:joelbryant2001@yahoo.com
August 23, 2002
Mr. Joel Bryant
2200 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Suite South 7
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Dear Mr. Bryant:
We recently received multiple complaints regarding
activities and actions that you alleged to have
conducted. As is Fraternity policy, this matter has
been referred top the Spirit and Standards committee
that is chaired by me as national Vice President.
At this Time we are in the process of gathering
information in order for the committee to determine
the validity the complaints and to determine whether
to recommend any action. After reviewing the
allegations, the Committee has determined that, if
accurate, the charges would be a violation of
Fraternity policies.
The complaints primarily address activities that
allegedly took place on March 8, 2002, on the campus
of Howard University. Several Fraternity Members,
authorized to act on behalf of Alpha Phi Omega, were
conducting activities aimed toward reactivating the
Zeta phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.
At this event you are accused of the following:
`
• Violating Fraternity membership policies against
hazing as defined in the Risk Management Policy of
Alpha Phi Omega by (a) verbally abusing and harassing
a Pledge and (b) verbally abusing and humiliating a
female Brother based upon your comments regarding
women in Alpha Phi Omega and treatment of her at the
meeting.
• Violating Fraternity membership policies against
hazing as defined in the Risk Management Policy of
Alpha Phi Omega by taking excessive photographs in a
“disturbing manner” causing discomfort of attendees.
• Violating Fraternity membership policies against
hazing as defined in the Risk Management Policy of
Alpha Phi Omega by making statements aimed at
discouraging an approved and legitimate membership
activity, specifically by violating the Fraternities
nondiscrimination by gender policy.
An additional complaint has been raised regarding an
email you are accused of sending in March of this
year. The allegation claims you threatened to create
an incident at the Howard Homecoming if Brothers
continued to “alienate” you. You are also accused in
the email of making discriminatory statements
regarding the race of some Brothers.
In order for the Spirit and Standards Committee to
determine what, if any, recommendations to make to
address these complaints we request your cooperation.
The committee specifically asks you to discuss the
allegations noted above, describe any activities you
have conducted on the Howard campus in the name of
Alpha Phi Omega and indicate or deny any activities
that mey demonstrate discrimination against members
who are female.
Please respond either via email or by mail as follows:
Email: vice.president@apo
Mail: John Wetherington
c/o Alpha Phi Omega
14901 E. 42nd Street
Independence, MO 64055
President McKenzie and I, as well as other Board
Members, are monitoring the extension activities at
Howard and have personally met the Sponsor and several
of the men and women who have joined this Interest
Group. We are pleased with the activities to date and
do not authorize anyone to act in the name of Alpha
Phi Omega not invited by the Sponsor, Rashid Darden,
Sectional Chair, Malcom Lee or Regional Director,
Jamie Conover. It is strongly suggested that you do
not contact any individuals associated with this
effort while these charges are under investigation.
Sincerely,
John Wetherington
National Vice President
Chair, Spirit and Standards Committee
Cc: Spirits and Standards Committee
Jack McKenzie, National President
Jamie Conover, Region 3 Director
Malcom Lee, Section 84 Chair
Bob London, National Executive Director
>>>>>
THE MEN OF THE RISING SUN AT PHILADELPHIA
An Alumni Association of Alpha Phi Omega National
Service Fraternity Inc. Founded in 1979
5727 Florence Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19143
215-727-5685 e-mail: mapowiz@aol.com
PRESIDENT: Michael Shuler, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mark
Harrell, SERVICE VICE-PRESIDENT: Joel Bryant,
MEMBERSHIP VICE-PRESIDENT: Rev. Jahi Ewansiha,
FELLOWSHIP VICE-PRESIDENT: Melvin Gregory, GENERAL
SECRETATARY: Joel Bryant, Mark Harrell, Michael
Shuler, TREASURER: Steven R. Wright, SEARGENT AT
ARMS/PARLIAMENTARIAN: Darrell Thomas, CHAPLAIN: Rev.
Jahi Ewansiha, Rev. Timothy Roberson,
HISTORIAN/ARCHIVIST: Joel Bryant, PUBLIC RELATIONS
DIRECTOR: Bryant Spry, EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE:
Michael Shuler (Chair), Joel Bryant, Mark Harrell,
SANDRA ATKINS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND COMMITTEE:
Zahmu Sankofa (Chair), Carroll Kelly, Timothy
Roberson, (G.S.S. Representatives): Malyka Sankofa
(Co-Chair), Kimberly Long-Jones, Bernadette Butler,
Yvonne Roberson, WILLIAM BLACKNEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
COMMITTEE: Mark Harrell (Chair), Rev. Henry Grant
(Co-Chair inabstentia), Zahmu Sankofa, Bryant Spry,
Melvin Gregory, SERVICE COMMITTEE: Joel Bryant
(Chair), Jahi Ewansiha, Carroll Kelly, Darrell Thomas,
Soyica White, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Jahi Ewansiha
(Chair), Mark Harrell, Michael Shuler, Ranlin Sanders,
FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE: Melvin Gregory (Chair), Jeffrey
Collier, Gerald Siler, Bryant Spry, FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Steven Wright (Chair), Louis Moore, Darrell Thomas,
WEB-SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Ranlin Sanders
(Chair), Melvin Gregory, Michael Shuler, ADVISORY
BOARD: Dr. Robert Geter (Sigma Omega ’75), Arthur Hall
(Mu Gamma ’65), Dr. Melvin Jackson (Mu Gamma ’64),
Dr. Willie Maddox (Mu Gamma ’65), Ed Smith (Iota Rho
’79), and Kenneth Spann (Zeta Phi ’51)
To: Brother John Wetherington, National Vice
President, and Chair, Spirits and Standards Committee
From: Brother Joel Bryant, Service Vice–President, Men
of the Rising Sun at Philadelphia, Alumni Association
Re: Response to Allegations Outlined in Letter Dated
August 23, 2002
Date: September 20, 2002
Brother Wetherington,
Thank you for your letter regarding my visit to Howard
University on Fri. March 8, 2002. I appreciate and
respect our fraternal system of jurisprudence and due
process although I was quite shocked by the
allegations therein. I am more than happy and grateful
for the opportunity to respond to the same. Since we
are “meeting” under somewhat less than optimal
fraternal circumstances, I would like to introduce
myself and share a few general thoughts and
observations which I feel are cogent before my
official response. I trust that on those points where
the National Board, the Spirits and Standards
Committee and I agree to disagree, it can be done in a
spirit of fraternal civility and mutual respect.
I was introduced to our beloved fraternity in 1975 by
the Brothers at Elizabeth City State University in
Elizabeth City North Carolina which is the
Historically Black University (HBCU) that I attended
from 1975 to 1977. This was the once mighty Chi Lambda
chapter (Region III) and was the first and only
paradigm of APO that I had been exposed to at the
time. This chapter (like most other HBCU chapters) has
long since been inactive, for reasons to be discussed
at another time and in another forum, but it attracted
me to and planted my love for APO or what we
affectionately called A-Phi-Que (“Que” is a nickname
for the Greek letter Omega, used to differentiate
Omega from Omicron in the Black Greek lexicon. It is
not “bad” nor harmful, but different and one of a
plethora of unique idiosyncrasies associated with
fraternal life at an HBCU).
I transferred to West Chester State College (now West
Chester University) in West Chester Pennsylvania in
1977, which had a predominately European-American
student population. It was here that I pledged the
great Omicron Upsilon chapter of our beloved
fraternity. I was initiated on November 22, 1977. I
will be celebrating 25 years of Leadership, Friendship
and Service this November and still feel that pledging
Alpha Phi Omega was by far, the best decision of my
college life. This was in spite of the myriad of
challenges associated with being in an organization
that is governed by people who are not from my
cultural background. As an undergraduate I enjoyed
fraternal fellowship with nearby Black chapters and
White chapters. APO has been institutionally racially
integrated since 1947 and you may be aware of the fact
that many African Americans (as well as others) tend
to view our membership in fraternities with
religious-like fervor and enthusiasm.
During this time (1977 and ’78) I became aware of two
astounding facts about APO that would impact my
fraternal experience for the next 25 years, up to and
including this very moment as I type these words. They
were:
1) That the chapters at predominately European
American colleges and universities (like the one I was
a member of) had unique traditions and ways of doing
things with which I was unfamiliar. One such tradition
was that of excessive drinking of kegs of beer and
liquor. I traveled extensively to these chapters and
never ceased to be amazed at some of the wild and
crazy things that I observed. I even witnessed hazing
like I had never seen at HBCU chapters when visiting
these schools whose names I won’t mention at this
time. As a born again Christian and aspiring Minister,
I have never been one to drink a lot of alcohol, but I
found the fraternal love and fellowship activities
with these European American chapters extremely
enjoyable, acculturative, meaningful and educational.
I did not “judge” them to be inferior just because
they were different and were doing things that I had
never seen fraternities do at HBCUs. I loved it and
looked upon these differences as a good thing. I
became fully aware that there wasn’t one APO National
Service Fraternity, there were two frats in one. The
fraternity traditions enjoyed at HBCUs like Elizabeth
City State Univ. (where I was introduced to the Blue
and Gold) were very different from those at these
“White” chapters. However, we co-existed (nationally
and locally) with respect and fraternal love one for
the other. I still remain in touch and participate in
joint Alumni Association fraternal activities with
some of those same European American Brothers today,
especially with our Brothers of the Zeta Theta Alumni
Association with whom I have been especially close and
fraternal for some 25 years. Our Alumni Associations
co-exist in the Philadelphia area with maximum, mutual
co-operation, respect, and support.
2) That a new law had recently been passed by congress
called “Title IX”. It said that federally funded
colleges and universities could not have activities
that excluded women from participating. I then learned
that our fraternity had “voted” to admit women as
equal Brothers even though all of the other
fraternities (Black and White) were exempt form having
to do the same. Some Brothers who were there told me
that they felt coerced into this decision. At this
point I should mention that most of the Brothers from
the HBCU chapter model with whom I associate,
including myself, realize that we were and are greatly
outnumbered parliamentarily. I believe it was Justice
Oliver Wendell Holmes who referred to this phenomenon
as “the tyranny of the majority”. We know that women
are in our beloved fraternity to stay, due to the
plebiscites of 1976 and ’86. We have accepted this and
realize the futility of attempting to go back to the
“good old days”. We have to accept what my friends
Keith Roots and Jamie Conover refer to as the new
model of APO. However, this was brand new in 1977 and
’78 and amongst the many devout Black Brothers of APO
this was the most devastating news we could possibly
imagine. I’m not sure if you were around during those
years but, believe me, it was a combination of
frustration and a hellish agony that I wouldn’t wish
on my very worst enemy. At that time we enjoyed
prominent status and prestige on the various HBCU
campuses that had chapters. Because of the competitive
nature of Greek life, we attempted to conceal the
Title IX information from potential initiates and the
general public because we knew that we would
immediately be demoted to “corny”and/or “no real
Greek” status amongst our peers and become a laughing
stock among the other fraternities with whom we had to
compete for potential members and campus status.
Consequently, I became aware of the birth of yet a
third APO. One that included women and which was
different from the first two. Later came the
Phillipino chapters and others, so we are truly
diverse. I believe this is a good thing; however, I am
attempting to portray the general consensus among
African American Brothers at the time (1977 and ’78)
and the context in which many of the subsequent events
(up to and including March 8, 2002) occurred .
Brothers, I say to you sincerely that this was an
extremely difficult and dark time to live through in
our fraternity history and though you may never agree
with our position on women in the fraternity, I wish
that you could at least appreciate and/or somehow be
aware of how excruciatingly painful this situation was
to us, especially as Title IX became public knowledge.
Being an undergraduate in a fraternity is supposed to
be fun! We were wearing the Blue and Gold with much
pride and that pride was being shattered. In 1978 we
knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Title IX would
destroy our chapters and their (then) 30 years of
tradition and history. How do you think that made us
feel? Retrospectively, the record clearly indicates
that we were correct. We went from approximately 55
strong HBCU chapters to approximately 5 in about 20
years. Statistics do not lie. We saw it coming and
there were various ways that Brothers channeled their
frustrations. I personally witnessed the founding of a
new National Service Fraternity started by Black APO
Brothers who felt hopelessly abandoned by APOs’
National government. I am aware of at least six other
fraternities that were started by APO Brothers under
these same circumstances. There were literally
thousands of other erudite, dedicated and
service–minded Black APO Brothers who “quit” our
fraternity and pledged other ones solely because of
frustration. These Brothers could have been long term
assets to our fraternity.
Philosophies and perceptions were formed during this
tumultuous period that are still prevalent today.
There is a strong sentiment among many Brothers that
this was all done purposely. They feel that there is a
group of European Americans in key leadership
positions who do not want “us” in this fraternity and
set the plan in motion to accomplish the elimination
of (non-hazing) Black culture and traditions from APO.
An even more prominent feeling is that Blacks are
permitted to be APO Brothers only if we forsake every
part of our unique fraternal cultural heritage. These
times taught me some harsh lessons.
During the aforementioned events of 1977, ’78, ’79,
80 and ’81 I came to my own philosophical conclusion.
I decided the best way to address the situation was to
become an ideological centrist and immediately began
to put all of my energies into building bridges
between the great racial and cultural divide in APO.
This is why I am so shocked at the allegations against
me. I have always been in the unique position of being
respected by even the most hard core Black A-Phi-Ques
while at the same time, enjoying good relationships
with White Brothers as I mentioned. When other
Brothers expressed their disgust with APO national
officers, policies and procedures and quit APO to
start or pledge other fraternities, I was the one
saying lets abide by the rules, reach out and get
along with all Brothers even though they may be
different from us. This precarious situation began to
drain the enthusiasm out of us a little at a time. I
recently spoke with Black members of the petitioning
groups from Mississippi Valley State University and
the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and I’m
positive that the frustration we felt back then still
continues to this very day.
In 1979 I signed a big contract with a major record
company as a Record Producer, Songwriter, and Music
Conductor. I began to travel to and live in Australia,
Hong Kong, Japan, France, Switzerland, England, Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Singapore and other countries
around the world recording and playing music. I kept
in touch with my inner circle of Brothers but not the
fraternity at large. One day in late December 2000,
while I was visiting my hometown for the first time in
7 years (Philadelphia PA, where I have since
relocated), I literally bumped into one of the most
beautiful Brothers I have ever met, Brother Robert
(Bob) Harris. As we chatted, I came to find out that
APO was convening in Philly at the very moment I was
near the Marriot hotel shopping. What a coincidence!
While talking to Bob all of my past love for APO and
my “cultural bridge building instincts” became
rekindled and kicked in. He assured me that as Past
Region III Director (the region that Elizabeth City
State Univ. was in) he fully appreciated the sadness
and regret we felt because of the demise of the great
HBCU chapters over which he used to serve. He also
assured me that the National officers were more
tolerant and informed about this subject matter than
in times past. He sold me my life membership as well
as hundreds of dollars worth of various APO gear
(Remember when he was working the tables in the “APO
store” at the Marriot?). He introduced me to E. Ross
Forman and the daughter of H. Roe Bartell, two names I
had been taught to revere. Before I knew it I was very
active in the fraternity again. I pestered errrr
contacted my Regional Director, Craig Muckle on my own
volition to see what the best ways to impact what I
call “the unnecessary adversarial relationship between
Brothers from HBCUs and our national officers”. At my
sectional conference I spoke on this topic. Lisa Covi
and Dave O’Leary steered to the diversity committee
(Chaired by Jim Hahn who I sought out and met with)
and Maggie Katz (who I met on line and with whom I
shared most of the thoughts I am now mentioning).
I never dreamed I would later be calling upon these
people to “testify” about their knowledge of my
activities. To my knowledge I am the only African
American from my area to seek out and meet with these
people and broche this controversial subject matter.
We, as Blacks think about this all the time especially
since we heard about the elimination of the history of
Black Beta (Zeta Phi the second Black chapter). We
believe that since the individuals teaching the
petitioning group at Howard Univ. have no knowledge of
Zeta Phi service projects, chapter songs, steps, or
other traditions whatsoever it is tantamount to
eliminating their history from the face of the earth,
just as it was done at N.C. A.& T. Univ. (Kappa Psi).
Zeta Phi is the chapter of the great Past National
President, Lt. Colonel L. E. Young and, out of
respect, this reactivation project could have been
handled in a more sophisticated way which wouldn’t
have included such gargantuan breaches of Black
fraternal protocol as handing out flyers in the colors
of A Phi A (the oldest Black frat.). They were
insulted and rightfully so. It’s unbelievable! I don’t
think Brother Darden meant to do this but he just
doesn’t know anything about the protocol of the world
of Black Greeks at a Black school. Is that helping to
build Zeta Phi? They will be shunned by the Howard
community, other fraternities and many Zeta Phi
alumni. This seems a heavy price to pay. I am not a
Zeta Phi or Howard Univ. alum so I have no direct,
specific interest in this situation per se; however I
am very interested in the general salvation of Black
culture in our frat.
The following are my responses to the accusations:
1) a) I did not verbally abuse the pledge (now
Brother) J.R. Devlon, I merely asked him the date of
the founding of our Fraternity, and I congratulated
him on his great decision to pledge our Fraternity and
later Fedexed fraternal gifts (pin etc.) C/O his Big
Brother, Shari Hunt upon his initiation 7 days later.
I also told him that I was thrilled to see a young
Black man pledging and very impressed with him.
b) I did not verbally abuse Miss Hunt. I never said
anything derogatory to her. She later told me she was
offended because I did not give her the fraternity
handclasp, not by anything that I said to her.
Point of Information: There was no “meeting”, this was
an informal gathering that was outside on the grass
area in front of Frederick Douglas Hall, which is
totally open to the public. I was given the time and
gathering place information by Mr. Darden. How else
would I have known? I didn’t just “show up” (though
ideally I should be able to). There was no one there
but us. No potential candidates showed up. There were
just four Brothers from Mu Alpha chapter, the pledge
(now Brother), two Zeta Phi Alumni, a Mu Gamma Alumnus
(Morgan Univ., another inactive HBCU chapter) and
myself. There was a meeting held sometime subsequent
to this “informal gathering” (I think it was the next
week). Jamie Conover e-mailed me that it was well
attended however I was not there!
2) I certainly was not aware of any policy against
taking pictures in a public place, or a certain way
they had to be taken. I was just taking some fun frat.
photos on a nice, sunny day. What part of my taking
pictures violated the Risk-Management Policy? Copies
of said photos are enclosed for your perusal.
3) I never made any “statement aimed at discouraging
an approved and legitimate membership activity”. It
never happened. I want to see Zeta Phi come back as
well as every one else and I expressed the same to
Jamie Conover and Rashid Dardin. As I fore stated
Rashid is very unfamiliar with Black campus protocol
in general and Zeta Phi history in particular. You
can’t learn this on the internet or from a high
ranking officer of the frat. I attempted to lovingly
give him suggestions for a better strategy so he
wouldn’t continue to make a fool of himself and
embarrass the past Zeta Phi Brothers (which I am not
one of) by advertising how little he knows about how
Blacks do things, even though he’s Black. Again, an
attempt to help the fraternity by not destroying the
prestige built on this campus over 54 years is somehow
perceived by him and others as an attempt to usurp his
“authority”. The Great Founding Father, Brother Frank
Reed Horton himself couldn’t “sanction” Mr. Darden to
teach initiates at Howard Univ. because Mr. Darden
never lived that life. Here is just one example of
what I mean. There is a song called “Meet me at the
Tree on Next Friday” that is a great Zeta Phi rallying
song that has been sung around the tree on Friday
afternoons for generations within their chapter. This
is show biz on these campuses. The students love to
watch the singing and stepping performances of the
fraternities (and sororities). They bring prestige and
interest to the chapter. It will be dead soon because
Mu Alpha knows nothing about it and therefore cannot
teach it to anyone. Frankly, neither could I because
I’m not Zeta Phi. This could only be done by a Brother
from Z-Phi and I was trying to explain this to Jamie
Conover and Rashid in the nicest way possible. I know
for a fact that those poor Brothers at Psi Phi
(Tennessee State University) and Kappa Psi (North
Carolina A & T University) want to know our “steps”
and songs etc. They want to be connected to their own
HBCU culture and it is not happening.
I did not discriminate against Miss Hunt because I
didn’t give the handclasp to any of the Brothers from
Mu Alpha. In the Black world we “cover” the precious,
secret hand clasp with our torsos when exchanging. To
grip a Brother openly where everyone can see is
completely unacceptable on a Black campus. I know that
White Brothers don’t teach this so I didn’t give a
handclasp at all. It was nothing personal and was
meant to defray the snickers we were already getting
from afar by at least trying to look like a real frat.
Again there was no one from outside of the frat. in
close proximity.
4) First of all I have never been to, nor do I have
any plans of or any particular interest in ever
attending a Howard Univ. Homecoming. Homecomings are
for people who went to that school! I expressed the
sentiment of some Zeta Phi alumni that I have talked
to who feel that the disconnect between the Alumni and
the reactivation group may cause an awkward situation
at Homecoming. These are their thoughts not mine.
Again, I’m trying to help young Mr. Darden because I
believe he’s in over his head and does not have the
knowledge of how Zeta Phi does things (and I don’t
mean hazing). This lack of adherence to well
established protocol is what may cause a scene; not
me! I have nothing to do with this sentiment and was
merely trying to give Mr. Darden and Mrs. Conover some
insight that they obviously were not aware of (a
fraternal “heads up”). I also stated that though this
was definitely new and different, we were very happy
and proud to see the good work these young Brothers
were trying to do. I went there to help not scold him.
I don’t think it is appropriate to have adversarial
and confrontational relationships with Brothers and
never intended to do so.
I hope that you find my response to these allegations
sufficient in that as a Life Member of what I consider
to be “The Greatest Fraternity in the World”, I would
never knowingly violate any policy or procedure. I
have never heard of nor am I familiar with the
fraternity Risk Management Policy or the Spirits and
Standards Committee but I seek to be a law abiding
Brother. I regret that my accusers felt that this was
the best way to resolve what I consider to be an
unremarkable situation that has been blown WAY out of
proportion. This entire exchange only lasted about 10
or 15 minutes. I arrived late and they were just about
to leave. Balanced against 25 years of trying to work
within the system, I feel that these few moments are
not salient. These concerns could have been resolved
so much more easily and I hope that you will share
with my accusers my most sincere regrets and apologies
for any misunderstanding that may have occurred as I
extend the same to you, our officers, and the
fraternity at large. Believe me, I will never try to
fraternize or work with Rashid Darden again, since it
makes him uncomfortable. This won’t be difficult
because Howard University’s reactivation is not the
top thing on my personal APO activities agenda. I hope
they told you about me giving a ride back to
Georgetown to their chapter President, Adam and the
great fun and fellowship and information exchange that
he, the Brother from Mu Gamma and I had. Until a few
weeks ago I thought we had a nice fraternal time on
this short day. Rashid sent an e-mail expressing his
concerns, I apologized, vowed never to return and (I
thought) that was the end of it. I don’t feel it
needed to go any further but I suppose there were
others who did. Again, I apologize sincerely to each
and every one of them.
The way we sing, dance, “step”, “stroll” and
fraternize is not wrong, harmful to the frat., nor
inferior, just different. We also do a lot of service.
We just finished a huge joint service project in
Atlanta where a consortium of Black Alumni
Associations came together from across this nation to
“be of service” to the community. This was one of the
biggest Red Cross Blood drives and homeless feeding
projects in Atlanta. During the service project, there
was much discussion of how we could work within the
system to save our heritage. These “old Black guys”
(myself included) are not interested in preserving or
talking about hazing. We would probably give ourselves
a hernia if we tried to swing some wood at our age. It
is a stereotypical myth that all we do is haze.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We were
talking about the rest of what and how we do (because
there is much more). It is your prerogative, as our
leaders, to ignore these dedicated men of service who
feel that their history and contributions are
constantly disrespected, if you so chose.
I received an E-mail while I was sitting here typing
this letter, from a Brother from Kappa Xi ’78 (Xavier
University) who told me that even though he is now a
very successful and prominent civic/political leader
in the city of New Orleans he can’t help but recall
how horribly he and his chapter were treated when he
attended the 1980 convention in Los Angeles. He was
responding to my urging him to get involved in APO
again, especially since we will be convening in his
hometown in December. He would bring prestige and
pride to the convention as a very distinguished APO
alumnus. He felt unwelcome at a convention of his own
fraternity, just as I felt in Philadelphia in 2000.
Bob Harris knew this. I believe this is why he, E.
Ross Foreman and others bent over backwards to
compensate for the racial insensitivity and
inhospitality that exists at these conventions. An
overwhelming majority of Black Brothers feel this cold
shoulder when attending sectional, regional and/or
National conventions. We talk about this consistent
lack of fraternal warmth and hospitality all the time.
To us it’s a fact of APO life. This is yet another
easily rectifiable issue which you may ignore if you
so chose. I’ve heard that Brother Patrick Burke told
our Brothers in Florida that Blacks have never
contributed anything to APO. Brother Stan Carpenter
said that “We will blow you out of the water”. Maybe
we should have a risk management policy against verbal
abuse to sincere Brothers by national officers. You
may also ignore the perception by many that there is a
conscience effort by some of our leadership to
disassociate the Fraternity from the beautiful (now)
55-year history of HBCU chapters in Alpha Phi Omega
National Service Fraternity, Inc. These may not be
your positions but since these perceptions definitely
exist I feel that it would serve us well to focus our
considerable talents, resolution skills and energies
on addressing these perceptions.
When the word of these allegations against me became
known within the Black A-Phi-Que circles, some
Brothers took the position that this was further
confirmation that they (our National Board) don’t
like, care about, or want us and that I shouldn’t
continue to waste my time trying to build bridges of
understanding in our Frat. Yet, I remain dedicated to
this cause, no matter what the outcome of this
inquisition. After my initiation, I voluntarily asked
to be branded. Our brands are more painful than most
because you have to get all three letters as opposed
to one “A” or “Que” (like other Black frats). I did
this to symbolize my lifelong commitment to
Leadership, Friendship, and Service and that includes
continuing to try to positively impact our beloved
fraternity. My good friend, Brother Roots also uses
the term “one Alpha Phi Omega”. I humbly and
respectfully disagree with the feasibility and
sensibility of this concept. The “APO vegetable soup”
would not taste as good if you pureed every ingredient
in a blender, made them into one paste and boiled it.
It’s the uniqueness of the carrots, celery, onions,
tomatoes etc., and the diversity that they bring to
the soup individually that causes one to enjoy the
taste. What we need is tolerance and respect for the
differences that we bring to the “APO soup”. My
beloved Regional Director, Brother Craig Muckle told
me that he hoped this situation would inspire
meaningful dialogue on the aforementioned topics. I
surely hope he is correct.
Fraternally Yours in Leadership, Friendship and
Service,
Bro. Joel Bryant (Omicron Upsilon ’77, Life Member)
Service Vice–President, Men of the Rising Sun at
Philadelphia, Alumni Association
Cc: Jamie Conover, Region III, Director
Lisa Covi
Mark Harrell, Executive Director, Men of the Rising
Sun at Philadelphia, Alumni Association Robert Harris,
Past Region V, Director
Maggie Katz, Membership and Extension Chair
Craig Muckle, Region II, Director
Dave O’Leary
Keith Roots, Alumni Relations
BE A LEADER, BE A FRIEND, BE OF SERVICE
>>>>>
From: "Robert London" <executive.director@apo.org> |
This is Spam | Add to Address Book
To: joelbryant2001@yahoo.com
Subject: Membership Status
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 16:53:03 -0600
November 1, 2002
Joel Bryant
2200 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Suite South 7
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130
Dear Mr. Bryant:
The National Board of Directors held a special meeting
on October 30, 2002 to review a report from the
National Spirit and Standards Committee and your
response to charges alleged against you. After
careful deliberation, the Board of Directors voted
unanimously to suspend your membership in Alpha Phi
Omega for violating the Fraternity’s Policies Against
Hazing and for interfering with an authorized
extension effort of the Fraternity. Under Article
III, Section 10, of the National Bylaws, this
suspension expires at the end of the next National
Convention, which in this case is December 30, 2002.
You are not to act in any capacity as a member of the
Fraternity, sponsor, or conduct any activities in the
name of Alpha Phi Omega during this time of
suspension. This includes not participating in any
activities or holding any positions or office at the
National, Chapter, or Alumni Association level.
If you abide by your suspension, on December 31, 2002
your status will return to an alumnus in good standing
with the Fraternity. Violations of any of the terms
of this suspension may constitute grounds for further
action by the Board of Directors as it deems
appropriate under the Bylaws and Policies of the
Fraternity.
Should you have any questions regarding your
membership status please let me know.
Sincerely,
Robert J. London
National Executive Director
Bob London
Executive Director
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity
Phone: 816 373-8667
Fax: 816 373-5975
bob.london@apo.org
www.apo.org
__________________________________________________
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