[23277] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] Pre-Convention Greetings to my Brothers
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Mark Allen Stratton)
Thu Dec 12 12:51:37 2002
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 12:50:36 -0500
Reply-To: Mark Allen Stratton <mark_stratton@yahoo.com>
From: Mark Allen Stratton <mark_stratton@yahoo.com>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Brothers,
I have been reading this discussion with much interest, but over the course,
I find that there are some comments that I personally feel a need to respond
to (and at the outset, let me say I am only speaking for myself).
Brother Ken Hunter wrote:
> They choose not to wear letters, nor promote themselves as anything more
than a collegiate service organization.
Frankly, my belief is that one exhibits the fraternal spirit in word and
deed, not in the wearing of greek-lettered apparel. Certainly, wearing
letters is ONE way to display a sense of pride in our Fraternity, but it
isn't the only way, nor do I think it is the "best" way. I'd much prefer
that we display our Fraternal spirit through activities that exemplify the
practice of our Three Cardinal Principles.
> There is a deeply-religious element that I admire (having spent some time
around TSU and Fisk in Nashville...),
Again, I don't know what a "deeply-relgious element" has do with a Fraternal
spirit (beyond what our Ritual says). I, for one, am a person of sincere
faith and worship, but I generally do not openly display it because it is a
PERSONAL and PRIVATE matter for me. I do not think we can judge one's
committment to Alpha Phi Omega simply through a "religious element". Again,
I believe the exercise of the Three Cardinal Principles is a BETTER guide to
ascertain one's belief and support of our Fraternal principles.
> So long as those changes that are made with respect to the realities of
our time are addressed and included, chapters should still be
> encouraged to maintain and promote their traditions.
And when those chapters or groups don't respect the "realities of our time",
what then? And this isn't just an issue for A-Phi-Que chapters or groups;
it's an issue for ALL of our chapters and groups.
While we must and should do a better job at educating ALL of our members
about the Spirit of Fraternalism, I believe there is a way to do that which
is consistent with the view of our Founder. To me, though, that way does
NOT include a number of practices that some of our chapter or groups have
undertaken in the past. I don't care if those activities are tradition, and
I don't care of those chapters/groups are HBCUs, A-Phi-Que, Co-Ed, Single
Gender (on single gender campuses), Single-Gender (on co-ed campuses) or
what: Chapters and groups either observe and uphold the Fraternity policy
(which ideally exists for the betterment and advancement of the Fraternity
as a whole), or something has to be done.
Our Fraternity policies are designed (ideally) to strengthen the NATIONAL
organization. As a benefit, some are written in such a way as to give
Chapter's and groups great flexibility in meeting the requirements of those
policies. We are a group where CLEARLY (in my mind) the "whole is greater
than the sum of its parts".
Just my thoughts for today. I had really not wanted to enter this debate,
but after reading some of the comments this morning, I felt compelled to
respond.
I hope to see many of you in New Orleans!
Fraternally,
Mark
