A small group insisted that the fraternity was not measuring arms with its possibilities. They would have the fraternity examine itself...Some goal must be established or Alpha Phi Alpha would end only in making pleasure the summum bonum of fraternity life. This small group of thinkers became the leaven that ultimately leavened the whole.
- The History of Alpha Phi Alpha, pg. 101
Alpha Phi Alpha was founded "in order to promote a more perfect union among College men," yet we see far more activity amongst the graduate brothers than those on the undergraduate level. Our very history is subtitled: "A Development in College Life," yet we are largely disconnected from college campuses, college aged men and those who are college-bound. What is our Supreme Aim?
It is time for a "new leaven." And as defined, leaven is “an influence that produces a gradual change.” The goal of this blog is to promote that gradual change.
So many are disgruntled. So many are inactive. Did anyone of us pursue initiation in order to become inactive? Did any of us go through the process not hoping to make contributions that express our love for all mankind? Why then should any of us allow our Dear Fraternity to become a place where those who gave themselves to a worthy cause no longer feel as though they have anything in common with the organization?
It is time for a “new leaven.”
Brother General President Dickson told us to “Think Alpha Phi Alpha, talk Alpha Phi Alpha, promote Alpha Phi Alpha, and labor for the broad principles of idealism for which Alpha Phi Alpha was created, so that humanity shall look on us as a body worthwhile.”
Does humanity look on us as a body worthwhile? Do the communities within our local Chapter jurisdictions consider us to be a body worthwhile? Do the non-Alphas within the Collegiate communities of our Nation view Alpha Phi Alpha as a body worthwhile? With any of them, is Alpha Phi Alpha the first of all organizations to come to mind as being a source of upliftment for our communities? In a time when the NAACP is honored as the “oldest Civil Rights organization,” can we as men of Alpha Phi Alpha be satisfied?
It is time for a “new leaven.”
Truly, our beloved A Phi A has contributed much to society. I cannot begin to imagine where the United States of America would be as a country had it not been for the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha and the Brothers called to serve amongst her ranks. Yet as Jewel Brother Callis said, “Still we await and must be mindful of the past only as an inspiration, not as a sufficiency in itself.”
Yes, we have been blessed to have “100 Years of Leadership and Service.” But, what are we as a Fraternity doing to put our mark on this present age and inspire subsequent generations of college men to answer the call to “Manly Deeds, Scholarship and Love for All Mankind?”
It is time for a “new leaven.”
With racial disparity run amuck, should we of the Talented Tenth become bogged down throwing parties and events? Should we relish in our own personal sense of arrival? Should we be satisfied that we were able to remain unbowed by the bludgeoning of chance when others are forced to watch the things they gave their life to broken, lacking the ability to build them up with their worn out tools?
Truly, as Brother Roscoe C. Giles stated, “We must arouse the slumbering giant, Ethiopia.” When focused, our Fraternity was able to provide leadership for many facets of the Civil Rights Movement. Don’t you agree that if we urge each other to adhere “to the ideals of the fraternity” and emphasize a commitment to combatting racial disparity that Alpha Phi Alpha would have dramatic impact?
As the Obama Campaign would say, “Yes we can!”
It’s is time for a “new leaven,” and the true Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha will answer the clarion call.
Always onward...ever upward...I dedicated this to you!
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