Brother Garrick White, M.S.W.
Psi Chapter, Clark-Atlanta
University
I am writing to talk about "What it means to be a Sigma." Over the years , I have watched individuals join our organization to wear the letters. Wearing blue and white does not make you a Sigma. As I imagine what the Founders had in mind when they started this organization, liberation comes to mind. When I look at the credentials of those distinguished brothers that Ithat we boast about, I think liberation. However, when I take a look at what is going on across the country within blue and white, I think what happen to our vision and hope for our community, the Black community. Brothers and sisters, we are not alone in the situation that I am about to describe. Members of all greek letered organizations as well as other civic and community organizations are in the same situation. Too many people think like white people- "ME_ME_ME." Brothers and sisters, our organizations were not created for the sole purpose of boosting our individual ego. We are a collective people and we must be concerned for our people as well as work toward the liberation of our people like our founders had in mind.
You are probably asking, "what is the brother trying to say." I am trying to tell you that our thinking is off track when we talk about the purpose of our organizations. For example, how many people have actually consisdered engaging in a social action program to make a difference in the community? How many people try to educate the people around them about the importance of knowing not only your organizations history but the history of black people? How many people are working toward liberation our people financially by teaching the importance of self employment? The larger question that I want to ask is this; How many people understand the purpose of having national programs like education, social actions, and bigger and better business?
That is the question that I put to members throughout greek lettered organizations.
So many people want to say "I am a Sigma". That does not impress me at all and I do not think it impresses the founders who are probably rolling over in their grave. Brothers and sisters, we need to put more of an emphasis on community service, social action, education, and bigger and better business. I want to add that you must be a student of the organization which means you must study the importance of the organization after your process is over.
In conclusion, we need to take our representation of our organization more serious. It is not enough to step, party, drink, and enjoy the benefits that our wonderful organization has to offer-you have to put in the work for your community. I understand that some of you are culturally unaware of what is going on with our people but now is the time to become aware. Our children are dying while we party and have fun. Undergraduate intake is being snatched while we sit back and talk about what the older brothers are doing to undergraduates. The question is "What are you doing for yourself?" You have all the tools you need to be a leader and now is the time for you to step up to the table as a servant of Black people. Brothers and sisters, your ancestors, including the founders of our organization, are calling out to us. They are challenging us to pick up the torch to keep our community growing. Are we going to let our ancestors down? Are we going to continue to let the founders roll over in their grave saying"this is not what we intended to happen with the organization? I hope not.
Brothers and sisters, I have enough faith in you to know that you are going to take what I am saying and get to work. You are champions. You are winners. You are leaders of your people and I love you.
In honor of brother Kwame Nkrumah, let's go forth in the name of liberation for our community.
It takes a whole village to raise a child.
In loving spirit,
Brother Garrick White, M.S.W.