Archive for August, 2006

Great Giants – Slipping Away – Without Honor; Without Notice

For a number of years before his passing, Brother Francis L. Hall lived at the Carroll Manor Nursing Home in Washington, DC – about fifteen minutes from the front door of the Sigma Headquarters. Until his last days, Bro. Hall was fantastically lucid and full of wonderful stories. Once, when the Washington chapters celebrated his birthday at the nursing home, Bro. Hall was on stage – the center of attention – and enjoying every moment of his birthday celebration.

Bro. Hall was full of stories which he told with a dramatic flair – like the story of the time Founder Taylor came to town and asked Bro. Hall if he could come to dinner at his home. Younger members of Sigma need to understand that Founder Taylor’s request took place pre-integration and during the height of World War II when black folks had very few options. Black people could not stay in the downtown hotels and restaurants didn’t allow for our business.

With Founder Taylor’s request, Brother Hall was both honored and scared to death. Founder Taylor wanted to come to dinner and all Bro. Hall and his wife had available was a partially used book of ration stamps – about enough for a purchase of a couple of cans of Spam.

Bro. Hall described his great worry that feeding Spam to a Founder would forever cause him and his wife embarrassment. Fortunately, either Founder Taylor enjoyed the Spam or was very understanding and appreciative that the Halls had given him the very best that they had.

I only visited Bro. Hall a couple of times a year. Kevin Christian visited almost every Sunday that he was in town. Every now and then we were able to take some undergrads to see Brother Hall. Bro. Hall particularly loved to have undergrads visit him.

Over the years, I often asked our presidents to take the General Board to see Brother Hall when they met in Washington. Unfortunately, they were always too busy with international business.

A few weeks before his passing, Kevin shared with me that Bro. Hall had told him that it was clear that he was no longer needed. Kevin was completely devastated because he realized that Bro. Hall recognized that he, and perhaps his life’s work, was no longer appreciated. Bro. Hall never held high office, never was recommended to the DSC. He simply did what the Founders asked, and provided the methodology by which each new Sigma is trained.

Brother Hall passed away on January 20, 2006. To date, no Crescent Magazine has had time to give him a memorial. Maybe he doesn’t deserve a eulogy – since all he did was to co-author the Sigma Light.

Perhaps one day someone will place some flowers on his grave and lament his passing. That will be nice – late; but nice.

HQ Basement Historical Repository

I am sure many have seen this document and photos. It is sad what our elected officers try to hide from the Bros. This has been going on since the late 80’s. Tri-Sigma has offered to come down and clean up several times. The Board has always refused their offer.

However, they still wonder why we went to Kansas State University and why Bros. will not leave their collections with the Fraternity. They could care less about the history, but will throw the boxes of hitorical items on top of those in the photo.

“And our once beloved SIGMA has been reduced to a hustling whore selling little shiny pieces of recognition glass to niggas so desperate and so depraved that buying recognition is their only way of getting some. And it ain’t even about recognition, it’s a straight up money hustle, like a whore on a john…”

Pass this on to all Bros. on your e-mail list and discuss at next chapter meeting.

Brothers, I have been preaching it for years now, “TIME TO TAKE BACK THE FRATERNITY. WE OWE IT TO TAYLOR, MORSE AND BROWN.” Are you with me now???

Preserving our history

this email came across my inbox today

Salam Aleykum and Hotep Brothers:

I was totally moved and inspired by the experience at Kansas State University. Words can not describe the way it uplifted and rejuvenated my spirit. They truly rolled out the carpet and treated us like Nubian Kings. More great things will be uncovered from the KSU experience, which I hope will become the new Mecca of Sigma.

It’s unfortunate that the Kansas State Director, the other General Board Members, and our self-serving National President Paul Griffin tried to sabotage the Charles I. Brown Symposium. These individuals will never understand the importance of history, because they have never been taught and have missed the critical period of their development to learn history. Growing up as a child in Somalia, my family made sure I understood the importance of preserving my own family history.

Read more…

Sigma Pioneers in Veterinary Medicine – KSU

This should bring pride and tears to your eyes. The brothers in this slideshow, by Bro. Dr. Howard Erickson at Kansas State University, will show you that SIGMA MEN from the 1920’s at Delta Chapter, went on to become famous Veterinarians in their own right. A majority of our earlier brothers from Kansas State University started the Veterinary Science Programs at Tuskegee University. Another History fact! Enjoy and treasure your history. Had we not gone to Kansas State, we would have never known this. TREASURE YOUR HISTORY BROTHERS.

The slides with the Frat pin on them indicate that he was a fraternity brother…
ps. This slideshow is courtesy of Dr. Howard Erickson, Kansas State University, School of Veterinary Medicine

KSUCVM Alumni

Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni

This is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Most of these men started the Vet Programs at Tuskegee when they left KSU…

1921 picture: Perry and Jarmon, FRAT
1924 picture: Bronson and Williams, FRAT
1926 picture: Mobiley, FRAT
1927 picture: Howell, FRAT

These men were DVM in the 1920’s and got degrees at KSU, BLACK MEN AND SIGMA’S. This is just out of this world…..we need to tell this story, we really do….And although segregated, KSU PUT THESE OUTSTANDING BROTHERS IN THEIR PICTURES, THIS WAS THE 1920′S….wow..