I recently read an article in the December issue of EBONY Magazine concerning the increase of all male Black schools in the US. If you did not read it I suggest you get a copy of the issue(the cast of the movie “Dream Girls” is on the cover). The article made me ponder where the Founders and Charter members would have liked to see Sigma at the 100 year point in our history.
While I truly believe they could not have imagined the growth Sigma has experienced over this time. I also strongly believe they would be deeply disappointed in what Sigma has become. They would be frustrated at our inability to take advantage of the resources at our disposal. These men opened a library and art museum to the public in the early 1900’s. How would you explain to these men that you had a brother in education’s highest position in the country and failed to take advantage of it? They would be disgusted at our utter silence on issues concerning our communities. These men proposed anti-lynching legislation at a time when voting, access to public facilities and other rights and privileges; we take for granted today, where not available to them. How would you explain to these men of our silence on every issue concerning our communities today? They would abhor our elected officers, their dirty politics and total lack of integrity while serving in those positions. How would you explain to these men the re-election of a national president after a large sum was taken from our treasury? These actions, due in part, to his neglect of duty? Then you would need to explain how this member was inducted into the DSC before the matter was fully investigated. They would be ashamed of the loss of the vision Sigma was founded upon and the total absence of brotherhood. They would be perplexed at the blatant destruction of our Constitution & By-Laws for the purpose of pushing the agenda of the “chosen few”. How would you explain to these men that the membership sat back and allowed this document to be manipulated in such a way? How would you explain to these men how the membership has been totally removed from the decision making process of this Fraternity? The Conclave model was chosen for a reason. They would be embarrassed at the way in which members carry themselves in public while representing Sigma. Take a look at the individual, chapter, conclave and conference photos from Sigma years ago and look at what we see today. How would you explain to these men the images we now see on flyers, chapter websites, personal pages, e-mail groups and the like?