Are black sororities and fraternities still culturally relevant?

Since the inception of Sigma Pi Phi, or Boulé, in 1904, by a group of Philadelphia lawyers, pharmacists and physicians, black achievers have sought fellowship with like-minded souls. The desire for acceptance and recognition, in the midst of racial discrimination and denial of civil rights, drew black men, then women, to such organizations, where they found a safe haven to discuss and implement aspirations for themselves and their communities.

Shared goals of community service, scholastic acheivement and cultural preservation continue to attract both collegiate and professional movers and shakers to historically black fraternities and sororities all over the United States.
The predominately black Greek-letter organizations founded by collegiate students are often referred to as the Divine Nine and make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. In order of founding, they are:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 1906, Cornell University

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 1908, Howard University

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, 1911, Indiana University

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 1911, Howard University

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 1913, Howard University (of which the author is a proud and active member, as is her family tradition)

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 1914, Howard University

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 1920, Howard University

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, 1922, Butler University

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, 1963, Morgan State University

Each organization can boast of many famous and acclaimed members within its ranks. Each organization has contributed much to the communities they serve through scholarships, leadership development, social action and philanthropic endeavors. Unfortunately, each organization can also lay claim to its share of shameful activities, including thuggish campus hazing, elitist membership selection practices (i.e. selecting or refusing membership on the basis of skin color or hair texture), and misuse of organization funds for personal gain.

The recent charges of misappropriation of funds leveled by some sorority members against the national president of Alpha Kappa Alpha for, among other things, the commissioning of a $900,000 wax figure of herself (www.suntimes.com/business/1690163,CST-NWS-aka29.article), serve as a basis for self-reflection for all members of the Divine Nine. There, but for the grace of God, goes any of our leadership, without the due diligence of rank and file members.

Our abilities to effectively network socially are, indeed, still intact. However; are we still achieving the goal of giving back to the community? Have we continued to make a difference in the lives of black Americans, both privileged and not so much? Are the dues-paying members of these organizations supporting the causes to which they have pledged, or merely filling inappropriate coffers?

Perhaps the questions are best posed to individual frat brothers and sorority sisters. Are you merely wearing your t-shirt to the picnic or are you working in the trenches? Have you demonstrated the significance of your organization to a young person by your actions, or are you satisfied to just sport the colors and symbols? Are you writing a check or writing policy? Are you participating in social action, or just socializing? When was the last time you attended plenary sessions at your regional or national conferences and contributed to the budgetary discussions? Would you just rather complain about what they decided in your absence? Did you review your organization's national platform or did you merely peruse the vendors’ hall for new paraphernalia?

Perhaps the question should not be whether or not black fraternities and sororities are still culturally relevant, but should be….are you still a relevant member of your fraternity or sorority? What have you done lately to make your founders proud?