Black Identity: What's Your Appropriate Level Of Blackness?

BLACK! BLACK Greek Lettered Organizations (BGLO’s), Historically BLACK Colleges & Universities (HBCU’s), 100 BLACK Men, Inc., National BLACK Nurses Association! All of these organizations seem to be great organizations that have a few things in common. The obvious is that they are all historically black organizations serving predominately and historically Black Americans, contemporarily referred to as African Americans.

These “Black” organizations were all founded under the precepts of uplifting the African American race in an era in our country when access for African Americans was limited. These organizations provide a network of familiar faces to African American. However, recently, these organizations have been battling the label of being organizations that reverse discriminate. Also, most of these organizations have been known, historically, to have to do more with less. This means that most of these organizations operate on a small fraction of a budget than their white counterparts.

Because of these characteristics of these black institutions and organizations, some including African Americans, deem these organizations as being “less”. Some believe that they would receive a less valued education if they attend and graduate from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) vs. a Predominately White Institution. I hear some people also say that a black student attending a PWI should stir away from joining black organization to avoid a stigma. There are also some African Americans that suggest that being too entrenched in the “black” culture could hurt the resume. This negative stigma comes from the idea that being stigmatized as being “too black” also gives the impression that one exclusive or racist themselves.

The question that individuals have to ask themselves is “What is my bias and does black identity show up in that bias anywhere?”

Twitter Debate: Black Greeks' Barbaric Behaviors at 2011 Atlanta Greek Picnic - How Should These Behaviors Be Addressed?

I'm a new user of twitter. (@TRAVISLMARTIN)

I once stated that twitter did not make any sense to me. However, what I didn't know, is that I can have current events in the palm of my hand and coming to my mobile device right as it's happening. This phenomenom drew me into starting a twitter account. On this morning, I woke up to a number of tweets concerning behaviors of greeks, particularly those who are member of the organization in which I hold membership to and esteem so greatly. Tweets came from fellow members as well as the General (National) President calling out the behavior of these greek organizations. I saw one fellow member of my organization rebuke the comments of the General President so we ended up in a friendly and brotherly debate below. Please give your opinion this...



TheGoodTK TK
@sdunlap21 @theanalyzer0226 bruhs got red tear drops, "Bloody Delta Gamma Chapter" and trading, can be homage to the past #NotThatSeriosSkip

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK @sdunlap21 @theanalyzer0226 I totally disagree with this paying homage to the past. This is not our past!

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin it's a stretch, but it's lots of attention at a picnic for college kids, what's next house parties it's #NotThatSeriousSkip

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Just as u wouldn't want family/kids doin crazy stuff, we need bros who feel the same way about his fraternity. #CallASpadeASpade

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin I agree but it's bigger issues than this picnic. 9 days away from "THE EVENT". Don't tweet bad press

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK There ARE bigger issues! So, instead of rippin Skip 4 calling dem out, rip bros who are acting ignorant! They are the "bad press"

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK It wasn't bad press when wood was swinin out in middle of thousands of pple but it is when called out on twitter. #seriously

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Bro's throw out the "bad press" card when it's convenient or when it helps 2 protect their interests.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin multiple tweets about a group of bruhs, in letters, at a Greek event. Versus addressing it and not tweetin about it.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin how do you confirm that the US president is coming in on tweet, and 10 tweets about "bloody" on nailia and trading with wood.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin was it only ALPHAS trading, was it sphinxmen trading? Or grown men who are at least active, doing service, and having fun?

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK It doesn't matter who it was! NE Greek, whether active or inactive should not behave in public like that in letters! #nonsense

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK If Bro's want 2 act out OUTSIDE of order of d org, they should be called out OUTSIDE. That's my stance.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin there will always be issues when it comes to bruhs in our frat. In our history book the jewels didn't like the beta chapter.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin they were doing things they didnt agree with, didn't like the activities and colors, but brothers interpret things differntl

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK U make statement about jewels not liking beta. Wow Where are you getting your history young brother?

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK ...and even if they did, does that make it right? There is an order n evry org & Alpha expects mem not to act as such.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin I get my history from the only book every brother is given.

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK If a bro don't like what org represent, then they shouldn't have joined in 1st place...or change it the correct way. Get involved

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK I understand ur point about keeping stuff in house but those bros were out of order.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin and they were, but the house of alpha is a house for a reason, we dont need outsiders reading, watching, instigating.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin I'm not arguing on ht happened, any competent person knows that was wrong including those involved. But more people found...

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin out because of his tweets, and are speeding rumors, lies, and misinformation, because hte attention he brought to it.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin at one point they said it was bruhs from my great state NC, acting like gangs and fighting and trading when that wasn't true

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin Travis to Travis I understand your point. But I don't like the attention brought into the matter. I feel tweets made it worse

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK I don't think tweets made it worse. It was already worse when actions of such was taken. Pple will always gossip & lie anyway.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin and I respect your opinion. But when you publicly criticize the actions of a few, the effects are never good.

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin no matter the situation, approach brothers behind closed doors, the Jewels wouldn't tweet that. They would not use the public

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin everyone with a title wants to add their 2cents "oh I felt disrespected too" so what, handle it off twitter and carry on!

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Well u just said that things should be handled in house but u just quoted history that YOU said is published in a history book.

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK The History book is a published book for ANYONE to read. Now does that make the Charles Wesley wrong for publishing that?

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin Charles Westley the 8th jewel? I got that wrong on my test then

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin bottom line is I agree with what 99% of alphas agree with, but he shouldn't have even tweeted on the subject!

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin were doing big things under Pres. Mason, everyone is looking for flaws. Don't give their fire fuel, it's #NotThatSeriousSkip

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK What are you talking about the 8th jewel? Huh!? Don't stray away from the question. Does that make Wesley wrong?

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin He is historian, not a president! He's not the head of our organization. He isnt in the wrong. Our discussion now isn't wrong

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Ok Brother Travis. I will agree to disagree my bro. I'm done. Great debate though. #goodwill

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin As the president, most recognizable brother alive, and most importantly a leader you don't publically criticize or exasperate

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK LOL...had 2 response 2 last tweet. It doesnt matter if you're natl prez or a neophyte. EVERYONE should be held to same standard

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin I agree brother *follows* I'm still a young man, with a lot to learn. I understand your point, and respectfully disagree

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin I just feel like as a leader public reprimands, and criticizing isn't a good look. NEVER IN PUBLIC, OR WORSE ON TWITTER

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Pres Obama must and always do PUBLICLY condemn certain actions by citizens and that should b no different when it comes to Skip

TheGoodTK TK
@travislmartin Obama answers and leads the public, Alpha Phi Alpha isn't the public, but a close & private bond between brothers.

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Ok. Agree. But when things get outside of the house like behaviors this weekend, then the leader must speak on it.

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Alpha Phi Alpha is a priv and close bond between brothers but we're also a public organization/business

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK Again, good debate bro. Take care & enjoy the rest of your evening. Hope to meet ya someday.

TheGoodTK TK
This is why I love APHIA a discussion with a good brother @travislmartin we didnt end up agreeing but we both see where were coming from

TheGoodTK TK
and @travislmartin didn't throw out age, pay grades, or titles a good debate. THANK YOU BROTHER onward an upward always!

travislmartin Travis Martin
@TheGoodTK "@travislmartin didnt throw out age, pay grade, r titles a good debate. THANK YOU BROTHER" >>Dat's what it's about. #brotherhood