Warning!!!

A little over 30 years ago, our Jewel Henry Arthur Callis sat down to write an article entitled "Another Ten Years- The 60's" in which he states:

"Alpha Phi Alpha is now expendable. We are no longer necessary for the advancement of human rights in this decade. Indeed, I am not certain we are prepared for the responsibilities of this period. Our interests have become too narrow. Dances and cocktail parties replace discussion of current problems and active participation in community and regional affairs.

In this decade, the level and quality of our education lags still. Some of our schools will close. Those that survive must raise the standards to approach the merit of similar institutions. Our students in this decade must face their futures well-prepared, confident, unabashed and expecting no quarter. In the Space Age they must be exceptional. Their predecessors, our graduate brothers, in far too great a number, have become successful, self-centered and flamboyant. It is time that Alpha Phi Alpha renounce its froth and bring alive the principles on which it was founded or relinquish its claim to leadership."

As I sat back and pondered on this while looking around me, I must admit that I am deeply saddened. My burden is that my heart will always remain heavy because I desire to lead, do God's work, and uplift our people everywhere. That is one of the many reasons why I became and Alpha man. I remember during those times when I thought to myself that "I may not be able to do this." At that very moment, I looked to God and I prayed. I prayed that if HE brings us through this that I will return and glorify HIM with every breath in my body through service and anything that I can give. God has kept HIS side of the bargain. However, I am reminded that there is so much work to be done. At first, I was eager and optimistic and was ready to just go!! Today I found myself tired and it saddens me to admit that WE are not living up to the standard nor are we increasing the standard. I look to Brothers who are now more interested in the latest trend to party in rather than the latest issue to service in and I become sad. I look around and see that we have more unactive brothers than active brothers in Alpha who won't pay their dues and I become sad. I look out and I see all the bickering and the fighting and the pettiness and I become sad. I look out amongst us and I evaluate the content and the quality of knowledge passed around and I become sad. Today, I sat for the first time in a very long time and just reflected on our Founders. I thought for the longest and the only question that went through my mind was "WHAT HAVE WE DONE?" Are we becoming expendable? Are our principles nothing but a fantasy and a PR statement at best? Are we holding our own Brothers to the standard that we hold our Jewels too? We are suppose to be for the better making of men! I understand that within my writing this that I will face persecution in some form, but I don't care. Why? Because Alpha is supposed to be composed of leaders and not followers!! As leaders we must constantly be the ones to step out into the darkness with the light that God gives us to shine with the faith of knowing that we are either going to step out on something firm to stand on or learn how to fly. So as leaders we must be always ready to make that step and go where others fear to go. Why must we take in members who are of questionable quality? WHY?! Are numbers that important? Why do we go back into the darkness after seeing the light? God has a plan... no an assignment for us all. And in that assignment we give our lives to glorify HIM. So what are we doing to glorify HIS name? I take this back to GOD because HE is the originator and through HIS grace we survive still. I encourage every brother to look within himself as be honest enough to answer these very questions, "Do I belong? Am I holding up to my part? Am I raising the standard or simply abiding by it?" Nowadays it takes more than to sit back and make claims of being the first or having such a prestigious history. We have to keep moving forward. We are behind! We need to make change!! Are we helping our people or contributing to the downfall of our people? It is time that we sacrifice the nice suits, parties, and the groupies for the sake of striving towards our assignments. We should not be lost in this much vanity and hype of this world. Pledging and crossing is not a big of an accomplishment as we make it seem. Especially if you don't know anything or you can't contribute to the world with the knowledge that you've gained. If not, then you are just a serial number on the roll sheet at HQ. I swear that if I meet another Brother who is not on his knowledge and does not understand the purpose, objectives, or respect and dedicate himself to understanding the history GRAD or UNDERGRAD it's going to be a SERIOUS PROBLEM!!!

Study to show thyself approved!

That's my warning... If you not on yours I will see you.

No more skating, ducking, dodging, or lying.

Time has come for change.

Real BRUHS stand up and stop turning a blind eye from our issues. Now is the time that we do something. If you standing with me, then let me know because I'm ready.

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO AID IN AND INSIST UPON THE PERSONAL PROGRESS OF OUR MEMBERS, FURTHER BROTHERLY LOVE AND A FRATERNAL SPIRIT!!

“The chief significance of Alpha Phi Alpha lies in its purpose to stimulate, develop, and cement and intelligent, trained leadership in the unending fight for freedom, equality, and fraternity. Our task is endless. Our activity is limited only by our courage and our capacities. Our field is the world of social institutions. The history of American college fraternities is part of our background, not our horizon.” -Jewel Henry Arthur Callis (1941)