During the twentieth century, black Greek-Letter organizations (BGLOs) united college students dedicated to excellence, fostered kinship, and uplifted African Americans. Members of these organizations include remarkable and influential individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, novelist Toni Morrison, and Wall Street pioneer Reginald F. Lewis. Despite the profound influence of these groups, many now question the continuing relevance of BGLOs, arguing that their golden age has passed. Partly because of their perceived link to hip-hop culture, black fraternities and sororities have been unfairly reduced to a media stereotype -- a world of hazing without any real substance. The general public knows very little about BGLOs, and surprisingly the members themselves often do not have a thorough understanding of their history and culture or of the issues currently facing their organizations. To foster a greater engagement with the history and contributions of BGLOs, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun brings together an impressive group of authors to explore the contributions and continuing possibilities of BGLOs and their members. Editor Gregory S. Parks and the contributing authors provide historical context for the development of BGLOs, exploring their service activities as well as their relationships with other prominent African American institutions. The book examines BGLOs' responses to a number of contemporary issues, including non-black membership, homosexuality within BGLOs, and the perception of BGLOs as educated gangs. As illustrated by the organized response of BGLO members to the racial injustice they observed in Jena, Louisiana, these organizations still have a vital mission. Both internally and externally, BGLOs struggle to forge a relevant identity for the new century. Internally, these groups wrestle with many issues, including hazing, homophobia, petty intergroup competition, and the difficulty of bridging the divide between college and alumni members. Externally, BGLOs face the challenge of rededicating themselves to their communities and leading an aggressive campaign against modern forms of racism, sexism, and other types of fear-driven behavior. By embracing the history of these organizations and exploring their continuing viability and relevance, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century demonstrates that BGLOs can create a positive and enduring future and that their most important work lies ahead.
Show moreDuring the twentieth century, black Greek-Letter organizations (BGLOs) united college students dedicated to excellence, fostered kinship, and uplifted African Americans. Members of these organizations include remarkable and influential individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, novelist Toni Morrison, and Wall Street pioneer Reginald F. Lewis. Despite the profound influence of these groups, many now question the continuing relevance of BGLOs, arguing that their golden age has passed. Partly because of their perceived link to hip-hop culture, black fraternities and sororities have been unfairly reduced to a media stereotype -- a world of hazing without any real substance. The general public knows very little about BGLOs, and surprisingly the members themselves often do not have a thorough understanding of their history and culture or of the issues currently facing their organizations. To foster a greater engagement with the history and contributions of BGLOs, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun brings together an impressive group of authors to explore the contributions and continuing possibilities of BGLOs and their members. Editor Gregory S. Parks and the contributing authors provide historical context for the development of BGLOs, exploring their service activities as well as their relationships with other prominent African American institutions. The book examines BGLOs' responses to a number of contemporary issues, including non-black membership, homosexuality within BGLOs, and the perception of BGLOs as educated gangs. As illustrated by the organized response of BGLO members to the racial injustice they observed in Jena, Louisiana, these organizations still have a vital mission. Both internally and externally, BGLOs struggle to forge a relevant identity for the new century. Internally, these groups wrestle with many issues, including hazing, homophobia, petty intergroup competition, and the difficulty of bridging the divide between college and alumni members. Externally, BGLOs face the challenge of rededicating themselves to their communities and leading an aggressive campaign against modern forms of racism, sexism, and other types of fear-driven behavior. By embracing the history of these organizations and exploring their continuing viability and relevance, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century demonstrates that BGLOs can create a positive and enduring future and that their most important work lies ahead.
Show moreGregory S. Parks is coeditor of African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. A life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he received his PhD in psychology from the University of Kentucky and is a JD candidate at Cornell Law School.
A must read for anyone interested in the future of BGLOs,
generally, or their own!"" - Sylvia Cyrus-Albritton, Executive
Director, Association for the Study of African American Life and
History
""A masterpiece of multidisciplinary scholarship that clearly
demonstrates the contemporary relevance of black fraternities and
sororities by critically examining their remarkable history and
thoroughly analyzing their present-day problems."" - Hasan Kwame
Jeffries, Ohio State University
""Comprehensive and thorough in its scholarship, Black Greek Letter
Organizations in the Twenty-first Century tackles many challenging
issues, such as feminism, sexual orientation, racial integration,
eating disorders, and organizational behavior. It will spark much
discussion and future research on the organizations. It is a must
read for members of BGLOs, prospective members, the general public,
and especially for student service personnel."" - Robert L. Harris,
Jr., coeditor of The Columbia Guide to African American History
since 1939
""As recently as fifteen years ago, the body of critical
scholarship on Black Greek Letter Organizations was negligible. And
yet at various points in history, these organizations have played
seminal roles in the African American freedom struggle. Now, with
the appearance of Black Greek-letter Organizations in the
Twenty-first Century, Gregory S. Parks and other contributors have
stepped into this breach with an ambitious collection of essays.""
- Kenneth R. Janken, author of Rayford W. Logan and the Dilemma of
the African-American Intellectual
""An insightful collection of scholarship that examines the role of
BGLOs in the twenty-first century. While the story of BGLOs begins
with a response to American racism and a mission of activism, this
book reminds us that there is much more to know about this rich
tradition. Moving beyond familiar discussions around hazing and
stepping, the contributors to this volume treat BGLOs as a complex
sociological project. From Black womanism to homosexuality, eating
disorders to Black Greeks as 'educated gangs,' this scholarship
works to carefully deconstruct one of this nation's most compelling
cultural entities."" - Robin Coleman, editor of Say It Loud!
African American Audiences, Media, and Identity
""In the history of American fraternal orders and college
fraternities, African American contributions have long been
overlooked. Dr. Parks has successfully organized a distinguished
group of scholars and writers who have created a book that fills
this oversight. Black Greek Letter Organizations in the
Twenty-First Century makes a significant contribution by providing
a one-volume overview of the entire history of BGLOs in the 21st
century. The interpretation and information of this book should be
required reading for all interested in American fraternity."" -
Mark A. Tabbert, author of American Freemasons: Three Centuries of
Building Communities
""Gregory Parks' latest contribution to the documentation and
analysis of historically black fraternities and sororities should
be celebrated and widely read. The impact of these groups on
African American and mainstream American life in the 20th century
must be understood. And Black Greek Letter Organizations in the
Twenty-First Century will offer considerable insight into their
unique histories, challenges and modern-day issues."" - C. Brian
Williams, Founder and Executive Director, Step Afrika!
""This work is incisive as to the actions Black Greek-letter
Organization's research can examine; scholarship is a critical need
in our community and has a chance to be achieved with some guidance
and inspiration from our groups. We commend the writers for their
in depth comments and thoughts and for a retelling of the history
of these important groups."" - Cornell Leverette Moore, Grand Sire
Archon Sigma Pi Phi
""Makes a desperately needed contribution to the current literature
on BGLOs. In assembling an impressive range of scholars, research
methodologies, and disciplinary frameworks, Gregory Parks has given
this under-researched topic the level of critical attention that it
deserves. In particular, the contributors reject purely romantic or
cynical postures in favor of theoretically sophisticated and
personally informed investigations into the contours, complexities,
and contradictions of BGLOs. This volume will stand as a central
text for anyone interested in the rich legacy and vibrant future of
Black sororities and fraternities."" - Marc Lamont Hill, author of
Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop, Pedagogy, and Youth
Identities
""As a fraternity man, I thought there was little left for me to
learn about the Greek experience. This book proved me terribly
wrong. It's a must-read, must-have, and the most comprehensive
examination of Black Greek culture in print today."" - Derek
Fordjour, Artist/Producer
""This book is an essential piece of scholarship for anyone who
wants to better understand the history, challenges and triumphs of
middle and upper-class African Americans in the early 1900s and
beyond. Frank in its delivery and candid to a fault, no topic is
too sensitive for exploration. This book will leave you with a
renewed appreciation of African American culture."" - Cheli
English-Figaro, Esq., Cofounder and President Emerita, Mocha Moms,
Inc.
"" Black Greek Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century is
a remarkably well-crafted and thoroughly researched, collective
history of BGLOs and their impact on the African American culture
and community."" - African American Literary Review & News
""This book offers research, theoretical perspectives, and
practical models that can be used to examine BGLOs, influence
future scholarship and practice, and bring greater awareness and
knowledge to student affairs and BGLO leaders."" - Lori D. Patton
and Natasha Croom, Journal of College Student Development
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