_Anghellic_
Tia Mowry Bandwagon
http://financialjuneteenth.com/aka-eric-garner-protests/
Some people may accuse the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority of being overly representative of the black elite. But the sorority is diverse, with women from all socioeconomic backgrounds coming together for a common cause. The rich history of AKA is respected and envied around the world, so when the sorority has something to say, people are apt to listen.
Unfortunately, the black elite are often accused of detaching themselves from issues and incidents that are considered overly controversial, anti-establishment or simply “beneath” their social class. Eric Garner and Michael Brown, two black men from the streets who’ve been killed by police, might be in this category.
A Georgia chapter of AKA found itself under heavy criticism for going overboard to ensure that the organization distances itself from the Eric Garner protests occurring nationwide. Despite the fact that millions of people of all backgrounds are engaged in what has shaped into the civil rights movement of this generation, the chapter put a message on its facebook page warning its members not to wear AKA paraphernalia while being involved in the protests.
The message is below, and you can give us your take on whether or not you think it goes overboard. It doesn’t appear that the person who wrote the message is telling anyone what to do. Instead, they are simply making “suggestions.”
Of course, this is just one chapter and not reflective of the entire organization. Also, millions of black women are marching for justice on behalf of Garner and all of the other African Americans under siege by local police departments around the nation. But the message is a chilling reminder of the divide that might remain between the black elite and black people who are being marginalized economically and politically.
Another point. It’s interesting that the chapter’s message is warning its members not to speak on behalf of the organization, when the chapter itself appears to be doing the same thing. Did the national office ask them to put out this message, or is this something they did on their own?
Finally, one would have to ask which sorts of efforts and initiatives would be appropriate to associate with the brand of Alpha Kappa Alpha? A march for breast cancer awareness? A fight against human trafficking? Would they lend their logo to a corporate brand, but not to the cause of poor black people being killed by the police? If not, then why not?
Further, why would members be policed on what they wear to the protest on behalf of Eric Garner and not be policed on other issues? Are chapters being warned not to wear AKA gear to hunger drives, health awareness events or other charitable causes? Some might find it to be a bit disconcerting that a large and distinguished organization would distance itself from one of the most important black causes over the last 50 years.
We’ll try to find the answer to this question.
Financial Juneteenth lessons from this story:
1) Many black greek letter organizations depend heavily on white corporate money in order to pay the bills for expensive offices, fancy galas, scholarships, etc. The hesitation of some members of the black elite to participate in the marches and rallies in cities across America reflects the challenge of achieving equality while living in fear of biting the hands that feed you. It’s clear that whoever put up this status is concerned with the AKA brand being associated with “criminal” behavior, even if it’s for a just cause (it’s difficult to imagine an AKA being arrested for burning down a building or shooting a police officer).
2) The overdependence of African American institutions on corporate America serves as a strategic vulnerability in our collective quest for justice. The vast majority of brilliant and capable black doctors, lawyers and business professionals often find themselves locked into crippling silence in the face of severe injustice, in large part because they have inadvertently traded their personal civil liberties for the chance to have a nice house and a fancy car. This is unfortunate. Be careful about what you sell to corporate America, because you might end up selling out entirely.
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Disappointing to see a black Greek organization c00n it up, but this is the "Lightskin girl Sorority" correct? They're usually the baddest bytches on campus though I won't lie.
Some people may accuse the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority of being overly representative of the black elite. But the sorority is diverse, with women from all socioeconomic backgrounds coming together for a common cause. The rich history of AKA is respected and envied around the world, so when the sorority has something to say, people are apt to listen.
Unfortunately, the black elite are often accused of detaching themselves from issues and incidents that are considered overly controversial, anti-establishment or simply “beneath” their social class. Eric Garner and Michael Brown, two black men from the streets who’ve been killed by police, might be in this category.
A Georgia chapter of AKA found itself under heavy criticism for going overboard to ensure that the organization distances itself from the Eric Garner protests occurring nationwide. Despite the fact that millions of people of all backgrounds are engaged in what has shaped into the civil rights movement of this generation, the chapter put a message on its facebook page warning its members not to wear AKA paraphernalia while being involved in the protests.
The message is below, and you can give us your take on whether or not you think it goes overboard. It doesn’t appear that the person who wrote the message is telling anyone what to do. Instead, they are simply making “suggestions.”
Of course, this is just one chapter and not reflective of the entire organization. Also, millions of black women are marching for justice on behalf of Garner and all of the other African Americans under siege by local police departments around the nation. But the message is a chilling reminder of the divide that might remain between the black elite and black people who are being marginalized economically and politically.
Another point. It’s interesting that the chapter’s message is warning its members not to speak on behalf of the organization, when the chapter itself appears to be doing the same thing. Did the national office ask them to put out this message, or is this something they did on their own?
Finally, one would have to ask which sorts of efforts and initiatives would be appropriate to associate with the brand of Alpha Kappa Alpha? A march for breast cancer awareness? A fight against human trafficking? Would they lend their logo to a corporate brand, but not to the cause of poor black people being killed by the police? If not, then why not?
Further, why would members be policed on what they wear to the protest on behalf of Eric Garner and not be policed on other issues? Are chapters being warned not to wear AKA gear to hunger drives, health awareness events or other charitable causes? Some might find it to be a bit disconcerting that a large and distinguished organization would distance itself from one of the most important black causes over the last 50 years.
We’ll try to find the answer to this question.
Financial Juneteenth lessons from this story:
1) Many black greek letter organizations depend heavily on white corporate money in order to pay the bills for expensive offices, fancy galas, scholarships, etc. The hesitation of some members of the black elite to participate in the marches and rallies in cities across America reflects the challenge of achieving equality while living in fear of biting the hands that feed you. It’s clear that whoever put up this status is concerned with the AKA brand being associated with “criminal” behavior, even if it’s for a just cause (it’s difficult to imagine an AKA being arrested for burning down a building or shooting a police officer).
2) The overdependence of African American institutions on corporate America serves as a strategic vulnerability in our collective quest for justice. The vast majority of brilliant and capable black doctors, lawyers and business professionals often find themselves locked into crippling silence in the face of severe injustice, in large part because they have inadvertently traded their personal civil liberties for the chance to have a nice house and a fancy car. This is unfortunate. Be careful about what you sell to corporate America, because you might end up selling out entirely.
----------------------------------------------
Disappointing to see a black Greek organization c00n it up, but this is the "Lightskin girl Sorority" correct? They're usually the baddest bytches on campus though I won't lie.
