Archive for the commitment Category

Commitment

Posted in AKA, commitment, Delta, family, Michelle Obama on 01/15/2009 by magnoliadiva

Commitment.

(NOTE: This was in my draft folder and was never published from July 2008 )

I received several emails, texts, etc., this morning about the potential membership acceptance of Michelle Obama into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. If she accepts, I say kudos to her. If not, life will go on. If she accepts, I hope that she can be committed to the organization and serve, as that is something that all members of all greek organizations lack in this day and time. Commitment.

I have the utmost respect for Mrs. Obama. She is a full-time working woman with a family to look after, too. Being a mother is a full-time job in itself (hats off to all of the working Moms out there……..love you!). ANY woman that can carry a full-time job and be a mother and be a wife, HATS OFF!

When I person is TRULY committed to something, I’ve usually seen a display of tact and class associated with it. We all understand that passion plays a large role with commitment, but how you CARRY yourself during these times is also a huge part.

For example, my Mom ALWAYS shows tact and class (unless she was angry with me…another story for another day). She is consistent in her speech and how she treats others. She is fair. No matter the skin color, age, pedigree, etc., she is by the book and consistent. My Dad, as silly as he may be at times, is the same way: class and dignity (unless he has a joke going with a crowd…..after that, give it up). They are both COMMITTED to exemplifying how one SHOULD carry themselves, knowing that at all times, they represent God, their family, organizations, etc. They are committed to improving their family and community and what is around them.

My Mom, sister, a few cousins and aunts are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I chose a different route. I sought membership, was accepted, after my 2nd try (first time via my undergrad institution and the second time via an alumnae chapter), pledged and made a commitment to another sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Why, as so many have asked, would I “break” tradition? It’s not about breaking tradition. It’s about how I want to serve the community and how I observed it to be served by various organizations. As for me and my character and how I wanted to serve, I liked how members of Delta were committed to serving the campus and communities they were located in. Not saying that others were not (please don’t go there). I just saw more consistency from members of Delta. Know that all of the Divine Nine are in this SERVICE commitment TOGETHER.

My parents and family showed me how to be COMMITTED to something through their service to their respective organizations and work (church, AKA, Kappa Alpha Psi, The Links, Jackson State, etc.). I look at how they were dedicated to serving, not for prestige and fame, but because it’s the fabric of who they are. That fabric continues to be woven with their children, grandchildren, students, and the lives that they touch. Their commitment exemplifies that we should all bring someone else (if not more) with us as we travel UPWARDS.

May I make a suggestion to everyone? Before you join something, check our commitment meter and look WHY we are looking to join certain organizations.

Whether we wear red, blue, green, or whatever, know what your calling is and SERVE, not look to be served. Stop haggling on past failures and issues. Move on knowing that you stand on the shoulders of many and it’s your job to pull other along with you who are lagging.

Marching: An Issue of Commitment and Follow-Through

Posted in Civil Rights, commitment, marching, NPHC on 07/16/2008 by magnoliadiva

The members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., are celebrating their Centennial international convention in Washington, DC, this week (CONGRATS, Ladies).

One of the events during their convention will be a Unity March where they are asking members from the NPHC (made up of the nine Black Greek fraternities and sororities) to march with them and link arms as a unified force and march to the Capitol. The march will send a “powerful message” to the outgoing administration and a declaration to the next U.S. president about important issues of their constituencies. (from http://www.civilrights.org/calendar/alpha-kappa-alpha.html).

Okay, please feel free to blast me now, but HOW is this going to send a message? This isn’t a personal attack on anyone or any orgainzation, but it is 2008 and am growing a little tired of the “Al and Jesse” mentality where we march on anything that happens now, with no follow-through. It seems like after the marches take place, that’s it. Nothing. All we can say is “we marched X-number strong”.

Sometimes, I feel as if, during this day and time, we are marching to be marching. In the 60s, we marched and it meant something and we followed through on issues to make sure they were handled and dealt with. Now, we have the “Jesse and Al” mentality and that we can march on everything and expect an outcome with no work. Yeap, I said it. Marching every time something goes wrong in the community isn’t going to solve ONE THING if people, of ALL RACES, don’t put forth the effort to make sure that the issues they are marching for are followed through. Follow-through must be done in order for change to happen.

Marches have , historically, been a symbol to show that something isn’t right (socially, morally, spiritually, etc.). BUT (I know you don’t start a sentence with BUT), the issues that people are marching for must be presented to the marching participants ahead of time (I haven’t seen the issues for this particular march listed in paragraph one, but please make me aware of them so that I can be corrected).

I guess I am saying all this to say that if people are going to march, identify what you are marching for and FOLLOW THROUGH on the issues you are marching on with those persons of power/influence who can make a change or make things happen. Get as much participation as you can by making the participants aware of the issues and have a next steps/action plan in place so that all can choose to participate and understand WHY they are marching.