Honestly, I had a hard time writing the last essay about my
Sorority being founded on Christian principles with a straight face. Moreover,
I had a hard time believing it the first time I heard such at the rush. Almost
every fraternity and sorority on campus made some claim to religious roots and
had accompanying rites expressing them.
Ironically, Greekdom is associated more with revelry, promiscuity,
drunkenness, licentiousness, gossip, elitism, in-fighting, materialism, and all
other manner of ungodliness than wholesomeness, benevolence, or morality.
A wide range of other organizations make the claim to
rootedness in Christ. Among them are Boy Scouts, Ku Klux Klan, the Tea Party,
Nazis, some prominent hospital systems, and major universities. Ironically,
discipleship is not what comes to mind first when thinking of any of these
entities.
Please allow me to set the record straight to keep lightning
from striking me dead. Theological
commitment is not a requirement of membership, just adherence to
closely-related ideals. Fortunately for me, their founding principles aligned
with the religious tradition in which I was raised. However, they did not stop
me one bit from raising all the hell I could from Spring 1989 until I found the
Lord some seven odd years later.
Quite frankly, they could have told me they were Satanic
baby-eaters and I would have still pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
They were cool, hard-partying, and esteemed highly in the dating pool. Those
are high priorities for a co-ed. There was plenty of time to get right with
one’s maker after graduation and entry into the real world.
I seem to have this recurring conversation with my Sorors and
fellow Greeks regarding what being founded on Christian principles really
means. We all know that religious affiliation is not a criterion for by the
quality of the membership. Nationl Panhellenic Council (NPHC) organizational
symbols, rituals, and traditions are actually a syncretic combination of
Judeo-Christian, Greco-Roman, and African culture. God knows we don’t always
act like we are God’s children. So why
did our Founders see fit to set it as our foundation?
The basic teachings of Jesus Christ can be found in writings
that preceded his earthly life. There is very little recorded that he said that
was unique to him. However, there are three distinguishing marks of
Christianity and it is only fitting that we consider them:
1.
Revolution.
2.
Regeneration
3.
Endurance of the movement
Let us consider these three points in the context of Delta
Sigma Theta. First, revolution set the stage for its founding. Developing
sisterhood of college-educated black women unaffiliated with any other
organization was quite a radical move on the part of our founders. To top it
off, they immediately inserted themselves into the forefront of the political
issues of the day, while committing themselves to social change, academic
excellence, and each other. The latter is the most significant because we are a
sisterhood first. When done right, the radical love ethic inherent to belonging
supercedes most natural relationships. Membership in NPHC organizations is
established not just for the duration of their collegiate years, but for a
lifetime (unlike their historically white counterparts).
Secondly, regeneration must occur seal the identity of those
who become members of a fraternal organization. Christianity offers the
opportunity for a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Because he lives we
have the opportunity to be born again.
Membership in a fraternity or sorority requires one to have a similar
experience. New initiates into Delta Sigma Theta are equipped with cardinal
virtues, oath, and rituals which embody our values. Sisterhood is the spirit that
empowers each member to adhere to the charge placed on her and guide her in her
life of service.
Finally, there is endurance. No other movement in history
compares to the rapid rise, sustained growth, permeance, and impact of
Christianity. Delta Sigma Theta just
celebrated its first century of existence. By the looks of things, she is not
going anywhere. It is very rare to see a fraternity or sorority cease. Delta is
now a sisterhood of more than 260,000 strong with over 900 chapters located in
the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. We carry the torch ignited
by our Founders to use our collective strength to:
·
promote academic excellence;
·
provide scholarships;
·
provide support to the under-served;
·
educate and stimulate participation in the
establishment of positive public policy;
·
highlight issues and provide solutions for
problems in their communities; and
·
use our collective strength to support one
another in our respective endeavors.
