From the Desk of Herman "Skip" Mason hmason1906@aol.com Iota Chapter, Spring 82(Morris Brown College/Atlanta, Georgia) Eta Lambda Chapter since 1984 Historian, Pastor, Author, Entrepreneur and Lecturer

  Vol. 1. No. 24 - Tuesday, May 25, 1999
Circulation-2,000+

JEWEL OGLE'S GRAVE LOCATED
BY BROTHERS OF BETA CHAPTER
By Skip Mason

Back in February of this year, at the District Convention for Maryland, Delaware and Washington in Dover, Delaware, I had the opportunity to speak at the Fraternal luncheon and share my journey into the lives and philosophies of the Jewels. In that message, I stated that it would be a great project for the chapters in DC to locate the  gravesite of Jewel Ogle. Well, someone heard my plea. A month ago Brother Antonio Barnes(Beta 1995, now a member of Mu Lambda Chapter in DC) expressed interest in the idea as a project for Beta Chapter. A week ago, he emailed me and asked me for the name of the cemetery where Jewel Ogle was buried. I received notice that this weekend they located the gravesite on Saturday the 22nd. It has no headstone or any other markings. I look forward to calling his daughter and granddaughter and share the news with them. My brothers, you look forward to future updates with regards to the chapter plans to erect a headstone and give our Jewel a proper dedication. Only an act of God could keep me from being there.
 
THE DISTINGUISHED 
Rev. Edward Ulysses Anderson Brooks, 
ALPHA'S SECOND HONORARY MEMBER

By Skip Mason

Alpha Phi Alpha  no longer inducts Honorary brothers. There was a time in the 
fraternity's history when each chapter was allowed to induct honorary brothers. From our founding to the 1930s, some of the country's most prominent and distinguished men were made Honorary and Exalted Honorary members of the fraternity and embraced the vision of the founders. We have already discussed Alpha's most noted honorary member W.E.B DuBois. 

Why did the members of Alpha chapter deem it necessary to add to is rank men 
under the status of honorary?  It began back on April 26, 1907 when George 
Fletcher was inducted as Alpha's first honorary member. The following year  
in 1908 and the q Edward Ulysses Anderson Brooks selected as Alpha's second 
honorary member on February 29, 1908, ( a leap year day)? Why were they both 
selected. Fletcher, was a former law student a the University of Michigan and 
had shown "much interest"  and encouraged the organization.  Wesley further 
states in the "History of Alpha Phi Alpha," that Brooks "was a graduate of 
the Law School and in charge of a church at Auburn, New York." Additional 
research by this writer has uncovered that Brooks was born in Elmira, New 
York in 1872. Elmira was about 30 minutes from Ithaca.  He pastored numerous 
churches in and around the Ithaca area including Lttle Falls, Utica, Waverly 
and others. Brooks was a prominent Free Mason. He assisted in enumerating the 
1900 census for that area. Jewel Ogle in a letter dated 1927, told Wesley that "Dr. Brooks had graduated in the Cornell University Law School Class of 1901 and was in charge of a parish in Auburn, New York." Ogle replied "I am not to familiar with the incidents. I can assure you that it was simply a matter of sentiment in 
recognizing Dr. Brooks as an earlier graduate of the University. Jewel Kelley and  Brooks were long time friends having deep ties with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Of course Kelley's grandfather and great Uncle were pillars of the AMEZ denomination.   Brooks,  with his  horn rimmed glasses was tall, distinguished, handsome and had what brothers would call today a neat afro. I recently discovered a photo of Brooks while researching the history of the AMEZion Church. Look for his picture in the book "The Talented Tenth" After a vote on May 15, 1909, ALpha chapter made the decision not to admit honorary members for awhile.

Some other noted Honorary Members

Professor George Cook, Dean at Howard University
Dean Kelly Miller, Howard University
Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.(the father of the Congressman)
Dr. Joseph Edom Jones, Professor at Virginia Union, (father of Jewel Eugene 
Kinckle Jones)
Emmett Scott, Former Secretary of Booker T. Washington/Secretary of War
Jesse Binga, Founder of Binga State Bank in Chicago
Alonzo Franklin Herndon, Founder of Atlanta Life Insurance Company
Dr. George Cleveland Hall, Chicago Physician
Hubert Horatio Humphrey. Vice President of the United States

COMING UP ON THURSDAY: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LEMUEL GRAVES, ONE OF ALPHA'S FIRST THREE INITIATES? A DIVINE MEETING WITH A BROTHER LINKED ME TO HIS FAMILY.

SKIP, ARE YOU STILL NATIONAL ARCHIVIST OF THE FRATERNITY?

All right for the last time, this is it. Many of you have emailed me asked if I am still the National Archivist or that you heard the rumor that I was not. Let me put that rumor to rest. On April 16, I received a letter from the General President relieving me of my duties as Archivist. It was an appointed position with no budget. I acknowledge the receipt of the letter and wish the General President well.  No I was not asked to serve on the Historical Committee also, though I submitted my material. Now that is it. Life goes on and so does Skip. Does that change my love for this fraternity's history? Not one IOTA. Will I do like some brothers, get mad and become inactive or stop going to frat meeting or conventions? NO. I am an Alpha for life, no position 
can alter that. Will I be in Dallas? If it is the Lord's will, I plan to attend.  Hope to see you there. In fact, it has only strengthen my love for it. Thanks for your emails of  support. In situations like this one,  I am reminded of the fact that "What God has for me, it is for me!"  When I was searching for the light (in the Spring of 1982) as all Sphinxmen must do, I recall one of the lines of the poem IF. It certainly applies to me today. "If you can trust yourself when other men doubt you, but make allowance for 
their doubting too..." Rudyard Kipling. Now enough on that. 

FROM THE LIPS OF A JEWEL
"We deemed it essential that such a fellowship of Negroes of training and culture emphasize unity, in order that they might best serve the needs of large masses of people, hungry for leadership and in need of honest, altruistic guidance.
Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy, 1939

FROM THE LIPS OF A PAST GENERAL PRESIDENT
It behooves us to continually reflect upon the past as we attempt to chart a 
future of greater service."
General President James R. Williams, 1978

SKIP'S FAVORITE QUOTE
"We will walk on our feet, work with our hands, speak with our minds, and exhaust every our very capacity to make...Alpha Phi Apha such that her sublime work shall be a wall of defense and a wreath of joy for its officers and members,

Brother Thomas G. Morris
Iota Chapter, 1923
 

SKIP'S SCRIPTURAL QUOTE

"But exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another."
Psalm 75:6-7
 

FROM THE PAN HELLENIC ARCHIVES
~A PHI A ~~  A K A  ~~  D S T ~~ K A Psi ~~ I O Theta~~Q Psi Phi ~~S G Rho ~~ Phi Beta Sigma ~~ Z Phi B ~~

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD: A SENIOR DELTA SOROR SHARES
By Skip Mason

I had an opportunity several years ago to interview a sixty plus year member of Delta Sigma Theta. She is deceased now,  but at that time in 1989, she shared some interesting things with me. (Don't panic Delta girls) she did not tell me your secrets though I could have charmed her into doing it. She absolutely adored me and loved her some Alpha. She had been married to brother. (SMILE.)  This lady of Delta Sigma Theta was initiated into Sigma Chapter at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University). She was a phenomenal women and she talked about her pledge period "way back in the early 1930s, a few years after the chapter was founded when the pledgees were called  Barbarians (perhaps a later name after Pyramid, like Sphinxman to Ape...) 

As pledges or Barbarians, she told me that they had to learn six poems by Langston Hughes, learn the names of the honorary members of the sorority, read the book "The New Negro" By Alaine Locke(a popular Harlem Renaissance writer). She shared that they had to wear a blouse which was called a "middy," a skirt and ribbon. They were  not allowed to talk to anyone. She emphasized the word anyone. No smiling, no laughter or grinning. Special emphasis were placed on their punctuality, passing in work, obeying orders, submissiveness, and willingness to comply to demands along with general attitude and behavior.  She laughed because one of her big sisters would remind them often that "All that glitters is not Gold." They had to address their Big Sisters as "Most Worthy Superiors.

Brace yourself brothers, she even mentioned they had to have a paddle about 1 inch thick and 12 inches long. I will leave that alone. Finally, they had to spend a 1/2 hour each day in meditation concerning Delta Sigma Theta. 

SKIP'S PASSING THOUGHT:
When is the last time we brothers of Alpha have spent some time in meditation on Alpha Phi Alpha and asked God how we can best served this organization and fulfill his wishes too at the same time?

THE LETTERS FROM THE BROTHERS KEEP COMING. HERE ARE A FEW:

AFTER THE READING THE ISSUE ON DUBOIS, THE MAYOR OF DETROIT TOOK TIME TO WRITE ME:

"I just got back from Ghana last night, having gone at the invitation of President Clinton to be apart of the delegation he sent to the 5th African-African American Summit. While there I visited the W.E,B. Du Bois Museum. It was a real moving and enlightening experience. I was once again reminded of his enormous contribution and what a strong brother he was during his life. His work continues on till this day and yes, beyond."

Brother Dennis Archer

Skip's Note- I have asked Brother Archer and a few other "noted" brothers to 
share with me some thoughts for an upcoming article titled "College Days Swiftly Pass..."

BROTHER NEEDS YOUR HELP IN IDENTIFYING ALPHA PRO FOOTBALL PLAYERS ACTIVE AND RETIRED

Bro. Mason,

Bro. brent gilmore suggested I contact you in reference to the following query I have about members of alpha phi alpha fraternity, inc., who currently play in or are retired from the NFL. It's for a piece I'm doing for the general convention issue of 'the sphinx.'

any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
robt. frelow (rfrelow@howard.edu)
manager of media relations

Would you forward me or cc me names of players so that I might compile a list.
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WARM LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT:

Brother Mason, it would be a pleasure to collaborate with you on some of my fraternal writings.  With respect to your battle with the national organization,  their is a sickness within us as a people.   Many of our elders show little regard for our gifted youth.  They unquestionable argue that age is the only acceptable variable to define a historian.

With this in mind I ask you to remember what happened when Jesus responded "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."   It was those same elders who thought they caught Jesus contradicting himself regarding the adulterous woman--- that were the first to leave.    Some of the elders in the frat should be like those elders of old and remove themselves from their old positions to allow the fresh and energized minds to rise to their rightful positions. They must understand that one day the student complete his training and begin his practice.

If you ask me, it is separation anxiety.
Bro. GW

Brother Mason,

As always, I enjoy your historical moments.  I have two comments/suggestions.  First, RUN FOR HISTORIAN!!  You know, our history book is supposed to be done every seven years.  However, it's been much longer than that since the latest issue came out.  I think it should include some of what you have been writing.  I think it can/should be supplemented with other works, like your columns and your book.  We ought to compile as much history as we can AND distribute it!!  Everything that
we consider great today is great because we learned about it by reading its HISTORY!  Our ancestors in Kemet are great not only because of the great civilization they created, but because they left DOCUMENTATION so that we, thousands of years later, could study it and (try to) understand. It's like one's family.  One feels proud and connected after years of hearing family stories and secrets.  With your insight, you instill in me a more complete family like atmosphere.  We are able to see the "humanness" of our founders and not just read about the facts surrounding our fraternity's development.

Bro. Mason,

As far as the frat beaurocracy is concerned, don't let it get you down.  I'm sure you'd have the support of the brothers on your list.  As far as profit is concerned, if you were allowed to do it for the frat, the frat could profit, too!  I guess the prez was too power hungry

Bro. S. W. E.
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ZETA PI (University of Georgia) FOUNDER SHARES

I am always interested in your History. It is so very informative and everyone is talking about the new knowledge they have gained. Thanks for sharing this !!! 
Peace My Brother,
Bro. Morgan 

P.S.  I attended the 30th Reunion in Athens (Zeta Pi) this weekend. It really  went well. I presented the chapter with an update on some History and also a  framed
Alpha Sweater of mine from 1969. I think they were really touched.  I still my ask for your input regarding some additional history for the Chapter. I also understand that you were in Athens earlier in the week for a presentation about Greekdom. 
 

Brother Mason,

Outstanding. That only begins to sum up the job you've been doing. I really enjoy learning more and more about our rich history. As the new initiate at Nu Mu, I am seeking avenues of enlightenment. Thanks again, and keep the knowledge flowing. Also, I was interested in ordering your new book.

Brother Keith L. Lee
Spr 99: L.M.S.
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A BROTHER FROM GERMANY NEEDS OUR DAILY PRAYERS:

Hello Skip,
 I saw the light a Florida Memorial College and it was there where I crossed the burning sands of Alpha Phi Alpha. I am stationed in Germany in the Air Force. I would like added to your mailing list. You don't know me, but I ask that you please pray lift my name up in your daily prayer. Thank you and have a nice day.

SSgt Norvel "B" Brown
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FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAII:

Brother Mason, I have been traveling constantly and unable to read your daily insights until today. They have filled me with the love of the fraternity and an eagerness to read more. Your writing style and the content of the letters are extremely interesting and insightful. Thank you for including me in your e-mails. I look forward to more.....and the book. Take Care my brother! 
John Mims, Hawaii
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Brother Mason,

Outstanding. That only begins to sum up the job you've been doing. I really enjoy learning more and more about our rich history. As the new initiate at Nu Mu, I am seeking avenues of enlightenment. Thanks again, and keep the knowledge flowing. Also, I was interested in ordering your new book.

Brother Keith L. Lee
Spr 99: L.M.S.
************************************************
DID DUBOIS'S LOVE FOR ALPHA WANE IN LATER YEARS:

Skip:

 You should recall the fraternity's abandonment of DuBois during the Cold War.  DuBois' connection to the fraternity turned radicalism (he was a socialist and was on
trial for his political ideas in the late 1950s during the McCarthy scare). It was an anathema to many in the fraternity, including fraternity leaders. In Dusk to Dawn, DuBois discusses how he was abandoned--like Paul Robeson--by his fraternity brothers. Now, DuBois' reference could have been to the Boule. However, we know that at the same time the fraternity--like most of the black elite--distanced themselves from Paul Roberson who was also a socialist (and suspected communists). In Robeson's biography by Martin Duberman it is clear that Alpha Phi Alpha was not tolerate of brothers whose ideas fell outside of mainstream American thought. Only brothers like E. Franklin Frazier, who was also marginal to and critical of fraternity life in general, supported the likes of DuBois and Robeson.

Fred Harris

Skip's Note-Brother Dr. Fred Harris is an outstanding scholar at the University of Rochester and an old and dear friend.  Fred reminds me often not to sugarcoat Alpha. He says that I love the fraternity too muchto be to critical of it. Not true.  I told Fred that I am simply trying to "Find the Good and Praise It." Thanks for sharing Fred , there are two sides to every story. 
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BOOK ORDER FORM:
THE TALENTED TENTH:
THE FOUNDERS AND 30 GENERAL PRESIDENTS
OF  Alpha
By Skip Mason
Foreword by Brother Andrew Young
 

Dust Jacket comments from:
Brother Lenny Wilkens, Coach, Atlanta Hawks,
Brother Maynard Jackson, former Mayor of Atlanta
Brother Dennis Kimbro, author of "Think and Grow Rich" and "What Makes the 
Great Great?
Brother Dr. Thomas W. Cole, President, Clark Atlanta University

Published by Four G's Press, c. 1999
Winter Haven,  Florida
240+ pages; 23 cm, 100+ photographs
ISBN#- - Applied
$25.00 (soft back)
$32.50 (hard back)    
To be released in June '99
ORDER FORM, PLEASE PRINT, FILL OUT AND MAIL .
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Skip's Historical Moments is a bi weekly newsletter used to dialogue and discuss issues of historical importance to men of Alpha.  This newsletter is sent to over 2,000 brothers.  If every brother would send this to ten brothers this communication would reach a network of  20,000 or more. If you don't want to forward, please forward to me email addresses and I will add them  to the list. The list is growing by leaps and bounds. Send your Questions, queries, comments to hmason1906@aol.com 

Advanced apologies to you if you are receiving each issue more than once. Some names appear twice on the email distribution list.

DISCLAIMER:  THIS PAGE IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION. ALL COMMENTS ARE THOSE OF THE EDITOR. SOURCES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. APOLOGIES IN ADVANCED FOR ANY SPELLING ERRORS.