Torch Magazine September 1994

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September 1994 Washington, D.C.

In college days, the season of Fall, with its requisite September classes, always brought change from the summer job and the summer’s hot doldrums. And even though the speed of life is now fast, and the years gone by are sometimes great— the season still brings, like the color of the leaves, afeeling of change and reconfiguration. In that spirit, the Mu Lambda Torch has gone through ametamorphosis.

The Mu Lambda Torch has changed to reflect the growing di¬ versity of opinion in the chapter, and to more effectively reach out to all brothers.

To accomplish this goal, this newsletter will expand its coverage to encompass sections for poetiy, general editorial, and world events.

1hus, the Torch strongly encour¬ ages that all brothers submit articles on anything that they think is news¬ worthy or impacts on the brother¬ hood of Mu Lambda. Brothers should give special attention to lending their intellectual and cre¬ ative gifts by submitting poetry and editorial comment. Submissions of personal current events or accom¬ plishments to the Ticker Tape will also be greatly appreciated.

‘Servants of AH” in the Nation's Capitol Since 1923.

The newsletter is are fl ection of the chapter— therefore, all should participate by lending their voices in writing by the 15th of the month preceding the month in which you want your work published. Please send material to Bro. Jeffrey ICimbrough, 2001 North Adams Street, Apartment 507, Arlington, Virgima 22201.

Let’s make the Torch our bea¬ con— ashining the light for all of the rest of the fraternity to see.

President’s

Message

Welcome backi It seems as if last week we were hold¬ ing our June meeting at the Howard University Blackburn Center. Two years ago, when Iwas elected President of Mu Lambda chapter, Ipromised the Brotherhood that Iwould focus on four themes: 1) Membership Reclamation, 2) Community Service Develop¬ ment, 3) H.A. Callis expan¬ sion and development, 4) ac¬ quiring achapter house. Af¬ ter two years, our success has been extraordinary, al¬ though there is there is much work left to be done.

Let me tell you what we ac-

Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice: Take every man's censurOj but reserve thy Judgment” ● Shakespeare It complished. We are now the largest chapter in the Frater¬ nity. We have implemented a successful community ser¬ vice committee, and we have developed aMu Lambda See Message page 2

Henry A. Callis

George B. Kelley

Charles H. Chapman

Nathaniel A. Murray

Robert H. Ogle Vertner W. Tandy

1st Annual Golf Tournament Success !

On Saturday, July 16, 1994, Mu Lambda Chapter had its First Annual Golf Invitational. This event was held on the same day and at the same place as the Alpha Picnic at Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C. The weather was very hot, reaching into the nineties, but the golfers persevered the elements and fi nished 18 holes in or around noon.

Afterwards, the longest putt and longest drive contests were held, and trophies were

then awarded.

At the conclusion of the event, with the Alpha picnic being held only fifty yards from the Invitational, each golfer had easy access to atable for conversation and grilled chicken and picnic fixings for the palate. Agood day was had by all.

Eighteen golfers participated in the tournament. Each participant was given aT-shirt, and several won trophies.

The winning team was

Page 2 comprised of Craig Campell, Jackson Gust, III, and Bro. Dean Burrell. The longest drive winner was Dr. Phil Cummings.

The Chairpersons for this event were Bros. Michael Brown, Ed Norwood, and Alan Wiley. The proceeds from the tournament have been remitted to the Mu Lambda Foundation.

If you you wish to support this event to insure that next’s year’s golf tournament is even better funded— T-shirts from the tournament will be sold at the next chapter meeting for $10.00.

President’s Message Day Program, and an Eastern Regional Vice-Presidential De¬ bate. Bro. McDonald will have large shoes to fill from past Pro¬ gram Chairs.

Foundation which expands our outreach beyond the scope of giving scholarships.

In the next year, we will have new Corporate Presidents of the HA Callis Fund and the Housing Corporation that will hopefully move these entities forward. Quite simply, Iam committed to all the parts of Mu Lambda working well and working together.

For the 1994-1995 fraternal year, Iam excited about sev¬ eral new initiatives and the continued development of cur¬ rent programs. Bro. James McDonald, who will chair the Program committee, will pro¬ pose new programs such as a “Mu Lambda Charter Day Recognition," the expansion of the Public Policy/Towne Meet¬ ing to aEastern Region Pro¬ gram; ajoint DC Founders’

In addition to anew program¬ matic thrust, we will continue to monitor and improve existing programs— including the In¬ take Program. As you know, the Intake program for 1995 should be apoint for rededica¬ tion and renewal of all brothers.

Also, regular chapter meetings will be revamped with an eye toward reducing meeting time and increasing more time for fellowship.

Finally, in terms of communi¬ cation, you will notice anew newsletter structure set up by Torch Editor, Bro. Jeffrey Kim¬ brough. In addition, thanks to the vision of Bro. Wayne Williams, the Torch and chap¬ ter correspondence will now be sent out via aU.S. Post Of fi ce

“Postage Paid” stamp number which eliminates the need for stamps. This should be more cost ef fi cient and lead to the faster delivery of the newslet¬ ter. Also, Bro. Williams imple¬ mented atelephone hotline: (703) 764-2223 that will pro¬ vide updated information on ail Mu Lambda activities including regular activities, executive board meetings, committee ac¬ tivities, and Omega services.

And in the exceptional case where you need to speak to me personally, reel free to call me at my home phone office number (202) 588-5647 or my fax number (202) 588-5647.

Once again, welcome back! Ilook forward to your energy, vision, and enthusiasm as we embark on anew fraternal year. See you on Thursday, September 8, 1994 on the campus of Howard University.

3

Proposed Meeting

Agenda

9/8/94 at 7:30-9:30 PM

Howard University

A.J. Blackburn Center

I. Call to Order

II. Fraternal Prayer

in. Installation of 1994-1995

O

icers

IV. Reports

1) Recording Secretary/Minutes

2) Financial Secretary

3) Treasurer

1) Overview of 1994-1995

Thomas A. Ducken fi eld and Gilbert Douglas were elected to the Board of Directors for the Washington Bar Association... A1 Pearson bought anew home on 3605 Spring Terrace, Temple Hills, MD. 20748... Condolences to Sam Thornton of the loss of first his cousin... Bill McCall was recently elected Secretary of Re¬ demption Lodge, Prince Hall Af¬ filiated... Alan and Carla Wiley re¬ cently purchased anew home on June 2, 1994 at 2975 Fort Baker Drive, S.E. Wash., D.C. ...Condolences to Wayne K. Williams, Jr. on the loss of his younger brother; Robert Brown ni has been accepted into the

Ph.D program in Sociology at Howard University; Kevin Mon¬ roe, arecent Beta initiate, was ac¬ cepted in Howard University School of Law... Jay Augustine, a recent Beta initiate, was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia... Gregory Barnes is on leave from the Department of Labor to work with the U.S. Senatorial campaign of Alan Wheat of Missouri...

James T. Speight mrecently moved to North Carolina... Fred C. Harris, former Mu Lambda member, recently received his Ph.D in Political Science from Northwestern University in Illi¬ nois; he has accepted aposition with the Department of Political Science at Rochester University...

2) Introduction of Committee Chairs America

3) 1997 General Convention

4) Sick and Distress

VI. special Reports

1) Convention Report

2) Chapter Constitution Amendments

VU.Committee Reports

1) Program

2) Community Service

3) Membership Reclamation

4) Public Policy

5) Social (Happy Hours)

VIII. Recognition of Visitors/ For the Good of the Order 50/50 Raf fl e

VIIII. Adjournment

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, Stealing my breath of life, 1will confess Ilove this cultured hell that tests my youth! Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate. Her bigness sweeps my being like aflood.

Yet as arebel fronts aking in astate, Istand within her walls with not ashed

Of terror, malice, not ajeer. Darkly 1gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand. Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

Claude McKay, 1922

4

Administration Proposes Constitutional Changes

brother can sit on during asingle fraternal year. This proposed change will allow abrother to sit on

As a fi nancial brother, it is the above referenced Torch.

Remember the chapter had decided

In the May 1994 Torch, the the past immediate President of the no more than two Board of Director Chapter, under the guidance of chapter, the Intake class president, positions during asingle fraternal President Brother Clinton Jones and and an at-large position. If there is year. This change was proposed in Parliamentarian Melvin White, no past immediate President who is response to the need to allow the published the full text of proposed willing to accept the position or if greatest participation of the entire changes to the Mu Lambda Chapter there has been no past Intake class, brotherhood on ail of the respective constitution. Since it would be both of those positions will convert boards, impossible to enumerate all of the into at-large positions, proposed changes here, please see The second proposed changewillnecessary that you cometothe redefine the Historian’s position and September 8, 1994 meeting tovote Abasic synopsis ofthe changes are role, and will create an archivist on the proposed changes, as follows. The first proposed position, change will expand the Executive The third proposed changewillto put off this vote once in June. Committee by three members, restrict the number of Mu Lambda It is time to act. Vote! These will include the inclusion of Board of Director positions that a

Barry Runs

D.C. politics in the 1980’s is now actively campaigning against it.

Bro. Barry contends that he is Former Mayor of the District of campaigning against Pratt-Dkon’s Columbia, present D.C. Council- inability to rally the D.C. man for Ward 8, and abrother of government and her Administration Mu Lambda Chapter, Marion Barry to act to solve many of the is running toward the September District’s problems. Bro. Bany D.C. Democratic Primary leading in blames the lack of touch that the D.C. government has with its He is running agrass roots citizens on the perceived aloofhess campaign from the grass roots— of the Pratt-Dixon Administration. Ward 8. Barry fi’om his precipice Bro. Barry states that the D.C. in the Southeast has become the government budget shortfall is leading advocate on the City related to the present Counsel of what his Ward Administration’s inability to reflects: scarring stolid privation, control city costs, the economic neglect by the Reagan Whether or not you agree with and the Bush Administrations, Bro. Barry, the bottom line is that indefeasible internecine violence, on September 13, 1994— we all AIDS, joblessness, and hopelessness.

Dues are now being accepted for the 1995 year. Checks made out to Mu Lambda should be sent to Financial Secretary Julius Brice, 1429 Webster St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017 or to the chapter addi cSs. the polls.

$170.00 $122.00 $122.00 $95.00 $85.00 Alumni Graduate Student 2nd Yr. out of college Life Member 1st Yr. out of college the drug epidemic, must vote our con.^cience and save our beloved city and our nation’s Please add a$10.00 late fee if mailed after November 10,1994.

Strangely enough, Bro. Barry, acapital with good leadership, man who represented status quo in

womticwj

An examination of the Clinton Administration’s present policy for sea bound Caribbean refugees from Cuba and Haiti is aglaring example of how political clout and racial discrimination can be used to liberate one group of people and subjugate another group.

For the Cuban refugee found at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard— the day of freedom has come.

The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 grants refugee status to any Cuban who can make it to the United States, and, until aweek and ahalf ago, the Immigration and Naturalization Service granted asylum to Cubans found at sea as though they have actually reached the U.S. shore.

Under the Cuban Adjustment Act, Cubans seeking entry do not have

Of political oppression to qualify for political asylum.

On August 19,1994, as apart of

its ever vacillating Immigration policy, the Clinton Administration announced that Cuban refugees found by the Coast Guard drifting in the sea will be taken to the marine base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba until the Government can figure out how to prepare the

Cuban refugees for permanent entry. Last week, the Admin¬ istration announced that it is willing to increase the amount of Cubans it will admit under present immigration L'jws to 28,000— almost quadrupling the amount who can presently enter if Cuban President Fidel Castro is wiling to stem the mass exodus.

By contrast, Haitian refugees found at sea by the Coast Guard are either promptly returned to Port-Au>Prince, Haiti or are taken to Guantanamo Bay where they, unlike the Cubans must prove that they are politically endangered to qualify for political asylum.

What explains the difference in treatment? First, the CubanAmerican conimunUy is economically and politically strong and they are necessary for the Administration to win Florida in the next presidential election. The Haitian-American community has no such clout. Second, the Haitians are black and U.S. foreign policy has always been slow to respond to crisis among blacks. Lastly, Black Americans are unwilling to spend political capital to save their brothers.

The resultis that —15,000 Haitians who are unlikely to ever gain entry into the U.S. and can not return home—will become permanent prisoners at our jail in Guantanamo Bay.

Summer Calendar

September 8

ing, 7:00-9:30 P.M., Armour J. Blackburn Center Restaurant, Howard University.

September 9Fraternity Social Happy Hour, time and place to be announced.

Monthly Meet- October 6 and Eastern Regional/ Mu Lambda Public Policy Towne Meeting, 7:30-9:00 P.M., time and place to be announced. Monthly Meeting PLEASE CALL CHAPTER HOTLINE- (703) 764-2223 FOR ALL UPDATED CALENDAR INFORMATION 24 HOURS ADAY

October 11

Fraternity Social Happy Hour, time and place to be announced.

September 15

General Presi-

dent’s Reception in honor of the Congressional Black Caucus Leg¬ islative Weekend. 6:00 to 8:00

P.M., Sheraton Washington, Maryland Suite, 2660 Woodley Road, N.W. Wash., D.C.

6404 Mu Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, inc.

P.O. Bex 1993

D.C. 20C-13

Bro. Rudolph Harris 4407 16th Str NW Washington DC 20011