Happy Founders Day Zeta Phi Beta 2009: Keeping it Honest

"Black Women will make the revolution"~Eldridge Cleaver

On the current cover of Ebony magazine there is a truly beautiful picture of President and Mrs. Obama with the title "Real Love". It is the kind of picture that in a few months if not already will be sold in picture frames; definitely in years to come it will sit among the classics. I will admit it made me stop and take pause about how I viewed love and life in the paradigm of politics in war. There was nothing political about this picture. It was truly Black love at its finest.

However, that moment didn't last long as I remembered that President Obama, as brilliant and wonderful as he is, is truly a product of Chicago politics and has the potential to be as crocked as the letter S.I wondered how he stayed out of all of the scandals plaguing Illinois politicians. How can a man with boundless ambition not get caught up with (at least anything we can prove) the likes of Bobby Rush, Crazy Rod, King Richie the III, Tony Rezko, and the rest of the colorful cast that occupies the Chicago landscape. It really seemed like that he might be the second coming. It seemed frigging impossible to me.

Then it hit me as I looked at Michelle Obama. She’s the reason. She has kept him honest and grounded. She, being the quintessential Black Woman, was not and is not going to have her family, race, or legacy tainted by her husband’s shenanigans. She is Southside born and raised; she knows the Chicago hustle and knows she got to keep Mr. President out of the nonsense, and I isn’t mad at her. Truth be told that is what makes the Black Love dichotomy so beautiful, the fact that our queens make us men when we sometimes forget how to be men.

So it’s on that note let me say:

HAPPY FOUNDER’S DAY TO THE

LADIES OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INC.

89 years in the game, 89 years of keeping men of Sigma honest. Yeah, I said and I believe it. I’ve seen it first hand in my time in the Blue and White family, it is the Sorors through good times and bad times that keep the men of Sigma honest. From admonishments to handle our business or that kind warning about a man interested in the MAB, yall are often the voice of reason in the family, the ones who make us take a second look, even when we try to close our eyes. I wonder how many times did Arizona keep Charles honest, or how many times the lovely five keep the wonderful three honest. I’m sure it was more times than any of will ever know. I’m sure like Michelle Obama, they had to help temper their ambitions with honesty.

Personally, and I find this to be no surprise with the except of three women, all the women in my life who make sure that Terrance the man does not become Terrance the Prime Minister or some Chinese superhero has been Sorors. Whenever I go into a rant or tirade about how much I truly don’t like my brothers, they remind me that tis not good speech, not a sexy thing and quite dishonest. From love to work, from education to child rearing, my Sorors have been the voice a reason. It’s like having a whole organization of Mrs. Obamas, there to make sure my ambition does not trump my honesty. So this blog, this public thank you is a written testament to my appreciation on how you all have helped keep me honest through kindness, wisdom and just generally being there for me. This tribute is for you. Thank you:

Sorors Maiya and Mosi, my west coast Sorors, who always know when to leave me a kind word or blurb,

Soror Desire: for keeping me real, and making sure that my voice never shakes even when I am tired,

Soror Michele:for being there with a kind word or one of encouragement,

Sorors from Tau Psi Zeta: for Dec 22^nd 2006. Please understand that means suction for life, anytime, anything, anywhere.

Soror KJ: It’s funny that I remembered this at the sip, but it was your initial encouragement (when you were with your brother and Milton) and not the meeting with Talae, that Verizon that helped me find the way. I was working at Verizon in the Plaza then and I remember those words: “If you want it then do it.” I appreciate you and your honestly in regards to this family,

Soror Joy T: for being the relationship’s guru guru. Every time I talk to you I learn something new and remember something old. You keep it in simple terms and make me think outside the box. One day we gone write that book ya know?

Soror Lillet: My chief counsel, my attorney my friend. We’ve been rolling for 5 years strong and I appreciate you now like I did then. Thank you reminding me that sometimes I need to relax and enjoy things. Thank you for listening when I need a friend. We’ve gone through a ton of shit together and I’m glad I had you to travel with me,

Soror Nickia: Wow, you didn’t end this years’ blog. I’m sure that makes you smile. Still you are a very important friend and probably the most honest person around me. We don’t talk often but when we do you hold me up to the mirror, like your song, and force me to see that which I try to ignore. I am happy I’ve gone from deifying you to accepting you as a person with limitations and feelings. I’m glad you said what you said the other night. I so appreciate you. I learned a lout during our internship together and even more during our friendship. You need to write a book too damn it,

Soror Noelle: 2008 was a test of our friendship and our bond. But we stayed honest and true; we stayed real. We evolved and grew to be so much more than what either of us could have expected. Even though we don’t hang like we used to it is always a pleasure to get a text or call; an admonishment about not going to church or a question about Black Politics. We will open that joint Bordering School,

Soror AJ: A true sister, and lovely wife. Ben has to know what precious pearl he has. You are always there when I need someone to talk to and a reason I still come around the Chicago family. You promote me, chastise me, correct me and really remind me of what the family her is supposed to be about. I truly cant wait till we take that first joint vacation together. Like your chapter sisters, you my friendship for life, and my mother still owes you dinner for the repast. She never has forgotten either. Thank you sister!

Soror Leslie: My pledge mom, my friend, my confidant. I am SO glad we reconnect, so glad you are my pledge mom, so glad you are in my life. I was thinking this am about how when Nicole was power tripping and I got to work, you came to my aid. I still remember her face and horror when you dropped the keys and car off in the driveway and helped me keep my job. I remember the times you and “him” came to get me, let me cry, sleep, work through, and otherwise heal. I remember how we could always call each other. I am glad we are back connected and I can’t wait to teach the boy all the bad shit in the world. Thank you mom for being there for me!

Soror Black Heroin [Classified], it’s amazing we’ve been friends for two years. It seemed like only yesterday I was drunk rambling at the sip, thinking how lovely your eyes were (are) and how wonderful you smiled. Of course let you tell it I was much ruder than I remember but still you saw something. We grew and developed, became friends. You were there for me and vice versa. Finally we are here I can say that your arrival couldn’t come at a better time; for you reminded me that it was only dark because I had my eyes closed. You reminded me to open my eyes and enjoy the sun. It will truly be a pleasure to have the flyest Zeta in the game rocking my chain.

And yes I’m trying to get back to the 2002 flow.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. showing men of Sigma and the Black community love and keeping us honest for 89 years. Who could ask for a better and stronger bond?

I know I couldn’t. These women keep me honest when its so easy to not be.

Straight, No Chaser

TLT

1-16-2009

12:01am