All in the Game

“All in the Game, Baby!” ~West Baltimore saying

So while I was finally perfecting my recipe for a peanut butter shake (HA! I did it to all you west coast folks who said I’d never do it; I got some fried potatoes to jack next) I was talking on my the phone to my ship about my averting the latest emotional disaster that seems to be the standard in my relationship with the female species. While I was praising myself for not getting involved in an emotional Vietnam again, and keeping things under control, my ship (in his infinite wisdom) made the point that I am usually in this situation because I don’t have what he termed “Ground Rules”. To be exact, he compared my dating style to the Black Studies program at my old school, an open invite with no minimum expectations. He felt that I give any and every chick a shot, regardless of looks, sanity, or compatibility issues because I like the challenge of “molding them” and since I know a lot of them aren’t going to work anyway, I feel no guilt when I kill the dynamic. I listened as I finished my creation; while I was testing it two things became very clear to me:

1) This damn shake is on point.

2) He’s fucking right.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I will fuck any ole crack head. I am not saying that the old 78 yr old chick is finna get some T penis. What I am saying is that most times all a chick gotta do is show some loyalty to my “company”, suck some good penis and well that’s it really. Rarely do I get to know them or they me. As for the ones who do get close, I realize after they got close that this shit aint going to work and I need to get out. But then I just don’t get out. I come up with more excuses than Bush in Iraq and the next thing you know I got drama. This shit was fun in my 20’s, but as I approach 32, and the possibility of a wife becomes a reality, then I need to make some serious changes. Actually, I’ve made a lot of changes. I don’t do intentionally seek quagmires anymore. I don’t allow drama to invade my space and place. BUT somehow it still finds itself there and I think it does lie in my absence of “Ground Rules”.

But I think that’s men in general actually. After we got off the phone I logged on the computer and went to this popular dating site. I compared about 100 profiles each. You know what I discovered? Women are much more thorough than men. Our profiles (mostly) say shit like “I’m looking for a special lady”. We’ll list physical qualifications and say shit like “no drama”. No wonder we pick bottom of the barrel chicks that disguise themselves as top notch. Sheesh. But the women’s profiles were more accurate than a PhD dissertation. I mean they were clear. “No kids”, “No students” “No big dudes” etc. They outlined various intangible characteristics. Some even got rude if you contacted them. For example I sent a message to this sister who clearly said “NO kids”. I just said Hi. She said thank you, and appreciated my note but she asked for no kids and since I can’t follow directions she was blocking me. I laughed. But it made me think. Women have ground rules before, during, and after a relationship. We just go along and make up shit as things progress. That is so not good. Well after damn near falling into a diabetic coma from the shake I had a realization. I do have ground rules. I just don’t enforce them. So as of this moment, March 4, 2007 at 10:08pm I am enforcing my rules and shall not deviate from them as much as humanly possible. Here are the commandments for dating, keepings and loving me.

(Please be advised that at this time I aint taking apps, but I felt for information purposes you should know.)

The Ten Terrance Commandments

10) I am not trying to play daddy to your children. I have my own sons to rear and I have no interest within the first 20 dates of meeting, talking to, looking at, hearing about, or otherwise being forced to take care of “Leroy’s” responsibilities. While things can and do happen and I may be in contact with them early, please don’t expect me to laugh, joke, pick up, hold, or otherwise play daddy. Likewise, I will not do the aforementioned actions. Should we get that far and grow into something more, we will then work out a program along practical lines to facilitate some form of relationship that includes how we handle the children. However, your kids remain your responsibility as my sons are mine. The only thing we are obligated to do in regards to the others children is not beat them or cuss them. The only thing the children are obligated to do is respect us as an adults.

9) Fuck what you heard but looks do matter. Next to the devil convincing the world he doesn’t, this is the biggest lie man kind has been told. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, some niggaz is just bumblefuck ugly. Sorry. Nothing you can say will alter this opinion. I have certain tastes. I only date women who are African American, African, or from the Diaspora; I don’t want a white chick, a mami, a Chinese lover, or any of that. I love my sisters. I like petite women with apple shaped asses, six packs and perky breasts. OR, I like them with small hips and nice asses. I love glasses and skin color. I like short hair, or if you got hair make sure it is done. Don’t care what style. I DO NOT like “PHAT”, “BBW”, “thick in all the right places”, or any variation therein. I also realize the irony of myself being a big dude and preferring petite women. THAT’S MY CHOICE. It is my sincerest belief that a smaller woman will motivate me to lose weight. In fact that has happened once, where I dropped almost 100 lbs, esp. when I learned that being a fat ass is only cool in the south and Midwest (which is the same thing to me). And I assure you there are women who fit this mode who like men my size, just like some lil man wants a big woman and so on. While I am on the subject of looks, I also like my women to look and act like, well women. Smell nice, wear make up, and put on some thongs. I tired quickly of jeans, stretch pants, and frumpy dress. I’m sorry but if you can’t look the part, then I wont be convinced you washing the part either. Ok enough of that. I know somebody’s gonna take offense or give me the block my blessings speech, but you can save it. I’m willing chance a blessing blocking in order to get what I want.

8) You need to be college educated or at the very least, past your sophomore year in college. In fact before I got off my ass and finished, I had this as a rule. It was probably the one rule I enforced, until I allowed some chick to talk me out of it. Why this rule you may ask? Well because there is a certain conversation, socialization, and ambition that comes from educated women that is clearly different from chicks that are not. I like a woman who can think big and envision herself on Wall Street or in the academy or a senator or some shit. I have no further desire for chicks whose SOLE ambition is to be the best nail tech, cashier, hustler, pimpstess, pretty mama, or dick rider respectively. That might impress Duqwan offa the corner but for me I’ll pass. I mean in the next 3 to 4 yrs I’ll have my PhD. What would I look like dating the chick who took my order at Harold’s on 83^rd? I also need for you to learn how to speak like an adult, not a BET VJ or the chick offa Hot 92.3. While I am a proud citizen of Negriona, I have since migrated to Afrolantia. I am no longer keen on hearing “papi” “you give me jokes” “namean” “word” “dune” “shits” “bling” or any of that. Learn to talk good ole engrish please. If I desire to relive my hood days or live out my Wire fantasies, I will simply either call one of my BFL brothers or go hang out with my street gang that pretends it’s a fraternity.

7) You have to believe in a God and at least try to actively practice something. If I can get up and say a prayer you can too. I also want to make it know that your belief is your belief. For the record I am a believer in the Jehovah’s Witness doctrine; if I were not that I’d be a Buddhist for certain. Please don’t don’t try to force Pastor Paulie’s views on me. If I wanna learn bout what Pastor Lonnie Love said I’ll go to his sports stadium church and be entertained. I don’t need your help. Conversely I won’t leave watchtowers lying around the bathroom ok? You know now that I think about it I don’t want another woman who is CME (Christmas, Mother’s Day and Easter) or Baptist. Wait, that’s actually the same thing. Without question yall are the most ignant, pastor loving, giving your money too, and non bible reading women in North America.)

6) We have to be sexually compatible. No more chicks that only know doggystyle or just getting their pussy ate. That shit is only hot in a lil kim video. I am a freak. I like licking, and sticking, and all that good stuff. You HAVE to want to give and receive oral sex. Women who don’t suck dick are destined to be either lonely or like dinosaurs. Work out whatever issues you have because if your sex drive and skills aint up YOU’RE DONE!

5) Please make sure your canon (history for the slow people) is accurate and concise cause I am going to check you out. If you say you were a stripper, you should be able to back that up. If you say you sold drugs, tell me some tales. If you say you once were a ninja show me some moves. I can back up my past. You will know who the fuck I am. The only people with foggy pasts are nut jobs and CIA agents.

4) Please keep your family in check. I’m going to be fair here. My mother is my chief advisor and best friend. HOWEVER, SHE DOES NOT DRAW POLICY. If you cant keep your mama, daddy, cousin, bitter sister, brother etc from actively being our business I will dismiss you. I have no desire to entertain your family or defend myself again them. That shit went out a year or so ago. In this same breathe please keep your whorish, lonely single friends out of our business; and definitely tell them to stop with the invites to single events and or hating on what we have. This will also get you dumped and your girlfriend slapped. HARD.

3) While I am not married to the old school per se, I do see value in it. To wit I open doors, fix shit, fight off hooligans, and pay the occasional bill. However, I am also flexible enough to cook, rub your feet, wash your hair etc. But I am not going to accept in any way shape form or fashion a nagging ass woman who got to be always right; loud and obtuse, and likes to just plain cut off a man’s balls. Angry, smart mouth nagging chicks are lonely chicks. It is not natural for a woman to nag a man. I aint saying I get to slap you, or you cant speak your peace. I am saying though you just aint gonna talk to me like that. If you gotta do all that naggin to change me or cause you unhappy then you need to take your ass home. Nagging, liberated women are usually single, bitter women. While I’m on the subject of naggin women, let me bring up my other bane: spoiled ass women. No you don’t get your way all the time. I don’t care how daddy did it, or your ex who was a football player, or dude who was a baller that got you whatever you wanted. I don’t care what you’re used to. We are dating now. You need to work within this paradigm. What’s that you say? You’re independent? Ok that’s great. Now get your independent ass away from me QUESTION?

2) Please have in your life that which you are demanding of me. If you are demanding that I have my own place, car, career, etc then make sure you have it too. I you come to me on some “do better” shit and YOU living with mama, I’m clown. When women do that, it makes us men think you are only after us for money or to rescue you. I am not doing either. So ask yourself this question: Do I have what I am about to ask him to have or acquire? If the answer is no, then shut up and enjoy the meal.

1) I don’t do clingy, emotionally dependant, co-dependant or any various therein. I am finally drama free. Perhaps in my twenties (ok I’m lying this past summer) I would have enjoyed the roller coaster. But as I approach mid thirties, I am not interested. If you got drama, issues, beefs, etc please don’t bring them to me. It took me far to long to get this shit right and you aint gonna mess it up. I don’t mind drama that comes from time and being a couple; however I will not start off sorting through your bull. I can refer you to a great therapist and decent out patience clinic.

I know this is going to come off offensive to some and arrogant to others, But I’m sorry. After years of getting it work, I need to set shit in order to get it right…

After all who is gonna take care of me but me?

Nobody

And that is Straight, No Chaser

TLT

3-4-2007

10:08pm

Happy Founders Day Zeta Phi Beta!

Then the man said:

“This is at last bone of my bones

And flesh of my flesh.

This one will be called Woman,

Because from man this one was taken- Genesis 2:23

Happy Founders Day Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc!

I have always loved the above scripture, as it describes what a bond between man and woman should be; it lays the foundation for a husband and wife. In fact, verse 24 reads: That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh. I believe it is my sincerest belief that when A. Langston and Charles Taylor sat down and came up with the concept of a sister organization, they had their bibles opens to those scriptures. What other reason can there be for the bond that makes us who we are. I know first hand what that bond means. How so? Well it’s no secret that my relationship to my frat brothers is at best strained and at worse sucks. This is for a number of reasons, none of which I will go into in this blog. I will say it is always the connection to Zeta Phi Beta and the Sorors therein, that more often than not bring me back to the table and (keep me there) of Blue and White. This isn’t to say that my relationship with my Sorors hasn’t been polemic; quite the contrary. They have gotten on my nerves as I know I have gotten on theirs. Some I don’t speak to, and some I will never speak to. Those are the breaks. But, after the past year or so I realize that if my sisters step in my ass it is because of a basic truth as found in Luke 12:48: “Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him” They stay on me because they know I can do better. For this I thank them. For years, in my youth and arrogance I thought Deltas were what women should inspire to. It is with no shame I say that I was wrong, and that if and when I have a daughter, or wife, they shall be women of Zeta.

Damn, 87 years in the game. That’s saying a lot. I was wondering what I could say that would show my greatest appreciation to the organization of women who have been the most profound blessing a brother could have since becoming a member of the blue and white.

In the interest of keeping it simple (I’m looking at you Lillet), I’d just like to say thank you to:

The founders of ZPB, whose dedication to finer womanhood, scholarship, sisterly love, and a whole bunch of other pretty shit has lasted 87years and seems like it will last another 87 years,

Sorors Joy, Amber and Wendi, who taught me that everything on my mind need not be said,

Soror Desiree, who put out the word of my family’s trials and remained a friend throughout,

Soror Fredricka whose kind words often gave me a sense of hope during “the long night

Soror Lisa who keeps encouraging me to make it work,

The Sorors of the Phenomenal Pacific Region who showed a Brother love when I felt no love at the table of Blue and White,

The Sorors in Chicago, AJ, Tina, Renee, Chaisty, Mel, Tuesday, and that Capricorn who rules the world (LOL) and the all the rest, who came to my family’s aid in our time of need, responding before the brothers, and providing the ultimate service, working my father’s repast. That is a debt I will never be able to repay

Soror Michele who forgave my silliness and helped me through the grieving process,

Soror Mya, who continues to look out for me and make me smile, even when I don’t want to,

Soror Katina, who really helped me focus on what I needed to do,

Soror Rev. Dr. BJ, for showing me those wounds doesn’t always heal unless we take the initiative to rest, lest we infect others. Freedom is TRULY a beautiful thing.

Soror Isheya, who helped me see that flaws and all I am one of the beautiful ones,

Soror Lillet my “attorney”, friend, big sister and conscience. You have been there through good times and bad, sickness and health. I am closer to you than my blood sister. I am always a phone call away.

Soror Nickia, the Greatest Zeta. You have been many things to me, but chief of these is friend. I have learned and grown since being bless with your presence. Wise beyond your years and beautiful to match, knowing you has been my greatest blessing since becoming a man of Sigma. I can never repay you for what you’ve done. I can only continue to press towards the mark of the higher calling. The bible says that there are three great emotions one can have is faith, hope and love. Indeed, you have shown all three. (Stop frowning Lillet and Nickia, I know that was extra). Thank you…

Sorors world wide (and any I forgot ;-)) Enjoy your day…

Represent goddamn it, this day is for you

Happy Founders Day Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc!

And That is Straight, No Chaser!

TLT

Jan 16, 2007

5:00AM

Sins of the Father Pt. 5

This blog is dedicated to the lovely women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. whose love, assistance and finer womanhood helped my family through this difficult time. Sorors, I will never forget or be able to repay that debt. ~TLT

Can you see, with your mind’s eye,

Peoples dwelling together?

Sorrow has passed. Peace at last!

Life without tears and pain.

Sing out with joy of heart.

You too can have a part.

Live for the day when you’ll say:

‘Life without end—at last!’-Kingdom Melody #15

I have sat at this computer for the past 8 hours, alternating between this blog, my Star Wars games, and looking over pictures and letters from my past. I have not slept in damn near a week. Time it seems has completely stopped. Or that’s how it feels. All of this is so damn surreal. I feel slightly guilty for wanting to sleep. But how can I think of sleep when the machinations of the wicked are around, with feet hurrying to run to badness (Proverbs 6:18)? Suddenly as if on cue my random thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the rain hitting the window, yet the sun coming through the dining room window. I laugh at the irony. Just like in life, pop’s has managed to merge to joy and pain, sunshine and rain. I am told it’s a gift I have. I doubt it. Still it’s enough to break the trance I am in. I take a deep breath and stand up. My sister comes out of her room. She asks why I haven’t been to sleep. I tell her I can’t sleep. Not today.

Today is my daddy’s funeral.

I get dresses quickly, fielding calls and helping my mother. She can’t stand. I have to remind her that this is something we have to do. My younger brother is upset. He can’t tie a tie. Like my father before me, I show him. He comments on how I look just like dad. I used to hate to her that, but now prettier words have never been spoken. The tears are sometimes broken by laughter of my father and his shenanigans. I promise my mother I won’t leave her side. I promise her that we will make it through the day.

Then the phone rings. It’s the limo driver. My mother almost faints. My stomach turns. My brother helps my mother gather her composure. The walk to the car seems to take forever. The limo driver, Mr. Wilson greets our family. I thank him. We file into the limo. My mother sinks into her seats and laments “O Jehovah, please help me”. I hold her hand. This is insane. But I have to keep it strong. I have a promise to uphold. I hug her and smile. She takes a deep breathe. The limo pulls off.

On the drive to the Kingdom Hall, I notice the sun shines through the rain clouds. Again I think of my father. It is reassuring. There we are greeted by well wishers and family, I am greeted by a few frat brothers, and my son’s mother. She asks me do I want her to take the boys in. I tell her “No, this is a walk the Thomas men must take together”.

A sister who helped my mother into the Truth walks my mother to the front, my brothers lead my sister and I lead my sons. This is the longest walk I have ever had to take. My oldest son’s hand is shaking; his youngest son’s hand is sweating. I lead them to the second row. There I offer them the choice; they can join me on the front row, or sit behind me with Mommy. Centrell decides to stay with his mother, over come by sorrow. I am not mad. He loved his “paw-paw”, and “paw-paw” loved him, being the first born grandson. I nod touch his cheek, and allow him to sit. I tear up. My youngest son Devin, my solider stands up and asks to sit with me. I allow him to do so. Devin is like me. He’s a front line, into the fire kind of guy.

The funeral begins. I can’t even describe the feelings, I can’t describe the scene. I just know that we are saying good bye to the one man I loved, the one man who I respect and feared.

I wish I could describe in detail what it was like to pallbearer for my father. As his caretaker the last two years, it was an honor to finally get to that place, to walk him to his quiet resting place. It felt good to see the brothers working towards the common good.

As the coffin goes into the ground, my brother Devin, gets on his knees and kisses it. It was a picture worth a thousand words. As I walk back to the car, my emotions swell, and as I get into the car I begin to cry harder than I ever did in life. I allow myself to mourn, as the pain has finally passed. Embracing in his arms, my brother whispers to me “It’s your kingdom now, I am your student. Can you unify the land or go out like Liu Chan (Google search it).” I catch my breathe. I nod. I have nothing to be ashamed of.

The morning he died, a dear friend said to me that I had nothing to be sad about, as I served him well. I made his final months comfortable. That put it all into perspective. It really did.

I finished my task. I served him WELL.

Goodnight Dear Father, I will see you in the morning!

And that is Straight No Chaser!

TLT

Dec 22, 2006

11:48pm

The Once and Future King

“You have substance; we just need to close out your academic career. We need to re-focus this obsession with making a “family”, and re-direct your energy to your pursuits in Black Studies.” I could do nothing but stand there, at attention like I’ve done at least million times before and hear my mentor, my lyrical blade master hit me with another right on critique. It was all I could do to fight back tears because he, she and they had been right. I had put too much focus on breaking a cycle, I had sacrificed everything not to be like my father and the biggest of these was my Black Studies Career.

Let’s be real here: I should have my Black Studies Department. I should have my Ph.D. There is no discernable reason that I should have not been mine. In reality,

“Only the mistakes have been mine”.

Yes I didn’t want to be like my father and uncles. Yes I felt that my sons should have a nuclear Cosby show like home. However, I shouldn’t have sacrificed an important component. Simply I can’t give them that if I don’t have a career. Hell aint nobody trying to be my wife if I don’t have a career. I don’t have to be a vulgar careerist, (more on that in a later blog) to be successful in academia, and I can achieve both.

With that in mind, I have decided to go back to the basics. I have decided to reacquaint myself with the early lessons which I have forgotten, I admit. But that lapse of knowledge can be very detrimental in a lyrical blade duel. So now it is me, Hare, Blassingame, Cruse. It is as I read on a website “a new negro with old ass books”. While I aint new, I am re-dedicating myself to my craft and going back to look forward. Over the past 9 years, my style has become too eccentric, to wild and I need to simplify it. I need to remember the simple moves and the basic actions to become more efficient. “The Dignity of Simplicity” is what the last rule states and perhaps I need to refocus on that.

The other reason I am going back is to find out what we may have lost due to time and ignorance. Could something be in those sacred texts that we have overlooked or was afraid to really study? Did we hide or intentionally forget someone so radical for his time that now we NEED this knowledge to get over the bridge. This is akin to someone discovering a lost sword style, a style that might have been misunderstood, a style that might have been so powerful that people didn’t want to even talk about it much less use it. This style has been locked away in a cave and probably discovered by a student who had achieved much but wanted to take it to the next level. Or to use another example is how the world of jazz was in an uproar when the Library of Congress found Coltrane and Monk in Carnegie hall. A misunderstood and unappreciated piece of work was now found for a world ready for it. Either way I am that student.

8 years ago, I colleague of mine told me “You are the best at this. You are pure. You are power”. At that time it was obvious even to a blind man that I was heir apparent to the Conference, the department, all that I surveyed. Long story short, I was the King. Mistakes, arrogance and joining Phi Beta Sigma cost me that birthright and my place.

I love to say that I am to Black Studies what Bleek Gilliam was to jazz. I do believe it is time that I re-dedicate my life to my craft as Bleek did to his.

I think it is time I became King again

And that is Straight, No Chaser

TLT

The Morning After

*Author's Note: This is my first written piece I put on the web. I wrote this the night after I crossed into the land of Phi Beta Sigma. I thought it would be a good read.

enjoy

TLT*

On April 3, 2002 at 3:18:12am, a six-year journey was completed. This was a journey that took me on several twists turns and dead ends. However utilizing rule #3, I was able to over come these obstacles and become a brother in what is easily without question the greatest fraternity in the history of man PHI BETA SIGMA. Yup boys and girls I FINALLY made it. To date this has to be up there with the birth of my sons. It is truly a happy time for me right now.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Every time I type that I get the chills. Every time I look at those words my eyes swell up. I do not think there has ever been a more perfect fit than I coming into the frat. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. is more than these words would imply. Look at those words. Look at these letters. What you see before you is 88 years of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. What see is 88 years of Culture for Service, and Service for Humanity. What you see before you is 88 years of doing for the inclusive we instead of the exclusive we. What you see is 88 years of being the trendsetters and movement makers, community activists. There is nothing fancy or glamorous about Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. What you see is 88 years of great men who strived to make the community, the downtrodden a better place. You see men like our founders The Most Honorable A. Langston Taylor, The Most Honorable Leonard F. Moore and the Most Honorable Charles I. Brown, who wanted a fraternity that included the common man, not the just the so-called talented tenth. You see men like our Alain Leroy Locke, who spoke about a New Negro, and sparked an entire renaissance. You see men like A Philip Randolph, who organized Blacks into a progressive social force a decade before the New Orleans Movement of 1953, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 respectively. You see men like John Lewis, who gave the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee is earliest strength. You see men like Dr. Huey P. Newton who realized that the southern civil rights movement had yet to make its impact or mission vital to the northern ghettos and founded The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. You see men like Benjamin Chavis Muhammad, who had the courage to challenge the jewish control over the NAACP, and the later make the switch of a lifetime, join the Nation of Islam. This unheralded move gives us the Million Man March. (Go back and play the tape. Farrakhan thanks us personally.) It is truly a grassroots organization in a fraternity outfit. Yes our cause speeds on its way!

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. legacy is not present only in America. We are present even on the mother continent. Some of the men who would later help through off the shackles of colonial were men of SIGMA. Kwame Nkrumah, William Tolbert, and Nnamdi Azokiwe helped their countries grown and prosper. Indeed while other Blacks of the era (except men like Marcus Garvey of course) shunned the mother continent, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. embraced her, welcomed her, loved her. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. was a radical 88 years ago, and it is radical today.

The greatest testament to its commitment to the community is not found in the things I mentioned above however. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.s greatest greatness can be found it realization that in order for the Black Community to rise, we must raise as a whole. We must do it together, or fail. Enter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. The bond that exists between Zeta Phi Beta Sigma is unmatched. To quote a popular saying we have been Often imitated, never duplicated. Our bond is not only constitutionally (and make no mistakes boys and girls, we are the only legally, constitutional bound organizations out there) but also spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. I do not care where you go in this world; if there are SIGMAS and ZETAS present they are working together. Can anybody else say that? Honestly? I thought not. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc represents the ultimate in Black Womanhood. 83 years of woman who have stood their ground, upheld their communities, and upheld Zeta. Women like Zora Neal Hurtson, who warned us against beggin joints and warned us integration would assist, if not hasten our demise. Now ask yourself are we really better off than we were before. Sorrows like Ester Rolle, who gave up millions because of the images portrayed on Good Times (there was a reason Florida Evans was off the set yall!) Women like Soror Janet Dubois who made sure the above show didnt go totally crazy when Ester Rolle left. (Remember Walona Woods character got serious?) Soror like Minnie Rippleton, Sarah Vaughn and Dionne Warrick who all helped shaped and define the ethos know as Black Music. Truly Finer Womanhood Indeed!

Now can you see why I pursued this for 6 long years? It has been worth it. Before I bounce. I would like to send a shout out to the brothers of Alpha Gamma at Fisk University. I know it did not originally work. That is one of my rare regrets. But do know you all introduced me to Zeta Phi Beta Sigma and helped me appreciate its light. Delvin, John, Miz, Cee, Gran, and even Mo-Mar, know brothaz I truly appreciated every moment of I spent with you cats. G.O.M.A.B

Now boys and girls allow me to present to you:

The Men of S.S. S.I.L.V.E.R.

Seven Individuals Linked Via Everlasting Relationships

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

Iota Nu Sigma Chapter

Chicago Illinois



#1-Bro.Kamau Kadirifu aka Captain Flash

#2-Bro.Chaunteney Pritchett aka Deuce Drama

#3-Bro.Tremayne Whitney aka Gravity

#4-Bro.Terrance L. Thomas aka Public Enemy

#5-Bro.Derrick Bey aka Speech

#6-Bro.David L. Franklin Sr.-Ghost

#7-Bro.Lucius Shaw-The Rock

IN THE SPIRIT OF PHI BETA

G.O.M.A.B.