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27 of 27 found the following review helpful:
 A Must for Those Aspiring to Be Apart of an NPHC Organization! Jun 14, 2006
By Edward Williams Jr.
"Shuggs"
This book is indeed something aspiring males and females interested in NPHC organizations should consider purchasing, and I'm going to explain why.
I'm sure African American students attending predominently Black colleges have seen the Black Greek-Letter Organizations (Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho) around their campuses repping their organization with jackets fancied with Greek letters, nicknames, colors, and numbers, as well as these organizations "throwing up" hand signs, and shouting out calls while stepping during parties. You've probably seen Kappas carrying canes, and have heard the AKAs ear-piercing "Skee Wee", or Sigmas "Blu Phi" day in and out.
This book thoroughly explains the reasoning and history behind what has become apart of Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLO) culture today. It talks about the evolution of hazing and pledgind, distinguishing the two. It brings some terms to pass that you might have heard around your campuses (i.e. Nupes, Ques, paper, Skaters, Neos, frats, sorors, etc). It also explains and attempts to date the history of stepping, and why these organizations throw up hand signs and shout out calls.
The author does a fine job of taking us back to the VERY first BGLO (not Alpha Phi Alpha), composed of an elite class of African Americans. It also explains why Alpha Phi Alpha has become accepted as the first BGLO despite the previous several organizations before it.
There are some mispelled words, and the text at the beginning can get a little boring, but overall the book is definitely something everyone, whether you want to be a member of one of these organizations, or are a member of one of these organizations, should pick up. It's always good to know WHY you're doing something instead of just doing it because everyone else is. I believe it is important for everyone to understand where the NPHC organizations came from.
The book doesn't target any specific organization (it mentions all 9, but at random and where they are convienient), but the gist is to get an overall knowledge of the foundation the NPHC organizations sit on in this 21st century.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Black Greek 101: An INtro. to Greeks and Greek Life Jun 28, 2005
By Rich Black
This book is great in explaining the history of how each Greek organization came to be what it is today. I like the way the author breaks down each aspect of Greek life. This is a book that everyone should read who is aspiring to know more about becoming a Greek; who is interested in joining a Black fraternity or sorority. Also, I recommend Divine Nine. Read the reviews; you'll see why.
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Groundbreaking Material Feb 04, 2004
I was very pleased to see Dr. Kimbrough's book on Black Greek organizations. I think that his research is ground breaking, but it is also just the tip of the iceberg as far as scholarly research on Black Greek organizations goes. Anyone who is a member of a Black Greek organization, considering membership, or acts in an advisory role to these organizations should read this book. It will provide a historical and cultural view into many of the traditions and customs of Black Greek life...but the story is also to be continued. Therefore, just as Dr. Kimbrough does in the conclusion of this text, I encourage researchers to continue to conduct scholarly research in this area.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Great Reference Tool Feb 25, 2007
By Shamontiel L. Vaughn
"Message from Montie"
From being friends, family members, and associates of several Greeks, there is much information in this book that I was already familiar with, but I still wanted to read it as a reference guide for my own publication. And indeed, I'm so very glad that I did. This book took an intelligent perspective on the pros and cons of being Greek. The author discussed the history of stepping, a few interviews with nonBlacks who crossed, the heinous history of hazing, the complexity of the Board and advisers versus undergraduates in volunteer work and pledging, and a well-thought out idea on how hazing can stop, but the pledging process will still weed out the slackers and attention seekers. The author spoke about the history, reputation, symbols, hand signals, and style of the Divine Nine (even when there were originally eight). This book is indeed a great source to learn about the history of Black Greeks, and I applaud him for his hard work.
12 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Insightful Feb 18, 2004
I have not had the privelege of reading the book in its entirety, but the pieces I've read and the comments that i have heard about it have all been positive. Knowledge is power and educating ourselves is nothing less than empowerment.Also, alot of people have misconceptions of BGLOs (black greek letter organizations). Some people go round and round in circles using big fancy words just to come to the conclusion that BGLO's are gangs of immature monsters who thrive off of hazing. All I have to say is that each organization has chapters that are representations of the organization, but essentially are just part of the whole; therefore it is unfair to judge an organization by the actions of 1, 2, or how ever many chapters. Not all chapters are the same and not all greeks are the same.
BGLOs do alot of positive whether you see it (hear or believe for that matter) or not, but that kind of stuff never makes the headlines...Does it? That's not up for discussion, is it?
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