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What happens when a people is without institutions to articulate its concerns, preserve
its heritage, or make manifest its desires? It is vanquished, made into an oppressed
caste, or is assimilated into the majority culture--losing its distinctiveness, diminishing
its voice, and dissipating its ranks. Fortunately, African Americans have not met this
fate. ASALH has chosen to devote the 2006 National Black History Theme to exploring
the impact that Black fraternal, social, and civic organizations have had on the evolution
of African American life and history. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the
founding of the first continuous, collegiate black Greek letter fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha.
Established in an age when racial segregation and disenfranchisement plagued African
Americans, the rise of each of the black fraternities and sororities that make up the
"Divine Nine" bore witness to the fact that despite hardships African Americans refused
to assent to a status of inferiority. Serving more than just their immediate members,
the "Divine Nine" joined with the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, the
Prince Hall Masons, and Eastern Stars, the Urban League, and other civic organizations
to provide service to the entire black community. As the twentieth century progressed,
black social organizations like Jack and Jill rose to reflect the middle class aspirations of
many African Americans, and more recently civic groups such as the Links, the
Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and 100 Black Men have emerged to address the community's
social, economic, and political challenges.
Most American recognize the centrality of African American religious institutions in the
formation of community. In contrast, too little attention has been paid to the full
spectrum of black organizations. While the Black Church has served as a rock in a weary
land, African American fraternal, social, and civic organizations have also aided the
community in its efforts to draw sweet honey from the rock of the their American
experience.
its heritage, or make manifest its desires? It is vanquished, made into an oppressed
caste, or is assimilated into the majority culture--losing its distinctiveness, diminishing
its voice, and dissipating its ranks. Fortunately, African Americans have not met this
fate. ASALH has chosen to devote the 2006 National Black History Theme to exploring
the impact that Black fraternal, social, and civic organizations have had on the evolution
of African American life and history. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the
founding of the first continuous, collegiate black Greek letter fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha.
Established in an age when racial segregation and disenfranchisement plagued African
Americans, the rise of each of the black fraternities and sororities that make up the
"Divine Nine" bore witness to the fact that despite hardships African Americans refused
to assent to a status of inferiority. Serving more than just their immediate members,
the "Divine Nine" joined with the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, the
Prince Hall Masons, and Eastern Stars, the Urban League, and other civic organizations
to provide service to the entire black community. As the twentieth century progressed,
black social organizations like Jack and Jill rose to reflect the middle class aspirations of
many African Americans, and more recently civic groups such as the Links, the
Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and 100 Black Men have emerged to address the community's
social, economic, and political challenges.
Most American recognize the centrality of African American religious institutions in the
formation of community. In contrast, too little attention has been paid to the full
spectrum of black organizations. While the Black Church has served as a rock in a weary
land, African American fraternal, social, and civic organizations have also aided the
community in its efforts to draw sweet honey from the rock of the their American
experience.
| The 2006 Black History Theme Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions |
Founders of Black History Month