From Pyramids to Projects event focuses on perceptions of black males

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. presented From Pyramids to Projects on Nov. 18. The event was structured in a town hall format where both members of the audience and panelists openly discussed the perceptions of black males.

Marcus Green, president of Alpha Phi Alpha feels strongly about the meaning behind the program title.

“It is representative of the transition throughout history of African-Americans,” Green said. “We have gone from being pharaohs and kings living in Egypt to being impoverished and imprisoned in the ghettos of and housing projects of America. Projects not only represent the place where some live, but also the state of mind that is misperceived that comes with the ‘thug’ mentality.”

Topics of discussion ranged from education status, crime, relationships between male and female parties, the “thug” mentality, and how as a group to move forward and change these opinions. The common stereotypes and misconceptions were discussed in comparison to other races in America.

The topics presented were a way to provide a forum for discussion.

“This event was hosted to spread awareness about African-American males,” Green said. “We, as African-American males, felt the need to provide the campus with an opportunity to discuss a topic that many are not too open in talking about, the plight of the African-American male and the disparities that exist between him and his white counterpart.”

Dr. Edward Hill, one of the brothers from Alpha Phi Alpha, led the town-hall discussion, to set the tone of the conversation he started with reference to one historic black leader.

“Jan. 19 marks the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., 40 years after his assassination and the welcoming of an era of new black leaders. Is the dream realized? Where do we go from here?” Hill said.

Ira Foster, alumni of Alpha Phi Alpha, has been able to see throughout his life the changes in the lives of blacks.

“Dr. King had a dream of self empowerment for blacks,” Foster said, “and I believe that youth are regressing instead of progressing.”

Accountability was on the mind of Joshua Braswell as to where blacks are going as a group.

“We need to increase ourselves in accountability, not only as individuals but also as a whole,” Braswell said.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity considers programs that allow discussion on topics to be important on the GCSU campus in order to spread awareness and openly discuss topics that otherwise may not be talked about.

“This event is important because as students of a liberal arts school,” Green said, “we should be provided the opportunity to have an open discussion of the issues as they relate to race, gender, social class and religion, and frank dialogue amongst each other to be informed correctly and to ask the necessary questions. These types of open dialogues are what give us the true value of our liberal arts curriculum.”

This was the first year for this program, but the fraternity is considering possibly planning another similar event in which other aspects of African- American life are examined. The fraternity hopes to increase attendance to these events because they believe it is important to increase awareness among races.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 4 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry