Alpha Phi Alpha Outlaws Use of the N-word

Black Fraternity Bans N-word from its Vocabulary


The president of Alpha Phi Alpha's national organization put a ban on the fraternity's use of the "N-word" and asked to put an end to its use in popular culture as well.

"I don’t know many ethnic groups other than the black community that use such harsh language with each other and empower other people to think it’s OK to use it," said Darryl R. Matthews Sr., Alpha Phi Alpha's general president at the fraternity's national convention in Orlando.

"The word has evil intent. It’s not a term of endearment. It is not just symbolic," he added. Matthews also asked the individual chapters of the fraternity ban use of music and other outlets of media that use the word at parties and in their houses.

"We want to go on record and tell our college brethren not to use DJs or play music that contains lyrics that are offensive, demeaning or degrading," Matthews said.

Alpha Phi Alpha is the nation's oldest and largest black fraternity.

Man Provided Prostitutes for 2006 Alpha Phi Alpha Convention

Toledo Prostitution Ring Tied to Fraternity

A Toledo man is said to have provided prostitutes, one of them only 16 years old, for a 2006 convention in the city for Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

During a four-day convention, Kevin Murphy was said to have provided several prostitutes through an escort service he ran who would "dance and strip" for convention-goers. The convention was hosted by the University of Toledo's chapter of the fraternity, the report said.

Murphy pleaded guilty to felony charges and could face at least five years in prison.

Oklahoma State Greeks Trying to Whack Hazing

Local Fraternities and Sororities Ban Together Against Hazing

A group of Greek students at Oklahoma State University met this week to discuss how tougher legislation in the state may put an end to hazing at campus fraternities and sororities.

About two months ago, a group of six brothers from the university's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha were said to have hit several pledges with paddles.

"On one victim his buttocks, the flesh was torn down to the muscle until there was no skin left," said a police officer.

The students at the meeting this week said tough laws may help students think twice before the participate in hazing-related activities with their organization. The students even hope to talk with state lawmakers to encourage more stringent hazing prevention laws.

Black is the Color of Love

Black Sororities Offer 'Lifelong Love'

“The main thing that black sororities offer if lifelong membership and love," said Alpha Kappa Alpha sister Shawna Newbill from Richmond, Va.

The Tuscaloosa News reported Sunday in an article that was a primer for those unfamiliar with black sororities.

Washington State University's office of Greek life stated “It is important that each person commit to the purpose of their founders and the organization’s goal for the upliftment of the black race."

The article also identified the "divine nine" international Greek letter organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

These organizations are members of the National Pan Hellenic Council, which was formed in 1930 at Howard University, the traditionally black college.

Indiana State Frat Hosts Open Mic Night

Frat Hosts 'Alpha Unplugged'

Indiana State University's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha held an event called "Alpha Unplugged" earlier this week where students put their talents on display.

"It's meant to showcase the talent around campus," said APA's Marcus Phelps. "It'll definitely happen again. There is new talent every year."

The event was a unique blend of poetry, R&B and hip-hop, brothers said. Alpha Phi Alpha plans to make the musical blend an annual event for students to participate in every year.

Vandy Greeks Moving In To Ex-Kappa Sig House

NPHC Accept Offer to Occupy Kappa Sigma House

Vanderbilt University is planning on using the vacant Kappa Sigma house in a creative arrangement to house four different fraternities.

Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma plan to jointly occupy the old Kappa Sigma house until at least 2010, when the Kappa Sigs plan to return.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council's president Steven Harris said "We are definitely grateful for the opportunity to use the house as a residence for the NPHC men," he said. "We still realize this is a temporary residence." The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the governing body for the four historically black fraternities.

While the building is not large enough to hold all of the members of all four fraternities, the four fraternities will use the building for social functions, and a select few will live in the house. Previously the fraternities were using the campus social hall for their events.

Oklahoma State Hazers Head to Court

Frat Members Accused of Hazing Appear in Court

Three of the brothers accused of hazing from Oklahoma State University's Alpha Phi Alpha chapter appeared in court on Tuesday.

A total of six brothers from the chapter were charged with severely paddling pledges earlier this month. Since then, Oklahome State has suspended Alpha Phi Alpha for 15 years. One pledge came forward and said a total of five were severely beat with paddles. The police have since taken thos paddles to use as evidence if the case goes to trial.

It is the first case of hazing in the state of Oklahoma since the law was put into action in 1990. If found guilty, the brothers could face a fine of $500 and 90 days in county jail.

Oklahoma State's Alpha Phi Alpha Suspended

OSU, National Office Suspends Frat

Alpha Phi Alpha's Oklahoma State University chapter has been suspended for a minimum of 5 years by its national organization and 15 years by the university, following the alleged beating of pledges with paddles.

Six brothers of the fraternity were charged with hazing Monday, and the suspension of the frat comes as a result of the state's zero tolerance hazing policy. One pledge was beaten so severely, he will require plastic surgery repairs to his butt to replace missing skin. The district attorney said a group of five pledges came forward to alert authorities of the hazing incident.

Oklahoma State Frat Boys Face Hazing Charges for Paddling

Six Fraternity Members Charged With Hazing

Six members of Oklahome State's Alpha Phi Alpha were charged with hazing Monday, stemming from a February incident at initiation where a pledge said he was paddled too hard.

Those charged were Corrion (Cory) Cox, Lyall Storandt, Jason Taylor, Mitchel McCowan, Michael (Dexter) Combs, and Joshua Goree were all charged this week.

Randall Nash reported being struck several times on the buttocks and torso of his body with a paddle, which other fraternity members used to strike the pledges, according to police. He will require plastic surgery to replace missing skin.

The charges may cost the accused up to $500 in fines and up to 90 days in county jail.

Serious Paddling at Oklahoma State's Alpha Phi Alpha Will Bring Arrests

OSU Frat Hazing Charges Expected

As reported by The Frat Boy News and the Tulsa World:

A prosecutor said Monday he expects to file hazing charges against as many as six members of the Oklahoma State University chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity amid allegations that members beat pledges.

One pledge was beaten so badly that he went to an emergency room and was later advised by medical personnel to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon, police said. The chapter has already been shut down by its national organization.

"When you have a young man hazed to the extent that he's going to have to have plastic surgery, that's crossing the line," District Attorney Rob Hudson said.

The prosecutor said his office received a report on Friday from police on allegations that several pledges of Alpha Phi Alpha had been hazed by being hit with wooden paddles.

The pledge reportedly told police that from Jan. 22 to Feb. 10, he attended "set" meetings, held five or six nights a week, at which pledges received physical "punishment" for failure to recall information about the fraternity, the affidavit said. He also took the "punishment" for another pledge who had "some kind of medical condition and couldn't take these paddlings," said a police officer.

"Let's Go Outside, You Little Punk --- ------"

Ref at UTC Intramural Game Allegedly Called N-word, Attacked

As reported by the Chattanoogan:

A referee at a UTC intramural game was called the N-word and hit by a fraternity team member after the game, the UTC Echo said.

The report said the incident happened Feb. 6 when two undefeated teams, Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Chi, were playing.

The referee, freshman Ronald Sutton of Columbia, Tn., said the fact that both teams had not lost "made the game quite intense." He told campus police, "When the intensity of the game increased, that is when tempers began to flare." He said one of the Sigma Chi brothers, Marcus Lyons, a Chattanooga senior, became angry because he felt he had missed a call.

Campus police said Lyons came up to the referee and cursed him, then came over to him during a water break and said, "Let's go outside, you little punk --- ------."

The referee said he was surrounded by Sigma Chi members. He said there were about 15 to 20 fraternity members confronting him. Campus police said one Sigma Chi member allegedly said "f--- his --- up." Police said Lyons then made the racial slur to the referee and then hit him on the lip.

The referee said, "He grabbed both of my arms, held them and called me a ni--er before he swung. "He swung first and grazed my bottom lip, which busted from the contact of the swing. We fought from that point on."

Alpha Phi Alpha Pledge Gets Settlement for 2003 Hazing Case

SMU Fraternity Pledge Settles Suit on '03 Hazing

As reported by the Dallas Morning News:

A Southern Methodist University fraternity pledge who nearly died in a 2003 hazing incident has settled his lawsuit with the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Braylon Curry sued the historically black fraternity and several members after being forced to chug gallons of water until he collapsed and nearly drowned in his own vomit. Settlement details are confidential and weren't released.

"He feels like he has justice," said his attorney, Mary Alice McLarty. "He was almost killed, and somebody was held accountable."

One fraternity member received 10 years' probation last year; others charged with aggravated assault are awaiting trial.

Watch Your Mouf

Fraternity Wants to Ban the 'N' Word

Alpha Phi Alpha at Albany State is taking a stand against vulgar language.

The brothers are hoping to put an end to an expression that has traditionally been demeaning towards African Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha is standing behind an initiative at the campus to ban the use of the "N" word amongst students.

"Now it seems that we're degrading ourselves, so we thought it to be very important that we start looking at ourselves better, and start talking to ourselves in a more mature and respectable manner," said Michael Scott of the fraternity.

Alpha Phi Alpha plans to have students sign a contract to eliminate the word as a part of their speech.

Gun Shots Fired, 2 Alpha Phi Alphas Attacked

Two Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Attacked at Frat House

Two Alpha Phi Alpha brothers were attacked in front of their fraternity house at the University of Alabama Saturday morning.

The attackers have yet to be identified, but rumors say it may Kappa Alpha Psi may have been involved.

Kappa Alpha Psi has denied the allegations.

No one was injured, and police are investigating gun shots in the vicinity that occurred around the same time.