Some say that imitation is the best form of flattery, but the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated may not feel the same way right now. On April 21, 2000 in Tallahassee, Florida a group of African-American females were organized with the purpose of “embracing women who identify as aggressive, dominant, or masculine within the LGBT community” as their website states.
The description is not where the imitation ends; it is actually where it all begins. In a recent Rolling Outarticle, it is stated that the members of this organization “step like Ques, dress like Ques, and even exhibit the same behavior that one would see from the men of Omega Psi Phi.” Some of the similar behavioral aspects are sticking out their tongues, wearing boots spray-painted gold, and even “throwing the hooks” in the same fashion of Ques.
Upon further look into the organization’s website, there are countless displays of community service programs that this organization supports and stands behind. They support Big Bend Cares, which supports those with HIV/Aids. They support the March of Dimes, which focuses on preventing birth defects and the death of babies. They also support the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Omicron Psi Omega is doing great things in the community, but was it necessary to accomplish those things while stealing the unofficial identity of the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity that work so hard to maintain and uphold what their founders created on November 17, 1911 at Howard University?
This isn’t the first instance of an organization stealing the original ideas and traditions of a Divine 9 Greek Organization. A group of gay men formed “MiAKA”, which harps on the identity of the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. According to an article from kollegekidd.com, the MiAKAs wear pearls, hold their pinkies up, and “skee-wee”, which are all signature traditions of the sorority.
The fraternities and the sororities of the Divine 9 each have a separate identity and that is what makes them unique. While the AKAs hold their pinkies up, the Deltas put up their pyramids. While the SGRhos poodle prance, the Zeta’s hold up their dove. While the Ques throw up the hooks, the Alphas make their best ape face. While the Sigma’s “sigma walk”, the Kappas “shimmy”, and the Iota’s “dig for gold.”
- If someone wants to be a “founder” of an organization, then “find” it. Find the customs, find the traditions, find the colors, find the symbols, find the signature movements, find the organization. Don’t steal it.
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