March, 1973 THE BLACK INK Page 3
Omegas join
Carolina life
True brotherhood
or fraternal madness
by Larry Mixon
Staff Writer
Like man, wow, back in
February, a new Black group
made their entrance upon the
tired-ass Black life scene at
CaroUna. They call themselves
Q’s—short form for Omega Psi
Phi (which I must agree is rather
hard on the tongue.)
It has been stated that their
coming was sponsored through
the auspices of our good
friend—ElUott Stephenson. It
seems as though it was imagined
that a Black fraternity on
campus would do a lot to
further Brotherhood and unity
among Black students. Naturally
my gut reaction was a long and
sustained laugh. I could imagine
nothing more ridiculous than the
institutionalization of a “social”
clique among Black students to
further unify and bring them
together. And, mind you, the
brotherhood group has a Greek
name, and a somewhat old
“Negro” connotation.
The aspiring Q’s put on shows
in front of Chase doing what was
labeled the famous Q step. Next
they held an auction, and a
group of sisters coughed up 20
dollars plus to pay for chosen
Q’s. Not stopping there, the
brothers marched across campus
betwixt 2 and 3 in the morning
chanting, “Oh how I love the
Q’s.” My mind split asunder.
What the Hell was coming off?!
Not only were the Q initiates
wrapped up in this madness, but
a magnitude of other students as
well. I thought about all the
other times the BSM—which I
consider to be the fraternal
haven of Blacks at UNC—had
asked us Bloods to march
downtown in honor of James
Cates; and many brothers found
excuses not to attend. I
remembered how Blacks were
requested to wear Red, Black,
and Green on a certain day and
no one complied, but yet some
brothers saw fit to wear purple
and gold outfits from head to
toe, not on one specific day, but
continuously. As some would
say—“it’s Amazing.”
I stopped one Q brother and
asked him about his actions,
because this was too much for
my peace of mind. I listened as
he remarked how he felt more
unity, comraderie, and
identification with his newfound
colleagues. He stated that they
clearly had in mind what they
wanted to do, and, more
importantly, if they decided to
do something, they all would be
solidly committed in seeing it
through.
I also noticed how the
brother had improved somewhat
in his discipUnary inclinations.
He could more readily follow
directions and repsect those in
authority. It seems he had begun
to realize that in order to have
what he wanted, the Q’s would
have to sacrifice time, pleasures,
and self-interests in order to gain
it. All this and more is distinctly
by Deborah Austin
Staff Writer
“Hey, how’s your social
life?” and you’ll get responses
like, “It’s a drag; Tired; Zero; or
I don’t have any social life, I
study.”
The general consensus of the
Black student body is that UNC
is the poorest excuse of a liberal
University in existence.
Everyone knows that “all work
and no play makes Jack a dull
boy,” so no one says anything
when they see a Brother or a
Sister walking around like a
somnabulist. We are all in that
“dull syndrome”, and it seems
that nobody could care less.
It is not surprising that Black
students do not dig beer blasts,
and 1950’s sock hops. That’s not
where we carne from. The
University knows this too. So,
Student Government allocates
$6700 to the BSM and says,
“Now children, be satisfied.”
But this attitude will not get
anybody over.
Nobody is really concerned
about giving a party every night,
but we do need some type of
social activity to break the
dullness. So, we hustle, borrow
some records and a stereo, and
invite everyone down to
Upendo.
But, what comes after
parties? Well, Curtis Mayfield
cancelled; Les Ballets
Africains-that was nice; The
lacking in the BSM.
I began to doubt whether my
initial reaction was right. There
exists little sense of comradship
in the BSM —more like
competition, self-advancement,
and forget youism. Clear
directions are somewhat cloudy,
and implementation of programs
is shaky at best because of lack
of support. And, as far as
discipHne goes—fuck that.
So, being knowledgeable of
the BSM’s shortcomings, I really
could say very little against the
action of the Q’s-I certainly will
have to allow them their right to
exist.
BSM Coronation and a Black
Arts Cultural Festival once a
year-grand.
The Speakers and
Conferences Committee has
brought to the campus; Julius
Chambers, Dwight Womble, The
North Carolina Committee for
Political Prisoners, and Carl ElUs
and Eric Payne. We saw Nikki
Giovanni, Dick Gregory, and
Imamu Baraka, courtesy of the
Union.
But, nine events during a
whole semester is hardly enough
to keep anybody out of that
“dull syndrome,” So,jWh^t, if
anything can we do?
William Knight offered some
ideas that the Black students can
work with in trying to pep up
our social lives. He suggests that
Blacks get on the Unions
Activities Boards, even apply for
chairmanship. The BSM, he
asserts, should have direct input
into these Union
committees-let them feel our
presence.
William especially advocates
the utilization of our own
Drama Group, Choir, and
Readers. “We have to imporve
on all facets,” says William.
“Blacks need more of an
outlet.”
So, come alive Black
Students! UNC will keep
deliberately overlooking our
social and cultural needs if we sit
on our “cans” and do nothing
but talk about it.
by Sterling Swann
Staff Writer
Time induces changes and
changes induce more changes.
Perhaps this bit of logic can be
well understood when applied to
the newest arrival on the
University’s campus. That is
Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
There is something unique
about Omega that makes it stand
out among the other campus
Greek societies. Yes you guessed
it; Omega is the all black
fraternity-the first for the
University of North Carolina.
Despite their recent entry on the
fraternity scene the Omegas,
better known as the “Qs,” have
instilled pride and love in the
hearts of many Carolina blacks.
Carolina’s chapter of the
Omegas is a unit of the national
organization of the Omega Psi
Phi fraternity. Coming to UNC
this semester, the Q’s have an
impending popularity among
black students.
The first line of men to “go
over” consisted of eight
undergraduates and one graduate
student. Two UNC graduate
students from another chapter,
who acted as “big brothers” to
the Q’s, make a total
membership of eleven.
To become an Omega an
individual must meet three
criterions. First of all he must
have at least thirty semester
hours of academic work
completed at the university.
Secondly, he must have a
quality point average of 2.5;
however this specific
qualification was reported
waived in several instances.
Finally, the candidate must be
willing to “go on Une,” and
Majorette tryouts for the
UNC Marching Band will be
held Saturday, April 7, 1973
at 10 a.m. in Carmichael
Auditorium. Girls planning to
audition must prepare a
marching routine, twirling
routine, and dance routine.
Musical accompaniment is
optional with the marching
and twirling, but it is required
for the dance. Every position
abide by all the rules of the
fraternal order.
Confirmation of the new
candidate culminates in an
outstanding event called “going
over.” A person can only
become a member after
successfully passing the above
outlined tests.
While “on line” the candidate
must do many things. Most
important is strict obedience to
their “Big Brothers” who are
already established members of
|the fraternity. They must also
perform in public performances,
learn traditional songs and
dances, observe mandatory
library and cafeteria hours, plus
many other things that only a
fraternity man would know
about or very well endure.
During the time that the first
Q’s were on line they were a
constant source of excitement, a
lively spectacle wherever they
converged. Many afternoons
were spent marching and
performing, especially at Chase
Cafeteria. “Going Over”
weekend was marked with an
illustrous party and on the scene
action.
Carohna’s Omegas have many
future plans. Recruitment of
more members is probably the
most immediate. Far range
projections call for such things
as, recognition and membership
in the campus Inter Fraternity
Council and the construction of
a chapter house here on the
Chapel Hill campus.
In order to survive, one of the
present tasks of the Q’s is to
raise money. If the present
chapter is able to substain
financially, it will proceed with
due speed on the course of
building an outstanding future.
except that of the Head
Majorette is open and all
Black female students are
urged to participate. If
possible, Black students
should contact high school
seniors in their hometowns
who are planning to attend
UNC and would be interested
in auditioning for the
Marching Tarheels’ Majorette
Squad.
No Social Life?
March 2
March 3
Lest we forget
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
chartered by act of Congress 1867.
Freedmen’s Bureau established to assist
former slaves, 1865. Needless to say, the
Bureau was poorly financed, and
scrapped as soon as Congress could effect
it.
March 5
Crispus Attucks first to die for the cause
of American Revolution.
March 6
March 16
March 20
March 26
Dred Scott Decision of 1857 revealed
Negro’s true position in American
society—“no rights a white man is bound
to respect.”
Publication of Freedom’s Journal, first
Black newspaper 1827. Nat Turner led
dramatic slave insurrection, 1831.
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s
Cabin” published in 1852.
Richard Allen, founder and Bishop of
African Methodist Episcopal Church
(1760-1831).