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Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.
Baltimore, MD (9/20/07 BlackNews.com) - It is sobering to know that in 2007 Martin Luther King's dream of equal treatment, respect, fairness and opportunity is still not realized. For any court in the United States of America to deny African Americans their constitutional right to due process, equal application of the law, to a fair hearing, and the administration of justice with prejudice is inhumane and downright wrong.
It was wrong in the Dred Scott case before the Missouri Supreme Court in 1850 and before the United States Supreme Court in 1857. Justice Taney's outrageous notion that a black man has no rights that a white man is bound to respect was wrong in 1857; it was wrong in 1957; and, it is wrong today in 2007. It is unfortunate, even tragic that 150 years later, there are apparently still some who believe Taney's ill conceived logic.
The judicial railroading suffered by Adolph Plessey here in Louisiana was wrong in 1892 and 1896. And, the judicial railroading of the Jena 6 in Louisiana in 2006 and 2007 is wrong today. The racially motivated rush to prosecute, convict and execute the young black men known as the Scottsboro nine was wrong three-quarters of a century ago. And, the racially motivated rush to prosecute, convict and imprison the young black men known as the Jena 6 is wrong today.
The decision to overturn the original charges is a good first step, but it is not a closed case. These young men still stand the chance of going to jail unjustly. So like Amos who spoke out against injustice in his day, and Martin who spoke out against injustice in his day, I stand here today and commit the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to stand up and speak up on behalf of the Jena 6 "until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream!"
The plight of the Jena 6 should serve as a wake up call to black, white and brown America; we can no longer continue to live in denial with the belief that racism and hatred no longer exists. We must embrace the thought, and demonstrate through our actions, the realization that we are responsible for more than our own front walk...as long as one person is experiencing injustice, we all are experiencing injustice. I ask people of good will everywhere to let your voices be heard. We are not satisfied and will not be satisfied until justice is served.
The members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated have historically engaged in the struggle to uplift the downtrodden in their efforts to achieve the promise of social and economic parity described and prescribed in the pledge of allegiance to this great republic that declares liberty and justice for all.
For over 100 years brothers of Alpha have given of their time, talent and treasury to combat the sinister forces of injustice and unfairness, so prevalent during the years of Jim Crow, as well as the denial of civil rights to some.
And, by my presence here today, we declare that as conscientious African American men dedicated to making a positive difference, not just a statement or symbolic gesture, but to make real for these young men of Jena, Louisiana and others who experience this tragedy each and every day, the promises of democracy guaranteed by the founding fathers of this nation.
I close with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, "Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."
To make a financial contribution to the "Jena 6 Legal Defense Fund", make your checks payable to the "Jena 6 Legal Defense Fund" and mail them to:
Attention: Jena 6 Legal Defense Fund
NAACP National Headquarters
Development Department
c/o: Frank A. Humphrey, Assistant Treasurer
4805 Mount Hope Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
Founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has continued to supply voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights, through Alpha men such as W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, William Gray, and Cornel West. Within the 110th United States Congress are eight Alpha men including Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO), Danny K. Davis (IL), Chaka Fattah (PA), Al Green (TX), Gregory Meeks (NY), Charles B. Rangel (NY), David Scott (GA), and Robert C. Scott (VA). The fraternity through its college and alumni chapters serves the community through nearly a thousand chapters in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.apa1906.net
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Baltimore, MD (BlackNews.com 4/18/07) - There are really no words that can convey the emotions that are within us after watching the tragedy at Virginia Tech yesterday. However, on behalf of the thousands of members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in Virginia, America and around the world, our most sincere condolences go to the loved ones of those lost in the massacre.
Since 1973, Alpha Phi Alpha has called Virginia Tech part of our family, with fraternity members of our Iota Theta Chapter there who have played key roles at the university while matriculating and as alums of the university. We, like many in the Virginia Tech Family are asking the question: WHY? The answer is not likely to come in the near future, so we must focus on remembering the fallen and healing those who must carry on.
Alpha Phi Alpha is in the midst of celebrating its first 100 years as the oldest black Greek-lettered organization of college-educated people; yet the tragedy yesterday reminds us that life is so precious and can be gone in a moment’s notice. It reminds us that we must value life—ours and those of our friends, family and neighbors.
We want President Charles Steger and all members of the Virginia Tech University Community to know that our prayers are with all students, faculty, and staff members impacted by this incident and their families as well. If there is anything we can do to help, please, let us know.
A tragedy such as this speaks to the continued need for all people of good will to play a more active role in helping to mentor and assist our young people in all areas of their lives. In doing so, we can help them find healthier and more productive ways to express their emotions and process through the many complications and challenges that come with life.
I hope that all of us will take this tragic incident and turn it into an opportunity to answer the glaring cry for us to become more aware and assessable to those who need us—now more than ever—our future leaders. Alpha Phi Alpha is determined to do just that.
Founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has continued to supply voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights, through Alpha men such as W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Edward Brooke, Andrew Young, William Gray, Cornel West and many others. The fraternity through its college and alumni chapters serves the community through nearly a thousand chapters in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com 11/20/06) – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosted a reception in honor of the Ceremonial Groundbreaking for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial on November 13, 2006. The fraternity’s General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. welcomed more than 700 guests to the standing-room only reception at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. The reception featured several special presentations and appearances including Reverend Jesse Jackson and Tommy Hilfiger.
“History was made today, as thousands of people of all colors descended upon our nation’s capital to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Matthews. “This moment has been years in the making and it is an incredible feeling watching Dr. King’s vision live on. The memorial is a humble offering to our Alpha brother who paid the ultimate price to ensure that we all would be able to engage in the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Reverend Jesse Jackson delivered electrifying remarks to an enthusiastic crowd about the significance of this ceremony to the civil rights movement. Jackson reflected on the unsung heroes of the movement and segregation. The civil rights activist and personal friend of King reminded the audience that the struggle was not over. Jackson urged individuals to continue participating in democracy and economic empowerment in order to uplift the African-American community.
Renowned fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, member of the Executive Leadership Cabinet for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project Foundation, continued his commitment to the completion of the project by announcing that he would be hosting a fundraiser in New York City with Russell Simmons. Hilfiger encouraged all to attend in order to help the foundation reach its $100 million goal. To date, the foundation has raised $70 million.
The Coca-Cola Foundation made a $2 million donation to the memorial project. Ingrid Saunders Jones, Chairperson, Coca Cola Foundation and Senior Vice President, Coca Cola Company, presented the check on behalf of the company which has been instrumental in preserving the King legacy. The company previously contributed $2 million to help secure the purchase of the King Papers and most recently donated land for a civil rights museum in Atlanta.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. announced that the organization fulfilled its pledge of $140,000. In addition, there were check presentations during the reception from several African-American organizations. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Jack and Jill Foundation of America both presented checks for $10,000 towards the project.
King’s children, Martin III, Yolanda and Bernice, expressed gratitude to the members of Alpha Phi Alpha for conceiving the project and making it become a reality. The memorial is expected to be completed in spring 2008.
Prominent Fraternity members who attended the event included Al Bailey, the last living member of the five Alpha brothers who came up with the idea; Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project Foundation; Representative Danny Davis (D-IL); Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA); Comedian and Activist Dick Gregory; and, Roderick D. Gillum, MLK Foundation Board Chair and Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & Diversity for General Motors Corporation. Notable guests included Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX); Former Representative Walter E. Fauntroy (D-DC); Peter Adam, 30th International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and, Grace Speights, National President, Jack and Jill of America.
Since 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is committed to developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for the community. Today, there are nearly 200,000 members in almost 700 collegiate and alumni chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa. To learn more about Alpha visit www.apa1906.net and how to donate to the MLK Memorial Project visit www.buildthedream.org
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