I agree! I really didn't know what the J5 was and it had to be explained to me in a way that made me feel like I was stupid. J5 waters down the true meaning of the day. Some may think we are celebrating the Jackson 5. We have to be careful and protect our tradition from becoming another hashtag that misrepresents us in the public. If a lot of brothers are unsure of the meaning just think what the public is thinking about it.
Happy Founders' Day.
January 2, 2017
kapsi
Brothers:
Personally, I hate the use of the moniker and would prefer that it be banned altogether. I did not like the use of it six years ago and am not a fan of it today. What put it into perspective for me was as I observed someone pick up a flyer not too long ago, they commented by asking, what's J5? Followed by the other asking what does Kappa Alpha Psi has to do with the Jackson Five?
Simply put; if we are going to use something as a marketing tool, we need to make it relative to the audience for which we are trying to attract. If it is something that has to be explained, then we are already missing the mark. Whether typing a Founders Day salutation or speaking it; being lazy obviously is not the way to go. There should be some pride and respect in honoring this century-old organization. The Founders have at the very least earned the respect from us that we will do right by them at every turn. Let us not forget the hard work and sacrifice by them to create what we have today. They deserve that from all of us.
Yours in the Bond,
Eric Brown, Polemarch
Detroit Alumni Chapter
January 2, 2017
kapsi
I think the protocol around Founder's Day being for Brothers to recommit to the founding of the fraternity and to focus on our revered founders is much more important than the "J5" tag line. Founder's Day should be a time of reclamation, rededication and fraternal rejuvenation. To ban a phrase is petty! Let's focus on the big picture: getting brothers to attend the national Founder's Day; not having chapters host conflicting events during this time; and having the events focus on brotherhood. Remember, our fraternity was foundered on the basis of brotherhood - not community service, not joint organizations and not politics but BROTHERHOOD. Let's focus Founder's Day on our foundation of brotherhood and continue to try to bring our fraternity together nationally. We need to reconnect the 80% of our membership who decided (both undergraduate and alumni) to remain inactive (not financial, sustaining or affiliated with a chapter) after only 2-3 years in the bond.
With that said, I think all formal communication from chapters, provinces and our national governance structure should use FOUNDER'S DAY not J5. Additionally, we should, as a fraternity, encourage the affirmative. Creating a rule, banning or discouraging the use of J5 seems punitive. We should instead affirm good spirit and brotherhood through inclusion.
January 2, 2017
kapsi
I think the protocol around Founder's Day being for Brothers to recommit to the founding of the fraternity and to focus on our revered founders is much more important than the "J5" tag line. Founder's Day should be a time of reclamation, rededication and fraternal rejuvenation. To ban a phrase is petty! Let's focus on the big picture: getting brothers to attend the national Founder's Day; not having chapters host conflicting events during this time; and having the events focus on brotherhood. Remember, our fraternity was foundered on the basis of brotherhood - not community service, not joint organizations and not politics but BROTHERHOOD. Let's focus Founder's Day on our foundation of brotherhood and continue to try to bring our fraternity together nationally. We need to reconnect the 80% of our membership who decided (both undergraduate and alumni) to remain inactive (not financial, sustaining or affiliated with a chapter) after only 2-3 years in the bond.
With that said, I think all formal communication from chapters, provinces and our national governance structure should use FOUNDER'S DAY not J5. Additionally, we should, as a fraternity, encourage the affirmative. Creating a rule, banning or discouraging the use of J5 seems punitive. We should instead affirm good spirit and brotherhood through inclusion.
January 2, 2017
kapsi
J5 keeps the young nupes and trend followers excited. It is not meant for the 40 plus brothers who are out of touch. Young Nupes speak in short hand and emoji's this is a demographic that we want to connect with. Look around at your Founder's Day events and count the Undergraduates; then look at the J5 events and count them... drops mic...
January 2, 2017
kapsi
???!!!
January 2, 2017
kapsi
I agree that we have to make room for multiple forms of communication so that all demographics of the Fraternity are included. My hope is that in doing so we don't lose sight of the intent the Founders provided for us. We have to find a balanced way to preserve our history and formality while embracing 21st century terminology. Yours in the Bond, K. Kyles
January 3, 2017
kapsi
is this from Detroit Alumni?
Kappa Detroit Foundation Presents: “Diamond Life” A J5 Founders’ Day Celebration Commemorating 106 Years of Honorable Achievement
Please Support “Diamond Life” on Friday, January 6, 2017 | 8pm-1am | Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History - Contemporary Arts Room - | 315 E. Warren Ave. Detroit, MI 48201
January 2, 2017
kapsi
I personally have no problem with it. In a formal situation I completely understand the use of formal language. But, when the situation is informal why cant we use informal language? We say "bro" instead of brother, we say "KAPsi" instead of Kappa Alpha Psi, hell we even say K. Kyles instead of Kevin. I guess what I'm saying is when the situation calls for it use the proper terminology. We must remember by building "new traditions" we do not tarnish the old. In my humble opinion of course. Yo!
Dreux Baker
Delta Pi
2006
January 2, 2017
kapsi
Brother Kyles I commend you for your continued exemplary leadership. Your stance is regarding the use of a moniker rather than taking the time to recognize our National Founders Day in our public and private communication is truly an excellent marketing tool. However as members of this grand clan, we must take the extra steps to recognize our Founders appropriately. Just as we should always use the term Brothers rather the bruhs when recognizing members
As leaders it our our responsibility to manage the culture, responsibilities and expectations of those whom we lead so that the bar remains high and the difference remains clear inside and outside of Kappa Alpha Psi
Happy Founders Day my Brothers!!!
January 2, 2017
kapsi
Brother Kyles, thanks for the "Cliff notes" version of explaining the evolution of J5. I agree with the very first comment made in this string.
January 2, 2017
kapsi
Only in America are we free to have open and honest discussions and I love that all of the missives of each and every brother thus far has been thoughtful, respectful and promote vast viewpoints. I respect everyone's opinions in that they can't be discounted but believe that through this forum that we value the differences of thought but also determine how to incorporate how we become more inclusive in that all Brothers whether over or under 40 can be on one accord as were our Founders!
As it relates to promotional or Founders Day events, we should and must determine ways that when events are planned that we cater to ALL Brothers regardless of age are welcomed to participate in events that caters to all demographic as we are all Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi. I am not naïve to believe that under/over age of 40 party or like events the same way but there must be some events that can cross all age demographics as the under 40 is our future leaders and if we can’t get them engaged early then they likely won’t be engaged when they become over 40.
The positive and/or negative foundation of who we become is laid in our lives generally speaking when we are young and oftentimes it becomes to late once we become older and set in our ways. In summary, we must close the gap in engaging those brothers under 40 and at the same time, the under 40 must also be open and engage the brotherhood. 20% engagement in anything is unacceptable and that every demographic (20,30,40,50,60,70 etc) must do their part to strengthen each other and strengthen the fraternity and support what Our Founders intended for the Fraternity to be.
Proverbs 27:17King James Version (KJV)
17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Yours In The Bond,
Brother Kyle C. Grant, Detroit Alumni Chapter
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