The Mo’Kelly Report

I’m going to jump in on this one. I don’t think anyone is “tearing down” another in terms of the what is being said, but there is an honest realization of the situation and irrespective of whether the parties are guilty or innocent, there is a depth of concern for the welfare of the organization.

In other words, this is very personal for all involved. And families disagree about what’s best for the family, although everyone loves the family. And if anyone has been in any plenary session for ANY of the Divine Nine organizations, we know this all too well.

We don’t agree and we especially don’t disagree “nicely.”

But in terms of the public discussion of these issues, there are two facets to consider. Yes, the legal venue will do its job, but the public discussion accomplishes two goals. First, it allows the wider body a voice that the internal machine did not. Secondly, it applies pressure on the organization to address these issues in a more expedient manner (for better or worse) than the court system will. Also the legal system is often manipulated by money and legalese to draw out and wear out the general body opposition. It’s an unlevel playing field for those in opposition.

But the public discussion is very important to any organization’s national body. It affects future sponsorships, future inductions of high-profile “honorary” members. It affects future membership recruitment. In short, it affects all of the interests of the organization.

The public discussion, although distasteful, is not a reflection on the whole of AKA and anyone with half a brain already knows this. This is about one administration and a handful of individuals. It is little different than any of the hazing lawsuits. It is not representative of the whole, but the actions of a few…a few in direct contradiction to the stated ideals of the organization.

There undoubtedly is corruption in all of the Divine Nine, let’s not kid ourselves. But how Zeta Phi Beta handled its situation has obviously influenced AKA and how this situation is handled will affect the future issues. So being steadfast now, despite the unpleasant nature of the issues, only ensures this to be a greater deterrent for future AKA administrations to even tread close to the line of financial impropriety and other organizations will watch themselves as well. We are all inextricably linked…remember that.

Although I may present some of this material in a humorous light, I am not laughing “at” AKA…and I’m sure nobody else is either. We share in the pain. Either we’ve been where you are now, or will be shortly. All of our organizations suffer from these issues, just haven’t necessarily come to light yet.

If AKA responded to me within 24 hours, then obviously what goes on here matters. You can either capitalize on it or ignore it. But the choice is yours.

But…families (like the King family) who sue each other abdicate that argument. If the “family” doesn’t want a public discussion of legal (or illegal) issues, then the remedy is to either successfully address the “issues” prior to it becoming a lawsuit concerning MILLIONS of dollars or accept the fact that the problem is not the public discussion of PUBLIC issues (remember…lawsuit) but the problem is connected to the issues raised in the lawsuit.

I say that to say…it’s a bit unfair to chastise people for discussing it publicly, yet ignore the 800 lb elephant in the room better known as some FIVE current lawsuits. You can’t have it both ways.

You want to keep it internal, then create an environment in which sorors aren’t suing your own board, employees/ex-employees aren’t suing your present leadership, etc.

Not to hit below the belt, and I’m saying this with complete respect…but did you say the same thing when the multi-million dollar wrongful death lawsuit hit for the unfortunate deaths of the Ivy pledges here in Los Angeles?

Was THAT an “internal family” issue too? The lawsuit is the key. It’s no longer “family business” as is true with any divorce or custody battle. Once you play this out in the court system, it’s the public space and I think it’s wrong to chastise people for somehow not discussing it “internally.” Because clearly if that were an effective option, it wouldn’t have gotten to this point.

I’ll wait and see what returns come from that meeting. Honestly, I don’t expect (and never expected) anything to happen prior to their boule.