The Proposed Sigma/Kappa Merger
I know we all like to clown each other about our fraternal choices. I have friends in just about the entire NPHC and we all kid around about each other's fraternity or sorority. However, in the end facts are facts. The "merger" is discussed on Page 103 of The Divine Nine written by Lawrence C. Ross, Jr., a member of Alpha Phi Alpha:
"One curious development came not from within Phi Beta Sigma, but from a letter from the Grand Polemarch and founder of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Elder Diggs. Phi Beta Sigma reported to its body that Mr. Diggs inquired about exploring a possible merger of the two organizations, in an effort to expand the Midwestern Kappa Alpha Psi and the Eastern Phi Beta Sigma. After a discussion of the pros and cons of such a move, Sigma respectfully declined"
As far a the cane debate goes, you could go to
http://www.sigmahistory.cjb.net and see older pictures of Frat with canes from years past. As far as "twirling" goes, if one studies stepping styles they could clearly see that in its purest form Sigma cane stepping and Kappa cane twirling are not the same. Sigma did not "bite" the Kappas twirling style because Sigma cane stepping is not done in the same manner. We use more beats and taps than basic twirls and throws. Of course there are times where there are similiarities, but in essence they are different. As far as Alpha staffs go, that's some new s*it.
As far as having non-Black members in our Fraternity is concerned, NPHC organizations had non-Black initiates are far back as the '20's and '30's. I am certain that Kappa Alpha Psi, which started at a predominantly-White school in an area of the country heavily populated by Caucasians, is no exception. I have no shame in saying that I have Frat Brothers that are White, Latino, or Asian, as long as Sigma is in their hearts.
This "Eternal Scroller" myth is pure garbage. For starters, there was no Kappa chapter or even a Kappa presense at Howard in 1914. Additionally, none of the founders or charter members of Sigma were from anywhere remotely near Indiana. Kappa's Xi Chapter website clearly states that Kappa did not become established at Howard until 1920(
http://www.cldc.howard.edu/~monroe/kapsi/xihistory.htm)
People can get mad all they want to, but the facts are the facts.
GOMAB