My Son and Now My Brother

One can only imagine the plethora of feelings, emotions and memories that overcome a father watching his son about to make a pledge to Sigma. I mean...what is going through his mind as he witnesses his son participate in the initiation ritual or grip him for the first time. Recently two men of Sigma, Bros. Kenneth Gatson (Epsilon, Spring 1990) and Charles Webster (Xi Omicron, Spring 1983) watched their sons Bros. Khaliq Gatson (Kappa Eta) and Kyle Webster (Alpha Chi Alpha) become men of Sigma in the Spring of 2015. They both took a moment to share a few thoughts with us about that special moment.

Bro. Charles Webster

My thoughts on my Sun, I spell it that way when referring to all my boys, because I tell them “they shine like one”.

I am so proud that he viewed Sigma as a powerful organization for social change. During the ceremony I thought about the burning candle which created a reflective glow in his eyes that represented a long journey which lead him to that night! At first, I fought back tears and then a recognition that these tears came from joy, so it was Ok to let them flow. I couldn’t help but think that all men of Sigma should be able to experience the sheer joy of passing the light to their Sun!

He knows that there is a tradition of social activism that he must continue and at times lead. I know that he has been born for his role in Sigma and he will represent the organization in this most honorable manner. I am a proud Dad!

Bro. Kenneth Gatson

On March 21, 2015 I had the honor of joining my line brothers, undergraduate and graduate chapter brothers and many others as my first born son, Khaliq Gatson, became a Sigma Man. Words cannot express the pride and adulation I felt for him as he stood before us with his line brothers ready to start his own journey within our wondrous band that is Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. When I reached for his hand to give him the fraternity grip for the first time, of so many times to come, my eyes began to fill with tears. Before those tears of joy rolled down my face, I knew that after 25 years of being a Sigma there was no moment—today, tomorrow or even yesterday—that would be as majestic and awe inspiring as this one. My son was now my brother.

As I watched him and his line brothers introduce themselves as Sigma men to the University of Delaware community, I was humbled, and my eyes again welled up with tears, as pride beamed from my soul. Once again, my son, my brother, a Sigma Man...

Bro. Brandon r. Brown