T HE F LAT H AT
Vol. 111, Iss. 15 | Tuesday, February 8, 2022
The Weekly Student Newspaper
of The College of William and Mary
Anna Arnsberger // THE FLAT HAT
T
uesday, Feb. 1, William & Mary Libraries celebrated the opening of its latest exhibit, “Strollin’: A History of Black Greek Letter Organizations at William & Mary.” The opening featured a discussion with Wake Forest University Law Professor Gregory Parks, author of A Pledge with Purpose: Black Sororities and Fraternities and the Fight for Equality. “Strollin’” traces the history of Black fraternities and sororities at the College of William & Mary, starting in 1975 with the founding of the Kappa Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. Historical artifacts, photos and informational plaques will be on display in the Marshall Gallery of Earl Gregg Swem Library until Aug. 31, 2022. Exhibit curator and the College’s oral historian, Andre Taylor, focused on integrating spoken narratives into “Strollin’.” On the pillars leading into the Marshall Gallery hang the flags of the Divine Nine (D9) Greek letter organizations. Each flag, except Iota Phi Theta — for which the College does not have a chapter — is accompanied by various QR codes linked to videos of alumni sharing their experiences as members of the Greek letter organizations. In one oral history, Arman Jones ’20 explained how Alpha Delta Sigma, Inc.’s values of male scholarship, perseverance and uplift attracted him to the organization. Jones was particularly interested in uplifting Black culture, which he noticed faced many institutional barriers in the College. “When I started understanding more about just Greek fraternity in general and the D9, I wanted to help the community, help the Black community specifically at William and Mary,” Jones said. Taylor believes that this exhibit is necessary considering the larger context of Greek organizations on campus. In 1776, Phi
Beta Kappa was founded at the College as the first fraternity in America. “William and Mary is the epicenter for the Greek life in America,” Taylor said. “It's important that we tell our story because Black Greek letter organizations arrived on William and Mary almost 200 years after the arrival of Phi Beta Kappa.” Assistant Dean and Director of the Center for Student Diversity Kimberly Weatherly, who is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., reiterated the importance of telling this history at the College. “A lot of times at predominantly-white institutions, you don’t have the history of the Black fraternities and sororities,” Weatherly said. “Hearing the different testimonies from people who were here at William and Mary and their experiences on campus was very enlightening.” Lamenting how Black Greek letter organizations receive less recognition than their white counterparts, Weatherly also pointed out some of the features that make D9 unique. “At a lot of other fraternities and sororities, when you pledge you kind of leave that there in undergrad, but when we make that commitment, it’s lifelong,” Weatherly said. Along with commitment, many D9 organizations emphasize service, curiosity and culture. “It’s important to understand that these spaces exist to promote educational success but also to promote cultural heritage sharing,” Taylor said. “And that’s very important for me for people to have spaces where they can celebrate their cultural heritage collectively.” Parks also discussed these themes in the presentation of his book. He began by exploring the origins of Black Greek organizations and their roots in Black churches, secret societies
flathatnews.com | @theflathat
REBECCA KLINGER / THE FLAT HAT
and literary societies. According to Parks, these groups were founded to promote uplift, intellectual curiosity and community. While many of the D9 organizations originated on HBCU campuses, Parks highlighted the unique significance of those formed at predominantly-white institutions such as the College. “The dynamics that black students experienced at those institutions then, and ironically, in many ways, still to that today is a spirit or a feeling of isolation, lack of connection,” Parks said. “‘Society offered us narrowly circumscribed opportunity and no security. Out of our need, our fraternity brought social purpose and social action’,” Parks said, quoting Henry Arthur Callis, a founder of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.. Black Greek organizations were formed to support the struggle of Black Americans. Now 100 years later, activism and service remain key tenets of many of these groups. For Shiyanna McLeod ’23, the “Strollin’” exhibit effectively emphasizes this. “We do a lot for our communities that sometimes goes unseen,” McLeod said. “Most of, if not all of the Black Greek letter organizations are service-based and that’s something that’s not necessarily highlighted.” Parks explained some of this history, recognizing how the D9’s efforts to promote racial uplift are not as well-known as those of traditional civil rights groups. He spoke about the American Council on Human Rights, a collective of six Greek letter organizations focused on issues such as education, healthcare and voting rights. “Where there’s progress, there’s always retrenchment. Where there’s advancement, there’s always folks who want to push back," .on that advancement,” Parks said. See STROLLIN' page 8
CHARTER DAY
Law students launch "No Degree for Bigotry" campaign against Youngkin Students protest Youngkin's scheduled recipience of honorary degree at Charter Day ceremony
Friday, Feb. 11, Governor Glenn Youngkin will be speaking at the College of William and Mary’s 329th Charter Day ceremony, where he is scheduled to receive an honorary degree. Due to controversial policies introduced by Youngkin, such as a ban on teaching critical race theory in public schools, some students are pushing back against his presence on campus. Skye McCollum J.D. ’24 has assisted in the creation of a campaign titled “No Degrees for Bigotry” in opposition to Youngkin’s anticipated honorary degree. “Me and two other law students saw that this was happening on Charter Day, and we were immediately very confused and upset about it,” McCollum said. “It seems to oppose everything that William and Mary says that they support.” Charter Day, which was originally known as Founder’s Day, marks the day on which the College’s charter was granted by King William III and Queen Mary II. The celebration of the grant of the College’s royal charter has been celebrated annually since its initiation by President John Stewart Bryan on Feb. 8, 1937.
INDEX News Opinions Variety Sports News
2 3-4 5-6 7 8
“
“When you give someone an honorary degree, youʼre saying that you support what they believe in, and that makes no sense, as he has just gotten into office, and all heʼs really done for public service is censor education. I mean, this is a college of higher learning. What are we saying if thatʼs who we want to give an honorary degree to?” ̶ Skye McCollum
“
ABIGAIL CONNELLY THE FLAT HAT
The College has traditionally invited the newlyelected governor to speak at Charter Day and receive an honorary degree during their first year in office. “We look forward to a lively Charter Day in this, our 329th spring," College President Katherine Rowe wrote in an email to students. "We will celebrate our community and set a course for W&M’s future through Vision 2026. We welcome Governor-elect Youngkin to that celebration while he plans for the future of the commonwealth.” However, McCollum argues that by granting an honorary degree to Governor Youngkin, the administration is honoring someone who does not deserve the College’s endorsement. “When you give someone an honorary degree, you’re saying that you support what they believe in, and that makes no sense, as he has just gotten into office, and all he’s really done for public service is censor education,” McCollum said. “I mean, this is a college of higher learning. What are we saying if that’s who we want to give an honorary degree to?” See YOUNGKIN page 8
Inside Opinions
Inside Variety
Aidan White '23 writes how granting an honorary degree to Gov. Glenn Youngkin is the mistake by the administration.
NOBCChE provides a welcoming space for Chemistry students. page 5
Youngkinʼs honorary degree latest in series of Collegeʼs misplaced accolades
page 3
NOBCChE: A catalyst for change on campus, forming lasting bonds
Inside Sports
College jumps out early, loses momentum in golden game
The College fell to JMU 4-58 on Sunday, Feb. 6 at Kaplan Arena in the annual Golden Game. page 7