First there was Omega Psi Phi. Next came Phi Beta Sigma. Now, after overcoming a four-year struggle to obtain its charter, a new fraternity has been formed at Howard: Shemsu-Heru.
However, there is one key difference. Shemsu-Heru is an Egyptian, not a traditional Greek fraternity.
Shemsu-Heru is an Egyptian term that means "Sons of Light." The three main goals of Shemsu-Heru are knowledge of self, community service and fellowship. According to their mission statement the founders and members of Shemsu-Heru want to "give Howard students the opportunity to critically investigate the traditions of their ancient Kemetic ancestors in a systematic and holistic fashion."
First year African Philosophy graduate student Adrian Taylor is founder and president of Shemsu-Heru. He said he formed this Egyptian fraternity instead of joining a Greek fraternity because his research showed that fraternities started in Africa.
"I want this fraternity to expand people's horizons and let people know about themselves to be of better service for the community," Taylor said.
He points out that Black people need to have more exposure to their own history and learn more about the accomplishments of their ancestors.
Alonzo Evans, owner of the House of Khmet bookstore, is an honorary member and self-described mentor of Shemsu-Heru. He offers a more detailed explanation of the fraternities' purpose.
"Egyptian civilization preceded Greek civilization and fraternities are actually an ancient Egyptian movement," Evans said. "During 1906 to 1912, when Black fraternities were being established, they didn't know about ancient Egyptian societies and based their fraternal movement on the educational level of the time."
He further adds, "We want to resurrect our [African] ideas rather than foster European ones."
Evans makes it clear he does not feel Egyptian fraternities are better than Greek ones. He feels it's important for Black people to be educated in the way of their ancestors.
Evans also says the purpose of Shemsu-Heru is to educate Black men "on the tenets of honesty, integrity, and [being] men of our word." He also points out the importance of respect for women, being "custodians" of the environment, and having knowledge of the physical self in order to better understand the spiritual self.
However, it has been something of an uphill struggle for Shemsu-Heru to get started.
Evans cited roadblocks that prevented the fraternity from getting its charter sooner.
"It appears that there were administrators who were members of Greek fraternities who were blocking the full fruition of this organization on campus."
It wasn't until Evans called the vice-president before things started to run more smoothly. Shemsu-Heru was officially chartered last month on Lincoln's birthday.
Shemsu-Heru also has an auxiliary sorority, Shesmu-Ast Shemsu-Heru will host an interest meeting in the Blackburn Center Forum tonight at 7 p.m. for all those interested in joining.
