TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
“Brothers across the fraternity were able to call upon this champion of human rights for consultation and guidance throughout the years.”
Congressman Conyers through his proactive advocacy for all peoples of the world, especially those who have found justice elusive in Detroit, throughout the nation and the world. According to 33 rd Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr., “Brother John Cony- ers has been a ‘brother’s brother’ in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Brothers across the fraternity were able to call upon this champion of human rights for consultation and guidance throughout the years. Brother Conyers demonstrated a temperament of humility and a willingness to assist brothers on matters in the public and private sec- tors. It was important to his constituency in Michigan, as well as citizens throughout our nation, that Brother Conyers served as a beacon light for human rights and social justice. Brother Conyers did not bear the title of ‘Dean of the House’ solely because of longevity, but because of the indispensable quality of his service. We honor this great brother, who will go down in the annals of our fraternity as one of the greatest public servants, who wore the crimson and cream.” The Honorable Brother John James Conyers Jr. is survived by his wife, Monica Ann Esters Conyers, two sons John III and Carl Edward, and a host of relatives and friends.
King Jr.
Congressman Conyers served more than a half century in the Congress, challeng- ing the status quo that has too often been counterproductive to the citizens who have been historically underserved. He answered the pertinent question; should young people not be cynical about politics? “The whole idea of the advance- ment of minorities has taken root because of political activism. The African Ameri- can progress, which I credit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with restarting, happened due to the Civil Rights Movement. As he ascended into leadership, not only through his oratory, but also through his writing as well, and most of all, his political activism. … Democracy isn’t perfect. The Citizens United decision made it worse as an unbe- lievable attempt to take government out of requiring fair elections.” I see it as absolutely critical that we continue ‘boot camps’ for young people to get interested. .... Because in the end, the decisions that determine who gets what in America (are) going to be made by our government. Elections count. Votes do matter. It is incredibly important that we encourage as much participation as we can [and] turning out more people to express their opinion through the voting process is a help to the system itself, regardless of what the issues are. Because if you really don’t believe that there are consequences, then you are asleep at the switch.” Brother Conyers was honored in 2003 as the 52 nd Laurel Wreath Laureate, the high- est award bestowed on a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The Detroit community has honored the legacy of a living legend who has had an outstanding career as a public servant with a focus upon civil rights and inequality everywhere. The world has come to know
Conyers with 33 rd Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr.
Errata: In a previous version of this article that appeared in the Winter 2019 issue, Rep. William L. Clay, Sr. and Rep. Ralph H. Metcalfe were erroneously listed as members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. That error has been corrected with this version.
THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2019 | 99
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