GRAND POLEMARCH’S MESSAGE
Still We Rise
W hen the 34 th Administra- tion was inducted on August 3, 2019, no one would have imagined the world would look like it is today. We first experienced the onset of a world-wide pandemic that sickened mil- lions and killed hundreds of thousands. The insidious virus called COVID-19 caused the cancellation of iconic events like the NCAA national championships, World Olympics and Tennis at Wimble- don. Major League Baseball, the Na- tional Hockey League and the National Basketball Association had to pause their seasons indefinitely while we all sorted out and redefined our lives as we tried to anticipate the revised operating terms of the new normal. These were all unfathomable events we could never have seen coming but STILL WE RISE. As if that were not enough, through the senseless, brutal murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks, we had to revisit and relive the consequences of the systemic, pervasive racism that has been endemic to our country for as long as I can remember. Like minded groups have coalesced to call for freedom, justice and equality for all but that call was answered by some of our national leaders with antagonism and vitriol reminiscent of the George Wallace, Bull Connor, Jim Crow days, but STILL WE RISE.
However, Brothers, this is not a doom and gloom message because we have much for which to be grateful. I learned early in my spiritual educa- tion that it is impossible to have “Fear” and “Faith” at the same time and I am not afraid. Though the Fraternity faces a crucible unlike no other it has experienced in 109 years, it has made significant, necessary changes to its way of life. Brothers have stepped up in a mighty way to continue to build on our legacy of achievement and service to the communities in which we live. STILL WE RISE. Irrespective of COVID-19, brothers continue to take care of the Fraternity’s business in unique and novel ways. Membership intake was very much in jeopardy in March but today, in June, we have initiated almost all of the candidates through medically safe and innovative procedures used by our out- standing Province Polemarchs. STILL WE RISE. The Fraternity, Kappa Foundation, Senior Kappa Endowment Fund and National Silhouettes exemplified the mantra of Brothers for Brothers by establishing the COVID-19 Under- graduate Relief Fund to financially help our collegiate brothers bridge the gap between what they expected to do this year and their harsh reality created by the virus. Hundreds of collegiate brothers have applied for and received
On location in Selma, Alabama: Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. with the leadership of the Divine Nine, The Links, Incorporated and others of good will salute the 55 th Anniversary of the March on Selma.
8 | SPRING 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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