Male AKA impersonators hurt sorority's image and their own
Leethaniel Brumfield
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Opinion
It has been said that imitation is the best form of flattery, but members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), may be apt to disagree. A group of Black gay college students have allegedly started their own "sorority" called Men Interested in Alpha Kappa Alpha (MiAKA).
In 2006, several pictures of MiAKA members surfaced on internet websites like Facebook and Myspace, showing groups of men posing with AKA keepsakes, using the AKA logo, and wearing the AKA signature pink and green colors. In the photos, these men were also shown performing with white masks over their faces at what appeared to be a probate. Supposedly, these men pictured were college students at two HBCUs-Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University. Through a quick online search I found a 2003 news story from The Alestle, a St. Louis, Mo. newspaper, that reported on a "Mr. MiAKA 2003 fundraiser-type pageant that a local AKA chapter held. Throughout the article the male contestants were referred to as "MiAaKAs."
A MiAKA from Morehouse College that I spoke with told me that they have a tremendous amount of respect for the AKAs, and they're just trying to assist in carrying on the AKA legacy. Another MiAKA from Jackson State University says that they aren't hurting anyone, and more importantly he believes that through acts of serving the community, they're helping raise money for causes important to AKA.
However, AKAs have mixed emotions about MiAKAs.
"I don't necessarily have a problem with MiAKAs, but they have to remember that they are not AKAs and never will be," said Randi Okray, a member of the Alpha Zeta chapter of AKA at Langston University.
Not only are men interested in AKA, but they're also interested in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST) and other Black sororities.
The drive for males to become MiAKAs may stem from many places.
A MiAKA from Dillard University said that their AKA affiliation is a mere response to the notorious homophobia they experience from Black fraternities. He also said that MiAKAs oppose joining one of the many national fraternities specifically for gay men of color, including Lambda Phi Theta, Gamma Mu Phi, and Delta Phi Upsilon.
In 2006, several pictures of MiAKA members surfaced on internet websites like Facebook and Myspace, showing groups of men posing with AKA keepsakes, using the AKA logo, and wearing the AKA signature pink and green colors. In the photos, these men were also shown performing with white masks over their faces at what appeared to be a probate. Supposedly, these men pictured were college students at two HBCUs-Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University. Through a quick online search I found a 2003 news story from The Alestle, a St. Louis, Mo. newspaper, that reported on a "Mr. MiAKA 2003 fundraiser-type pageant that a local AKA chapter held. Throughout the article the male contestants were referred to as "MiAaKAs."
A MiAKA from Morehouse College that I spoke with told me that they have a tremendous amount of respect for the AKAs, and they're just trying to assist in carrying on the AKA legacy. Another MiAKA from Jackson State University says that they aren't hurting anyone, and more importantly he believes that through acts of serving the community, they're helping raise money for causes important to AKA.
However, AKAs have mixed emotions about MiAKAs.
"I don't necessarily have a problem with MiAKAs, but they have to remember that they are not AKAs and never will be," said Randi Okray, a member of the Alpha Zeta chapter of AKA at Langston University.
Not only are men interested in AKA, but they're also interested in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST) and other Black sororities.
The drive for males to become MiAKAs may stem from many places.
A MiAKA from Dillard University said that their AKA affiliation is a mere response to the notorious homophobia they experience from Black fraternities. He also said that MiAKAs oppose joining one of the many national fraternities specifically for gay men of color, including Lambda Phi Theta, Gamma Mu Phi, and Delta Phi Upsilon.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Mr. 1867
posted 2/06/08 @ 12:18 PM CST
Lets be clear that there are AKAs nor MiAKAs registered as students at Morehouse College. Please do not include the institution's name in anymore of your publications which discuss such taboo topics in such a careless manner. (Continued…)
Ms. 1867
posted 2/06/08 @ 7:38 PM CST
Umm, read - not just for content but for clarity and conduct your own research. What does "allegedly" mean? Reframe versus refrain.
One can only assume that you left out the word "not" in your reply. (Continued…)
Justin B.
posted 2/07/08 @ 10:32 AM CST
I think that there are others ways to handle such a matter. My mother is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority inc. The circumstances surrounding this is unknown. (Continued…)
Ashley
posted 2/11/08 @ 7:44 PM CST
As a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, these perpretrators will never become true members of our illustrious sorority. They are only aiming for the impossible. (Continued…)
Ashley
posted 2/11/08 @ 7:47 PM CST
Furthermore, as a journalist, I would suggest that the columnist does further research...Saying that there are "miAKAs" at JSU. Did you check with Student Life? Are they registered campus organizations? Do not taint the sorority's image or university's image, for that matter, implying that that type of behavior is condoned. (Continued…)
Leethaniel Brumfield
posted 2/13/08 @ 7:24 PM CST
Readers should master comprehending what they read! The purpose of article was to inform others of an "underground" group of people's attempt to identify themselves with. (Continued…)
CynceirDereon
posted 2/22/08 @ 11:48 AM CST
First and foremost I am a PROUD nephew, grandson, cousin, brother, godchild, and etc. of The prestigious sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated. Respectfully I wanted to comment on this article myself. (Continued…)
keisha
posted 4/17/08 @ 7:15 PM CST
I think that this whole miAKA thing is getting out of hand everyone knows that miAkA's are not and never will be members or even affilated the prestigious sorority of AKA i am a proud member myself and i feel that it is very disrespectful of the miAKAs to carry on like they do VERY UPSETTING but to all my sorors SKEE-WEE
cerazy
posted 4/23/08 @ 8:48 PM CST
i'm tired of you guys lying i'm a miaka i'm not gay furthermore i joined at langston and i'm not gay and stop whining and crying they not hurtin nobody, aka's so seperated weithin themselves they need to worry about unity in their own sorority and stop gettin sidetrack by this petty bull, fortitude and virtue, cavalier incorporated its all real fort valley state university it happened i can spit the history dont test me
tye
posted 5/14/08 @ 7:09 PM CST
i believe that as aspiring journalists, the first thing we need to learn is how to fully investigate and not just report on opinion or skewed half-truths. (Continued…)
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