Kitwana - How Black Greek Life was Reborn at USC
By: Joy Ofodu ‘18
Kitwana is a Swahili word, meaning that one vows ‘to live.’ This is what Junior USC student Marcus Burke, an Animation and Digital Arts Major, roared into the cold air Wednesday as he ascended the steps of PED. He and senior Marquis Morris (USC Sociology major and All-American Track athlete) had just officially joined one of the most esteemed fraternities in the National Pan-Hellenic Council: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The NPHC, according to their website, “is currently composed of nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (founded 1906), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.” On a college campus, the joint community formed by these organizations is referred to as a “Yard.”
USC NPHC Vice President Kathrina Ruiz describes the student community as “a council of historically black organizations devoted to serving marginalized communities via educational programming and civil and social action, who also have a work-hard, play-hard mindset.”
USC’s Yard currently boasts Alphas, Kappas, Deltas, SGRhos, a Que, an AKA and a Sigma. This presence has fluctuated every semester. Each probate or unmasking of new members (Neos) brings our Yard closer to completion, though anyone would balk at the day USC has a full Divine 9. Still, the light ignited by Wednesday’s Neos meant a brand new line and presence for at least one fraternity, which was enough to make the crowd go wild in laughter and admiration as both Burke and Morris painstakingly recited the history of their fraternity between musical skits, physical comedy and solemn recognition of past Alphas at our university.
Surrounded by former USC and local AфA alumni as well as Track & Field athletes, Black Student Assembly members and fellow NPHC members, the two were cheered on into the late hours of the night. The entire evening was steeped in tradition and ended most joyously for both of the new ‘ice cold Apes’ (a popular Alpha moniker) who had finally earned the right to wear the AфA emblems and stroll with their predecessors. After a semester of seclusion and learning the ropes, they are finally ‘owt.’
What does this mean for students Marcus Burke and Marquis Morris? Though they will return with vigor to their usual haunts (animating title sequences, studying entrepreneurship and soaring over 110m hurdles, respectively), the two will now contribute to campus life as brothers of AфA, hosting barbecues, study nights and service drives for the greater community.
Want more from Trojans 360?
Visit Trojans 360 on Facebook & Twitter to stay up to date with more student content!
You can also Ask A Trojan an anonymous question, and we’ll try to answer it in a future post!
And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.
