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What's in a Name? "Kelnisha" - Remember Who You Are

  One's name is very important. It defines/shapes who you are and who you may become. A mother and father usually don't take naming a baby lightly and they shouldn't. They ponder for weeks, even months on what the coming baby should be called. They take gender into consideration. "If it's a girl, we'll name it this...If it's a boy we'll name it that." Have you ever pondered over your name? The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "On the Day of Resurrection you will be called by your names and your father's names. So give your children good names." (Bukhari). I think for a moment about my name as I have numerous times throughout my life. "Mommy, where did you get my name from?" She explained, "In high school, when I was dating your dad and dreaming of our life I wrote your name in my notebook. At first, I was going to name you Kelvinisha, but thought it was too much. So I settled for Kelnisha. The 'Kel' is...

Why I am No Longer a Member of a Black Greek Lettered Organization

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Firstly, I was never supposed to be a part of a greek lettered organization in the first place, but I allowed myself to be deceived and rationalized my way into thinking it was okay. Secondly, it doesn’t do what it claims to do. Therefore, it is of no true value/benefit to black people, society at large, or me.   Since the largest two religions in the world are Christianity and Islam I will attempt to use both religious texts to prove why being a member of a Greek Org is not for Believing men and women. The first commandment states “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Yet, in many of the Greek letter org rituals, one vows to give their “mind, body, soul, and time” to their Greek letter org. This is stated in all of their oaths in one way or another, but I will speak specifically about Alpha Kappa Alpha since that’s the org I joined and know about. How can you vow your life to a Greek org as a Believer when your entire life is supposed to be dedicated to serving the One True G...

TRUTH

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      Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim (I begin this post in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious & Most Merciful)      For most of us, the religion (way of life) we adopt is usually the religion of our families. Rarely is it that one chooses a different path than them. It’s what we’ve always done. It’s what’s familiar. It’s what’s comfortable. Who has time to seek truth when you can just accept the truth passed down for generations? You trust your mother and/or father will pass down information that will be useful to you and will help you in life. They’ve made it through generations with this same religion. It appears to be what has helped them survive and even helped them sustain us. This is what we think when we adopt their religious beliefs and values.        After experiencing my first real “traumatic experience” in life, the Sustainer of life saw it fit to strip me of everything that I thought brought me security and safety. I expe...