Forward in 2013.
As we bid adieu to 2012 we’re working overtime to purge our short term memories of Murphy and all he’s done to thwart our efforts of good. You know Murphy, right? Everyone’s heard of Murphy’s most infamous law or some version of it, “If anything can go wrong, invariably it will.”
Despite the wide use of his decree it seems as if no one has even a foggy idea of who Murphy was. From what’s been shared a search of Murphy’s papers has led researchers to a library in Ithaca, a loft in the District of Columbia and the home of fraternity member in Baltimore.
Apparently Murphy has no first name, can’t keep a job and his emails have bounced back. What’s most interesting is that all Murphy wrote of seemed to have an explanation for why things go wrong.
As we welcome the promise of 2013 let’s commit to foiling Murphy’s effort and do more than we’ve done before. Let’s treat every day of this new year as Founders’ Day. Let’s recommit not just to Alpha, but to our families and community. No matter our political affiliation, let’s commit to President Obama’s theme – FORWARD. Specifically, let’s commit to advancing that which we know to be the focus of each Alpha man’s purpose – Manly Deeds, Scholarship and Love for All Mankind.
Nonetheless, it’s very likely this is only the case because somewhere along the line good men have given up or ceased to stand up for what’s right. In the name of being “fair and equal,” good men have begun to allow irreprehensible actions, behavior and morals (if they can be called such) to move into our households. In the name of “not being so uptight,” good men have succumbed to one of Murphy’s other edicts, “If you improve or tinker with something long enough, eventually it will break.”
Despite what Murphy and other naysayers might contend, there are some who believe with the promise of 2013 will be a group of men rededicated to the cause of moving Alpha Forward. As first mentioned during the Founders’ Day message, let’s work to unshackle our children from the unfulfilled promises of the past; let’s exchange a life of “I can do it myself” for the worth of family to serve as support through life; and let’s work to rebuild our communities to ensure future benefit from the same.
To that end, I wish you a Happy New year and share with you the Brotherhood Prayer (written by Rev. Dr. Bro. Anthony M. Chandler, Gamma ‘96) we use to end the devotional exercises at the beginning of each meeting of the Delta Lambda Chapter:
“In the name of our One Lord, in honor of our seven jewels and in the spirit of Alpha, we honor You Lord. For this another opportunity of sharing with the brotherhood, for the privilege of experiencing the blessings, the mercies and the grace granted to each of us, we are grateful. We welcome You Father, to share with us as we consider the business, further the aims and continue the work of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. We ask Your blessings upon our National and Chapter Officers, as well as our members, both present and absent, and the extended families of our dear fraternity. Please be with our brothers fighting in foreign countries and our own chapter brothers who may be experiencing their own emotional or physical warfare. These things we ask and believe, in the name of our One Lord, who is The Alpha, we pray. Amen!”