ESENTLC

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

There once lived a King who became fearful of losing his kingdom. In an act of desperation, the King sent messengers to the most powerful sorcerer in the land, requesting a curse be placed upon a mass group of people who recently settled nearby. The sorcerer agreed to the King’s wishes but ultimately failed in initiating the curse because the people were protected. The sorcerer sent a message to the King, advising him that in order to defend his kingdom he would need to deceive the people into cursing themselves. Eventually the people began to engage in sexual immorality and participate in sacrificial offerings to the gods of the King. In the end, a plague fell upon the people and the number that died were 24,000. 

Despite the recent controversy surrounding participation in Greek letter organizations, it would be trivial to engage the conversation without further uncovering the hidden layers beneath the surface. Compared to our physical world, the spiritual realm operates under a similar structure of laws and agreements, contracts and covenants. Whether known or unknown, every action taken in the physical realm has a direct impact on the spiritual and vice versa. Taking into account the opening scripture, we are presented with the idea that our physical reality is susceptible to manipulation with the goal of promoting wickedness. It highlights the fact that man alone is not our adversary but the spirit operating behind him or her, which can be applied to both the individual and governmental levels.

The Talented Tenth

The Talented Tenth is a concept initially coined by Henry Lyman Morehouse in response to a speech by Booker T. Washington in 1865. Known as the Atlantic Compromise, Washington presented the argument that economic advancement of the Southern Negro can be accomplished by learning industrial and trade skills. Washington was an advocate for self sufficiency and rejected the idea of political and social equality. Presently known as Tuskegee University, Booker T. Washington founded Tuskegee Institute in 1881 and developed a vocational curriculum centered upon carpentry, printing, and shoemaking. Boys received additional instruction on farming methods, while girls completed classes in cooking and sewing taught by Washington’s wife, Margaret Murray Washington. Every student received instruction on manners, hygiene and character.

In a counterresponse to Washington, Henry Lyman Morehouse published an article in The Independent Magazine entitled, “The Talented Tenth”. Below is an excerpt from the article defending his position:

“In discussion concerning negro education we should not forget the talented tenth man. An ordinary education may answer for the nine men of mediocrity; but if this is all we offer the talented tenth man, we make a prodigious mistake. The tenth man, with superior natural endowments, symmetrically trained and highly developed, may become a mightier influence, a greater inspiration to others than all the other nine…”

W. E. B. DuBois became famously known for his adoption of Morehouse’s Talented Tenth ideology. In contrast to Booker T. Washington’s position, DuBois contended the notion that a multidisciplinary approach would be required for the social advancement of the Negro. This included strengthening character, increasing knowledge and teaching how to earn a living. In 1903 DuBois published his own article entitled “The Talented Tenth”:

“The Talented Tenth of the Negro race must be made leaders of thought and missionaries of culture among their people. No others can do this work and Negro colleges must train men for it. The Negro race, like all other races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men.” 

With time, DuBois amended his original statements regarding the talented tenth in a speech delivered to the Boule (Sigma Pi Phi) in 1948. The Boule was founded in 1904 as the first African American Greek letter fraternity; membership was invitation only and reserved for the distinguished black professionals. In his speech, DuBois promoted the growth of the Boule but challenged that wealth should not be the only prerequisite for membership. DuBois also accused the Boule for “manifesting an unconscious and dangerous dichotomy of possessing an identity with the poor while acting and sympathizing with the rich.”

secret societies

As the history presented supports, secret societies including Freemasonry, Order of Eastern Star, and the Boule etc., are all reflections of the Talented Tenth. Membership into each organization has qualifying factors and once these requirements are met, your loyalty is pledged through a series of rituals and oaths. Keeping Ephesians 6:12 as the foundation of our discussion, in my opinion, collegiate Greek organizations serve as pawns to deceive and desensitize the people into false god worship. Additionally, they function as gateways to higher levels of access, prosperity and influence within our culture. As an active member, you are more likely to be chosen for advancement versus an individual who has no affiliations, due to an organizational culture founded on secrecy, dedication, devotion and loyalty. 

I do not find it a coincidence that divine nine affiliations are commonly present among those who hold influence within the entertainment, political and religious sectors. All it takes is one person, the right person, to rise through the ranks and be selected to “inspire the other nine”. In reference to the divine nine, I would like to acknowledge that I do not believe the majority of those who are initiated do so with ill intentions, because I didn’t. However, we learn through the prophet Hosea that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Before concluding the Contracts & Covenants series, I would like to present the following questions:

• How do you define African American culture? 

• Why is Hellenism the foundation of divine nine organizations? 

• Is it possible that “black culture” has been infiltrated with customs that are contrary to God? 

• Who determines what is influenced by the Talented Tenth?

• How are we sure, influence from the Talented Tenth isn’t being used to promote wickedness, causing us to curse ourselves unknowingly?

Sources

https://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/39/

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/garvey-washington/

http://www.webdubois.org/MorehouseTalentedTenth.html

https://www.njstatelib.org/research_library/new_jersey_resources/highlights/african_american_history_curriculum/unit_8_rise_of_jim_crow/talented_tenth/

https://www.aaihs.org/an-alternative-view-of-du-boiss-talented-tenth-2/#:~:text=In%201948%2C%20Du%20Bois%20reflected,the%20country%20at%20the%20time.