Greetings Northern Illinois University,

The Seekers of Knowledge fraternity was the only organization denied recognition in the 2008-2009 school year. We have a 100 percent black male membership because of a lack of interest by other racial groups, but we remain open to all. A serious conversation ensued afterward, and the Senate meeting was abruptly ended. The Northern Star quoted supposed “accusations” of racism. The Seekers of Knowledge fraternity was told by an SA senator that “Black people are not ready to run our country.” That senator’s slogan is “We ain’t ready.” This senator voted against our recognition and told us “We ain’t ready.” This is serious racial discrimination. We were alerted by informed members of the SA that the SA office has been against our fraternity since its conception. SA Vice President Lauren Mock placed our fraternity on a watch list after she refused to meet with us for a mandated temporary recognition status meeting. Our benevolent President Brent Keller facilitated our early recognition while Lauren Mock refused to meet with us. This watch list threatens to expel all of our members as soon as we are officially recognized. Senators at Sunday’s meeting stated that if more white senators had been present, that the Seekers of Knowledge definitely would not have been recognized. We were also told by members of the Senate that text messages were sent to them stating that they should not recognize us. There was a 10-9 vote against our recognition. The majority of white senators voted against. The majority of black senators voted for us. Do we need a black Senate and a white Senate? Why are black males being watched on campus? Is this NIU’s version of COINTELPRO? Do our members have to fear expulsion? Will we be reimbursed for the tens of thousands of dollars individually spent at this university if the SA carries out their plans to expel all of us? Are we alone? Are black men a disgrace like the Northern Star printed on Monday? Do we need to band together as black men in the historically and contemporary racially hostile environment of Northern Illinois University? Or do we need to “play the white man’s game” as countless senators told us to do after we were denied recognition? Should students not join the “Seekers of Knowledge” because of the SA? Or should we all go home like the long forgotten threat said before the February 14th tragedy?

“All N—— Go Home” – December 2007

– Seekers of Knowledge

Editor’s note: The original version of this letter contained the “n-word” in its entirety. Though the Northern Star ardently supports the First Amendment, we do not feel it sets a proper ethical precedent to print the word unmodified.