The act of branding within fraternities and sororities, particularly in traditionally Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs), is a complex and often misunderstood practice. This article aims to explore the tradition of branding, its significance, and its connection to organizational identity and loyalty.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council plots at the University of Maryland. Source: Wikipedia
What is Branding?
Branding is the process of having a symbol burned into the skin with a hot metal rod. For members of fraternities and sororities who choose to permanently burn their Greek letters into their skin, it is seen as the ultimate level of loyalty to their organizations.
The practice has traditionally been done in historically African American and multicultural fraternities and sororities around the United States.
A piece of metal, usually shaped into the fraternities Greek letters, is heated until it is red-hot. Depending on the fraternity, ice is applied to the intended brother’s arm or chest to numb the area. Some fraternities however, may slap and punch the area until it is numb, this is known as “slapping it numb.” The red hot brand is then placed briefly on the skin, this is called a “hit.” This causes a second or third degree burn on the skin in the shape of the Greek letter.
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Branding might seem painful, scary and maybe even pointless.
Jaylan Padilla a fraternity member who was branded in July of 2016 says that although he wasn’t nervous before getting the brand, the scariest part is the pop sound that the hot rod makes hitting the skin for the first time and the smell of burning skin.
Getting a brand is a fast, simple and sacred process, but the decision to get one is a big decision.
All and all I believe it is something to be proud of and show off and not a sign of ownership.
The History and Significance
Actually branding does have a relationship to slavery (simply because branding was used to identify slaves and establish ownership). Current fraternity and sorority branding is done for similar reasons. Members want to show pride and of course mark their organizations on their bodies as a sign of eternal membership.
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Some think of branding as something that is done to cattle or that used to be done to slaves, but in the Greek world it has a whole different meaning.…to permanently burn their greek letters into their skin it is the ultimate level of loyalty to their organizations.
One might wonder why an African American would voluntarily brand himself, given the history of branding slaves.
Have you ever thought that perhaps the use of a brand symbolizes the pain, bloodshed and struggle of our ancestors? Maybe it's our way of "connecting" with them and remembering what they went through and where we came from.
Example of Fraternity Brand. Source: Pinterest
The bottom line, as you have put it, is that it is body art, symbolizing our eternal membership and love for our organization. It has absolutely nothing to do with slavery.
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Branding is simply body-art in support of an organizational affliation. Nothing more, nothing less.
It has nothing to do with the history of slavery, but as a permanent reminder of their love for the organization.
People started branding to show their LIFE-LONG assosiation with their GLO.
The Divine Nine proves that loyalty is built through shared values, lived identity, and lifelong connection.
They branded cows and horses before they did anything to slaves, so are we going to relate what happens to animals now, that we treat pledges and probies like animals?
Tradition and Choice
It should be noted that no national fraternity officially condones the practice of branding, but it occurs on a regular basis.
From what I have been told (both by those who have been branded and those who haven't), it often takes place during or around initiation.
I know a lot of people with brands and they all have their "hits" done after they were members, not during initiation.
It is a trend that is not endorsed by the national organizations. It is a sign of solidarity.
People don't always get brands while they are pladging and some do. Most of the people I know did it because they wanted to.
It is up to the individual whether they decide to be branded or not.
Branding is a decision usually made after a pledgee becomes a brother and is never forced on the member of the organization.
The decision to do this is a choice and a big one at that.
No one can be forced to do anything, remember, if someone doesn't want to do it they don't have to and nothing is held against them.
Branding vs. Tattoos
I know sorors who have tattoos which represent the sorority. This has nothing to do with the slavery issue, but both are permanent. Its like wearing a shirt with your letters on it. Why do you do that? To show that you a part of your organization and demonstrate your pride. Except with the branding and tattoos, you always have your letters or symbol on you. And, it is a permanent sign which shows your lifelong devotion to your group.
The Black Greek Council
I founded a Black Greek Council at my alma mater because the BGLO's on my campus were not recognized and appreciated for their uniqueness, protocol, traditions and intake processes.
The fact is and always will be that WE ARE DIFFERENT!
When we become members of our organizations, we vow to be lifelong, active, members forever engulfed in our culture and in service to our people. I can truly understand why one would want to acknowledge that attachment with a brand.
BGLOs are predominately black and are committed to service to and uplift of African American people. If your organization does not share those characteristics then we are DIFFERENT.
Just because you choose to get a brand doesn't mean that it is for the same reason that a black member of Omega Psi Phi or Alpha Phi Alpha chooses to get one.
With a Black Greek Council, we received a budget of $6000 and were able to do much more. We finally had a representative in our student government (we NEVER had that as a part of IFC and PanHell), and were able to fund many more community service projects than ever before.
The only way we could get the approval for the establishment was to have the support of IFC and PanHell. They (along with Order of Omega) backed us 100% because they understood that we were not able to get funding because of the DIFFERENCES between the intakes processes, focus, protocol and traditions of our organizations!!!
The Divine Nine Fraternities and Sororities. Source: Atlanta Black Star
Here is a table of the "Divine Nine" organizations:
| Fraternity/Sorority | Founding Date | Founding Location |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. | December 4, 1906 | Cornell University, Ithaca, NY |
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. | January 15, 1908 | Howard University, Washington, D.C. |
| Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. | January 5, 1911 | Indiana University, Bloomington, IN |
| Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. | November 17, 1911 | Howard University, Washington, D.C. |
| Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. | January 13, 1913 | Howard University, Washington, D.C. |
| Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. | January 9, 1914 | Howard University, Washington, D.C. |
| Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. | January 16, 1920 | Howard University, Washington, D.C. |
| Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. | November 12, 1922 | Butler University, Indianapolis, IN |
| Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. | September 19, 1963 | Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD |
In conclusion, branding within African American fraternities and sororities is a multifaceted tradition with deep roots in organizational identity, loyalty, and a connection to history. While the practice may raise questions and concerns, it remains a personal choice and a powerful symbol for those who choose to embrace it.
