Brothers’ keepers

As Chico State idled into weekend shut-down mode last Friday afternoon (Feb. 13), a group of young men known as the Men of Honor filled a Bell Memorial Union conference room with an infectious energy that sharply contrasted the quiet spreading across the rest of the campus.

“A few days ago, Rex [Men of Honor President Tyrell “Rex” Bell] told me that since I’m in my last semester and have a lot going on, it’s understandable if I need to pull away from the group,” said Malcolm Dixon, a graduating senior in communication deign and media arts, as he stood up from his chair at a large wooden table to address the group of well-dressed, mostly African-American young men.

“But with things so hectic, this is one of the few places I have for support,” Dixon continued. “I realized I don’t need to be out of here, I need to be in here for you guys to help carry me through.”

Men of Honor is a campus organization formed in 2001 to provide social and scholastic peer support, primarily for black men attending Chico State. Members commit to holding themselves and one another accountable for academic and real-life responsibilities and sharing their culture with the broader community. All of the group’s actions are guided by a set of core values known as the “ICE Principles”—integrity, community and empowerment. In addition to Friday meetings, social events and organized activities, the group gathers for weekly study sessions at Meriam Library.

At Friday’s meeting, Dixon’s words were met with a rousing round of applause and vocal affirmation, as were those of other members as they stood and spoke in turn. Bell explained this is how meetings traditionally begin, with each member offering his thoughts on an assigned topic (that day’s was “success”) and sharing a “Soapbox” and an “ICEbox.”

Soapboxing gives the members a chance to vent about their trials and tribulations since the last meeting, while an ICEbox is meant to recognize another member’s actions in line with ICE Principles. As the young men gave props to one another, it was apparent how deeply their connections run, and how seriously they take their commitment to these principles. ICEboxes that day ranged from members helping others with homework to organizing an impromptu game of dominoes for a much-needed midweek distraction. One young man who’d recently suffered from strep throat thanked another member for paying for prescriptions he couldn’t afford.

Bell explained that after going around the table once, the meetings go into “ICE cold” status. Though a healthy amount of joking and laughter persisted, that means the focus changes from individual members to group business.

At that point, all members must address one another by the title of “Brother,” and a no-swearing policy is enforced by fines paid into a kitty. At one point, the group diverged from the day’s business—planning this semester’s activities—to an impromptu vote on whether Bell and Vice President Ronald Johnson Jr. owed money for saying “half-ass” (they did, the group decided, and the presiding officers ponied up $1 each).

In addition to planning their own one-time events like a poetry slam, a barbecue and a game night, and voting to participate in a handful of campus-wide activities, the group also committed to continuing some long-term programs. Among these are the “OG School of Success,” during which members’ fathers or other older, influential men are invited to campus to share their experiences and wisdom. Another continuing program is “Trill Tuesdays,” outreach/educational presentations at the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center led by members on topics of their interest. Suggested topics for this semester included the socio-political history of hip-hop and a hands-on turntable workshop.

At the end of the meeting, the men joined hands and formed a tight circle as they, in call-and-response fashion led by Johnson, recited the organization’s credo, a perfect summary of the fellowship and ideals they’d demonstrated for the past two hours:

“We are here today because we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. We have all been called here to unite in our common mission as black men. We have been selected and given charge of being the beacon of hope and keepers of the light. We have a shared responsibility to represent the best that is in us, and stay true to our destiny and word, deed, mind, body and spirit.

“We are our brother’s keeper and must be committed to excellence. We hold the light of our people’s future in our hands, and vow to hold the candle through the burn. This we pledge, for we are Men of Honor.”