Missing a milestone
Sorority sister was set to attend inauguration of Harris as VP
For months, Christina Kirk, Ph.D., had been planning a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration of Kamala Harris as the nation's first Black female vice president.
Kirk, 43, was especially thrilled because she and Harris are sorority sisters — both members of the Black Greek sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc.
“I received an AKA suitcase for my birthday last month. I planned to stroll proudly through the airport with my AKA suitcase, Chucks (Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers), pearls and AKA sweater ready to witness history,” she said.
The Capitol riot on Jan. 6 quashed the Oklahoma City educator's travel plans.
The FBI has warned of credible threats of violence aimed at disrupting the Jan. 20 inaugurations of Harris and Joseph R. Biden as president. And, she said the international AKA Sorority office sent members a memo on Tuesday encouraging them to honor the Biden-Harris transition team's request that people forego plans attend the inauguration. Kirk said the organization also said it would not be sponsoring any in- person sorority events in Washington in the days surrounding the inauguration.
“I kind of went back and forth with some of my sorors who were going with me. I was super excited about the historical aspect of it — being able to say that I witnessed history along with the fact that this is a sorority sister. I kept holding out but I officially hit the `cancel' button for my plane ticket on Tuesday,” Kirk said.
She said she was disheartened because she took her daughter Deja and Deja's Girl Scout Troop No. 17 to witness President Barack Obama's historic inauguration in 2009. The chance to celebrate the historic milestone of another Black leader in person was exciting.
Still, she realized that she needed to stay home this time.
“I've never been a person that wants to live in fear, but I do have common sense,” Kirk said.
The educator said she will be celebrating her sorority sister's inauguration, she'll just be doing it in her virtual classroom with her students at Star Spencer High School.
That has its own advantages for Kirk, the 2019 Oklahoma City Public Schools' teacher of the year.
“I'll be able to see it through the eyes of my youths,” she said.
“You feel so invested. The second highest office in our country is now going to be held by someone who looks like you. Ultimately, in America, the light needs to be shown that we are evolving.”
Shining a positive spotlight
Kirk is among thousands of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members who are anticipating Harris' coming inauguration. The sorority was started on the campus of Howard University in 1908 in Washington, D.C. Today, the sorority that began at Harris' alma mater has almost 300,000 members around the world.
Kirk said not only are AKA members rooting for Harris but members of other Black Greek sororities and fraternities — the “Divine Nine” — are also cheering her on, as well.
Kirk said Harris' coming ascendancy to the vice presidency is shining a positive spotlight on Black Greek organizations and historically Black colleges and universities, commonly called HBCUs. Kirk, who also serves as a Langston municipal judge, graduated from an HBCU, Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She said a woman at a local store recently asked her if she was an AKA sorority member due to the tell- tale salmon pink and apple green AKA clothing she wore. Kirk and the woman talked about the sorority and its connection to Harris.
“The ( AKA) colors are now being associated with excellence outside the Black community. It's been around for 100-plus years and thanks to this platform, now you have people asking about it and asking about HBCUs,” Kirk said.
Meanwhile, another AKA member, Mautra Jones of Oklahoma City, said she and other AKA members are extremely excited about the coming inauguration.
“The reaction is one of great pride and excitement to see one of our own ascend to the second highest office in the land — one step closer to breaking the ultimate glass ceiling. Members of the sorority appreciate the moment and want her to succeed as all Americans should want for every incoming administration,” Jones said.
Langston University's vice president of institutional advancement and external affairs and executive director of the Langston University Foundation, Jones said she was personally elated” when Harris was elected to the vice presidency.
“Her election is a watershed moment and a testament to the progress we've made as a country. Irrespective of one's political philosophy, I think all can appreciate the historic nature of her election,” Jones said. “As a woman, a person of color and as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., I take great pride in her accomplishment and wish her well as she begins this new and inspirational chapter of service to our country.”
Jones, 42, said the AKA sorority has been at the forefront of every major movement in America and has demonstrated a sustained commitment to service, education and the advancement of women and people of color. That's why she knew she wanted to be a part of the sorority's rich legacy that will soon include the first Black woman vice president.
Both women said a mini controversy about a Vogue magazine cover photo of Harris won't dim the light of this historic moment.
Harris posed for pictures for the February issue of Vogue and the magazine has been criticized for using a less formal photo on its cover. The photo features the vice president elect wearing a black suit and her trademark Converse sneakers amid a backdrop of pink and green draped fabrics. Critics of the photo said it is too dim and too informal for a cover photo of Harris at this time. They preferred a more formal Vogue portrait-like photo for the cover showing Harris striking a power stance in a powder blue suit.
“I think it's much ado about nothing. In the grand scheme, it doesn't matter what she's wearing. What matters is what she will do and the legacy she leaves for those who aspire to follow in her footsteps,” Jones said.