Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story

Over Christmas break, Rob attends a mandatory convention for KA chapter presidents. He hears about all the safety protocols on the official KA books, absolutely none of which are implemented in practice. The policies would create “the lamest fucking party in the history of the world” (124). Mikey buys himself two cars, hides stacks of cash at his grandparents’ house, and spends time with Biscuit and Waka Flocka Flame at 808 Mafia, a studio that produces trap and rap music. Waka is planning to perform at an SAE chapter, but he cancels his tour when a video surfaces of SAE members chanting a nursery rhyme that includes the n-word and promotes lynching. A news anchor, responding to Waka’s anger and disgust, suggests that the frat brothers learned the n-word from Waka’s music.

Many fraternities had an official “whites only” policy until the 1950s, with some even specifying “Aryan” blood requirements. These policies are often unofficially enforced today. The Kappa Alpha Order shares its origins with the Ku Klux Klan; the KA was created to “inculcate in their young men such high ideals” (131) as white supremacy. The links between the KA and KKK are not secret; they are on the KA Wikipedia page.