Historical Moment Brother Thomas P. Pawley, III rior to the General Convention of 1950 there was an increasing demand especially among college Brothers for an emblem which could be placed on jewelry, clothing, gifts, etc. This demand was the result of the strict prohibitions concerning the use of the Shield, the Badge, and the Sphinx head. The latter was the emblem of the Pledge Club. The •^ Badge could be m [lOCIflH worn only by " ^ ** ** ' j j • ' Brothers, and the Shield was used only on official documents of the Fraternity. Brothers were even denied the right to pin their fiancees when they became engaged as was customary in the traditional fraternities (although some did secretly), and it could be worn only when one was wearing a jacket and tie. (The implications of this are known only to the initiated.) By 1950attheurgings of the brothers, Brother John W. Fleming, chairman of the Ritual Committee, was asked to investigate the possibility of creating an additional emblem. When Brother Fleming presented his recommendation of a heraldic design to the General Convention it prompted a great deal of discussion and strong opposition from some Brothers. It was challenged vigorously by Brother Charles Wesley who argued that it would make the emblem on his shingle obsolete and that it represented a tradition that he despised. (I remember my surprise at the intensity of Brother Wesley's opposition). Brother Fleming attempted to answer the objections to no avail. He agreed, however, to meet with Brother
P
The Fraternal
Note: In the last issue of The Sphinx, Brother Pawley traced the historic evolution of the Shield. Here he traces the historic evolution of the Fraternal Design.
44 A The Sphinx T Fall 1996
Wesley during the Convention to see if they could work out their differences. As a delegate I can remember thinking that Brother Wesley misunderstood the proposal. The differences were ultimately reconciled and Brothers Wesley and Fleming submitted the following Joint Statement which was adopted by the General Convention: "In compliance with the dictates of the General Convention, the Historian and Chairman of the Ritual Committee recommended (sic) that the design approved by the convention for use on rings, sweetheart pins, and other small jewelry, sweaters, fraternity house equipment, and so forth, be designated "the Fraternal Design" of The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity - The Shield is to continue to be used as the official emblem of the Fraternity. "Shields, coats-of-arms, ensigns, and heraldic symbols have been used for centuries by families and organizations, and their strength and value have depended upon their long time use as established insignia - Change seemed not only to weaken their historical worth but also to reduce esteem through frequent use. (italics mine) This point of view was readily recognized by the convention. "This was another indication of the fraternity's loyalty to the tradition of its Shield which had been adopted in 1911 as an official design and of its willingness to adjust to the need for a design for general use." (History-323) The term "Fraternal Design" was the result of a compromise although in fact it is a coat-of-arms which complies with standards and tradition of the "Science of Armorial Bearings" and is in fact a heraldic device which can be interpreted by those knowledgeable of this science. That is why a full explanation was published in The Sphinx Magazine by Executive Secretary Lawrence T Young and perhaps why it is not described in the Ritual. What follows is the text of the original article for the most part unedited. "For many years, the General Office has been deluged with requests for an explanation of the COAT OF ARMS or commonly known as the FRATERNAL DESIGN. So that the Masonry6 of a coat-of-arms