READERS' LETTERS A Fitting Tribute to the Fraternity's Legacy I congratulate you on the publication of the African-American History Edition of The Sphinx™. This edition is a fitting tribute to the Fraternity's legacy of scholarship and service. The huge task of compiling all of this information is evident in the outstanding quality of the final product. Thank you for your editorial assistance in my article "Alpha Phi Alpha Turns on the Light for a New Generation or Social Scientists." I am indeed grateful for your efforts to make this idea a reality. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity can take great pride in the outstanding publications you continue to produce. I am honored to have worked with you in the preparation of this edition and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate. Best wishes for your continued success and productivity. Fraternally yours, Brother Waldo E.Johnson, Jr., Ph.D. The University of Chicago The School of Social Service Administration
Our Society is Better Because of the Brotherhood The Spring 1999 edition of The Sphinx™ magazine is a superb and extraordinary piece of work which exemplifies the noble history and tradition of our great Fraternity. Suffice it to say, our society and people of color are better and our vision is clearer because of the tremendous achievement of our Brotherhood—past and present. This edition is without a doubt, class! Fraternally, George L. Mims Xi Psi Lambda Chapter Life Member No. 5287 Heartiest Congratulations Heartiest Congratulations on the African-American History Edition of The Sphinx™. I think it is tremendous. Fraternally, Brother Huel D. Perkins Baton Rouge, Louisiana The Sphinx at Giza— Its True Name was called Her-Em-Ahket I had an opportunity to read an article written in the Spring 1998 Edition of The Sphinx™ magazine. The article was under the Historical Moment section, regarding the history of The Sphinx at Giza. I would like to shed some more Light on the dark areas of this matter. First, the Sphinx as it was stated was a nomenclature given by the Greeks which means "Strangler" based on the myth of Oedipus. The Arabs called it Abu-Hoi, which means "Father of Terrors." This was based on what the Greeks totally distorted, however, its true name is called Her-Em-Ahket, which means "Heru on the Horizon." This name is Kemetic (Egyptian) and has a greater significance. The Sphinx represents the battle between Heru the Son of Ausar (Osiris) and his uncle Set over the throne. Heru is the personification of good, knowledge and light and Set is the personification of evil, ignorance and darkness. Heru vanquishes Set and claims the throne and, as well, avenges the death of his father. Her-Em-Ahket is situated due East and West so that the Sun, rising in the East, shines in brilliant Light upon the face of Her-Em-Ahket. The head represents the divine state of man and the lion body represents man's beastly nature. With both joined, man continues to struggle for that divine state of existence over the beast by turning to the Light, which represents good, knowledge and truth. This same ideology you express within your Fraternity's Crest. This I hope has been of some interest to you. Hotep (Peace), Ausar Neter
85'" ANNIVERSARY EDITION