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Every Omega man must accept the challenge

Written by Bro. Basileus Jerome L. Nesbary · Published in The Talented Tenth District Quemunnicator, 2021

Every generation before us has faced a unique assortment of difficulties. Our forefathers continually persevered with less technology and information than we have at our disposal, yet at this very moment we can and shall learn a lesson or two from how they overcame their particular obstacles.

In the Spring of 1919 the fraternity published its first edition of the Oracle. During this time founder Dr. Ernest E. Just was continually engaged in his research and many of the members of the fraternity had not had the chance to meet him. The publishing of the very first Oracle would prove to be the perfect opportunity for Dr. Just to address the members of the young fraternity he was so instrumental in creating.

Dr. Just penned an article which appeared in this Oracle titled "The Challenge." During this time World War I was ending and the Spanish Flu was beginning its two year spread that would leave more than 50 million people dead across the globe. The fraternity had closed the book on the war chapters and the expansion of Omega weighed heavily on the members.

In the article Dr. Just stated "The world is well nigh hysteria. Under the shock of these last four years, civilization, fresh from the rim of Hell is convulsive; orderly activity is difficult indeed in these hyper-excitable times." Dr. Just paints rather vividly a grim picture of the current times.

In the next paragraph of the article Dr. Just makes a strong argument for what is needed from the members to overcome these challenges. He states "These times demand clean men, of clear vision, of straight thinking, of unselfish doing. And every Omega man must accept this challenge."

Over the next seven years between 1919 and 1926 the fraternity experienced a massive expansion. From seven chapters in 1919 to forty seven chapters by 1923. Despite the Spanish Flu, World War I, overt prejudice and racism, economic oppression, the brothers persevered. They did it without revolutionary advancements in medicine, technology, social media, and resources abound.

Our current challenges will require the same formula that Dr. Ernest E. Just outlined in his article, and just like back then, every Omega man must accept the challenge.