An open letter to #mapoli #bospoli media,
I read a recent @BostonDotCom story about Joe Kennedy III disaffiliating, after nearly 20 years, from Kappa Alpha Order, a notoriously racist fraternity with 150+ year history of terrorizing Black people. THREAD

Kennedy and a few of his frat brothers wrote a letter a year ago asking to be disassociated from KA. Is that all they did to disassociate? Write a group letter? This is like Michael Scott solving his financial troubles by shouting to his coworkers, “I declare bankruptcy!”

So in anticipation of running for US Senate, he signed a group letter and then last week did a FB live with 5 frat brothers to discuss it. Since then, I’ve only seen one article, summarizing the FB event.
I am writing to hopefully inspire some real journalism on the matter.

The following came out in the Stanford Daily three days ago...

“Congressman Kennedy has never called to discuss any issue.” - Jesse Lyons, assistant executive director for advancement for the Kappa Alpha Order (June 23, 2020) https://www.stanforddaily.com/2020/06/23/rep-joseph-kennedy-iii-says-he-disaffiliated-from-kappa-alpha-last-year-due-to-its-record-of-racist-actions/

Kennedy has explaining to do. He is trying to distance himself from the frat’s racism. But white supremacy/racism is the essence of KA, which he didn’t quit til last year. Their 150+ year history of terrorizing Black people is documented in this thread: https://twitter.com/617acab/status/1263902187333304320?s=21

What was the substance of his experience? Why that frat? He was a billionaire heir, he could’ve joined any. In the FB event, he made it sound like he needed a place to stay. With their wealth, his family could’ve built him his own house!

What was his initiation? Did it involve Robert E Lee “their spiritual founder” or Samuel Zenas Ammen, the Confederate actual founder? Were there ever any racism issues while he was there? Any OTHER issues? Did they toast Robert E. Lee? Or have any “Old South” celebrations?

Did they celebrate Lee’s birthday? What has been his participation since graduating? Has he supported them monetarily? How much? Has he attended events?
Why was his KA chapter placed on housing probation in Feb 2003 when he was there?
https://archives.stanforddaily.com/2003/02/10?page=2&section=MODSMD_ARTICLE2

He makes it sound like his frat was completely unassociated with KA but it was still KA. He says they were non-associated in “every practical sense.” What does that mean? The Stanford chapter has a history of promoting white supremacy and veneration of the “Old South.”

Here, Stanford KA pledges have a "pledge project' to learn about Amman and Robert E Lee. Then they must pass a test, from December 1976.
https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1976/12/03?page=11&section=MODSMD_ARTICLE50
Did Kennedy receive a similar indoctrination?

Here, Stanford KA celebrates Robert E. Lee’s birthday, from January 1931.
https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1931/01/16?page=1&section=MODSMD_ARTICLE11
Did Kennedy ever celebrate Lee’s birthday? Did he ever finance any such events?

The Stanford KA isn’t a wholly separate entity from KA and Kennedy implying such is disingenuous. Before he gets a six year Senate seat to represent all of MA, it would be NICE to find out if he has the moral qualifications to do so?

He maintained his membership for nearly 20 years. After Stanford worked as a prosecutor for a conservative, anti-social Justice DA, opposed marijuana legalization until just a couple years ago and consistently endorsed moderate white men over good progressive Black candidates.

For his Senate run he has rebranded as a “recently woke progressive,” showing up to protests, saying good things and donating to good causes. But do we know him? Is he who he says he is? A meaningful background check could help clear that up.

White silence is violence. Kennedy being so quiet for all these years about his racist frat that, even he admits, promotes white supremacy and indoctrinates young men with dangerous lies and white privilege is violence, too. I hope you will not be complicit. Best,