The Morehouse/Spelman (sister/brother) Exchange is like a big deal in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) community. A group of freshmen from Morehouse and Spelman meet up at King’s Chapel and get paired up with someone. Essentially, this ceremony is just a huge arranged marriage (or speed date) where our school tries to match us up with someone from the opposite sex. The assumption is that these matches will spawn a great friendship and last beyond the four years of undergraduate school. They hope we will build some kind of bond with our Morehouse brother where he’s like our brother from another mother, the long-lost friend, and the study buddy. The funny thing is, for some this works. But for others it doesn’t.
I’m guessing this is the point where you want to know about my sister-brother exchange. I have not seen my Morehouse brother in three years. In fact, he and I lost contact about a week after the exchange. I have no clue what he looks like and wouldn’t know who he was if he stood right next to me with a sign.
See, when this ceremony was getting shaped, I don’t think they considered how personalities clash. You can’t force two people to become friends. It’s not easy, especially for some.
There are multiple reasons why this exchange is not successful for everyone. I can confidently say that I have literally heard every one. Check out a few below:
1. There is always that one guy that thinks brother and sister is like a new sexual relationship.
2. Then there’s the completely awkward guy that says the weirdest thing.
Like, dude, where did you come from?
3. Then there’s that cocky guy that thinks that everything he says is, like, extremely amazing and we should fall at his feet.
Like, what the heck. Take several seats!
4. Also, there’s the disappearing act.
For instance, I didn’t lose contact with my Morehouse brother. No, it was like he disappeared off the face of the earth. Where did you go, Waldo?
5. Some people just lose interest with each other.
After two weeks of a lack of communication, I’m going to assume we’re no longer friends.
6. Sometimes you just get that brother that is, like, extremely disrespectful.
Don’t get me wrong, this exchange might be the best thing that could have happened for some of my Spelman sisters and Morehouse brothers. For instance, some alumni have married and dated their sister or brother that they received at the exchange and are still in or had successful, fulfilling relationships. I’m not knocking the ceremony. But I am knocking those that participate in the ceremony and don’t take it seriously. Like, for real, where is my Morehouse brother? If anyone sees him, point him out!
