The Burning Spear Society, commonly referred to as Burning Spear or Spear, is a secret society of students and alumni at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, founded in 1993. Although little information is publicly available on the dealings of the organization, members have cited the provision of political, professional and financial support of student leaders and efforts that strengthen the public standing of Florida State University. While its membership and processes are closely guarded, it is believed that, in addition to notable alumni, students deemed influential from established campus organizations are tapped to join the ranks each semester, hailing from various factions of campus such as the Student Government Association, Greek Life Councils, the Student Alumni Association, Seminole Student Boosters, and the Garnet & Gold Key Honor Society.[1]
| Burning Spear Society | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 Florida State University |
| Type | Secret society |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Scope | Local |
| Chapters | 1 |
| Nickname | Burning Spear, Spear |
| Headquarters | Tallahassee, Florida United States |
| Website | burningspear |
In its nearly thirty years of existence, Burning Spear has become one of the most secretive and influential secret societies on American campuses.
History
editBurning Spear was founded on July 14, 1993 by three students.[1] Perhaps the most notable of its three founders is famed lawyer and activist Benjamin Crump, who has been involved in some of the most notable civil rights cases of the 21st century. By August 1993, sixteen students joined together to charter this new organization, and within one year's time seven additional students would be initiated into membership. The original intention of the group was to promote the Heisman campaign for Charlie Ward, which was successful. This newfound influence provided incentive to further and expand the goals of the organization.
Activities
edit
Burning Spear serves as the host of the Clock & Seal annual homecoming banquet at FSU. Former keynote speakers of Clock & Seal include:[2]
- Florida Trend publisher Lynda Keever
- Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero
- Former Florida Senate President and past Florida State University President John Thrasher
- United States Senator Bill Nelson[3]
- Governor Charlie Crist
- Seminole Boosters Director Charlie Barnes
- NFL All-Pro Derrick Brooks[3]
- Representative Ray Sansom
- NFL All-Pro Marvin Jones[3]
- Football Coach Jimbo Fisher
Burning Spear also sponsors the Seminole Spirit Drum, which beats nonstop outside of Doak Campbell Stadium for 72 hours prior to a football game against a major rival.
The organization is also responsible for the Guardian of the Flame Awards, recognizing faculty member excellence annually[4][5] and helped coordinate FSU Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher's Kidz 1st Fund.[6]
Controversies
edit
Burning Spear has claimed existence for only twenty-six years, but there are dissenting opinions that say the society has operated in one form or another for a much longer time.[7] Their extensive control of campus and state politics has been compared to that of The Machine at the University of Alabama and the Skull and Bones society of Yale University.[citation needed]
There are a large number of Burning Spear alumni from Florida State now in the legislature and the organization is also said to control a political action committee that gives campaign contributions to candidates that attended Florida State. Multiple Student Government Association Political Party leaders have also openly claimed affiliation, including several elected Student Body Presidents.[8][9]
Leaked organizational manual
editA leaked manual titled[10] "Spear Night Ceremony: Procedures for Conducting Spear Night.", appearing to have been updated as of 2013, which confirms that the Burning Spear Society has "multiple members currently serving public office" and "alumni involved on every level of state government." Additionally, the manual outlines the internal practices of the Society, and their dedication to secrecy, quoting in part;[11]
"What is said here today, or in any other Burning Spear meeting is 100% secret. This is not open to interpretation. Burning Spear is 100% secret. Breaking this vow of secrecy will result in your immediate removal and a potential lawsuit. Your friends, family, roommates, brothers/sisters and girl/boyfriends will not know when you are at a Burning Spear meeting. If they find out and we find out that they know, you will be removed, immediately and without question."
The manual also goes on to reference to Tenets of the Society, including "You will never ever speak against a fellow member of Burning Spear in public. Doing so will result in immediate removal. We command loyalty to a fault.", and "Burning Spear is not a democracy. _____ is the President and that means with few exceptions, what (she/he) says, goes. The Student President reports directly to the corporate Board of Directors, specifically the Chairman. ____ is the Chairman of the Board of Directors'' [12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Let's take a look at Burning Spear, Florida State's secret society".
- ^ "Clock & Seal". Burning Spear - Florida State University. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ a b c White, Tiffany (November 1, 2009). "Spirit in the 'Spear'". FSView. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ "Guardian of the Flame Faculty Award". Burning Spear. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ "Faculty News". Florida State University. Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ "JOIN THE FIGHT". Kidz 1st Fund. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ Bailey, Jay (February 14, 2010). "A new 'government'?". FSView. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ "Burning Spear's political influence spans more than two decades". FSView & Florida Flambeau. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ "Amplify Party officially sworn into office". FSView & Florida Flambeau. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ "Florida State University Burning Spear Night Manual | Spear". 2017-01-28. Archived from the original on 2017-01-28. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ Kostidakis, Perry. "Let's take a look at Burning Spear, Florida State's secret society". FSView & Florida Flambeau. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ Names of the President and Chairman were redacted in the original published manual.