I respond to what I feel is necessary. You can choose not to read it.

And you can chose not to be pressed. Which is becoming more and more evident with each post.

I am that is why I am on her and I am the one that started the post. I amstill interested in what people have to say.

DSpi:


Thanks for answering my question about what you'd do if you were no longer interested in business and your understanding of a lifetime commitment. :)

You're defending and explaining your organization here but that confidence and understanding should be saved for your in-person assocations. Just don't get cocky and tell the members of the organization you're pursuing that they have it "twisted and flip flopped." :)

Oh and you're clownable as far as many people are concerned because you, among other things, boast of a difficult pledge process and crossing for a business fraternity. This is why your representation of your business fraternity has gone beyond just sporting a jacket. You were quick to assert that NPHC orgs are in fact copying white fraternities, you need to scratch that cocky line of reasoning if you really want to be taken seriously as an NPHC sorority aspirant. Some of the things that you are doing with your business fraternity are more often associated with NPHC orgs and you knew that before you came to GC to ask us this question.

So don't think it's just because you're a black female who has "gone against the grain." You aren't really going against the grain in a general sense (maybe on your campus you were) as much as you are just attaching a lot of meaning to a business fraternity affiliation. Blacks do stuff like that all the time on some campuses. So don't feel too much like a unique trailblazer in that regard. ;)

:wassat:

No disrespect but if your comebacks to the people in person that are pressing you are as snappy sounding as they are to the people on the board, I can see why people continue to bother you. The killer part is that you asked the question but argue/debate everyones answer. I was wondering if you wanted an opinion from the board or you just wanted people that agreed with your position.

At any rate I once heard that quote, knowledge speaks, wisdom listens. Just food for thought.

To the OP:

I say this in love (really, I do): Take a break from your thread (and the reply button), and come back to re-read everything in it carefully in a week or so. Shoot, maybe even wait until August. You asked for opinions, and you got plenty of 'em.

Offline critics? Answer 'em with a shrug and a smile, and keep it moving. From now on, pass on the hyping up or defending your business frat's process and para. That's just less energy you have available to participate in the org itself (not to mention school & getting your credentials in order for any attempt to pursue NPHC sorority membership).

Wow! Such composure. :D I was fired up ready to spit out a snarky reply.

Just wanted to comment on this point.

DSpi, it seems like the characteristics described above might be limited to yourself. I was a member of AKPsi in college, and I still work closely with my undergrad chapter when recruiting for my current company. Delta Sig and Phi Gamma Nu were also on our campus, and our chapter operations/customs were very similar. We NEVER mimicked NPHC tradition. Hell 98% of the membership probably wouldn't even know what they were in the 1st place. You stated that you were one of 4 AAs, so this makes me think that your chapter operates similarly...much more closely aligned with NPC/IFC customs (ex. rush, pledge classes, pledge families, initiation). The fact that you are using words like 'crossed' and speaking of wearing your jacket makes me think that you are interjecting customs and emphasis where there traditionally is none.

What I would suggest to you is that you learn to appreciate the existing culture of your business fraternity. While the customs are vastly different from those in the NPHC orgs, your years spent as an active chapter member can be very rewarding. Don't try to make this experience into something different from what it already is, and I doubt that anyone will get your intentions twisted. However if you continue to try to parallel the two experiences, then I would have to say that you most likely will not be pleased with your results.