Dang

Do what works best for you!
 

My thing is this: Zeta was my first and only choice, but that's me and I have my reasons. If you feel the need to explore the Divine 9 or start up your own organization, then do you. I do have to agree with my frat though to a degree because what he said is true in some instances, not all of them, and vice versa...but hey, who's to say!

[QUOTE=BlueReign;1449312
So, I am here to say to you: will you please get off this forum, stop asking questions and stop explaining yourself. By doing this you are losing the respect I am sure your organization deserves.

[/QUOTE]

This has been my point to him.

thank you Blue for the 411 earlier!

What's valid and fair about this question? I have never thought this question was valid or fair, but rather uninformed. When someone asks me this, all it tells me is that the person asking either THINKS they know everything there is to know about our organizations OR they are just looking for a reason to put us down, but it doesn't work with me either way because I know who I am and I know a great deal about my history. Then you have those that have studied some or a lot about African history and wish to condemn anything that isn't what they perceive to be "Afrocentric." I have encountered all of these types and in each situation I am able to hold my own. For one thing people have a tendency to study history and then take what they've learned and apply it to every modern situation regardless of the circumstances surrounding it in the present day. Yes, our founders created our orgs at a time when many African Americans were looking to fit in with the White community. We know this and I don't think that any of us can rightfully fault them for trying to get ahead in the unjust environment in which they lived and was trying to progress in. None of us can personally identify with what their struggle was truly like. Was it easier to assume a greek letter name just as the White greeks had before them? I would imagine so. Would it have been welcomed to give themselves an African name when most things having to do with "Blackness" wasn't welcomed? I'm sure it wouldn't have been. Would they ever have received a charter on a predominently White campus if they had an African name back then? Did they even think about giving themselves an African name? We'll never know for sure but it's obvious when you look at all of the NPHC orgs and see the various symbols that relate to our heritage, that our founders were not void of their sense of self and a connection to their African history. In fact the reason that the D9 orgs developed their own ways of relating to one another: calls, handsigns, stepping (things that some of us think are superficial but I don't) are rooted in our need to stay connected to one another and to our heritage. If you read about some of the rituals of some African societies (the Mende is a good example), you'll find that much of what we do (or did) and how we do it can be compared to that of some African tribal groups.

As for why we don't change our names today? I used to think about this but I realized that we just don't need to. If you know who you are personally and you know who you are as an organization, there is no need to change your name just to appease those who do not understand. Today, our orgs are businesses and our names are a Brand, a very popular, marketed brand at that. I believe this is the reason that the NAACP won't change their name even though we are no longer calling ourselves "Colored People."

The bottom line is...don't allow anyone to try and intimidate you with this question and I have seen many of our members do just that when faced with this question. If you know your history and the history of our orgs, there is nothing that anyone can say to you. Tell the person who's asking to do the research.;)

Tempst....thank u for that response....altho I said it's a valid and fair question considering the history between Greek and African culture...I don't necessarily agree with that line of questioning considering as you said, that some of those that try to pose it. However, I look at the question as a valid one considering the fact that anyone trying to gain knowledge (at least some of those that has apporached me on that subject) is trying to connect and answer the Why the Greek and how does it fir into our state of being here in the US.

What I am trying to say is, it's not a stupid question depending on how it's asked. People tend to be curious and a certain logic somewhere along the line must have been applied before the question came up...I am comfortable in where I am and who I am and in the traditions that my org. has. I try not to assume anything from anyone once that question has been asked but wait for further discourse before I gauge where they are trying to take it....mind you...YES...there have been some very misinformed people that have tried exactly what you have said...and sometimes...hey...it's almost a no win situation and they have to choose to believe what they believe...but hey everything is not made for everybody.

...thanks again....

I totally understand where you're coming from but if people would just think about it they would realize that the world's peoples have a long standing history of taking on the languages, religions, customs, etc. of their oppressors and making it their own (we know how English became the most dominant language in the world, don't we?). Through events like war, colonialism, slavery, apartheid, etc. etc., we move on while still carrying the battle scars of the past. I think that as long as we know and appreciate our ancestors and their relationship with the greeks and what came out of it, we have overcome far more than a language and some letters. As a matter of fact, you might say we simply took back what was rightfully ours to begin with.

as far as the african letter fraternity thing...there is only one, and that is Malik Fraternity, Inc, founded in 1977 as Malik Sigma Psi Fraternity, Inc.

So very very true!

First of all, I joined Sigma Beta Xi because the concept of a sorority designed with the needs of mothers in mind was very appealing to me. Also, the philanthropies that we support hold great personal meaning to me and I enjoy being able to support them along with other women across the country.

Secondly….


This post is just rude and disrespectful on many different levels. It would be one thing if we came on here bashing other organizations, but we did not. I have the highest respect for members of other organizations. The problem I have is where members of D9 orgs think that other organizations should not exist if they are not part of the NPHC. The last time I checked, this is America and there are choices available for anybody to find what best fits THEM. The many different types of organizations that are represented on this forum point that out perfectly.

I feel honored and proud of my organization just as well as anyone else does for theirs. The fact that you tried to put one of our founders on blast was unnecessary. I have no need to question anything, but if it bothers you that much then I’m sure you can contact her personally. Also, why are you searching our websites looking for things to talk about? Why not recognize and respect the work that we are doing, instead of trying to assume that we feel the need to copy anyone else.

Lastly, you answered your own question regarding starting a new organization in your own post. Apparently, what our founders had in mind was not “in line” with what was available, which prompted the need to form Sigma Beta Xi in the first place. Every organization is not going to be able to offer every program out there. That is why others exist.

This has nothing to do with NPHC orgs having a problem with the existence of non-NPHC orgs so please get off that soapbox. I have no problem with someone starting a new organization and if you had read some of my other posts, you would have seen that. As for putting your founder on blast...if your soror hadn't stated that one of your founders is one of my sorors, then no one would be on blast. But you can't expect to put something out there like that (something that none of my sorors have even heard about to my knowledge) and not have any of our members respond to it. As for looking thru your websites, wouldn't you be curious if someone so boldly stated that one of your sorors is one of their founders?...

Now if one of your founders is indeed one of my sorors and she hasn't abandoned her sorority but rather now has dual membership in both (if that's even allowed), then great for her. On the other hand, if she abandoned our beloved sorority to start a new one, you better hope that she doesn't become disenchanted with your organization in the future and abandon yours...to start yet another one.

What takes me aback with some of this is we have all signed our names on a list during an indoctrination process and we are members of our respective organizations.

Yes, there are some lax members out there who fail to pay dues for numerous reasons but still represent the organization with T-shirts. Some who do not live up to the full meaning of the pledge they make at induction. Fine. Whatever.

But to question existence is useless after it is a done deal and there is incorporation papers made. Ultimately, who cares?

I have been a member for nearly 20 years in my Sorority. If folks choose to question my intent and commitment to her, then hey, they can if they would like. But, they would be lucky to get a respectable response. I serve because I love. That is why I am a member. If that is not good enough for them, oh well. Some people live because they despise me. And that's too bad.

Quote of the day. :)

Okey. My question to young BGLO's (<25 years)
 

My question to you all not a part of the D9 (NPHC) and were founded <25 years ago, aside from snarky comments from anyone, what is with this "insecurities" about the business with your respective organizations?

I mean, really, I don't care why you joined. You thought you were "__________" (insert organization here), material. So you joined it. Now that you have, I am reading strong insecurities as to the reasons' for your organization's existence that seems projected onto us from the D9.

You ought not feel insecure if what you thought was right. However, did you all honestly think your creations would not be a long, hard fought battle of legitimacy before your precedents and peers? The constant justification of your exisitence? :confused:

Hayle, you honestly think we of the D9 are never constantly berated for our own organization's existence? :eek: :confused:

Just asking because there is more here that meets the eye and a few of us speak to other higher ups who you never know might assist you... Such as maybe a NPHC developmental program, which includes stategic planning, budget development, legal historical documents, and non-profit status with fictious names.

I have read your other posts which is why I responded in the first place. My comments regarding members of D9 organizations was to point out that many use the "why didn't you pledge alumni chapter" (just as you did in your earlier post) as if I made the wrong choice by not deciding to join any of the NPHC orgs.

As far as the comments about our founder, my only objection is you are making accusations based on one comment. Since the forum is open to all types of comments, I expected a response, but one that tries to discredit my organization is not something I can easily ignore. If this really poses such a problem to you then there are other ways to resolve the issue.


Just to respond to some of your comments...yes, I knew that by joining ANY organization I would be questioned about its existence. But what I don't appreciate is those who want to try to "pledge" me all over again about my organization. I will answer any questions (and I expect questions because that is how others will learn about who we are being that we are new and expanding to other areas), but when others try to get personal and make negative comments that is where it ends for me. There is a tendency to get defensive, but once you earn the right to wear your letters you won't let anyone that's on the outside looking in to try to make your organization look bad. If you do not want people approaching you in that way, why do it to someone else?

I know many members of greek organizations of all types who face this challenge. I also know that there is great opposition from those who don't see the need for the greek system at all. I knew going in that you should expect to have both good and bad days. Most of my experiences have been very pleasant and I have built relationships with members of other orgs who have shared some of the knowledge they have gained over the years. There are some who feel that we should not exist and do not want to offer any type of help (I have been told those words personally), but I have learned that actions speak louder than words. The only thing that I can do is to keep working and focus on what I can do to make my organization better.