Hmmm....

Question - would other NPHC groups be upset if she accepted AKA? Have any others extended an invitation?

I've noticed that some NPHC members (and it's here on GC, so they may just be perps, I realize) are willing to insult other Divine Nine orgs in a way NPC group members would almost never do - and so I'm wondering if Michelle accepting the AKA invitation would lead to hard feelings among the others, or if they would all welcome her as a member of the larger D9?

She is welcomed a member of the D9

Michelle has said it herself, she wants to work with all orgs to do service and good. That is great by me

So if she does accept, i think it would be nice for her to work with all of us on a large scale. As First Lady, she can publicize us more than what we can on our own and show that we do serve a purpose and we do fulfill it, no matter or petty trifles

I don't see what you mean really. No NPHC org has insulted another NPHC org on GC that I've seen unless you're talking about the times certain members (who are usually not GC regulars and may also be perps) say things and in that case, the GC regulars will usually unite and take 'em down. As far as Michelle becoming an AKA, no NPHC member on GC that I've seen has a problem with this. Outside of GC there are all kinds of things being said, but again I'm sure that perps are responsible for some of it. Overall, I don't think anyone has a problem with her becoming an AKA. If AKA got to her first, the others (if they even planned to ask her) were too slow and that's just how it goes. We all work and socialize together so at the alumnae level at least, there isn't all this "rivalry" that people like to talk about. If Michelle becomes a member of AKA, we will all welcome her into the D9. In fact, members from all D9 organizations were present this week when AKA announced that Michelle would accept the invitation to join.

I would direct your attention to the recent Sheryl Underwood thread for an example of what I am talking about(!) (and yes, I noticed that the dirt was NOT coming from GC regular Zetas) I've also noticed before - (and if I get more time, I'll try and look up examples) one member will accuse another GLO of being formed from rejects of their GLO, they have disputed the circumstances of their founding and argued that their group is more philanthropically active, insult another group as being or not being linked with another, etc. It's interesting that you note that this rivalry is talked about. I wonder where the perception is coming from, and why. It's intriguing from a PR perspective. I think Michelle's possible membership - especially if she really is active with all of the groups - could go a long way to counter it.

My experience with D9 is limited, so I honestly didn't know if this is just internet trash-talking, or if there is indeed animosity between some of the groups. I'm glad to learn that the groups do work together, and that any discussion of "rivalry" is overblown and without foundation.

The fact that there is even a discussion of whether or not Michelle should accept made me wonder. I hope she does go through with it, because win, lose, or draw, I think she will be in a postion to do a lot of good for all of the groups, and focus some media attention on all of the positive things the D9 is doing for their members and their communities.

You're right. I was going to point this out. You beat me to it. :p

The "trash talk" usually is at the undergrad level. Sometimes it spills over into the grad / alumnae level.


You have to understand the perception and history behind the cultural significance of joining a D9 org. It's not just joining a GLO, for many it also establishes rank and status in the Black community. Historically, that is how it has been perceived.

You can look up all the examples you like but I doubt you'll find insults coming from GC regulars unless people have problems with eachother as individuals. As for anyone else, they could be a perp or a young or immature member. If you had more experience being around the D9 as an undergrad, you might've noticed that some undergrads take the whole "rivalry" thing (which is supposed to be in fun) too far and too seriously. I can't relate to that though. On my undergrad campus, we were one big (although sometimes disfunctional) family. On the alumnae level (and by the way, in some orgs most active members are alumnae, not undergrads), we all work together and get along just fine...but then most are also much more mature at this point. Overall, members are just very passionate about their orgs and unfortunately not everyone expresses themselves in the best manner.

As for Michelle Obama, I think some are up in arms about her spokesperson saying that she will only accept if she has "non-exclusive membership." We're not real sure right now about what she means exactly or if her spokesperson got it wrong. In the D9, there is no such thing as "non-exclusive membership" since you can only belong to one org. Some people have interpreted her as wanting AKA to make an exception for her or something but I don't believe that's the case. People are just emotional at the moment.

You mean, the same way it's perceived in the white community, right?

Or at least, certain regions of white communities.

Yeah, those are the usual "rivalry" comments which more often come from younger members. This has to do with our histories and the fact that we know eachother's basic histories. We're actually closer than I suspect the NPC is since there are only 9 in the NPHC and some of our members act like siblings that can't stop teasing one another: "I'm the older one, No I'm the older one" and so on and so forth. It can be funny and sometimes it's not so funny. It usually comes with experience and maturity that members realize that we are all equally great.

I did not grow up in a white community in terms of knowing exactly how they perceive cultural standing and what is and is not significant. I said that to say that while yes, I did grow up in a white neighborhood, attended white schools and had white friends, I never picked up on the intimate social nuances that are in the white community because I am not white nor are my family members.

I only speak from a Black perspective because that is how I grew up.

But, if it is the same in the white community, then I guess so.

Thanks for the information. GC has been great for learning about D9.

PLEASE!!!! Don't take what you get from GC as the *only way* the D9 is!!!!

If you have an opportunity to interact with D9 orgs within your own community I would urge you to do so.

i bet she's in set right now.

Well, Cindy McCain is a Theta. I suppose if anyone wanted to they could probably dig up something.

I'm not honestly trying to encourage that, but I don't think anyone can really sully Michelle Obama because of AKA membership without similarly taking down other GLOs. Is there a group among us with a scandal, hazing or otherwise?

Was the article by the AKA about the elitism she didn't care for in the Centennial Celebration published in the same paper as those comments? I guess you could find it through googling, but I'm just amazed to see the mink coat elitism trotted out.

And elitism just strikes me as weird attack on Michelle Obama if the figure to compare her with is Cindy McCain, not that I don't admire them both to some degree.

ETA: I'm not busting on Theta with my elitism and Cindy McCain comment. I'm thinking of her basically growing up an extremely wealthy heiress.

As I have posted elsewhere, I'd love to have more interaction, but any and all invitations to D9 groups to do projects with the alumnae groups I am active with have been refused. It was explained to me that D9 have very specific goals in terms of philanthropy, and if a project is not perceived as meeting those goals the chapter will not be interested. However, it has meant that we really have no personal interaction with D9, which I lament.

I am very careful to whom I attribute standing in regards to information about D9, or any other GLO, here on GC. There are those I trust, and those who I wouldn't if they tried to tell me the sky was blue. :rolleyes: GC has been informative in letting me know the way D9 groups operate. It's easy to assume that all GLOs operate the way in which your group does, and I think it is important to realize that not all groups operate the same way.

I asked my initial question because I didn't want to give credence to some of the more outrageous "trash talking",(and that's why I'm not going to post examples - why give it any more space?) and it turns out I was right to be suspicious. I also was sincere in wondering why there was any debate about Michelle accepting AKA - it would seem to me to be a good thing for all D9 groups.

Follow-up question - do D9 groups have the equivalent of our NPC Alumnae Panhellenic groups?