Originally Posted by Rain Man (Post 13614)

I think the reason why there is so much tensions is because the 25/52 orgs are the major non-NPHC orgs with a large minority representation, and an old minority representation.

The first Alpha Phi Omega chapter at an HBCU was at Johnson C. Smith University (Delta Phi) on April 17, 1947, while the first Gamma Sigma Sigma Chapter was at Southern University (Alpha Delta) in 1963. While both organizations picked up numerous chapters at HBCUs in the 70s, I would venture to say that similar arguments such as ours were going on two generations ago. So this is not a new problem, this is an old one that has never been resolved, but revisited over and over again. I think the NPHC, while I understand their concern for wanting to hold on to something near and dear, it is a moot point.
As far as to the sororities complaining that GSS is biting off their colors, calls, etc., I think the root issue is that GSS does this period, and they are not NPHC. Because even if the sign did not resemble SGRho, the sororites would invariably nitpick and find something else that remotely resembled something of the sororities. I had a Delta approach me and complain that GSS was using their colors (Maroon/White vs. Crimson/Cream)? Okay. It is an uphill battle to that end.

The bottom line, it seems is that 25/52 is not NPHC and NPHC wants a monopoly on their traditions. Between the Latino(a) Greek community and the growing # of Black non-NPHC orgs appearing, It is not going to happen. I think the progress will begin when NPHC works in service with 25/52 and stop fighting against them over finger formations, colors of the rainbow, whether we use the letter O as opposed to Q, and gold boots. That's childish and counterproductive to our collective contributions to the Black communtiy. (Say that 3 times real fast) http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Let it go, all of us, and let's get to work!

Match Game '73

Originally Posted by gamma_girl52 (Post 13602)

Oh boy Rain Man...hopefully this thread will not get flames all over it!

Before I start I want to say that I am speaking only for myself and for my chapter, not for anyone else. Every chapter has its own experiences.

Having said that, from my experience it is been because Gamma Sigs carry themselves as an African-American based sorority on campus. We Gamma Sigs know that our sorority was not founded by black women alone.

Also, a lot of the things we do aren't looked at as "original" such as our call, "Wee-Oop" (which is grounds alone for raised eyebrows) our handsigns and our colors. In short, we are viewed as a fake sorority who has nothing better to do but copy what other sororities have already. I have heard that numerous times and in a nutshell, that is the problem. On some campuses, if you are a Gamma Sig it isn't even feasible for you to pursue a sorority in the Nine.

Now my response to this is simple. Everything I do as a Sig, everything that Sigs do means something to us. We aren't fake, we're not trying to be like anyone else. We are who we are. We are a sorority whose main focus is service, and it is in our hearts in minds with everything we do. When I wear my letters I wear them with pride. I do the best service that I can do because the people that I serve deserve it. That's my explanation everytime I get asked why Gamma Sigma Sigma is the way it is on my campus. We are supportive of our greeks and in turn, we get invited to many greek events and are asked to participate. Trust, it was not like that in the beginning, but my chapter continues to do their required service and we just be ourselves. We've earned the respect of the greek community even though we're not "greek" by NPC/NPHC standards.

Another thing, it is not the same on every campus. Every GSS chapter doesn't have a line, or stroll, or do things of that sort. Some chapters are all-black, others all-white, others a mix, I can go on and on. The point here is, no matter what, every last one of them is a sister and I will be there for them. I will serve with them and I will support them.

Sorry bout the long rant...but I always welcome questions if I didn't cover everything in this post!

In Service,
gamma_girl52
Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority

Originally Posted by Little32 (Post 1715998)

LOL. What is up with all of the necroposting lately?

Originally Posted by cheergurl2145 (Post 1767424)

I so agree with you on this one!!! get it Soror!!

Originally Posted by pirate00 (Post 13601)

This is the first I've heard about any feud between the NPHC and APO/GSS family. Maybe it's because I don't attend a HBCU, but I am an APO Brother. I can only speak for ECU, though. We have both APO and a GSS chapter here and the "Divine Nine" are represented here (except for Iota Phi Theta) and we seem to co-exist peacefully.

Originally Posted by LoveDove (Post 1814113)

Hey Frat. Well on my campus (ECSU, which I know that you know about us, well at least u should) But anyway, many people don't like the name Alpha Phi Omega because it has Alpha Phi (A-Phi) and Omega (Que). Other then that, thats it. I really don't pay it any mind b/c I am a Brother of A-Phi-Que and I am in a divine nine org.
But many people don't, and I see that b/c APO isn't part of the divine nine. They think b/c people join a greek letter org. that isn't divine nine b/c they couldn't get into a divine nine org. which isn't the case. I became a brother because I love to help others and APO does more community service then any divine nine org.

Originally Posted by naraht (Post 1814208)

Sometimes I wonder whether Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs would be better off if it didn't refer to itself as A-Phi-Que. Do the Omega's view us using Q to represent our Omega to be flattery or not?

I'm still trying to find out both when Omega Psi Phi started using Q to describe itself and when Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs started using Q as part of its self description.

Randolph Finder
Alpha Phi Omega History and Archives Cmte.

Originally Posted by naraht (Post 1814208)

Sometimes I wonder whether Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs would be better off if it didn't refer to itself as A-Phi-Que. Do the Omega's view us using Q to represent our Omega to be flattery or not?

I'm still trying to find out both when Omega Psi Phi started using Q to describe itself and when Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs started using Q as part of its self description.

Randolph Finder
Alpha Phi Omega History and Archives Cmte.

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest (Post 1814317)

I think NOT.

Originally Posted by naraht (Post 1814208)

Sometimes I wonder whether Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs would be better off if it didn't refer to itself as A-Phi-Que. Do the Omega's view us using Q to represent our Omega to be flattery or not?

I'm still trying to find out both when Omega Psi Phi started using Q to describe itself and when Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs started using Q as part of its self description.

Randolph Finder
Alpha Phi Omega History and Archives Cmte.

Originally Posted by preciousjeni (Post 1814324)

Agreed. I'm an APO brother who detests "A Phi Que."

Originally Posted by Senusret I (Post 1814363)

You also weren't initiated into a chapter where "A Phi Que" as a term was part of the chapter's heritage.

Originally Posted by Senusret I (Post 1814392)

I think chapters that call themselves A Phi Que because it's part of their campus culture or chapter culture. It's usually not meant to signify a difference between men and women except among an extreme minority of members (JayBee) who want it to signify that.