Well in our current social climate, being too conservative basically makes you "prejudiced" in many people's opinion. Far too often, being against things like welfare or affirmative action pegs you as automatically racist or prejudiced towards the poor.

I'd like to comment....
 

I'm a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, I just crossed last April 16, 2006.

my fraternity is reaching is 100 year anniversary soon, and I notice, that yes there are other IFC members who reached that mark already (OMG, APA is part of the IFC!!!!)

BUT, you cannot knock the fact that there are distenguished members of not only Alpha's century of leadership, but other NPHC orgs as well. For example, Dr. Martin Luther King was frat. Thurgood Marshall, Current mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick.
There are members that let the letters take over thier being, and it because there is a long road to anything involving BGLOs. And yes, we are bragging about 1900 founding dates, because at a time when african americans didn't think they had the foundation to begin a black organization, 7 men stepped up to the plate and showed women and men alike, that we can come together and make moves for the better. Name me some IFC groups that have active GRADUATE CHAPTERS, that have GRADUATE MEMBERS still doing work for the good of the brotherhood or sisterhood. We took something that was in front of us and put a few good tweaks. I knw alot of people who are part of TKE, and ZBT and the like, and when I mention "My graduate chapter was helping us, they give me a funny look. Like we don't have graduate chapters. Name me another sorority that is a NGO like DST. A sorority with rank in the united nations like them. If there was one thing they taught me while I was on line, was greek love. Regardless of letters, or colors, we may be playing for different teams, but we're in the same league, and whether you like it or not, people have perceptions of frats/sororities period. That we're stupid, and we only like to party

And I agree with alot of people in this thread, you should have done some research before coming online and spouting that non IFC members aren't real greeks, because the oldest and the coldest black greek organization is now a part of the IFC.

Its good to hear you're proud of your group's accomplishments, and they seem to be numerous. That aside, I don't understand why black orgs somehow think that having graduate and alumni chapters in some way makes them superior. I'm glad it works for those groups, but it surely doesn't hinder traditional IFC members from being successful. If you need examples, consider the U.S. House of Representatives, The U.S. Senate, and the President of the United States.

True and a lot of that has to do with the common Conservative ideology.

A review of historical and contemporary America doesn't preclude subscribing to a Conservative ideology. However, it precludes buying into ALL of the commonly spewed Conservative ideology. Be weary of political bipartisanism and the strict categorization of Conservative and Liberal ideologies. Life is never so "black and white." There's too much gray for people to see things with such linear logic.

Superior isn't the word I would use, but there are three reasons:

1) A bulk of our membership comes from graduate intake and a lot of social action occurs at the graduate level. It is expressed to all new initiates that what they are doing with the organization while in college is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find active and financial members of our organizations quite easily once you graduate.
2) Our organizations pride ourselves with being lifetime commitments--this is something that we tell people at informationals and interest meetings.
3) A more socially significant explanation: When minority groups are deemed inferior by the majority for many years, the minority groups often latch onto certain group norms and traditions for which they are proud of. It's their way of reclaiming their place and gaining their own identity without needing the majority to legitimate their existence

Which is all fine, but I'm not sure the influence and success of traditionally black fraternity members against their white counterparts would come at all close to favoring those black organizations.

Well, shinerbock, I did not know that this was a pissing contest. Pardon me for being improperly dressed. But you should re-read #3 from my post above to understand why your attempt at comparison really means nothing. :)

Theres really not a pissing contest at all. However, when you give three reasons why traditionally black groups are ________(enter appropriate term but not quite "superior here), you should expect such a response.

Only from someone who didn't read my 3 reasons.

No no, I read them. If you are saying those are three reasons you enjoy your membership, then that is understandable. However, from your post it seems you are comparing them to white groups.

No--I was answering your question about the graduate and alumnae level.

You are the one who said "superior" so within the context of your post I was explaining why NPHC members hold some things so near and dear to our hearts. I can't speak for other NPHCers but "white groups" aren't even part of the equation when it comes to my love and admiration for NPHC organizations and their accomplishments. Just like most members of "white groups" don't sit around waiting for NPHC organizations' accomplishments and members' opinions to legitimate their existence.

I did really have questions regarding the graduate chapters, but I appreciate the response anyhow. I believe now that your response post was simply vunerable to misinterpretation by me, especially surrounding the term "superior." No worries.

Shinerbock, I wholeheartedly agree with you 100%.

Great points.

That's all said and done, yes "traditional" ifc members do also become successful. Your main point about 5 pages back was that you never heard of successful BGLO members, which could have been rectified by simple research. Now onto the topic of livelong membership, look at your "traditional" ifc members. Do they still claim the fact that they were a part of a great orginization (which I have no doubt about your or any other "white" fraternity being)? Do they still hold those ideals high, and still contribute to the best interests of the brotherhood/sisterhood? That's why we hold our graduate and alumni chapters to high regard. Because being an Alpha, or a Delta or what have you is a LIFELONG commitment. Not just something that just passes. If it wasn't then you would have lost the meaning of fraternity/brotherhood. And we have people in the senate, we have people in the house of representatives also. So you couldn't really point that out, unless your point is that the majority of people in office are white.

(and before you assume, I am a white member of a BGLO)

He makes some good points here and there.