And you won't. There are certain things that I want and I know more than likely i just won't get it.

You don't have to share.

OK, this is a really interesting topic...

First off, I am new here, but a little background on me, since I plan to be frequenting these forums. I am in Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc, founded in 1994 at Binghamton University. We are an Asian Interest Cultural Fraternity. Although it is Asian Interest, it is not Asian Exclusive. In fact, I myself am white. My "Big Sis" (used in Asian Greek Life as someone who is there for you, etc.) is an AKA.

Going back to the topic at hand before all of the bickering...

I think RACooper is trying to do the right thing, which is honorable. Right now in society, white culture is the dominate culture. It is everywhere, and regardless of race, people all know what it is. The simple truth is that if you are not white, you are much more likely to be aware of racial issues because it directly affects you.

In order to understand the foundation of multicultural greeks, I feel it is ESSENTIAL to understand the basis of their founding): namely, to unite people who share similar backgrounds/cultures in a society that is dominated by another culture.

Naturally, this causes a much stronger bond. When you are part of the majority, ignorance is bliss as they say. Why? because unless something affects you directly, it is human nature to not care as much about it.

Personally, I believe that in order to bridge this gap culturally, and also between Greeks, reaching out must occur. It is natural for some NPHCs to be defensive about this, of course, because of the numerous lawsuits.

The essential difference between multicultural greeks and traditionally "white" social Greeks, is that when you join a multicultural greek, it is for LIFE. This is not a four year fling in college. Obviously, you might get some people like that, but the network and brotherhood/sisterhood is so much tighter due to one simple fact: Numbers.

Being in an Asian Fraternity, no one knows anything about us, since we are relatively new (although Pi Alpha Phi was founded in 1926, roughly seventy years before Iota Phi Theta, the newest of the Divine Nine).

We are struggling to find ourselves right now. Personally, I feel we are much closer to the NPHC greeks in nature. Although we are young, we are gradually progressing, because there is always the fight for racial equality.

The reason I know so much is because I researched. Just like some people said on here earlier, the first step to breaking the barriers is knowledge. Learn. It's Ok to ask questions. That's how you get rid of ignorance. I've asked a LOT of questions in my day. Hell, I ask questions every day to my friends in NPHC and NALFO(National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations) about their orgs. No, I'm not asking about their secrets. What I am doing is spending time with them, because they are my friends, and learning about them.

One of the beauties of this country is that I can be different than someone, and love someone because they are different than me. Just because I may be white and my friends Asian, Black, Latino, South Asian, etc, etc, doesn't matter. Because I see that I can learn a lot from them, and they can learn a lot from me.

I know this is a LONG post, but this is something I feel very passionately about, and which is why I am President of our Multicultural Greek Council at The George Washington University.

We don't have an NPHC (even though we have APhiA, KAPsi, ZPhiB, AKA, and DST) because we all want to further our common goals together. In fact, I know some people in those aforementioned orgs that are against having an NPHC at GW because they feel it would divide people.

If people want to break the barriers, then they have to learn first. That is the ONLY way. I get odd looks all the time from white people, because my friend base is mostly non-white. When people come into the Greek Office, they always think I am in IFC, and I have to point them to someone else :D (Which I get a kick out of, btw).

What it is going to take is humlity and the willingness to understand that not everyone has it as easy as you. Realize that your fellow Americans (jeez, I sound like a politician :rolleyes: ) are facing totally different issues than you could even imagine.

So, read Black Greek 101 (which I am reading now), go to Multicultural Greeks' events, ASK QUESTIONS, show interest, make friends in those organizations, and learn. And you will see that you'll learn a lot and in turn, become a stronger person.

If anyone is interested in talking more about this, please post here or PM me. Hahaha, this is my life's mission! OK, maybe one of my missions. :D

I just thought up a new quote... "Ignorance is for the weak of heart". Because it is.

Thanks! :)

-Nate Hayward

Good post L.O.C.K. But of course I have to ask. What made you want to join your fraternity?

Well, hehe, interesting story...

I went to a majority-white K-8 Private School. I went to Boarding School and had the option of taking Chinese. I took it for 4 years there, and now for 2 in college. After going to China a few times, and seeing the culture I got really interested. I didn't want to join a larger Social Fraternity, because I wanted to learn and make a difference, and with the Social Fraternities on my campus, I was seriously turned off Also, I was kind of running from my own culture at the time, and trying to be something I am not (Asian). After our intake and becoming a brother, I've come to love and respect my own culture (Scottish baby!!! :D ) yet, at the same time love and respect other cultures.

Plus, in multicultural greeks, that bond is ETERNAL.

Never stop fighting the fight

L.O.C.K., That was a very enlightening and interesting post. Thank you for sharing. I also appreciate the efforts you put forth in learning more about NPHC organizations. It just feels good to have someone who simply wants to know more and enjoys taking the steps to find out more without being hostile about what they don't know. (I'm referring to a poster on this thread whose name escapes me at the moment who said something like "we in the NPC just don;t understand why NPHC orgs are so secretive" as if it's their right to know about why we do the things we do in the ways we do) Anyway, your perspective on non-majority people having to live in a society in which another culture dominates is also a good one...not good in the sense that it is better than someone else's, but good in the sense that it acknowledges a feeling that IS common among those of us who have tried to articulate in numerous times on this board...but seemingly to no avail.

I wish the best of luck in finding out all you can about whatever organizations interest you, and please continue to remain open minded and willing to accept ideas, traditions and cultures of others.

I really get upset when people say that NIC/NPC GLOs aren't for life. They are. Many also initiate people who are no longer undergrads. I'm one of these people, and I do as much as I can for my GLO.

And now that you have told us this, we now know differently (about your alumni chapters also conducting initiations.)

That is very true. But I think this goes back to perception of the orgs. For example, in NPHC orgs, it is stressed that once you join, you are financial and active for life. In my experience, I've never heard an NPHC member refer to their membership in the past tense (I was an XYZ). In many of our orgs, there are many more financial active alumni members than there are collegiate members. Also, each NPHC org allows initiation on the alumni level, but I know that not every NPC or IFC org allows this.

So I guess this goes back to one of the differences between the orgs. From my observation, NPHC orgs stress alumni involvement much more than NPC/IFC.

So, Basically, We as GLOs expect our Members to join for Life. True.

Does it happen in all GLO Realms? No.

How many Members have fallen from the face of the earth and Chapter lists?

Now, explain to me how AI is not doing good? Dont NHPC's do Alum Initiation? Say no and You are wrong.:(


Being do rightous about what Your GLO feels and does is two different things.

We all expect, but Truth will happen. How many Members of Your Chapters after Graduation are still involved?

Yes, there are Alum Inititans, so what?

So maybe some Alum Chapters do Initiation, so what.

Dang what a surprise.:rolleyes:

Exactly.

However, this false perception is perpetuated by NIC/NPC GLO members who say things like "I used to be an XYZ when I was in college, but that was just for fun and undergrad stuff."

While you may encounter some BGLO members who say this (or at least think this), it is very much frowned upon and generally less likely. Many people who have disassociated themselves from the organization are encouraged (and many comply) to re-activate their membership at the graduate level.

These people who wish to disassociate certainly tend not wear letters (or have 'nalia on their cars) to let people know they were "once" in a BGLO whereas I have seen many NIC/NPC members wear their letters just as they would "any old tshirt."

After this long post, I thought you would have typed something that no one else has typed. :p You basically told him to "read a book and figure it out by talking to people" like almost everyone else in this thread. You certainly did not divulge any SPECIFIC info (founding date is pretty basic) on your organization in this thread, beyond the general belief that certain organizations are "for life."

;)

I just want to throw in my $0.02 here -- I am very active as an alumnae member, but when people ask me what sorority I'm in I usually say, "I was an Alpha Xi Delta." There's another thread around here somewhere that discusses this issue. Lemme' see if I can find it...

:confused:

Tom Earp, I really need you to TRY to do better.

If the grammar and spelling in your posts aren't up to par, at least display a willingness and an ability to understand what people are typing in their posts.

;)

Additionally, nationals still recognizes them as Sorors or Frat.