Eh...there is no Utopian GC world. AKA Monet is talking about something much greater than what you're talking about. And the greater point resonates with both undergraduate and graduate NPHC members. Not all but enough for there to be a greater point.

Yes, there are undergraduate NPHCers who give blacks in the NPC a raised eyebrow. I was one of them years ago (and I give them a raised eyebrow now) because of the intolerant climate on my campus, and others, and the reputation of some of the fraternities on campus. The 2 black men in HWGLOs on my campus were told they were "different" and we couldn't understand why anyone would want to be in a chapter where they are being validated as being "different (from the rest of the blacks that these dudes knew)." The two black guys in the 2 fraternities were cool as hell (one of them had an Omega father) and they learned not to separate themselves from the other blacks, just because they were feeling like they had to be "different." There were no NPHC frats chartered on the campus, anyway, and they chose not to pursue membership through another chapter---who cares? We didn't ask them about their fraternity and they never shared info--we just wanted to connect on a people level with men who were really not "different" when they realized that they weren't under the scrutiny of their fraternity brothers when they were around us.

The one black girl in an NPC sorority on campus was received a certain way because she was afraid to talk to black people. We continuously tried to engage her because we knew she was probably a very nice person. One day we asked her about her experience (this was probably before we were in NPHC orgs ourselves) and she cheerfully (always cheerful because she's such a sweetheart) confessed that she wasn't used to being around black people. She's the nicest person in the world and her heart was always in the right place.

My problem: If you want to pursue a nonNPHC organization, most of us at the undergrad and grad level TRULY don't give a damn beyond making the initial observation. But if you're doing it because you've been touted as "different," because you're not used to be around blacks, or are afraid of blacks then YES people will respond to you accordingly. That's not about being in the NPC or IFC, that's about YOU.

And for blacks in the NPC who say they don't have to explain themselves or they did what makes them happy and seek no validation, I beg to differ in many cases.

A very similar event happened at my school, Texas A&M, when I was a senior UG in 1991. An NPC sorority extended a bid to an African American woman, through a COB event I think, and half the chapter split. One half of the chapter wanted to give her a bid, the other half threatend to turn in their pin if the AfAm got the bid. I don't remember what came of it, but in the end I don't think that chapter is at A&M anymore.

Honestly, I think in the end campus climate has much to do with it. Because quite honestly, back in the day (pre-MIP), I probably would not have joined a UG NPHC org had I attended certain HBCUs - the hazing done was ridiculous!!

I hear what youre saying, but we've had MANY a thread that have discussed NPHC and (not being able to participate in) Greek Week.

And i can understand AKAMonet, as i will be a graduate advisor for the first time and anticipate similar issues. I can imagine things like participating in Greek Week is minor compared to ... making sure your chapter exists from semester to semester. NPC chapters for the most part dont have to worry about this, even with a constant flow of graduating seniors being replaced with the next year's incoming pledge class. Recruitment is really an all-year thing for many NPHCs, after the informationals are over, after the neos come out on the yard, and all that. The question of chapter longevity is a constant.

In particular to the campus i will be working with, we're not so much dealing with blacks joining NPCs but joining locals. not that there is anything wrong with that, but this school, i think locals pull rank over the NPC orgs in recruitment.

Yes, I understand.

No, I am not saying any of that lol. I'm not sure how you took that from my post. I was just trying to respond to your question of what my GLO has done to outreach any NPHC sorority on my campus.

I prefaced it with the small size of the AKA chapter here and the lack of visibility from other NPHC sororities to make that point that it is hard to do any outreach when numbers are low.

So, you would raise an eyebrow at Molly Minority because she was raised in a predominantly White neighborhood, went to predominantly White schools, had mostly White friends, and decided to join ABC NPC org?

Look, I think the mission and purpose of NPHC orgs are great in addition to the reason as to why they were founded. But sometimes I feel as if though members get so caught up in "We do so much for the AfAm community! Why do some Black girls go NPC?!?!" (AKAMonet) that they fail to remember that the FUNDAMENTAL purpose of ANY fraternity or sorority is to feel at home and find YOUR brotherhood/sisterhood.

How can Molly Minority be successful in XYZ NPHC org if her heart isn't in it?

I can agree with this. Anytime an interest gives me spiel about "wanting to give back to the community" and what not, i tell them to go join NAACP or NCNW. Yes, we are service organizations but we serve social outlets just as much. Playing up too much on one or the other can be a turn off for potential members.

Such as the case at a Greek 101 i attended. One NPHC sorority, every time she answered a question from the audience, always brought it back to how much of a "business" the organization is and that the fun aspects dont matter if the business isnt right, etc. even as the event ended, this chapter's table only displayed the business side of their accomplishments - awards received, pictures with politicians, and some scant pamphlets. There was no chit-chat, it was so no-nonsense. Some of those girls left looking a little let-down.

When youre talking to a room full of undergraduates, that can be a little daunting. Of course they have to know that our organizations require work and obligations, but they have to also know that they are going to enjoy it too.

ETA: i personally dont mind if Molly Minority joins an NPC. for some, the research and all that jazz isnt that deep. they want their sisterhood, they want their parties, and they want it their first week of their freshman year. whatever works for you Molly. some folks dont have time or patience to be waiting on XYZ to come back to campus. and who are we to judge, regardless of the status of OUR chapter membership?

LOL.

well, we got an asian. filipino to be exact.

What do "predominantly" and "mostly" mean as it relates to not being used to being around black people or not being able to relate to black people?

hewwo :o

Haha...the bolded in the context of the unbolded is like smiling while you slap the crap out of someone.

hi wifey.

Meaning.... she grew up with limited exposure to AfAm culture, never really hung out with any other black girls, had little to nothing in common with other black people, etc.

ETA: And consequently would not feel at home in an NPHC sorority.

Sucks to be her.

But "predominantly" and "mostly" don't have to mean that. When people allow it to mean that, that's their fault.

haha. well, im just saying. i really didnt mean any cynicism there. perhaps ive gotten so cynical that i dont realize it when i type.

and we ALL know that one AfAm, PantherTEKE. let them do them. they aint worried about us.

teehee

They all "do them" until they get reminded that they're black. Then they want to "do us." But we're open arms. :)