Racism at Ole Miss or Bama??
 

So I am from out of state and I was curious about how racist the sororities are at 'Ole Miss and University of Alabama? What are my chances of getting into a NPC sorority. I know people who live in the south and I have family in the south, but I am from the west coast and I'm really interested in joining a southern sorority, for traditions and the southern style of living basically.
I don't know how important this is but I am Dutch, German, Irish, American and African American. I do not really look like any specific race and I do not have traditionally black hair, you would say I have "white" hair basically. My skin is definitely light, but not awkwardly pale haha; I'm bronzed thank to the sun. I was raised in a predominately white community and I have mostly white friends. I am not racist and this is not a huge factor in my life, however I would like to know what I am getting my self into.

Please do not sugar coat your answers, I can take it..
Thank you!

QFP.

I'm new at this whole GC thing, what is QFP?

It's called Quoting for Posterity. It's done to ensure ridiculous posts aren't removed.

Most of us can't tell you what your chances are, because we are not active members of the sororities at those schools. First, concentrate on getting accepted. Then, concentrate on getting recs for each NPC group at your college of choice. Recs are the biggest issue for a PNM at those schools, not your skin color.

You said this as if being black is a bad thing. "You have mosty white friends"..."black hair"..."white hair". WTF? And you're not a racist? Cool if you have mostly white friends but, you say it as though you don't fuck with black people.

Surely you jest....

No, it stands for "quit fuckin' playing". ;)

excuse me but...
 

No, I am most definitely not a racist. I have black friends too so do not put words into my mouth. There is a difference in the type of hair many races have and I was trying my best to describe mine, but truly it does not matter. Some of my friends were telling me stories about how at the schools i have mentioned above do not let in non-caucasians and I wanted to know from someone who might have attended either school to answer. I thought describing myself would make a difference for some reason, but it doesn't so that was my bad. I'm sorry that you found some of the things i said offensive but i did not intend for them to sound that way at all. I really just wanted to know if race is going to be a factor when rushing next fall.

I wasn't putting words into your mouth, I don't have to. You already painted yourself to look like you have a color complex, based on your post. Race and gender make a difference in a lot of decisions that are made in everyday life, so get used to that. No, I wasn't offended by anything you posted, because I'm happy being black. Funny, how you posted everything else you're "mixed" with first, placing African American last. I don't know you, but based on your post, you sound like you wish you were white.

It's dumb to say she wishes she was white especially since you really don't know her ethnic background (she may be more "white" than black). That's cool you're happy to be black (as you should be) but why waste the energy to get all butt hurt if someone of mixed race identifies as being more white than black?

There's a difference between how someone identifies and how they make a point to emphasize how VERY NON BLACK LOOKING they are. It's like me saying I support my gay friends but JUST SO YOU KNOW I HAVE A BOYFRIEND. MALE BOYFRIEND. STRAIGHT VERY STRAIGHT. That sort of thing.

Not sure if she just thought that describing herself that way would be more impressive to NPC sororities or if that's a result of how she identifies, or if that's a result of the societal values around her. But the criticism is fair.

In any case, yes, people are racist, no, we can't tell you if sororities will accept you.

Who knows what the OP meant especially when she said she doesn't look like any race(WTF alien?).

I'm old, not from the south and white, so that makes me the perfect person to jump in on this. HA! These schools are very competitive just to get in, as well as the Greek system. I think there might still be some bias out there, but I would go in being and behaving as you are and will continue to be. Nobody can tell you there is or is not racial profiling because member selection is confidential AND changes over time.

My guess is, presuming your grades are fine, your credentials are good (extra-curriculars, volunteer history, etc.) and your recs are up to snuff, you'll be able to find a home. These systems are very competitive, so I wouldn't go blaming race issues if you do get cut heavily (we've heard that before from girls who refused to accept their snotty attitude, bad grades or lack of recs had anything to do with it).

I'm presuming you're a senior in high school, so this is your last chance to make sure your grades are stellar and you've got some good extra-curricular and leadership elements on your resume. Focus on those, and not what the membership criterion is. You can't do anything about it anyway, and it shouldn't impact your college decision.

Good luck!

I said based on her post that's how she comes off, to me. People can identify themselves in whichever way they please, but to disregard what your skin color is, (and in her case "non-white") because you want to be accepted by another race sounds like someone with a color complex. If you think my comments are dumb, then that's your opinion that you are entitled to believe. Frankly, I don't give a fuck what you think.

"I have white hair" not "black hair". What kind of shit is that? And what is "black hair" supposed to look like? In other words what she is trying to ask is, "since my skin color is light, I have "white hair", and since "most of my friends are white", etc etc etc. then should it be easier for me to get into this particular organization?" That's what her post sounds like, to me.

Damn...aré you sure you're not the one with a complex? Why are you so offended that she's not embracing her "blackness"? It's my understanding that most people of white/black mixed race identify as being black because that is how they physically look as well as how society sees/treats them as(being black). From what I read of the OP, she claims to have more caucasian than black features. If she doesn't appear black, is it that crazy to think that maybe she's never been looked at/treated as being black, therefore doesn't identify as being black?

She can choose whatever ethnic background she wants to. But, is it really necessary for her to describe her physical appearance- what she looks like and what she doesn't look like? What race of people she hangs out with? Is that necessary?


This is what I'm getting at. And what she's really asking, from the way I see it, is not what am I getting myself into, but more on the lines of "because I do not have "traditionally black hair", I have "white hair, and mostly white friends, do you think my chances are better?"

No its not necessary but why make such a fuss about it? You can tell from her post she's young and naive and her post is quite tame compared to some of the others we see on here. You're gonna burn yourself out fast.

southernbelle93, have you always lived in california?

i ask because the culture shock might be significant; moving from Cali to Tuscaloosa.
I hope that you will visit both Ole Miss and Bama for several days each, to try to pick up the local flavor.

Both these schools have extremely tough recruitments, even for local girls, and sororities at both schools expect to receive recommendations for the girls going thru recruitment. Just do your homework.

Where do your friends get their info. on Ole Miss and Bama?

It's awesome that you think it's cool and that he should be happy to be Black. Whoa. Thanks for the approval. Sure.

PincGator Que already said that he wasn't offended by what she said. He's simply opinionated over what she says. But I realize that Black people can't have an opinion on topics pertaining to race without being told we are getting all butt hurt.

Anyway, I agree with PincGator Que and Drolefille.

Let the record show that PiKA2001 is making more of a fuss than Que ever was. I am also not surprised that PiKA2001 missed the point completely.

Also, if the OP didn't identify (or physically look like) as Black or any other racial and ethnic minority then she wouldn't have brought her behind to GC to ask this question. She would've gone with the flow and to see how well she can mesh, just as many nonwhites who are technically racial and ethnic minorities do. These nonwhites receive the "what are you" question quite often and are able to assimilate quite well because people can't readily figure out "what they are"...and then they go home to their Black, Native American, Hispanic, etc. families.

http://reviewsbylola.files.wordpress...02/passing.jpg

I agree with PincGator, drolefile and DrPhil.

Her post came off to me as "I don't really look or act black, so will they know I'm not really white during recruitment?" The whole thing seems weird to me, but it seems similar to the girls that come on here saying how pretty and awesome they are and asking for their chances.

I'm one of the "awkwardly pale" people she mentioned earlier, so maybe I'm off based but the whole question seemed pretty offensive.

I agree with pixell. This kind of question is quite baffling in a "will they know what I am in order to exclude me" kind of way.

Speaking of college-level sororities, I know two college students who many consider to be white. They have talked about their heritages and how they are "physically white" but racially and ethnically nonwhite. They wouldn't even have to wonder whether they would be excluded from anything on the basis of race. They "are white" until they tell people otherwise.

That's always been the case for a percentage of racial and ethnic minorities in this country. The difference is that they KNOW that and wouldn't need to pose this kind of question if they believe that most people don't know they are nonwhite.

Even the "one drop rule" was intended to not only shape how people self-identify but to give Blacks, who could pass, a permanent "Black card" so people couldn't solely go based on how they look. However, the "one drop rule" didn't keep many racial and ethnic minorities from passing in settings where people didn't know they had the "one drop."

Dr.Phil, I really like how you explained this. It makes a lot of sense so, thank you for explaining it to those of us who are not minorities. I will say that, even though I am half-PR, I don't look latina. My spanish-speaking skills are horrible. It's sad but, true. In fact, my bio father (who was never around while growing up) is the parent who is full-blooded PR. Unfortunately, I never fully embraced my heritage-for many reasons. Maybe that's how this girl is feeling. I'm not sure. I know that if I would have told some of my friends in a 99% white town about my background, they probably would have looked at me different. It wasn't until college until I began understanding the pride that comes along with being different. Who knows if this young woman is feeling the same way.

As far as Pika2001, I think the new Que with the 6 posts needs to stop freaking out on him and the OP. As I said, we don't know where this OP is coming from (maturity level-wise, background, etc.). To sit here and curse out a seasoned GCer because you are upset is completely unacceptable, in my opinion. I feel like if any other new person would come on GC and start acting that way towards people who have been on here for a while, they would get told to go elsewhere. Because this is a topic of race, it's okay? As I stated, Dr. Phil, thank you for sharing because (as you already know) I really appreciate the insight you have and are willing to share. As for this Que guy-well, I've said all I need to say about him. Way to make a point without sounding like a jackass.

:rolleyes: What?

PincGator Que's posts are fine because (he's a Coleman and) some of us agree with him and PiKA2001 doesn't understand the point being made. He doesn't just disagree, he doesn't understand. The tone of PincGator's posts are quite calm and it is you and PiKA2001 who are getting excited. PincGatorQue doesn't give a fuck what PiKA2001 thinks. LOL. Get over it.

A Coleman? I don't know what that is. Please explain. I think cursing at both the OP and Pika2001 are unacceptable and far from calm, to get his point across. I'm not really getting too excited about it, I just recognize that this guy is freaking out on someone he doesn't even know. I really don't care much about this Que, that much and wouldn't base my opinion of Ques on this one jackass. Whether you agree with someone else or not doesn't mean (especially after 6 posts) that you have the right to ridicule or belittle someone as if you own the place. It's tacky-regardless of what the subject may be.

I haven't posted on her in a LONG time, but since I did graduate from Ole Miss I thought I'd throw in my two cents. This year Theta took in two girls who are black or at least from the pictures look so. If you had looked through the recruitment photos you could have seen that for yourself.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...89727&page=121

I will tell you that being from California may be more of a strike against you then being "not white." There are LOTS of girls who don't get a bid at Ole Miss, so make sure ALL of your ducks are in a row. Go to Greek Week. Gets lots of recs. I know this sounds crazy, but some girls even get a Recruitment Coach. Yes, it is that serious and it is that competitive.

Know that there really aren't any "bad" sororities though some may be seen as "not as good." I personally know girls from each and every sorority at Ole Miss and even from Zeta and ADPi that are no longer there. There are beautiful, talented, smart, amazing women in each sorority, so know that you are competing with THAT not your skin color. Realize that a LOT of these girls a long connections with not only the schools, but with the chapters and girls. These girls know each other, went to camp together, were debs together, etc. There will be lots of legacies and legacies of THOSE chapters. There is a reason Recruitment had to be moved to October.

I will point out that being an actual Southern Belle myself (born and raised in MS), I'm curious to why you would think that you, a California native, are and would pick that name. I'm not sure what movie you've watched that gives you this idea that you just WANT to join a "Southern" sorority, but I hope it works out for you. From what I understand California has great greek life at many of their colleges. Greek life is what you make it, so if you are expecting dance cards and serenades, you may be disappointed.

As someone stated earlier YES people are racist. Everywhere! The South doesn't hold the card on racism, so don't walk in with that attitude. I will also warn you to not get on the internet and describe yourself so clearly in an open forum. How many mixed race girls from California do you think will be going through recruitment next fall? You might be pretty easy to pin point. I'm just sayin'. Anyhow, good luck to you and hope it works out for the best.

I cuss all of the time to get my point across. Get over it.

You called him a jackass to get your point across and he wasn't even typing to you. Get over it.

As rebelgirl pointed out, you're competing with women that have tons of connections, recs, and even coaches. So concentrate on your grades, your conversation skills, your resume, etc. Practice having conversations with people you don't know, because you'll be doing a lot of that during recruitment. GET RECS.

But first, concentrate on getting in. You're going to college to get a degree...everything else is secondary.

HA, you are really one of a kind special Dr. Phil! Yes I think everyone should be happy with who they are and comfortable in their own skin. I was just commenting how the guy had to post how happy he was to be black (was THAT necessary?) and make mention how she posted her AA-ness last. Would it have made that much of a difference had she said she was African-American/Irish/Dutch?

No fuss over here. I found the OP to be a tad ridiculous and very naive so I never responded to her post, it was PincGator's posts I was responding to.

And for the bolded, you really don't know that. This girl seems to identify as white as well as having the assumption that in order to get into a house at Bama or Ol Miss you must be blonde haired, blue eyes and lilly white. Who knows what her reasoning is.

There ya go, finally! She perhaps identifies as white but perhaps doesn't feel as though she's white enough. Color Complex 101.

So, you do get the point that PincGatorQue and the rest of us are making. *whew*

I saw it as, "I'm part Black, but I'm not like the rest of them! Really I'm not!" Just another Sarah Jane moment waiting to happen.

LOL at people calling Ole Miss and Bama competitive admissions-wise. Yeah, I'm a college admissions snob and a sorority snob and I love it.

http://www.popmatters.com/columns/gl...ges/060403.jpg

lol but awwww :(

Alright, I really don't know how to respond to a lot of these post, but I'm going to try.

1. I do not have a color complex.
2. I am really happy with who I am as a person.
3. I am in no way shape or form was I trying to come off like I wish I were white, I appreciate diversity and I like being different.
4. Obviously I do not know how to post..this was my first time and a lot of the things I said came out very wrong. How I was trying to say things is being twisted into something completely different than I meant.
5. Yes, I am a senior in high school and I don't think I am naive but I am well aware of the fact that I have many things to learn still.
6. I am sorry so many people are getting this upset over what I posted, but I honestly just wanted to know how difficult it was going to be getting into the sororities and I think I got my answer. difficult but not impossible.
7. I did assume that you had to look a certain way to be accepted into any of the houses but i knew other factors would go into getting a bid as well.
8. Yes i live in california now but I have visited the south before and I liked it a lot, aside from the humidity.

Hopefully everyone will calm down a little considering I meant no harm and was not trying to offend ANYONE.

People can get a little riled up here. Don't worry about it.

It appears from the posts such as rebelgirl's that what you need to focus on is your grades, recs, resume, and conversation skills as those things will be the most important determining factors. Concentrate on making the best grades you can the rest of this year, and start looking for recs. Use opportunities that you come across to practice small talk with strangers and acquaintances so that you'll appear confident and competent during parties (this is a good skill to develop for anyone, as it will certainly come in handy on many occasions besides recruitment).

I wasn't offended; this is just a pretty common post topic we see around here. There's one a few months ago, and it might behoove you to read that one as well. I'm Black, and I joined an NPC sorority in college; my experience was very different because I came from the South and joined a chapter in New England. (For example, my chapter got my recs and didn't know what to do with them!)

Just read a few more of the threads that KSUViolet06 linked to. If you have other questions that aren't answered, then totally feel free to ask them. The "I'm a black girl, can I fit into an NPC chapter?" is a trope to which many of us are inured and answering it over and over can make us punchy. :)

Good luck!