BGLO origins
 

I have read over and over again on these boards (from black and white alike) that BGLOs were formed because black people couldn't get into GLOs and this saddens me. I would just like you all to think about this one thing: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta were all founded at Howard University when the school was TOTALLY BLACK. So which orgainzations were the founders of these orgainizatations excluded from joining? By the time Sigma Gamma Rho was founded at Butler, the other 3 organizations had already formed and (at least Delta) had chapters on their campus. They had a group they could have joined had they wanted to. We sell ourselves and our founders short when we say that our Sororities and Fraternities were formed because we couldn't get in somewhere else. Our founders had specific goals and objective that they didn't find ANYWHERE ELSE. Think about it.

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If you can't raise conciousness, at least raise hell!--Rita Mae Brown

Gina, I agree with you. Not only does it sadden me when non-greeks think that BGLO's were formed because blacks couldn't be members of the established white organizations, but it also bothers me to hear black greeks perpetuatue this myth. These people have either been misinformed or uneducted on the topic. We all need to know our history. It gives greeks and nongreeks true insight into just how great and purposeful our organizations are.

PEACE: Proper Education Always Corrects Error

What saddens me is that until today, I never thought about there being a difference between blacks and whites in Greek organizations. I didn't. Until I saw all the people here refer to everything as black and white. Maybe I am ignorant, I do come from a school where only 1,300 attend. Why dont people here simply refer to their Greek group (eg, PSS, AXO, etc whatever) and *not* dub their (or my fraternity) as a GLO or BGLO. (Note, I have never used these terms in my life; read any of my posts, I dont feel a need to differenciate).

Easy E www.angelfire.com/va2/gammachi
Please visit and sign our Guest Book linking ot your fraternity or sorority! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Eli,
Don't be disturbed. This is an education for us all. Quite frankly, being a product of an HBCU, I had an extremely limited view on Non-NPHC organizations prior to joining the dialogue of these boards. We had other greek letter organizations. But they were treated more like clubs than "organizations".

The "origin" distinction is not made to exclude commentary...its a means of identification. As I am sure you have learned NPHC/BGLO have a VERY different view on the culture of Greek life.

For example, I have noticed many WGLO members have been critical about how BGLO members "treat" "communicate" with interests. I have also noticed that many BGLO members have been critical of the issue of "loyalty" in the WGLO, primarily based on the system of "rushing". These are MAJOR fundamental issues. We are not the same and thats okay.

Undeniably there is a LOT we can learn from one another. We just have to learn to stay open to change.



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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

Gina_lynn, I am glad you bring up this point, because I've wondered about it for quite some time, and couldn't quite make sense of it.

I have read over and over again on these boards (from black and white alike) that BGLOs were formed because black people couldn't get into GLOs and this saddens me...Our founders had specific goals and objective that they didn't find ANYWHERE ELSE. Think about it.

I definitely empathize with realizing there is a void to be filled, and then carving out a niche and creating a legacy, being a member of my (very small, very young, and very unique) GLO. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif It would be interesting to know from you (and other BGLO members') point of view, about what the goals/ideal/objectives were that you didn't find in already established organizations, and how establishing your BGLO created a niche and filled that void. I (and others, I am sure) don't necessarily understand the point of view, not being in a BGLOs.


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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

[This message has been edited by equeen (edited July 13, 2000).]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but it was my understanding Sigma Gamma Rho was the first Black sorority at Butler. According to the Butler U. website (http://www.butler.edu), the only NPHC orgs on their campus even today are Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Good point, thatgirl. Maybe one of the SGRho's on here can clarify?

ZetaAce

I have been corrected about the number of BGLOs at Butler, so for that I do Appologize..

As anyone who has read just a few of these posts would know, BGLOs and GLOs are FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT. If you felt as though you just didn't feel "at home" in an organization, but liked the style, goals and objectives, you would also tend to copy the format. BGLOs didn't do that.

To answer your question equeen,

would be interesting to know from you (and other BGLO members') point of view, about what the goals/ideal/objectives were that you didn't find in already established organizations, and how establishing your BGLO created a niche and filled that void.

Delta Sigma Theta was established to be a sisterhood of Black women committed to public service (in the black commuity).

I'm a chatterbox, y'all, so if you don't feel like reading, GET TA SCROLLIN'! Lol, j/k. Every BGLO has a different story. You don't always have to 'get in where you fit in', though. I certainly understand why a person would venture to establish a brotherhood/sisterhood befitting to them if they felt that those existing didn't fit their needs. Not ME, but I do understand. If I feel like I would do justice to a pair of size 10 black bootcut jeans, then that's what I want to buy. I am NOT coming home with a pair of size 16 pipeleg Sasson's. LOL, I know you remember Sasson's (with the "okay" sign on the butt). Now, I don't KNOCK the folks that wear them. They might even look good on someone else, but NOT ME. If I want something, I am NOT going to accept the next best thing even if it seems like the only viable option. That goes for jeans, men, and even sororities. If I can't find what I'm looking for, then I get it tailor made. There's nothing wrong with that. Thank goodness we have that opportunity. That is EXACTLY what these orginizations were created for. To specifically fit the needs of the respective FOUNDERS and those that would follow in their footsteps. There's nothing wrong with having your OWN. You have to go with your HEART. If your heart is not with XYX, then you have no business trying to be a part of XYZ. If you feel like you can do it so that it fits you better, I say GO FOR IT. That doesn't make the org that you didn't pursue any less PRESTIGIOUS than it already was/is. Scholarship, Service, Uplift, Finer Womanhood, Intelligence, Sisterhood, Wisdom, Perserverance, Manhood, Brotherhood.......the list goes on and on and on. BGLOs were created because they NEEDED to be. That is all. That's something that you just can't argue!

Jada B.

[This message has been edited by thatgirl (edited July 13, 2000).]

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gifThe Disclaimer http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

***I am NOT a member of any Greek Letter Organization, nor am I in the process of trying to create/found a Greek Organization. I have SO much respect for all of the NPHC member organizations, though I am partial to one in particular *s* ***

If the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn't, it's PROBABLY not your shoe.

Okay, back to work again.
Jada B.

Gina_Lynn - first - I was really glad to see your thread started in order to clarify this history. I've learned a great deal reading these posts and it was bothering me, after learning the history, to keep reading that the BGLOs were founded because their members had been excluded from other organizations.

I have an additional question - and excuse me if this sounds ignorant. Do you think that the organizations when they were founded (NPHC and NPC) were more similar in style, goals, etc. that perhaps they are today? (ex. the very formalized NPC rush vs. the NPHC process for offering membership) I'm guessing that in the early 1900s, sorority and fraternity rushes were a bit different than they are today.

It's interesting to see how this forum has developed from this morning. lol http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif
But seriously, see how much we learn when we talk and exchange ideas. I love that!
As far as Sigma Gamma Rho's founding at Butler University (a predominantly white campus), it's true that the sorority was the first african american one there. However, Sigma's birth had nothing to do with our founder's rejection or intentional seperation from other established white org's. Many may not know, but SGRho was initially founded to be a network to connect school teachers (specifically minorities) to improve the quality and methods of education for youth. (and going back to the "if the shoe fits, wear it" comparison, this was a huge factor in my seeking SGRho http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif ). It wasnt until later that the sororities scope was changed to include all professions to advance the race as a whole. (However scholarship was and still is our foremost aim).
Now that Im done with my little history lesson (I guess Im a little chatterbox too! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif ), back to the original topic. We all (GLO's and BGLO's) were each formed for our own seperate reasons: to fill some sort of seen void by our founders. We should respect them by acknowledging their vision. To say that ANY founders started their org's because they weren't accepted elsewhere is pure disrespect for all of them. And a false view of what GREEK LIFE really is. (Sort of like the misconstrued idea of greeks "buying friends" when we join our org's. We all know that this isnt true. So let's educate each other and grow past the myths)
SoloRHO
PEACE: Proper Education Always Corrects Error
PS: Sorry for the long post

No, the question doesen't sound ignorant. I honestly don't know. I know that faily quickly, BGLOs took on the "public service" aspect of their organizations because of the social possition of African-Americans at that time. As far as I understand, it took a little longer for GLOs to do that (please correct me if I am wrong). I also imagine that formal Rush became a neccecity only after so many organizations were formed, which would have taken some time. I know our MIPs are a growing and evolving process, I would image most Greek organizations have gone through some changes.



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If you can't raise conciousness, at least raise hell!--Rita Mae Brown

I have actually found the alpha chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, sorority Inc. during my search. I'm not sure why it's not under the Butler University directory though.

I definitely see the argument about the reason behind BGLO's. However, I can also see them starting, to fill a void or niche not filled by the GLO of the day. Perhaps they looked into getting an existing GLO chapter started on their campus, but either couldn't, or decided that wasn't what they wanted in a fraternity, as many other people who started GLO's felt. Since BGLO's and GLO's are quite different, I can't see them starting because they couldn't get into a GLO, because then I imagine they would have just started another GLO, just like the rest. That's my take on this situation anyway.

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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

Thanks for clarifying those issues soror. I also wanted to know are you the same solorho from collegclub

Gina_Lynn, all of the organizations that you listed above were, indeed formed at Howard University. However, not one of the organizations listed was the FIRST BGLO that prompted the formation of BGLOs.

Let us not forget that in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha was formed on the campus of Cornell University, a Non-BLACK college. After the formation of Alpha Phi Alpha, my sorority became the first sorority to be founded by African-American women, yes, on a Black campus, but it was Alpha Phi Alpha founders that faced blatant racism that prompted them to form their own Greek-letter fraternity.

Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded because there was an interest to form a sorority, the first of its kind (a Black one) like the first Black fraternity. Alpha Kappa Alpha founder, Soror Ethel Hedgeman, was the girlfriend of George Lyle, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Yes, our founders did have specific goals and objectives, but goals and objectives that were refused by, then, exclusively white greek letter organizations because of the race of those who sought to implement those objectives.

Good looking out. I immediately thought about Alpha Phi Alpha when I read the initial post, but I ended up getting sidetracked. Thanks for the information.

I don't know, so please someone tell me is Cornell a HBUC?

Pink passion08 maybe you know the answer, just curious if it was that's all

Nope!

ZetaAce

thanks girl, I was just about to go find the Cornell website, you saved me a trip

Yes, APhiA was founded at Cornell (a non-HBCU), but even then, you must dig deeper into your history. The site of Cornell University was one of the original stops on the Underground Railroad, and consequently became a haven for escaped slaves. A strong, self-identified black community had been established their for GENERATIONS. Because of the segregation of the time, the members of the study group that became Alpha Phi Alpha were on a whole other side of the university, and (most) came from families that were strong in the emerging civil rights culture of the time. It is highly unlikely that they would have sought membership in the greek culture of that university given the strong black commuity there.

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If you can't raise conciousness, at least raise hell!--Rita Mae Brown

Hey soror Blu_theatrics,
Yeah I am the same solorho from Collegeclub, although u know thats not my handle there. Geez, I use so many aliases (sp) it seems kinda pointless. But all of them have a different special meaning to me.
**** Now back to the regularly scheduled conversation****
SoloRHO
PEACE: Proper Education Always Corrects Error

I am sure, of course, there were some other historical meanings behind the beginning of Alpha Phi Alpha. But the bottom line is, during that time, even during the time that the last Black sorority in the NPHC, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded in 1922, traditionally white Greek-letter organizations had no African-American members, nor did they intend to. You and I both know that it had absolutely nothing to do with acceptance of the fraternity's (APhiA) objectives.

Judging by your screen name, I take it that you are not a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I am an AKA and obviously not a member either. I think it would probably be helpful to all of us if some members of Alpha Phi Alpha shed some light on this subject.

NPHC Organizations:
Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc.
Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity Inc.
Iota Phi Theta, Fraternity Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority Inc.
Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc.

One thing above all else is that NPHC members are aware of and can name every NPHC organization. Can NPC members do the same?
Also, all BLGO aren't in the NPHC. There is a difference.

Dirty Bill-

Good question, except let's remember how many sororities and fraternities there are in the NPC and IFC! There'a huge difference! I CAN, however, tell you the name, year of founding, symbols, chapter president, open motto, and colors of almost every sorority and fraternity on my campus! (that's 15). I don't know it all, because I have other things to do, but it interests me so I've looked up all of their homepages on the web.

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif How's that? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

No, but I CAN name every social fraternity and sorority on my campus, which is still more than the number in the NPHC. Of course I know some campuses have more than that many sororities, let alone fraternities! By the way, NIC has 67 member fraternities, that would be a lot to remember just their names, let alone founding year, founder, symbol, colors and whatnot!

Lambda Chi Alpha
Alpha Tau Omega
Triangle
Sigma Nu
Pi Kappa Alpha
Phi Gamma Delta
Theta Xi
Delta Sigma Phi
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta

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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[This message has been edited by Corbin Dallas (edited July 17, 2000).]

gina_lynn,

girl you are deep. after reading your his story lessons, i was like wow! you go girl!

I agree with the above. I enjoyed the history lesson on Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and I also thank my soror for sharing some of my sorority's wonderful history at Butler University.

Thank you for the complements, but I didn't write the post(s) to brag, it was to prove the point that we ought not prepetuate the lie that everything founded by Black People in this country that remotely resembles something orignially founded by whites is becuase we weren't wanted. Members of the NPHC can think of it this way: After you did all your research and found the orgainzation that was right for you, would it have mattered to you if you had heard that you had been black-balled from another orgainzation? It wouldn't have mattered to me!! What do I care where I won't be accepted if I didn't want to be there anyway, and have made arrangements to "do my own thing".

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If you can't raise conciousness, at least raise hell!--Rita Mae Brown

Thank you, I love these forums because I can learn so much from them

SoloRHO (and other women of Sigma Gamma Rho):

I'm confused. I have always heard and read that SGRho was the first African-American sorority at Butler, founded in 1922, yet I know that Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha was chartered on Butler's campus in February 1920. I know Kappa chapter's charter also included other schools, in addition to Butler. I'm not sure about Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta's beginnings at the school, but I'd be interested in knowing more about the history of African-American sororities at Butler and I hope you can shed some light. Thanks.

I think that SGRho was the FIRST sorority FOUNDED at Butler rather than the first sorority chapter at Butler. Also, and correct me if I am wrong most of the founders if not all of them had a background in education.

Maybe?-Check SoloRho's post at the beginning of this thread. That information is in there.

ZetaAce

Finer Woman 10-A-91:

Thanks for the response and yes, I understand that my sorority (and all others) were founded only once, but I was looking for clarification on the distinction of being the first African-American sorority on Butler's campus. To my knowledge Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was/is the ONLY Af-Am sorority FOUNDED there, but from my own history, I don't believe they were the first sorority ACTIVE there. My question was directed to the ladies of SGRho to enlighten me about this. Perhaps the "first at Butler" distinction goes to SGRho because the AKA Kappa chapter was a citywide one; I don't know, but would be interested in this little history tidbit ("see Ma, that history degree IS going to good use!").

I will admit...that was new news to me. (AKA at Butler in 1920)

So was AKA the first ACTIVE on a non-HBCU campus. Quite natually, that question is directed to AKA and DST.



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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

Actually, AKA chartered several chapters on non-HBCU campuses before chartering Kappa in Indianapolis, including Beta (citywide in Chicago), Gamma (University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana), Delta (University of Kansas) and so forth. I don't know DST, ZPhiB or SGRho history well enough to say with confidence, but I would hazard to guess that many of their single-letter chapters were chartered on non-HBCU campuses as well.

I was told by a few older sorors that many HBCUs were initially resistant to the establishment of GLOs, and it took a few years to persuade administration officials to allow chapters to establish themselves at HBCUs. My guess is that white schools, which excluded black students from housing, dining halls, and other school facilities, didn't really give a d*%$ what those students were doing, and didn't form such a resistance. That's my theory as to why there are many single-letter chapters founded at white schools. I know this is kind of off topic, but I just thought it was interesting to share.

[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited July 18, 2000).]

Actually, I can tell you that the reason that many single letter named chapters of Delta are on white campuses is because in the original bylaws of the Sorority, the University had to have a triple A rating before a chapter could be established their. HBCUs didn't get those ratings, and therefore didn't get chapters. I'd be willing to guess that something similar is true of AKA.

This is interesting history...and since the AKA chapter was not actually "on campus" perhaps you have answered your own question.



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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

Pink Passion08 thanks for stating that the BEGINNING of the BGLO's started at Cornell by Alphi Phi Alphi Fraternity Inc. a predominately white campus whose infrastructure although perhaps more progressive then other universities of its day, like most universities did not/or did not know how to sucessfully provide black students with the same opportunities particularlly social when these black students were not accepted by the majority of their administration, teachers, peers, and community (this can not be overlooked as it is a historical fact (history is one of my favorite subjects by the way http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif ) of life and did effect the choices these students did and would make in their lives, it is not an excuse for, it is the truth and can't/shouldn't be overlooked. I can not speak further on what the founders of A Phi A had specifically in mind when creating a fraternity at Cornell, although, i like others can speculate, and the bglo's that followed were a direct result of this founding, although some are still in denial http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif, but only,the Jewels,and those Alphas who have joined their ranks can/or should speak on this. As with my sorority AKA founded at Howard Alpha Chapter, i can say with confidence that my founders did not start AKA because we couldn't join white sororities (although many sororities had written and unwritten rules prohibiting black membership), however because AKA was founded on a predominately black campus did not mean that these women were free of the basic problems facing blacks at that time in the communities in which they lived. AKA obviously chartered several chapters at schools where black women if they "wanted" not that they "did" would not have been accepted into the social circle of the established white sororities on those campuses (so whether or not they decided to charter a chapter of AKA based on this i can't be sure, since i wasn't there http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif ), but in this my founders had a vision to provide a sisterhood for these women that would spread across campuses around the country. These young ladies felt the need to start an organization that would not only help them complete a sucessful and enjoyable college term, but also continue to bond, celebrate culture, foster friendships, and uplift their communities in a time when all they had was one another. So to say that not being socially accepted on campus by one's peers if they can be called that at the time http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif and the community at large had no bearing on the foundings of bglo's (not excluding the other reasons which are none the less important) in that day and age regardless of what campus they were founded on seems alittle naive in my opinion, but that is my opinion and i'll stick to what i know and that is why my sorority was founded. peace http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by PositivelyAKA (edited July 18, 2000).]