Racism in sororities?
 

hi, i'm new to this forum and i have really enjoyed reading all your posts! I'm not in a sorority, but i'm thinking about rushing next year. The only thing that concerns me is that i'm hispanic, but don't really look like it. I fit better with americans because i was raised here and i have a horrible accent in Spanish. So i was wondering if i do decide to rush, will historically white sororities accept me or is that not allowed? :confused:

It is allowed. No member group of the NPC is allowed to deny a person membership based solely on their race.

The chapter I belonged to in college and the chapter that I now advise, are both very diverse. We have members from all different backgrounds and ethnicities. I think that's one of the things that I love the most. You're able to meet all different types of people!


I say go for it! I'm sure that you would have a lot to contribute to a sorority!

That stereotype is VERY outdated, thank heavens!! Feel free to go through Recruitment, realizing that you will be recruited for EVERYTHING you "bring to the table", not just an ethnic option!

Good luck, relax, and have fun!!

I think that at this time, all Greek Letter Organizations sport a clause somewhere in their governing documents that forbids discrimination on basis of race. There are many chapters that are extremely diverse, yet, there are some that are only white (or another race). Within our seperate organizations are many chapters and they are all different.

What these ladies are telling you is true. Go through rush and don't worry about what race you are.

Several of us here are non-white or not all white and belong to NPC sororities.

I agree with what has been written here so far. I think that you should go through recruitment and see for yourself. Good luck!

I agree as well with everyone:D I am in a National organization and our chapter was very diverse. We had hispanic, asian and black women in our organization. I suggest going through rush so you can see what organizations you feel most comfortable in.

I'm also Hispanic... although I'm in the same situation as you... most people don't know unless I mention it... although I didn't go through rush I found this was no problem when I was COBing houses... so I say go for it!!! :)

Re: Racism in sororities?
 

Why not? Im Cuban, and you only know if you notice my tan skin or hear my last name...and tan skin is way common nowadays, esp. with the fake and bake sensation. It will put you at no disadvantage at all- i say go for it, and good luck! :)

thank you so much for all your great advice! i really appreciate it! Txsurfinwaves, i'm Cuban too, i was born in Havana! :)

Re: Racism in sororities?
 

I think you should go through rush and have a great time! I'm hispanic and joined a NPC sorority :) And it doesn't matter if you "look" like it or not!

My chapter is actually very diverse and it's something we're proud of!

I hope you decide to go ahead with rush and I hope you find the greek home of your dreams :)

Don't worry yourself about that. Just be yourself! As a black woman, I had some concerns when I rushed too. But it all turned out for the best and I have the best sisters EVER! I say go for it! If anything, groups will find your Cuban background really interesting. If a sorority at your school feels that you will be an asset to them, they will extend you a bid no matter where you are from.

I'm in Ohio too, Laugh A Lot, what school are you rushing at? (If you don't mind my asking?) :)

i'm actually a senior in high school, but i have always wanted to be in a sorority. i'm an only child and always dreamed about having sisters. i hope it's not too too early to start thinking about being in a sorority. :)

Never too early! I've known I wanted to join a sorority since 9th grade. :)

That is so sweet. You always dreamed about having sisters. I wish you the best! :D

*Hearing alarm bells*

OMG, do minorities really feel like they have to hide their ethnicity to be accepted in white america?

I am in no way trying to cause trouble, it just saddens me to think that with all the progress we have made, it seems like people feel that they have to hide who they are to be accepted. LauGh a Lot, you should be proud of your heritage, and if you feel like you can't be yourself around your sisters, then thats not the place for you. ( I know you are a senior, just a bit of advice for next year.) Hope all goes well for you, just be yourself.

NewBee, i'm sorry.. i don't feel like i have to hide myself at all! i came to the US when i was very small and feel more comfortable around english speaking people since my spanish is awful. i have light brown hair and a light complection so most people don't know i'm hispanic. i'm not trying to hide it, it's just the way i was born. if i would have been raised in Cuba i would feel more comfortable around spanish speaking people. i don't know, it's a really difficult concept to understand if you are not a minority. however, i'm sorry if i gave you the impression that i'm not proud of my heritage, because i am.. very much so.

Really? I knew you weren't stark-white European, but I didn't know you were Hispanic. Although I guess I can see it now.

I'm just going to write this for information's sake...NPC groups do not discriminate, or shouldn't discriminate, based upon race. If you take a look at collegiate chapter websites across the country, you will see women of all races, shapes, hairstyles, and whatever else you want to compare. Not just to Laugh, but to all PNMs...don't be afraid to go through recruitment just because you're not white. My sorority would be a hell of a lot more boring without all of its diversity. In the words of one of our great founders, "we're an all-around crowd." GO MINNA! :)

I'm a minority and I think I get what you are saying, you dont have to apologize! I wish you best of luck on finding a good sorority where you we feel comfortable regardless of skin color. Sisterly love and all of that!;)

I'm planning to rush in a NPC this fall and I'm not white. I had a lot of white friends because I went to mostly white schools all my life. I was scared that my mother would not accept the fact that I'm joining a NPC, but she let me do it. I'm so excited that I get to do this.

If you want to go through rush (or through recruitment as some schools would say nowadays), go for it. There are some people that are not white who will talk smack about you joining a NPC. They do not know you at all. Just ignore those people with a narrow mind. Go with rush with an open mind and good luck.

No better time to start planning like the present! It's great that you've started thinking about it -- I didn't even know what a sorority was until my sophomore year of college! (came from a veeeeery small Greek Life community). Remember to check out all your options, and good luck! :)

This was how I felt when I read the posts too. I'm glad you mentioned it, I was going to myself. I hope you all feel more secure about your various ethnicities. They shouldn't be viewed as liabilities ( as it sounds like here ) but as assets.

be yourself, if you have a heavy hispanic accent, be out with it. don't compromise your person because you want some letters. thats' what we'd call a "sell out."

In Florida, we have a variety of backgrounds in all sororities here (A melting pot like California). I don't know your school but I hope that they would never use that as a reason not to consider someone for membership.

It exists. Racism exists everywhere, and Greek-letter organizations are no different. Not every chapter at every school will accept you with open arms. My best advice is to understand your campus culture and to talk to people who have been in similar situations. Ideally, you'll find a home with sisters who can accept you as you are.

Re: Racism in sororities?
 

I'm confused. You "fit better with Americans"? What do you mean by that? Millions of people have ancestry from other lands but are fully American. Perhaps you mean that you "fit better with Caucasian people"? If that's the case, that's fine, but please make sure that you recognize that non-white people can be Americans, toos.

I was thinking the same thing. Of course it's against everyones policy to discriminate based upon race but we can't act like it doesn't/never happens. JMO.

Re: Re: Racism in sororities?
 

Thank you for pointing that out...Please realize that the best way to find out what group you would fit with (sorority or any other group), You should look at all American groups. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Right. There's a lot of denial, and young women can potentially be hurt by the "advice" of people who may or may not know what they're talking about.