We do not have COUSINS
 

Sorors, A friend of mine practically insisted that we Zetas and Sigmas have greek lettered organizations Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity and Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority as COUSINS. History Check: We do not have COUSINS. Don't we have enough family already? If it is not nationally recognized, then it does not exist. In case some of you do consider these people our cousins, you are making a mockery of the creation our auxiliaries and our constitutional bond with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Do not give out the BOND. Our bond with Sigma is one of those things that makes us a very unique sorority. If they want to be down, then they should've PLEDGED BLUE AND WHITE, and not pride themselves on being an organization built around someone else's objectives and ideals.

Zetas, please excuse me for intruding on this thread....

blulady, you make it sound like the SLB's and SLG's stole from PBS and ZPB. To my knowledge, that's not the case.

I also recognize and respect that Zeta and Sigma share a bond that has been constitutionalized.

That said, what's the beef with unofficial relationships? History doesn't need a piece of paper to declare a relationship legitimate. Your Sorors and Frat who do happen to acknowledge a historical relationship are certainly not forgetting the "official" bond...it seems as like another extension of healthy greek relations, especially between two underserved communities.

Cornell University was the founding place of a Latino fraternity, Lambda Upsilon Lambda. I will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart for Lambdas....never above an Alpha of course, but I recognize what they went through as Latinos on a "white" college campus in 1982. I also know, through oral history, the supportive role we had in LUL's development. To top it all off, LUL's really were kind to me and took me under their wing when I was in undergrad. So I have a personal bond, through which I learned a historical bond.

What's wrong with that?

ETA: We don't call the LULs our "cousins" across the board, but those who know the connection respect it. Just an example.

Re: We do not have COUSINS
 

If you are not in support of this relationship with Betas and Gammas then that's your choice. It DOES NOT take anything away from the Blue and White Family. I am very sure that all Zetas are well aware of our history and would never disrespect our founders. End of discussion.

LUL is a great fraternity. I had the pleasure of meeting several of their national board members when they wanted to expand at my university.

You are FOREVER meeting all the cool people! I can't STAND you! lol :p

Yes, she does. Now, if she would pack me in her suitcase I could meet them as well. LOL.

I don't think the nature and purpose of my post is understood.

I never implied that Beta/Gamma stole from Blue and White.
I do believe that if it is true that a Sigma was involved in their creation, and that is the reason they have a special place in their hearts for Blue and White, that is a good thing. To say that Beta Gamma have a special relationship with Blue and White would be okay, However, it speaks volumes to refer us as "cousins". Particularly to an organization that already has a constitutional bond to another. When people insist that I do not know my own sorority's history because I do not know about this fraternity and sorority, it leads me to believe that there are others who truly believe and are convinced that Sigmas and Zetas have cousins whether we are all aware of it or not. If some in Blue and White choose to acknowledge them as our cousins, they impose this acknowledgement on all members of the Family because to an outsider, they believe that we should all be on the same page when it comes down to who we claim as family because it is something we pride ourselves on. Unlike other members of the D-9 they can pick and choose who they want to claim as family to some degree depending on where they are and what is accepted in that region. But Blue and White do not have that same liberty because we have so rigidly defined who is family and who is not. We are not about unofficial relationships, we never were. Our history supports this (those who know it). When we as organizations are ready to have "cousins" trust me, it will be addressed Nationally. Now I am all for greek unity, but each org. should know their place. This is where I'm coming from. Think outside the matrix for a hot minute.... just a hot minute, you don't have to agree, just understand it.

This situation is really not that deep. I'm not a Sigma so therefore I will not speak for them but as Zetas, no, we do not have a connection to Sigma Lambda Beta or Sigma Lambda Gamma for that matter. But, in some areas there is a close family like atmosphere that is beneficial to all parties in terms of support for events and programs. Where I'm from we don't have Betas or Gammas so we don't refer to them as our "cousins" but I'm not going to outright down others who may feel that connection. It doesn't take anything away from our beautiful foundation or the special and unique bond we have with Phi Beta Sigma.
Anyway, Soror we are trying to get to know everyone on this side of GC so could post your info in the new introductory thread that we started? :)

Would there be a problem if they were cousins?

Have any of y'all ever met one?

I always thought that we referred to SGRho's as our cousins from the fam I been around.

Imperial1

In my eyes, no. But that's a long discussion I will not have on this board.

I feel like I know just about every Beta and Gamma in Illinois and a few other places. I dated a Beta for a year.:p

Interesting. Never heard of that.

I've heard this before. Was going to mention it earlier.

I have heard of the connection
 

When I was in school, I knew this girl whose bf was in Phi Beta Sigma. They had a HUGE discussion who she should pledge. He was ok with her pledging SGrho because they were "cousins." I am not sure how true this is, but I have heard it before.

***above comments is from a non-greek.

What is a Phi Beta?

I have affection and support for the commonalities between SGRho and us. I can respect and have affection for the members of Beta and Gamma because of the circumstances of their founding.

We do not have familial relationships with any of those organizations, however. The difference between the two is the mind share given our familial organizations within our International Sorority infrastructure. Our Sorority encourages, strengthens and cultivates a relationship with Phi Beta Sigma and our auxiliaries on an international level. The affection individual members may share with SGRho, Beta, Lambda or any other GLO is just that--individual. I have no issue with individual members having an affectionate and informal bond with any other member of a specific GLO. I do separate the difference between that, though, and the official familial bonds my Organization puts considerable resources into promoting.

If those "people" are in the Blue and White family, you could consider their concerns because they could teach you something you didn't already know about your family.

If those "people" aren't ZPBS, who cares about what they insist on? Just enlighten them on the fact that any other bond outside of Zeta and Sigma is unofficial and personal preferences for individual members. Any other thought or emotions you put into the idea is extra energy that could be used elsewhere.

Sorry if I might have offended any Zetas or Sigmas.

joja; the statement came from a non Blue and White person. Also, I cannot consider this information about Blue and White as learning something new because it is actually false. If my friend had claimed that this was something unofficial that was recognized in a certain area, I would not have posted or started this thread. Im quite sure that you would not want someone to make a claim about your org that was false even if it were only believed by a few. To respond to someone else's question, I wouldn't have a problem with Betas or Gammas being our cousins so long as it was uniformly acknowledged in the same respect as the rest of the B&W family. It does little service to either org. to have something recognized in some places and not all. ;)

No offense, but the "cousin" reference is more common the further South one gets. ITs UNOFFICIAL, like your play cousin from when you were little. Its not that serious. And yes, I am a Zeta. Dont take it so seriously.

That's true. I think some people tend to forget that there are a gang of Sigma and Zeta chapters in areas where there are no Betas and Gammas. It is really silly for Frat in Florida to get mad at Frat in Louisiana because they don't shout-out our "cousins" when there are none there. If people in those areas with Betas and Gammas wish to do the "cousin" thing that's fine, but it shouldn't be forced down anyone else's throats.

Good point, Frat. I would also point out that alot of things in our orgs are REGIONAL. I'd never heard of the "cousin" reference until I was on MeetGreeks and just thought it was cool, after I'd read the history of the Gammas and Betas. Even then, I didnt freak out about it, it was kind of a compliment to us, IMO.

I do not know any Betas and Gammas personally. But from what I have read about the Betas beginnings. I understand why they called Zetas and Sigmas cousins.

Our brother, the Sigmas, are a unique bunch. Sigmas can honestly say that they started the ball rolling for three organizations.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Lambda Beta (founder is a Sigma). I don't think he de-pledge.

I know I'm late but.......
 

...........to the Soror that started this topic. I back you up 100%!
I don't acknowledge this "bond". Never have. Never will. Simple as that. I treat Betas/Gammas as I do any other greek orgs.......with RESPECT. Just don't step to me with that "cousin" crap.

Well
 

Most Sigmas are cool with this bond. If Zetas aren't cool, then that's peachy. But you can't stop frat from claiming other orgs ESPECIALLY if FRAT started it.

Re: Well
 

:confused: @ the part in italics. I ain't cool with it because I don't know anything about either of those 2 orgs, Just know that without Sigma, there is no Zeta, and when you can show me where in our constitutions where it says that "we have cousins" then I'll be cool with it. Other then that, we don't have cousins officially.

Imperial1

Why are we still having this conversation?? More importantly why are we discussing family business in a public forum??:confused:

Re: Re: Well
 

Who said anything about officially?:confused: Please show proof of somebody actually saying that? I doubt that you can.

Re: Re: Re: Well
 

Official or "Claims", they aren't cousins to me and a lot of others who know nothing about those orgs.

Imperial1

O girl don't worry. Whatever is supposed to stay in the between the fam will definitely stay in between the fam. Just like the stuffing between tacos and burritos. ;) :D

Imperial1

Re: Re: Re: Re: Well
 

Well I spoke on this in another thread.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Well
 

And?

Imperial1

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Well
 

Read the post, if you have nothing to say then don't say it.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Well
 

I read the post, but the fact that you spoke on it in another thread has nothing to do with the thread you started here. Speak on it here, I'm not worried about what you said in another thread.

Imperial1

I'm sayin' though.....

No, I'm not in the Blue & White family, but why can't y'all just agree to disagree and keep it movin'? Last time I talked to my Sigma and Zeta friends, ZPBS was firmly intact and will not be destroyed by some who claim others as unofficial"cousins".

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Well
 

It's relevant because it's teh same conversation. FYI, I did not start either thread because I could really care less. I see them as cousins, get over it.


I've moved on.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Well
 

And like I said, I'm not worried about what you said in another thread.

Imperial1

No cousins
 

Well the only bond we have in the state of TN is between sigma's and zeta's. I'm not saying that we don't do things with other organizations because we do and like to but it's all true blue. And as far as SGRho's being somebody's cousin, I don't think so. We talk to SGRho's but we would never say they are our cousins. I have never heard that one before but it might be different in some areas and there might be a bond. We should all get out and support other greeks regaurdless of race but familiy to me is a whole nother story.:D FAMILY???

I thought they Betas were cousins
 

I was told a sigma helped the betas get started, and that's why they are (unofficial) cousins?

beta colors: royal purple and pure white

History Lesson for all the haters..
 

Aight, aight.. So we got some ppl in the blue and white family making a big fuss of things.. Well let me break it down for some of ya'll..

I'll call it Royal Family 101.. 3 credit course, Professor "#86".

1- Baltazar Mendoza Madrigal IS a Sigma AND a LAMBDA BETA
2- No, we're not officially recognized as cousins. But then again, SLB and SLG arent really brothers and sisters.
3- We arent trying to be a copy of blue and white, we're doing our own thing. Now before you take this the wrong way, i got mad respect for all of you, but thats just how it is.

With that said, i will explain.

1: Founding Father Baltazar crossed Sigma and saw the great service PBS was doing for the advancement of the African American community; as time progressed he saw a need of an organization that could do the same for the Latino community. He then went to the national board of PBS and asked for permission to found his own organization with similar goals and aspirations geared towards the Latino community. They GRANTED him that opportunity. Therefore, he DIDN'T have to drop his PBS letters. Along with that, if he crossed PBS then he obviously knows the PBS process... Makes sense right?.. So, SLB and PBS process is bound to have MANY similarities.. HENCE, we are cousins not only by ideals, and goals; but by hardships and triumphs as well. And yes, i mean ALL hardships.. errrrrrripp!

2- SLB and SLG are not officially related but do share many similarities. SLG was founded from a group of women that were originally known as the "Lambda Ladies". At the risk of considering SLB a co-ed fraternity, SLB brothers quickly helped the "Lambda Ladies" establish their own organization. Yes, SLG ladies.. This is TRUE!! So dont tell me I'm wrong b/c I've spoken to the men face to face that helped found SLG. Hence, SLG (some chapters) have SOME similarities to that of SLB, which in turn are similarities with PBS... and I'm sure meaning similarities with ZFB.

3- And finally... WE AINT TRYIN TO BE YOU!! I'm sorry to sound rude, but the haters need to understand. If we wanted to be u we would have pledged PBS or Zeta. Now, I'm cool with all Sigmas and Zetas I know. We support each others events and have a good relationship. So why the royal family? C'mon now, blue and purple?? Both royal colors, makes sense right?? Sure does. Feel free to copy and paste this quick and short history lesson, to inform all of those that were not "educated" properly.

All in all.. Can't we all just get along!! damn!

Peace, i'm out!

Sorry to interject but who was making a big fuss? The last post was from 2004...:confused:

enigma_AKA