Whites in Black Greek Orgs.
 

Do you feel they should join? I like to hear what all of you think and I will respond

you know,
i had the opportunity to meet a soror who happened to be white. i also met a soror who is asian. i know SGRho does not discrimminate against color so i feel if the young lady can bring something to the sorority then why exclude because of color.

My chapter has three white girls and two asians, and each one of them contributes to the chapter in their own individual ways. They worked just as hard as the rest of us for our letters and they are just as dedicated to SGRHO. I think they were bold to join a historically black sorority, and they feel like they belong and we treat them like they do. It's not the color that matters, but the woman behind the color. Just my opinion.

I'm kinda divided on the subject. My answer kinda depends on the reasons why THEY would want to join a BGLO.

There are those that have grown up in black neighborhoods, have black friends, and/or have proven through past community service that they are down to help our cause. In this scenario, I can totally accept a non-black soror and understand why she would want to join a BGLO (Just as there are blacks that feel more comfortable in predominately white organizations because that's the environment they've grown up in, I can respect that).

But there are those that (in my opinion) have come out of nowhere! As a sisterhood and business that's centered around uplifting the African American race, I honestly question (to myself of course!) the motives of those whose lives dont encompass ANYTHING from the black culture.

Do I feel they should join? That's a question I cant answer with a yes or a no, cause I am borderline on the subject.

But I would like to say that I give much respect to any and ALL sorors that put in WORK for Sigma--black, white, or otherwise.

I have another question related to this.......check out my next topic.......

I have met many sorors who happen to be of a different race than I. My sand is white. I don't love her more and I don't love her less. She is and will always be my sister for life. She works hard everyday for Sigma. I agree with those sorors who have already stated that a hard worker is a hard worker regardless of color. This sorority may have come about in the twenties but there have been advancements. We will continue to strive with the ever changing times. We were founded as an African-American sorority and our history will remain as such.

Yes I have ran into to white sorhors as well as Asian Sorhors. But I often sit back and think why would a she join a Black organization and how does her friends and family feel about that? Sometimes I think that they might seek membership in a Black organization is because maybe that the Black people were more friendly to them than those of their own race. So they join, once they graduate then what happens. Most of the white sorhors are never heard of again (correct me if I am wrong) I don't know of any white sorhors in grad chapters. But they might be (but once again correct me if I am wrong) It is Bad enough that Black people join orgs for the wrong reason, but if a white person joins that's another story!! I am not racist in anyway but if a white girl came up to me for memership I would be kind of skeptical about her

I believe that if a person who is not of african american heritage wants to join and understands the principles and is able to respect the rituals of the members of the organization and what it was found on then they should be allowed to go through process as anyone else.

I am just hoping that you are as critical of every young lady that would seek membership in this TRUE BLUE sisterhood as you are of the ones that are of a different race than you are.

Greetings ladies,

I hope I am not overstepping my boundaries by answering this question, but I personally feel that non-blacks should not join black organizations whether it be a fraternity, sorority, civil rights org etc.

Why:
1) Black organizations were established out of necessity, so why offer membership to the offspring of the people you were trying to stand up against? I'm sorry but there is no logic here.

2) Whites, Asians, Latinos (not of African descent) can never understand the day-to-day struggles we face as black people existing in a racist society. Therefore, this makes them unable to really connect with our community, let alone understand, respect and embrace our culture (referring to Black Americans only). A person does not need greek symbols to clean a community, mentor a young adult, or feed the poor. If non-blacks want to help our community (and I do not think they can), they can do so without any black organizational affiliation.

3) Non-blacks should not be granted membership in black organizations because non-black organizations have went to great lengths to prevent blacks from joining their organizations for many many years. If they can not and do not except us, why should we except them? For example on my campus during the 1970's the white sororities suspended their intake for more than a year to prevent black woman from seeking membership. EXTRA: If I remember correctly, SGRho was the first chartered BGL organization on my campus. I suppose someone felt a need for black representation on a predominately white campus.

Please forgive me for the long post, but hey I'm at work and I do not have one constructive thing to do:-(


Have a nice day!

I would like to say that just because someone is not of the African American race doesn't mean they didnt have there share of racial disadvantages. For one people need to stop using that as a crutch. I go to a college where there is about 10000 in population and only around 250 black students. Yes there is that discrimination from time to time but if you don't fit into the boundaries of the stereotypes then you really dont have a problem. I'm like how can someone help you if you don't help yourself. Another thing is if no one would of took sides of our people then how would we have been granted all the rights that we have today. Yes there was struggle and intolerance was building up. But what about native americans-forced to give up there land and work as slaves as well. What about the Mexicans in this country today who are still worked like slaves? What about the Irish who where treated as trash and started the ghettos in the southern louisana area. Everyone looks as we are the only group to struggle we may have been among the worst but that doesn't make us any less than anyone else. It seems more now that we are accepted by everyone else except ourselves. My thing is if someone wants to be affiliated with a black GLO then they should be allowed only under the conditions they understand our history. They will go through things themselves just because of wanting to join, then when they join. I'm not one who is 100% for it, but we say we dont want to be discriminated on so how can we do what we dont want done to us.

CodeBlue_R3 you took the words right out of my mouth. That is so true. I just want to educate Intested_Lady on one point. Sigma Gamma Rho's constitution states "membership in sigma gamma rho sorority shall not be restricted because of race, color, creed or national orgin". It is okay to be all about your color, but it is another thing to want to do to others what has been done to our ancestors in the past. It is time that we as African American people get beyond the color barrier and start exceling just as other races. How do you think we as black organizations are going to become better people if we walk around like we prejudice and can't learn from other races.

[This message has been edited by EspeRHO (edited September 11, 2000).]

To answer A_Rhoyal_Delight's comment about me being critical about other young ladies interested in SGRho, YES I AM CRITICAL as a matter of fact!!! I am 10 times more critical of sorhors who are already in the org as well. Because there are some of us just wearing t-shirts and stepping at parties and not doing anything for the org!!!

It's messed up that I am getting critized for just bringing up an subject just to see everyone's point of view.

Some of you all who are saying that it is cool for a woman of a different race to join our organization, will be the first to complain about a woman of a different race marrying Black men!!!! SO what is the difference!! You all try to sound so liberal on this race subject on this message board, but most of you all feel totally different when it hits home!!!

Wow, heated topic...
Well sorors and friends, this is my take.
I don't have a problem with having sorors of other race. Quite honestly I love it. She may not have gone through a lifetime of what some of us go through, but if she pledges and she understands what our people went through, that takes her one step closer to the reality. And not only does she want to help MY PEOPLE and MY COMMUNITY, she wants to call me "soror" in TRUE sisterly Sigma love. Many sorors (black or other) don't understand how deep that is. We are bonded to each other though organizational history, laws and policies, beliefs, and goals. That is simply why she deserves to be called my soror. Sigmas are not bonded by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character (hmmm, where'd I get that one? lol). http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif
As far as SGRho being started on a white campus, this is true. But Im tired of hearing from Greeks and nonGreeks that we were founded because we couldnt get into the existing white orgs at Butler, or just because we wanted to have our own sorority. We were founded as a network of school teachers to better the quality of education for minority youth. NOT because we couldnt get down with the white sororities. And not because we wanted to be seperate. It was because we wanted to fulfill a SPECIFIC purpose that NO ONE else was addressing. And While our founders aims may have been targeted at African Americans, we know FULL WELL that our aims have extended past that. Do we only serve black schools? black community centers? black nursing homes? black teenage girls? I hope the answer is NO!!
"Whites, Asians, Latinos (not of African descent) can never understand the day-to-day struggles we face as black people existing in a racist society. Therefore, this makes them unable to really connect with our community, let alone understand, respect and embrace our culture (referring to Black Americans only)." The first part may be true, but does one need to connect with the school kids to fix their school or donate books and school supplies? All they need to do is see the need and adress it. I may not know fully the plight of Africans dying from starvation, but with our project Africare, I can address it. Feel Me?
"A person does not need greek symbols to clean a community, mentor a young adult, or feed the poor. If non-blacks want to help our community (and I do not think they can), they can do so without any black organizational affiliation." This is true also, but the same goes for blacks. We dont need organizational affilliation to do community service either. Is that the only reason we join? More than likely it isnt. We join for the service, sisterhood, and scholarship.
So the next time yall see a white, asian or Latina soror, think of the work she is doing and the purpose she is fulfilling before you look at her color.
Yeep Out
SoloRHO
PS: I used a lot of Interested Lady's response in my post. Please dont take it as an attack friend, I just wanted to address alot of the opinions you put out there. Peace always!

SoloRHO you have my utmost respect, because you are speaking nothing but the truth.

SIGMA LOVE TO YOU MY SISTER

I haven't been on in a while and I missed a WHOLE LOT. First of all Soror Blue, in no way did I call you out. I simply asked a question just as you did by starting this topic. Secondly, I would never call out a soror on a message board that can be viewed by others, if I had something to say to you personally I would have just asked you to email me privately as I have done in the past. This is a good topic to talk about, and everyone has a little to add from sorors to non-sorors. I am in now way asking anyone to change what they have said on my account. I was speaking from experience being that my ship is white. I can speak on her behalf. I don't have a problem with black men dating, marring, or asking out non-black women being that that is a part of my heritage. Sisters can always disagree but there is no love lost. Always love. Sigma love.

Delight

Blue1922 I feel what you are saying, personally if a black woman wants to marry outside her race that is her business, and like you i an critical of all those who want to join my org, because like you said some just want the letters, when i know that it burns me up. It is our job to try to filter out the ones who are like that. No matter what race they may be. There is nothing wrong of being critical eithet, cause i am critical about some those already in the org too, cause a lot of them forget that this is a business and together we must run it.

[This message has been edited by EspeRHO (edited September 12, 2000).]

And Simga Luv to you too EspeRHO, and all my sorors!

I am also an aspiring member of this sisterhood who happens to read the posts from time to time. I hope I am not out of line by responding. Anyway, I am very disappointed with Interested Lady's post. I am not trying to be disrespectful to her at all by mentioning this, so please don't take it as such. However, it disturbs me that anyone would think that solving the problems in the Black community should only be done by Black people.

Historically, non-Blacks have fought with us in our struggle for equality. I'll start with the Underground Railroad. Many of the stops on the Underground Railroad were the homes of Quakers (who did not believe in slavery). If it were not for them, many of our people would not have escaped the South. Several of the founding members of the NAACP were white. Some of the students that participated in the sit ins at segregated lunch counters, various marches and the Freedom Rides were white.

One does not need to be Black in order to see that our community is plagued with problems. Nor does one need to be Black in order to take action to correct these problems. In the same manner, I don't need to be a Jew to relate to the pain and suffering that was caused by the Holocaust.

On my final note, there are non-Black people out there who were born, raised and educated in Black neighborhoods. I know plenty of people who fit into this category. The majority of their friends are Black and their relationships/marriages are often with someone who is Black. They feel comfortable being around us, as they have been around us all of their lives. My best friend is a White girl who happens to be the first White female to make it in the Marching 100 at FAMU. The fact that she is White should not be an obstacle in attending an HBCU or joining a NPHC sorority, if she so chooses.

How can we expect anyone to change their racist mindsets if we are not willing to do the same?

Sorry about the book ladies. I am very passionate about reverse discrimination.

Peace and Blessings everyone!

I'm a Zeta in the Pacific Northwest -- a region where there aren't that many folks of African descent to begin with. To further complicate matters, I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - a city that has a less than 1% black population. It's my dream to start a chapter in Vancouver, but I know that in order for the chapter to thrive and survive here, I'll have to open the doors to women of other ethnicities.

I don't have a problem with relating to folks of different backgrounds. I've always had friends of all races, and my husband is a different race than I am. I do wonder, though, how an organization that was founded as a traditionally African American organization plays to non African-American members. I'd personally love to hear the opinions of NPHC women of other races as to why they were drawn to the organization.

I don't think it's (always) a matter of 'being comfortable' with Black people. Personally, I find that a little insulting, because it implies that people should automatically be uncomfortable with us. I'd like to think that the reason these people joined our organizations are similar to the reasons why we chose the organizations we did: because they saw something in us that they didn't see in the others. I saw something in Zeta that spoke to me far and above other NPHC sororities. I have nothing against Sigma, Delta, or AKA, on the contrary, I have nothing but the greatest respect for my Sisterfriends. But I know which one felt true to me. Why can't it be the same for non-Black members of NPHC organizations?

As long as they are in for the right reason
 

Interesting topic...

I live in the Pacific Northwest, near the Washington/Portland border, and while we are becoming more integrated as time goes on, we are nowhere near true diversity (five percent black maybe). As far as I am concerned, if women are willing to work for the community, with a special focus on our African-American youth, and honor their obligation to the sorority, then so be it.

If they are not willing to ever work for Sigma once the party, stepshow or graduation is over, then I don't want them no matter what color they are.

I mean it...
TRSimon

The first SGRho I met when I went away to college was of Phillipino and White descent. She represented SGRho well and became one of my best friends. :)(If any of you are in Ohio you may know who I'm talking about.) The chapter I joined has a White Soror and her ethnicity was never an issue. I could care less what color someone is as long as they work to uphold the light of Zeta.:D

Whites in Black Greek Orgs.
 

Through my chapter we have had one white soror. And recently we had a hispanic soror...who I LOVE!! :) I do not think it is about color. I think it is more about the woman. Truthfully, my hispanic soror has more love in her heart for Sigma then some of our black sorors. I think it is a matter of who you feel comfortable with. Like if I see a black woman wearing a Phi Mu shirt...I do not get upset, because that was her choice, not mine. What does anger me is my hispanic soror, came to visit me last year. She was down at the Underground in Atlanta, and she stopped by the para cart. She was trying on a SGRho hat. And the woman manning the cart
was so rude to her. First she told her, to put the hat down. Not bothering to ask if she was even a member. And once she told her she was..she replied "That is so cute"!! Now...I was fuming when she told me this. And the fact that the woman was a greek
herself..she should have known better. (I will not shame her sorors by saying which sorority she was from). So once people let go of the color issue, maybe we can then just concentrate on the woman's character. I understand that it is VERY IMPORTANT to have STRONG BLACK WOMEN within Sigma...but I think that it is equally important to have strong, positive women period!:)

Soror Tenacious1922,

Well stated! That woman should've minded her own business and she ought to be glad that the young soror didn't tell her so. Folks whether you like it or not people of other races are joining our sister and brotherhoods. What really matters is that our sisters and brothers are uplift the human race!


Serioussigma22:cool: