How Do You Read GC?
 

I asked this question in another thread, but I'm starting a thread to further discuss:

Why do BGLOs tend to put general info/chitchat their GLO Specific forums?

On first glance, they appear to be a generic free-for-anyone, everyone is welcome to answer, and I believe, for the most part, they are.

But, then you get to certain (extra-sensitive, maybe?) threads, where non-BGLO members feel less then welcome on.

From what response I've received, and logically thinking about it, I've decided it probably comes down to how different people read GC. I personally log on (if not cookied), then click on "message boards" and the top, and then "View New Posts" on the right side. This brings up any posts since last time I visited in order of how recent the last post of the thread is. Others apparently head straight over to the BGLO forums and pretty much ignore everything else. I believe that this is why "Chitchat" type threads end up in BGLO forums.

Does anyone else have any other reasons/insights into this?

I guess I don't understand why this is even an issue or question to begin with. :confused: But anyways.....

I will admit that I do like to discuss news stories/chit chat/whatever without all the trolls and GC deviants posting garbage that has NOTHING whatsoever to do with the topic ( and how some Mods just letting it go on and on an on forever). In the BGLO forums, things are actively moderated so that's kept to a minimum.

Given the fact that some of these topics are usually race related, keeping the "ignorant element of GC" out of the threads is even more important ...well to me anyways.

When I come to GC, I just click "View all new posts" so I do see everything.

I have certain forums saved so when I logon to GC, I hit 'User CP' and go to the forums I have selected. Occasionally, I will visit other forums that I don't have saved, esp if a thread hints at another forum or topic or specific response.

I can't read everything, (I don't have that kind of time) so I read what I feel is most relevant to me and my life. GC is not necessarily the place I come to widen my horizons and extend my universe although sometimes that happens.

I am answering for me, and for me only.

I liken it to the same reason why all the Black kids sit together in the cafereria. There are things to which most of us can relate and have a common bond, and like HK said, so many of the posts turn to race and an all out race war that it's safer over here where I fit in.

I am subscribed to all of the D9 forums, as well as Chit Chat and Greek Life and I posted on Chit Chat a couple of days ago for the first time in quite a while.

I have AKA bookmarked and from there I click into the other D9 forums.

AF, I also don't understand why this bothers you so much.

For me I subscribe to the NPHC forums, Greek Life and Chit Chat. I read the NPHC forums first then maybe go to GL and CC. But very honestly, except for a few topics there aren't many in those two forums that interest me.

The main reason I joined this board was because of the D9 specific forums.

Mainly, it's because sometimes I respond to certain "chitchat" type threads on D9 boards, and it's all good because it's just a "chitchat" type thread. Other times (and particularly when I disagree with certain people and/or the general consensus) it seems like I get a "Why are you even posting in this Forum, you're not even black?" sentiment, and unless it's specifically stated (This thread is for AKA's ONLY or APhiA's ONLY or BGLO's ONLY) I assume that it's welcome to all posters, and sometimes after I post, I come to find out that it's apparently not.

I know there are many "black" issues that I will never fully be able to see "your" side on, because I've never been there, but I do think it's important, especially in race discussions to get input from both sides.

DITTO!! :)

So the issue isn't why are their news, chit chat type threads in the BGLO forum. The issue is that you do not feel welcomed to express your opinion on certain topics (ex. race-related discussions) and therefore if these were posted in the general forums of GC, you would have more support for your viewpoint?

Is that basically it? :)

Because if it is, then I think the greater issue is why don't people from the general forum post in the BGLO forums more often?
Everyone is welcomed to come here afterall. :)
Just not with foolishness though. :(

As a Trollquisha, non-greek, and anything else that I am or have been deemed by people, I also feel that any thread that doesn't call for a specific group only, ex. 1913 thread deltas only, I am able to post in. I get the why are you here posting and other comments as well. I still post anyway. I understand why people feel better talking about certain topics to a certain group of people. That's all fine and dandy. My problem is when people can't think outside of the box and limit themselves to a certain group because they feel outsiders aren't on the same intellectual level as them at all. That's very one sided and closed-minded. Also people that think they are absolutely right about everything and what they say goes. Lots of contradiction going on too. Then when they try to tell you that you are out of line, they come at you with off the wall responses to remedy the issue. Overall, I read GC based on people and how they respond. I learn as I go. Certain people can come in and act a fool and it's okay. Others do the same and it closes the thread. People say they are not close minded then post that they are in a different thread. Learn and keep posting. Different strokes for different folks. No standard.

Good post.

I only post in the D9 forums because I'm annoyed by all of the pink people in the general forums!

You silly. :D

And I can't tell you the number of times I have felt uncomfortable posting in GL or CC, because if I express my "Black" point of view, I will be accused of holding on to the past, or playing the race card (although race is not a card, tm Chaos,) or turning everything into a racial issue.

from left to right....and top to bottom.

EXACTLY!!!!!! :D

Honeykiss, I think this should be the opening page for the entire GreekChat website. :)

AlphaFrog, I think that a lot of these type threads are started in D9 forums because most of us like to talk to other like-minded Greeks.

I speak for myself mostly when I say that I "read GC" mainly from the D9 forums because I choose to converse with people on GC who "think" like I do. :) I could and I sometimes do go to the general forums and talk with everybody else but I do enough of that daily in my work/school/etc. It is like BTB87 said earlier. We all sit together because it is a sense of comfort. It is not that we are close-minded and don't want to think outside the box.:rolleyes:

Everyone should feel welcome to post anywhere anyway unless it specifically asks for Greeks, etc.

BTW, I am glad that you realize that there are some "black" issues that you will never see our "side" on.:)

I do not need anyone to support my viewpoint, however I do wish that when I do post on "certain topics" that my viewpoint is not simply dismissed, because I'm white and I just "can't understand". I can definitely agree to disagree and respect others opinions (and I expect others to do the same, although I am not foolish enough to think that will always happen), and I would like to try my best to understand, so try explaining before dismissing.

As to why the rest of GC doesn't post much on the D9 boards...I believe also that they do not necessarily feel comfortable with it. Just look at how the NPCs interact on eachother's boards. You'll constantly see someone post something like "I just got engaged" on their own forum, and another NPC member will jump in with "Sorry for crashing, but congrats". I find myself doing it too, because it's just "etiquette" on that part of GC.


Thank you for this post. This is exactly the kind of answer/info I was looking for.:) :)

As usual
 

Others expressed my feelings, so I don't have a lot to add.

But I do want to speak to the "comfort" factor. I am 41 years old. I am royally tired of trying to "educate" people at times. I don't desire to come to a forum and see all these circular, flaming posts. I want tight moderation, and the NPHC rooms generally have tight moderation.

Re: As usual
 

I think that this is also a big part of the comfort factor.

I also want to elaborate a little more on my earlier post because other comments prompted me to think a little deeper. I did take the time to check out the Chit Chat forum today and frankly, after looking over a few weeks worth of topics, I don't see much I want or need to comment about. Heck a lot of those 'type' threads even in the BGLO forums, I don't post on here or even on other boards.

Maybe its me but I go to GREEKChat and GREEKPeeps and other forums of this type for fellowship on issues that face me and those like me NOT for idle chatter about miscellaneous topics or dealing with trolls/etc. But, hey, thats just me. :cool:

I think that HoneyKiss's analysis of this issue was right on. However, in an attempt to address the question I'll say that the culture/tone of the NPC/IFC forums is just different from those of the NPHC boards. Posts on the former boards tend to focus soley on that organization and its members. Topics that are of a more general nature seem to be viewed as out of place there. However, this is simply not the case in the NPHC forums. Here topics (both BGLO specific and general) are welcomed. Thus, similar threads often exist in both areas of the board. However, the topics are welcomed in both venues, so it isn't a breach of ettiquette.

Now I will agree that most of the regular posters of the NPHC boards registered for GC to interact with other NPHC members (or their interests). Therefore the the primary goal is to interact with these individuals and discuss all topics within these venues. There is nothing wrong with this, and if you venture into these forums, then you should be prepared to accept this. Additionally, I must agree that I personally do not care for the ex-'frattynet' guys who post in the general forums nor the often naive and arrogant attitudes that often present themselves there. I would like to discuss a race issue w/o someone instantly accusing me of using the 'race card'. This is an immediate dismissal of any and all arguments that I would like to make, and as far as I am concerned the discussion is over before it even begins.

Finally, you may want to consider that perhaps some of your comments are not well recieved, not b/c you are white, but b/c of the manner in which you deliver them. I have witnessed you be very aggressive, sarcastic, and down-right rude in some of your posts on these boards. For instance your comment to Gods Ivy in the Duke Lacrosse thread regarding her being a 'stuck up, Chrisitan' (or something to that affect) was unnecessary and off-putting. It wasn't attractive at all, and it was the type of post that made me nolonger want to have a discussion with you. Just a thought.

Alphafrog, there is a big difference between the tone of a forum and the opinions of the individuals that post there. I do hope you recognize that.

Anyway, glad you found the answer you were looking for though.

Thank you for your input, but I do want to point out that my comment to GodsIvy was after a series of posts and PMs and frankly, I was fed up with her attitude with me. Did you miss her post above mine? Surely not, and you can't tell me that if someone said you had no class that you would not have words for them.

In the beginning . . . I believe D9 members posted the bulk of the traffic in the general forums.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was even a majority of the posts.

Over the years there has been an Exodus, a sort of Black flight if you will, into the relative comfort of the D9 Forums.

I think a lot of newer D9 greekchat members very rarely dare/desire to leave the D9 forums and venture into the general forums.

Nothing wrong with this pattern, just sharing the observation of someone that has been on Greekchat since dinosaurs roamed the earth.

I will say, the other side of the electronic divide on Gc has become a more inane, silly place, since the days the of the D9 Exodus.

Is there a correlation?

I don't know, but it seems like a signficant amount of D9 members that post on greekchat tend to be either better educated and/or more mature than a lot of the posters on the other side.

I don't know why that would be.

On a lighter note: The reason I originally thought it happened was that AKA and DST members talked so much (threads/posts) that they knew no one else would be able to get a word in edgewise anyway. ;) :p

(Bolding done for amusement purposes)

Re: As usual
 

Thank you Steeltrap, cause this is what I was trying to say also. I was tired when I was 19 trying to explain and educate the silly little girls in my dorm, (why do you do this, why do you do that, do all black people do this....?) so at 42, you know I am tired now.:rolleyes:

This is why I don't post in the Greek Life thread much.

So why does this thread even exist? Why do we have to constantly explain ourselves?:(

Here is my answer from the other thread:

I don't read those forums. There is always drama on the general forums, especially when it comes to racial/political/social issues so I stay away from those forums. Plus, truth be told, I couldn't care less what the majority folks in the general forum thinks on any issue, so I post and read threads in the forums I do care about- NPHC forums.

Disclaimer: The expressions above, as always, are those of SKEEphistAKAte only and do not represent those of other posters on GreekChat, specifically those of BGLO organizations.

I will add more later.

I agree with the majority of the above comments. I know that I don't venture too far from "home" because I don't have time for all that foolishness. I have attempted to read several threads over in the General forums and they are full of scattered, random posts. Trolls and such just running rampant. Additionally, some way or another, a race issue usually pops up and folks become obviously and outwardly racist. I don't have time for that. I CHOOSE to discuss issues with like-minded individuals and they just so happen to be my fam over here in the D9 forums.

Secondly, contrary to belief, no one is excluded from posting in certain threads, unless it is specifically labeled as seeking comments from specific persons. However, problems arise when people don't play their position and attempt to comment on things that they know NOTHING about. Exs: A non-greek attempting to authoritatively comment on Greek life or a non-Black person telling a room full of Black people that they should get over racism. You don't know that experience, yet you want to speak on it AND expect people to see it your way? Of course you are going to get comments that make it seems as if you are unwelcome. However, a part of being an adult, which we are all supposed to be here on GC, is to learn how to concede gracefully and MOVE ON. However, everyone can't do that and those persons are taken with a grain of salt. GC and life will go on....

Basically, it just appears that an issue is being made out of something that is a non-issue....

Answer to the title: Why?--Really though? With my eyes--and as someone mentioned before 'left to right and top to bottom'.

Answer to the OP: Why again? You'll never have to worry about people who don't do this or do do that as long as you're okay with what YOU're doing. Why does it matter if some people only subsribe to the NPHC forums? When I log on, I click on the 'View New Posts' tab and read everything that's been posted since my last vist. I don't subscribe to any forums; I just like to read whatever peaks my interest--regardless of where it happens to be. But, keep in mind, this is ME---the enigma_AKA. Not anyone else.

And guess what? My doing so affects not you, AlphaFrog, my respective sorors and sistergreeks, not the Mods, not the administrator...NOT ANYONE ELSE. I post when I want to post, read what I want to read at my own discretion. We're not getting graded so what's the fuss? There is no rule against not being bothered with sorting through stuff that doesn't neccessarily relate to D9 Greeks like some threads in "Rush" and "Chapter Operations". However, threads like "The State Of The Black Male" do directly affect the missions and aims of our respective organizations. And people who feel it so neccessary, can and do post at free will. Especially those in the D9 organizations.

Don't be threatened by being the only/first White person (though if you say something stupid, it's because you said something stupid and that has little to do with race) to comment in a thread. Say what you have to say! If you have an INFORMED, LEGITIMATE comment--say it! Even if you don't--post at your own risk. :p You don't get an 'F' for saying the 'wrong thing'. Your life as you know it doesn't expire if you get flamed for saying something that others don't agree with. So, if it this really bothers you, it would serve you well to get over it. There are a lot of things that people/posters will do that might tick you off. As long as they are in compliance with the TOS and so forth, there isn't much more to be said. :)

enigma_AKA

You read my mind...a lot of the threads in the other forums seem to neglect non NPC/IFC greeks, like we aren't important, or that the way we do things is wrong.

Re: Re: As usual
 

THANK YOU!

Anyone is free to start up whatever kind of thread they want in their group forum, why is this an issue at all??? :confused:

I tend to respond to threads mostly in Chit Chat and Greek Life. I read a lot of the threads in the D9 forums because there's a lot of great posters that don't venture out into the other forums as much and I'm sure it's due to the assinine behaviour of some in the general forums. I've always been welcomed when I've posted as well.

Ultimately...who really cares where threads get started? As long as people are talking, being respectful, having fun etc, why does it matter?

Re: Re: As usual
 

(lonnggggggg sigh and shrugging of shoulders :( )


I think starang answered the question posed (title of thread) THE BEST! :D