UT (Texas) minority in "white" sorority
 

Coming from a predominantly white high school, I have always been a minority (Indian- from India) among my friends.

I am considering rushing this upcoming fall at UT & I wanted to know if I have a realistic chance for a bid at what are considered "white" sororities? This has really nothing to do with racism; I just would like a realistic opinion.

I know that there are culturally oriented sororities at UT as well, however, I am not sure if that is something I am interested in.

Just rush! If someone wants you to be their sister you'll get a bid, if you don't you won't know whether it's because your ethnicity anyways. I'm a "minority" in my org to (both chapter and nationwide) and I don't really care 99.9999% of the time.

That's not very comforting. So she'll always wonder...:(

It's' the truth. Unless a sister who has no better sense than to talk about that certain gathering says something directly to her about her "Indian-ness" being the reason, she will never know.

She'll need recs, regardless of the color of her skin.

I agree. LatinaAlumna, while I also agree that may not be very comforting, I have to say that if someone doesn't want to be your "sister" or "brother" because of your ethnicity, why would you want to join, anyway?

In one of our newer chapters, we have a woman who is disabled. I think that shows such character that so many women were able to embrace the wonderful person she is and offer her a bid. I am so proud of that.

I think that to the OP, if someone looks down on your race/ background, there are tons of other great organizations you can join!

I agree with violetpretty - no matter what, you must approach Texas Recruitment like a pro. Read up on here about it, attend all panhellenic informational stuff, and get busy lining up your recs NOW. If you are in Texas, you probably already know some about what it takes, but don't go into this recruitment without covering all the bases.

I don't know about the minority question - a Texas sorority member could be of more help, but do everything else you need to insure your success whether you are "white" or not.

It's going to be a loooooooong spring and summer...........

I know that she will *literally* never find out. I get that. But don't you think it would be unsettling (not to mention, unfair) for this woman to have to *wonder* if that was the reason she was not invited to join?

PM'ed you. I'm not an expert on UT sororities so I'm not going to talk about your chances, but I'm from the same state and ethnicity.

ETA: and just in case your parents are anything like mine.... the classic "Parents Against Sororities"
Oh the lessons I've learned since then.

Oh yeah, but I just meant it as not to really worry in the event that it did since she'd not really know so it shouldn't be the focus of her life if she didn', just keep it moving.

SECOND! It definitely hurts but moving on is the best thing to do!

In addition to this....

I wonder if the young women (and at least once on GC, a young man) in this situation ever contemplate their blackness or brownness prior to pursuing membership in a GLO.

I was not raised as a minority, but was aware of my blackness because, well, I'm American, I watched the news, and I took history -- I knew DC was a majority black city and not to expect anyplace else in the world like it. One of the reasons I did not choose to attend an HBCU was because after 18 years, I felt it was time to be among the majority and expand my world view.

I also was aware that groups existed to ease the transition and to feel at home, even though I would be in the minority. Black Student Alliance, NAACP, the multicultural center, etc.

I guess I always wonder what's going on in the lives of people who grew up in a different class and/or different racial dynamic than I did, and whether this fear of not being accepted is the first time they've had to deal with race.

^^^I am going to assume that since she is contemplating NPC recruitment, the OP has actually NOT been overly concerned with race up to this point, but in taking a hard look at the system (and with fresh, this isn't my own backyard, eyes) realizes her "minority" status may affect her chances.