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In NO way am I trying to discredit, talk trash or flame any NPHC organization, this situation just happened and I was wondering your thoughts on it.

A couple monthes back, a friend of one of my bros came to visit him for a while. He was a Kappa Alpha Psi at St. Augustine University in Raleigh, NC. I talked with him about NPHC various times, and one conversation kinda bothered me.

When I asked him about which of the Divine Nine were at his school, he said "It's the Great Eight man". I was like "I thought it was the Divine Nine after Iota Phi Theta joined." And he was like "Oh Iotas aren't part of us, they suck, they're wannabes."

I was just wondering if that kind of thinking happens often, that attitude towards the iotas, because I think that's wrong and I was kinda offended by that, because that's like saying FarmHouse or any other NIC org isn't real, or part of NIC.

Sorry if I'm offbase here, but those were his words, not mine.

Speaking as a member of the NPHC, I also find the Kappa's remarks to disrespectful and unneeded. I take great pride not only in my sorority(ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA )but also in the other fraternities and sororities of the Divine NINE! Please do not let a few representatives form your image of those of the NPHC. I have great love for my sorority as well as the other groups in the NPHC. Although there is always freindly rivalry among the different organizations, above everything else there is always RESPECT for fellow organizations. As for the Kappa, I think that his thouhghts are very immature. I believe that anyone who takes great pride in his/her organization and believes that he/she has made the best choice of organizations will not have a need to bash the other organizations. Perhaps this Kappa need repriortize his reasons for being part of his fraternity.

Re: NPHC Question

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltaSigStan
In NO way am I trying to discredit, talk trash or flame any NPHC organization, this situation just happened and I was wondering your thoughts on it.

A couple monthes back, a friend of one of my bros came to visit him for a while. He was a Kappa Alpha Psi at St. Augustine University in Raleigh, NC. I talked with him about NPHC various times, and one conversation kinda bothered me.

When I asked him about which of the Divine Nine were at his school, he said "It's the Great Eight man". I was like "I thought it was the Divine Nine after Iota Phi Theta joined." And he was like "Oh Iotas aren't part of us, they suck, they're wannabes."

I was just wondering if that kind of thinking happens often, that attitude towards the iotas, because I think that's wrong and I was kinda offended by that, because that's like saying FarmHouse or any other NIC org isn't real, or part of NIC.

Sorry if I'm offbase here, but those were his words, not mine.

as a brother of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc...i am quite offended at this nupe's comments. but hey, that's all it is, just hating. people can talk out the side of their neck all they want, we still get love from all over. i have nothing but respect for the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, so i won't try to start a flame war. from all of the nupes i've met, this cat is obviously not representative of the whole.

A Blast from the past ...

To The Group -

I posted on this topic about two years ago (when GC was on the old server!) but perhaps it will be helpful for newer GC'ers for me to post it again.

This post originally appeared in October, 2000 and the topic was "Why do some organizations have a Beef with Iota Phi Theta?"

Quote:

The answer to this question lies in the very origins / development of BGLO's in America.

The evolution of BGLO's in America is a phenomenon that is closely entertwined with the evolution of African-Americans, our culture, our traditions, and our heroes. BGLO's represent the very fabric of African-American leadership and struggle over the past 100 years.

As BGLO's were formed and as they grew, the vast majority of this growth was concentrated in the 8 member organizations of the NPHC that most people have become familiar with over time. Contrary to popular belief, there have always been other BGLO's but none of these "other" groups were able to sustain the necessary interest or growth that was necessary for long-term survival.

A highly contributory factor to these organizations' lack of success was the fact that people who joined these "other" groups were ridiculed as "losers" or "rejects." And make no mistake about it sterotyping is a HUGE part of BGLO culture. Even among the original groups, these sterotypes are very powerful and linger to this day.

Members of Kappa Alpha Psi have been stereotyped as "Pretty Boys" - Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha have been stereotyped as "Fair-skinned debutantes", and the list goes on. As with most stereotypes, these characterizations are sweepingly general at best and downright inaccurate at worst. Be that as it may, the characterization of non-NPHC fraternity members was (and in many cases, remains) "Reject."

As odd as it may seem, the prevailing notion in the Black community was that there would never be any significant organization founded after 1922 that would be worthy of notice or recognition. As a matter of fact, before 1993, the NPHC constitution did not even include a provision for accepting more organizations beyond the 8.

Well, the true measures of organizations' worth or impact are their goals/objectives/purpose AND their ability to attract and sustain membership that feels an affinity for these concepts. Just as the 8 previous groups were founded during a time of great movement, upheaval, and change (in the early 1900's), Iota Phi Theta was founded in 1963 (ironically, exactly 100 years after the Emancipation Proclaimation), during one of most historic times in American History: The Civil-Rights Movement. Due to the tone of the times and the unique background of the Founders, Iota brought a spirit and spark that resonated with many men throughout the country.

As Iota grew and developed, the overall attitude toward the organization was "Ignore them and they'll go away." Fortunately, Iota did not. As the organization grew (and its leadership became more sophisticated), it began to expand its sphere of influence and membership.

It was during this time that the Fraternity began to seek membership in the NPHC but these efforts were rebuffed for over 20 years. In the meantime, the organization sought (and was granted with little difficulty) membership in the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

Without getting into deep (and gory) details, in 1996, the Fraternity was granted membership in the NPHC. Even with that acceptance, there remain a LOT of people who cannot abide the notion of a 9th "REAL" Black GLO. These people simply can't accept that there could be another Black Fraternal organization (beyond the original 8) that would be viable or legitimate.

There are also some people who feel that the creation of additional fraternities somehow dilutes or detracts from the legacy of the original 8. Others feel that the people who create these groups don't have the right to do the things that the original groups do.

The problem with this logic is that if one condemns the creation of a new organization in 1963 (or 2003), one also has to condemn the creation of new organizations after 1906 (when Alpha Phi Alpha was founded) and/or 1908 (when Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded) and nobody is going to do that.

Perhaps that will help you to understand.

Even after 200 chapters, 20,000+ members, and almost 40 years, the bottom line remains: Some folks just can't accept change.

Re: A Blast from the past ...

Quote:

[i]
the bottom line remains: Some folks just can't accept change. [/B]

how true!!!

Interesting because I now live in Raleigh 10 minutes from St. Augustine's. Iotas aren't visible in Raleigh and people in the VA/DC/MD/NC area tend to have little exposure to them. HOWEVER, the Alpha Chapter Iotas and the Iotas from VCU hold it down.

The fact that this "Nupe" would even tell someone, who's basically an outsider, that is wack---friendship aside. It would be interesting for him to tell the THE IOTAS that their credibility as an organization and their acceptance into the NPHC are void----which he wouldn't do. I don't know dude, but he's one of the many lames (I feel comfortable in labeling him as such) who are still breaking down their own brothers to build themselves up.

Some people still say the Great Eight...uh...that went out waaaay before I even crossed. So, if you're still using the Great Eight...update! If you don't think Iota "deserves" that respect...you probably haven't done much in your respective organization, anyway. Don't ride on the curtails of our founders or your charter members...what have YOU done and what do you CONTINUE to do?

*crickets*

For anyone to say that, who is a member of an NPHC org is downright DUMB! From what I've noticed, most who say things like that haven't been very "active" since they pledged.
:rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally posted by ChaosDST
Some people still say the Great Eight...uh...that went out waaaay before I even crossed.

For clarification....how long ago was waaaay?
:confused:

You are correct about the exposure thing.

Krisco- basically that's it. I've found myself telling people (out of the loop) who they are. :o

It went out before I crossed. "waaaay" was just making the point that the update is old. After I crossed, I saw older Greeks still using Great Eight (or whatever), but more people were starting to use Noble Nine...or Divine Nine.

A GENERAL STATEMENT:
Exposure or not, it's up to us to stay current and pay respect where respect is due. If we all made judgments on other organizations based on our limited exposure, people could narrow the orgs. that they see "worthy of acknowledgement in the NPHC" down as THEY saw fit. That's not how it works, though. There are NINE organizations in the NPHC. No one cares what individuals think about that.

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91

For clarification....how long ago was waaaay?
:confused:

You are correct about the exposure thing.

Krisco- basically that's it. I've found myself telling people (out of the loop) who they are. :o

I know virtually nothing about groups in the NPHC, but i know what it feels like to be ridiculed for being relatively new. My chapter of ASA was chartered just 9 months ago, and the other 3 sororities on campus don't really seem to recognize us as being legit, and some members refer to us as the "fake" sorority. But yeah, it all boils down to people's ability to accept change.

Well, I had never heard of the Iotas until 99. My best friend mentioned them to me (he went to Hampton). Then I met some of them in Florida, and I was THUROUGHLY impressed!! They are real, respectful, and have love for everybody, so why hate? I mean, the founders of Iota Phi Theta created their fraternity to suit THEIR particular vision and fit with THEIR particular goals, which ALL NPHC and NPC organization were founded for. If everyone just settled for what was out there even if it wasn't exactly FOR THEM, there would be only 1 soroity and one fraternity. If it wasn't about individual choices and goals, that Kappa would have had to settle to be an Alpha, because his founders would have just joined the bandwagon instead of forming something that fits closer to their hearts, so I don't know where he gets off hating. Just because they were not founded in the first 2 decades of the 1900s does not negate their validity, viability and worthiness of respect. I have absolutely no problem with them or any other organization. I say, do your thing, and I'll do mine. Just because they don't coincide does not mean I'm going to hate, I'm going to congratulate!!

I just hate uneccessary hatin!!!

RIGHT

not only did the founders of Iota form an organization to fit THEIR needs...they founded one to fit the needs of the BLACK COMMUNITY.

can't be mad at that....

Quote:

Originally posted by poodleNtraining
Well, I had never heard of the Iotas until 99. My best friend mentioned them to me (he went to Hampton). Then I met some of them in Florida, and I was THUROUGHLY impressed!! They are real, respectful, and have love for everybody, so why hate? I mean, the founders of Iota Phi Theta created their fraternity to suit THEIR particular vision and fit with THEIR particular goals, which ALL NPHC and NPC organization were founded for. If everyone just settled for what was out there even if it wasn't exactly FOR THEM, there would be only 1 soroity and one fraternity. If it wasn't about individual choices and goals, that Kappa would have had to settle to be an Alpha, because his founders would have just joined the bandwagon instead of forming something that fits closer to their hearts, so I don't know where he gets off hating. Just because they were not founded in the first 2 decades of the 1900s does not negate their validity, viability and worthiness of respect. I have absolutely no problem with them or any other organization. I say, do your thing, and I'll do mine. Just because they don't coincide does not mean I'm going to hate, I'm going to congratulate!!

I just hate uneccessary hatin!!!

Quote:

Florida Iotas, definitely good bruhs to meet.
:D

I had an entire conversation with one of my aunts who did not know/believe that the Iotas existed, and she IS "active" within her graduate chapter. Granted, she's a long way from campus and other activities that would bring the Iotas to mind so they'd stick there. But some folk don't remember what they don't want to.

I was also interested in a sorority that was founded after the NPHC 4, and that same aunt (and the rest of my fam who are greek) definitely weren't feeling it. I didn't undertake their process, but the whole hullaballoo made me wonder what is it about being founded in the first 30 years of the century? Any ideas?

I'ma nupe obviously, and I don't like the disrespect given to the Iotas.

However, I will say this. If someone from the older generations can I guess from the 90's and back to the early part of the century, make a comment about the Iota's, I probably won't take a offence to it. But if some of the newer members who joined the bond after the Iota's were inducted make a rude comment, I will get upset.

I personally like the Iotas.