Racial Issues
 

First and foremost, Greetings to the Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

You ladies have been so helpful and considerate to all the other IG's that have asked questions on this board. I hope you all can do the same for me.

I have wanted to be an AKA for many years. I love the strong bond these women hold and I want to be a part of what they stand for.

However, AKA was started by and for African-American women. I understand that race is not a characteristic that is officially looked at during the intake process. However, I am a half-Latina and half-Asian woman at a university that is not very diverse. I worry that my race will make the process even more difficult for me at a campus where racial tensions already run high.

While there is a Latina sorority on campus, I am pledging a sorority not only for the "status" or whatnot on campus - I am doing this for the lifelong committment of sisterhood. I worry that the young and not very established Latina sorority will not offer me much nor allow me to offer much once I leave my university.

What are all of your thoughts on this issue?

I look forward to your replies.

Thanks,
LaMestiza79

Hi LaMestiza, I will agree with my Soror Pink Bunny, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated does not discriminate with regard to race. We have sorors who are non-African-American and if AKA is in your heart and you desire to become a member, go for it. One of my line sisters is Puerto Rican, so I don't see there being any problem as long as you meet the requirments.

I agree with all of the replies. My advice is to do what is best for you. If you believe you will be an asset to the sorority and have the committment then go for it. I wish you much luck.

Thank you for all of your replies. Even in an online forum, AKA ladies carry themselves with undeniable grace, class, and an almost tangible confidence.

Maybe by this time next year I can proudly address all of you as sorors. Until then, I'll continue to visit this site, as well as others, to continue to learn about the sorority that is in my heart.

AKAtude, Pink Bunny, TAFKAMO8, and to the other sorority members in this forum, I again commend your patience with us IGs.

You all will probably hear more from me as the competition gets more itense.

Until then,
La Mestiza

OneSavyDiva

Thanks for the info. I've checked out the forum. Tons of great adivce and info there.

AKAs:

Is that true, that Eleanor Roosevelt was really an AKA? I've never seen that on any web page that lists notable AKAs.

She most certainly was an amazing woman.

Yes, Eleanor Roosevelt was named an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha in recognition of her work on behalf of women. Though founded by and for African-American women, AKA has always celebrated the humanity of all people. AKA was multicultural before it became a buzzword :-).

Thanks Discogoddess

As always, the First and Finest!

Hello LaMestiza,
I am not a member, but I just would like to ask if you had visited the forum on race relations in the social part of the General Forums. ( I think it is under social), I read this last night and it gave a lot of insight into how people feel about this topic. Overall, the sentiment is that if you feel that AKA, or any organization for that matter, is right for you, then go for it. You must be in a place that feel comfortable, because in the end that's all that matters. As they stated in the forum, AKA doesn't exclude anyone based on their race, so in the end it would be up to you.

Again, I am not a member, but I thought that maybe that forum would bring to light some aspects that you may not have previously thought about.

Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.

Savvy Sisterfriend

LaMestiza thanks for your post. If you meet the requirements of AKA and feel that you as an individual can and will strive to make her Supreme in Service to All Mankind then by all means take the necessary steps to gain membership. AKA has never discriminated based on race and we are a diverse organization with many hues, shapes, and sizes. Good luck.

Just adding on to the more-than-timely advice you've already received...

As a "blended" member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, I've met (either online or in person) several sorors of diverse backgrounds, and have been more than thrilled to learn than I was not the only Black Puerto Rican that saw the Pink and Green light....

Also, before I transferred to my final undergraduate university, I attended a college that had a number of Latina sororities. I learned that most of them were regional and were unheard of outside of the state....

Stay hopeful and good luck (or should I say, buena suerte http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif)

APR

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"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it turned into a butterfly."