To any BGLO member... Question?
 

I'm confused. I have read that there are only 8 NPHC fraternities/sororities (Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma,the great Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta)but, what about Iota Phi Theta and Groove Phi Groove fraternities and Rho Alpha Pi sorority? Why aren't they apart of the "8"?

Also, if there are any members of these "3" out there, how do you feel about not being included in the "8"?

TAZZ,

Iota Phi Theta is part of NPHC. We are called the Devine 9. As for G PHI G, and the other org, I have no idea. I have heard of G Phi G, but the other I have never heard of.

MN

Tazz,

From what I've read Groove Phi Groove and their sister organization Swing Phi Swing were started as an alternative to fraternities and sororities. I think they call themselves "social" clubs. They are more afro-centric with their principles. These organizations are primarily located up North because I'm in the South and never heard of these groups until I joined Greekchat. This my first time hearing of the organization, Rho Alpha Pi.
www.groove-phi-groove.org www.swingphiswing.org

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Sisterhood, Scholarship, & Service
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
"Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom"

[This message has been edited by c&c1913 (edited October 05, 2000).]

My best friend is president of his chapter of Groove phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. They, and their sisters of Swing phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc., are "Social Fellowships", not a "Fraternity" and "Sorority". Also, they are not "Greek" organizations. They stand for simialr principles and participate in service activities and stepshows as do NPHC orgs, but do not associate themselves with the Greek System. At certain schools, they may be a part of the greek council (BGLOC or NPHC), but are not at all "Greek".
As far as other orgs being included in the Divine Nine, they'd have to petition the NPHC to do so. However, we dont exclude them all together. They just arent in the Divine Nine of the NPHC.

PEACE: Proper Education Always Corrects Error
SoloRHO

I will never get over "non-Greek" organizations assuming many of the characteristics, signs and symbols of Greek organizations (hand signs, calls, stepping, line names and numbers, etc.) while swearing off all affiliation or similarity to Greek orgs. That is so irritating to me, just like some younger BGLOs doing the same, all while swearing up and down that they are not like the groups they "borrowed" these things from...

*shaking my head*

That was not called for. For whatever reason, those men and women started these organizations because they may have felt "glo's" weren't for them. WHO are you to say what they should or shouldn't do in their organization.

Well, IMO, I never said what people should or shouldn't be doing, I just think it's disengenuous to claim disinterest or frustration with one type of institution and then go out and create the SAME TYPE OF INSTITUTION. I could not care less if a group of young women or men started their own organization and frankly, don't get why many BGLO members get their panties in a bunch about this practice. I just think it's hypocrisy to duplicate the characteristics of the organizations they claim to not want to be a part of.

Miss DiscoGodess: You sound angry today. Just what do you mean by "some younger BGLO's?" Please clarify, my sister.

You probably heard the expression "The Great Eight" -- some people don't like to include Iota Phi Theta in the definition -- well, I don't really know why. I'll let those who feel that way tell you that. But I know it has something to do with how young Iota Phi Theta is. Anyone want to enlighten us on why there is some beef with this fraternity?

Asia

The answer to this question lies in the very origins / development of BGLO's in America. To understand the background on this issue, it may be valuable to start with my previous post Why are NPHC groups so different?

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 groups were ridiculed as "losers" or "rejects." In my previous post, I refer to the tendency for people to "label" members of various NPHC groups based on which group they were members.

Members of Kappa Alpha Psi have been stereotyped as "Pretty Boys" - Members of Alpha Kappa have been stereotyped as "Fair-skinned debutantes", and the list goes on. As I mentioned in that post, many of 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, almost 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 the 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 simply cannot abide the notion of a 9th "REAL" Black Fraternity. 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 established 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. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

The point of this extremely lengthy post (am I develping a reputation for these? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif) is that THIS is the reason that some people "have a beef" with Iota Phi Theta.

If anyone has comments or questions, I'd love to address them! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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IotaNet
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
3AH80

Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Nu Chapter, Spring, 1979

[This message has been edited by IotaNet (edited October 06, 2000).]

lengthy post.. but well worth the reading
great job explaining, as usual :-)

Iota,

Again, you have enlightened us all.

YOU DA MAN

Keep the lengthy posts coming, IotaNet. I always learn from them!

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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

IOTANET, that was one of the most interesting and enlightening posts I have read recently. It is a fact that most people prefer to stick with the tried and true versus change. IOTA PHI THETA sought and gained admittance to the NPHC and therefore deserve recognition as such. If all the brothers are as articulate as you seem to be then the NPHC has a great addition!!!!

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
"Intelligence Is The Torch Of Wisdom"

Peawce & Blessings

People please, remember or JUST LEARN some history here.
Stepping came from The Mother Land!
The African Boot Dance, come on now!

FYI: GPhiG was founded on the campus of Hampton University in the 1960's, so, it is definately Southern, not Northern!

IotaNet: Always a pleasure to read your posts!
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SapphireSensation
RoyalBlueDivaDivine
The Epitome of Finerwomanhood