NPHC Secretiveness, Insularity, Etc.
 

In the thread on the Iota chapter pres getting arrested:

I've seen this sort of attitude a lot from members of NPHC GLOs, and it kinda bugs me. It seems like the NPHC refuses to talk about itself and the way they do things.

Please note, I'm not ragging on any organization, I'm honestly curious as to WHY.

Examples of the secretiveness and insularity:

Getting snippy (as above) when people post about RM issues or just issues that are going to cause PR problems for greeks in general when those issues involve a member of an NPHC fraternity or sorority.

Refusing to talk about how to join an NPHC org. I mean, if someone comes on and asks how to go about joining their local XYZ chapter, and the answer is: fill out the application at www.xyz.org/join/app.pdf and turn it in to your local president who should be listed at www.xyz.org/chapters/presidents.html, why don't they just say that? or even just say go to www.xyz.org, click join, and follow the directions there. Seriously, even joining the masons, those bastions of secrecy and cloak-and-dagger conspiracies, is as simple as going up to a mason and saying, "Hi! How can I join the masons?" NPC and NIC orgs make it extremely clear how to join: Go through formal rush, or make friends with a bunch of group members during informal rush, if we like you, we'll take you.

Now, normally I find conspiracy theories silly and far-fetched, but all this gives me just the slightest suspicion that maybe there is some sinister purpose behind certain organizations.

I'm not trolling here, I'm honestly curious for the reason behind all the secrecy, and I'm sure others are, as well.

We do have a sinister purpose. Dunh, Dunh, Dunnnnnnhh! :D

Actually, when most people ask questions about NPHC membership, the standard answer is to visit www.xyz.org for more information, and actually all of the information that a person might need is accessible on those websites.

Most of us will not discuss membership over the internet because of protocol within our organizations.

well thats cuz we're really a close nit group. we look out for each other, even tho we talk shit and diss each other all the time, only we can do that to each other. its like we're a family in a sense, and when someone from the outside comes at us in anyway, we'll defend each other. now, i personally had no problems wit the iota story, cuz it really isnt about iota phi theta, its about one person who happens to be an iota. just like dude is African, it doesnt really reflect upon all africans right???

and about the tryin to join part. we dont like to tell pplz how to join, cuz they should find out on their own. thats what google & each org/chapters websites are for. and even, its still a whole lot more to it then just fill out the app, and turn it in. and i'ma take a page out of ya'llz book..."THAT'S WHY YOU'RE NPC AND WE'RE NPHC..."

IMHO, as a member of a BGLO - though not the spokesperson of all at all, I've been taught that family business is just that - family business. It's not that we refuse to talk about the issues of our organizations, we just refuse to do so with those not in our orgs.

If you had a personal problem with your mother and brother, would you invite others into your home to view your conflict and pass their judgement? I'd like to think no. The same theory applies here.

As far as how to join NPHC, many NPHC forum moderators have made it clear that our forums are not areas for such questions (i.e. Torch to Guide You, Pearls of Wisdom). Our national websites give information on membership and do so very clearly. If one cannot perform a google search and dig up info as simple as that - they needn't try to apply for any of our orgs, IMO. (It's clearly not impossible if our membership ranges up to hundreds of thousands.)

Sinister purpose because we don't air our dirty laundry or give simpleton "How-to-join" sessions, please stop. Not at all. In fact, I would call those things responsible...professional...perhaps even *gasp* exclusive.

Shoot, SistergreekLittle - You told our secret! Sinister purpose! Darn you and your tattle tale ways.:p You're kicked out the D9. Now.:D

I am seriously contemplating writing a book about the culture of Black Greek life, involving what a typical (read: proper) membership process might look like from the aspirant phase to the neophyte & prophyte phases. I plan to include other aspects of Black Greek life including service projects, meetings (committee and general), conventions/conclaves, and of course, the ever popular parties and step shows.

In a sense, it will be an updated version of "From Here To Fraternity" written by Robert Egan back in '83, but exclusively for Black Greeks*. I plan to give it a jovial slant for easier reading. But posts like Siggy's clearly tell me we need a book that explains Black Greek culture not necessarily from an academic perspective, but from a regular joe/jane perspective. It also tells me that our insular and secretive nature while on the one hand is necessary, on the other hand gives non-NPHCers (Greek or otherwise) a very one-dimensional perspective of what Black Greek life is all about. And quite honestly, our culture, while very powerful and influential, isn't nearly as deep as we would like to believe it is.

*In Egan's book FHTE, there are brief mentions and blurbs about Black Greek life here and there, but I knew we needed our own version of the book when Egan described Black Greeks strolling at a party as "Picture the Wall Street stock market pits with the traders on acid, bopping and swinging their arms...." Hence my assertion that Black Greeks are seen one-dimensionally. That's why we spend a lot of time having to defend why we do what we do, when it really isn't necessary to do that if more was explained at the outset.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

I think he's moreso referring to issues involving NPHC orgs collectively than issues involving any one particular org. IMHO he was using the Iota scenario only as an example.

But I could be wrong....

I am a member of an NPHC organization who believes that any and everybody is fair game to be criticized and critiqued.

When an aspirant of my organization posts on GC, I will PM him and give guidance.

It's not an institutional thing, it's a function of the members on GC. Whatever.

I think that all of us do give guidance to aspirants (even I have done this and I am still very new); for me, even these discussions have their limitations, which are circumscribed by my organization. Also, because I have seen what can happen when that sort of situation goes wrong, way back in the day here on G. C., I am hesitant to do that. I am much more open to discussing my organization in person than I am over the internet, but that is pretty much the case with most things about my life.

Infamous. :p

Ok, thanks. You've answered a lot of my questions, and while I can completely understand the "keep it in the family" thing, I kinda have to disagree when it's already moved beyond the family, as in when it makes the news, or when a chapter is shut down.

Now, if I understood why people got so obsessed with stepping... It sounds like someone joining a HWGLO for the homecoming activities... *shrug*

And who exactly is "obsessed" with stepping?

It has been my understanding that the D9 orgs work togehter so that there is consistency among our groups. Just as the NPC has the Green book, which I've nerver seen btw, to give their recruitment consistency among the chapters, the D9 has decided that we will share a level of consistency. That is why we refer PNMs to the IHQ's website. All that the PNM needs to know is there. Any further steps are handled in person.

I also agree with what Little32 has said. ;)

That was a joke. It just seemed like, a little while back, there was a glut of posts that had "stepping" in the title.

Now, if I understood why people got so obsessed with "Greek Week" ... It sounds like you're joining your org just so you can still have field day like in elementary school.

:rolleyes:

membership has its priviledges...