Quote:
Originally posted by PKPILZ003
OK, we've gotten the history lesson on where HBGLO's got there start and we see where many people stand on this (Congrats on APhiA and their 100 years this year.. we've also beaten the "whites only clause" issue to death as well. Here's my 2 cents on the issue.
I am the only male member of my family that's college educated and not an Alpha. I did that becuase I wanted to start something as opposed to join anything - i'm not a joiner; im a leader. I hope the guys they get for Pike are that way as well. At my fraternity's last 2 national conventions, i suggested that we do what Pike has now done. What saddens me is that when a predominetely white group comes on a black campus (Sigma Pi did the same thing at Middle tennessee state a few years back) the campus fights back instead of accepting that competition breeds grouwth for all. Not everyone at Howard fits the mold of the D9 - so they needed something else - I'm only upset that the something else isn't Green and Red.
To my Greek Brothers and Sisters at Howard - just becuase someone was an ass before doesn't mean they are still an ass-yeah, they were racist back in the day - every white group was, either with or without "the clause"; but give them a chance and see how they help the fabric of your campus before your castigate them for it.
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EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT POST!
Very well said.
You have hit the nail on the head as to what the core issue on what this entire debate is all about!
Now everyone, forget all the snide jabs and smart-@$$ comments everyone has been throwing around, because it’s totally irrelevant to the discussion at hand and listen up to what I am about to say.
The reason why some people in the NPHC don’t want to Pikes to come to Howard is rooted in
ELITISM, which is in essence a form of classism, whereby one group of people express a sense of superiority over another group of people via a sense of privilege, be it real or perceived. THAT is why I “hate” the NPHC orgs so much. As if being a black person isn’t enough of a challenge, I have a group of “my own people” looking down on me or clowning me because I didn’t join one of their organizations? Well, let me tell all the NPHC folk why I never joined one of their orgs, or for that matter, never had enough “energy” to pursue membership in a graduate/alumni chapter. For the record it was because deep down, I simply do not think that with my personality, that I would make a good “fit” in any of the so called “D5” orgs. I would look good on paper for any of the 5 orgs as far as the org’s principles would go, but from a social bonding standpoint, even if I did join, I would still feel like a square peg in a round hole. So if I was to start my own org or join one that would be more ideal to my personality and style, sure NPHC folk would say, “Do your thing”, or “Whatever floats your boat”, but I know a lot of them would whisper behind my back, “He probably got a rejection letter(s) from [insert “D5” org of your choice here].
Why are black college students socially obligated to seek NPHC orgs without risk of ridicule from their peers? It’s interesting to hear NPHC members proudly declare their selectivity and exclusiveness in one breath, and in another breath snicker at someone who joined an NIC/NPC org or a service GLO. I say it’s interesting because chances are, you wouldn’t have taken the person in the first place, and since the individual bypassed the NPHC to join something that was for them more lucrative, it’s almost as if the NPHC is mad at them because the individual didn’t give the NPHC a chance to reject them first, almost as if to spite them. This is just my personal take on it, and I will not debate this point with anyone, as it will be an exercise in futility.
But here is my point of contention with regards to the NPHC elitism as it pertains to the Pikes at Howard: The elitism is so thick, that the NPHC dissenters is not doing the one thing to the Pikes with regards to their racist past that God asks every man do to one another:
FORGIVE THEM!!!
Sure the Pikes may have had a racist origination, clauses, or behaviors, but the important thing right now is that they saw the error of their ways and corrected them. And the NPHC dissenters is still holding them accountable to their past. Well, two wrongs don’t make a right and it doesn’t make it even, either!
So in essence, this whole issue of NPHC elitism is the very thing that makes me want to post and debate on CG time and time again. I hate, abhor, loathe, and despise it. And for the record, as long as it continues, I will continue to contest, fight, and debate it. Because after all, if you don’t take a stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. And in this case, I have to say that the NPHC dissenters are clearly in the wrong on this one.
In short, join a GLO for where you will best fit, not for what you will mostly get. (hey, I like the rhyme scheme). And if that happens to be a NIC/NPC org, more power to ya.
Still fightin’ after 6 years on GreekChat,
Rain Man