[dz_theta]

I would like to start out by saying that AKA_Monet's comments on reasons blacks should not join GLO's were overgeneralized and failed to take individual experiences into account. What is best for one person may not necessarily be the best option for another. The way you chose to state your opinions really made me doubt your ability to have an open mind about this subject, but I'll attempt to show you my perspective on things anyway...

Originally posted by AKA_Monet:
Your decision to join an organization based on young, altruistic feelings and attitudes, although highly noble, may be one filled with regret when you decide to re-enter certain societies long after graduation. The adults you encounter will rarely understand your positions you took in your youth. You will find that your conjectured ideals of BGLO's and their current obsoletion is not so outdated as you observed on your predominately majority university.

In all honesty, I feel that this truly depends on the situation. Granted, if a black person who joined a GLO graduates and decides to "enter certain societies," is it not up to that person to decide what societies he or she wishes to join? Not every black person grew up in a black community (me, for example). Not every black person has strong personal ties to the black community. Consequently, why would I want to suddenly become immersed in the black community when I graduate? And the people I do happen to interact with shouldn't pass judgements on my character and intelligence based on sorority affiliation alone. If they do, I probably would not associate myself with them. Also, when a person makes a conscious decision to join a sorority or fraternity, they obviously take the future into account.

A person of color must understand that your decision you made at a time of your youth will travel with you for the rest of your life... You must be ready to completely assimilate into that society that you will join. Yes, it may seem as a cop-out by my fellow persons of color who choose to stay within their heritage.

This is the lamest excuse black people use when telling someone why they shouldn't hang out with "whites." Who decided what is considered "staying within their heritage"? Like I stated earlier, if someone truly feels that I have "copped out" then I probably won't associate myself with them. Would it be not be just as valid if I said you were self-segregating? By not allowing yourself to experience new things are you not completely excluding a group of people that could possibly teach you a lot about life? By the way, yes I am proud of my heritage, but I'm also proud of myself.

However, when you get older, decide to marry within your group, interact with your neighborhood you will have a very tough time in being understood as trustworthy.

Not my problem. For every 1 person who deems me as untrustworty there is another person who does trust me. And it doesn't matter to me what color they are.

I am 30-something, I've seen how it is with those who wish to reintegrate back into their heritage after they have denied it in their youth. Some people don't want you back...

If that's the way you truly feel, I hope to never come into contact with you. Just because you are "30-something" doesn't make you an expert on human nature (no offense). I am by no means an expert on ANYTHING but I really took personal offense to that comment. Opinions like yours made me second guess my decision to rush. I thought, "what are all the black girls gonna say about me behind my back" and "are the black people on campus going to look down upon me because of my decision," blah, blah, blah. But then I realized I should do whatever the hell I wanted and if they didn't agree then it's their fault for not being supportive of a member of the community. Just like you are not being supportive.

Then, would you think a fortune 500 company CEO will readily recognize you as a member in their organization when you apply for that corporate high paying job? Can that attitude be guarenteed? I know it is for the BGLO's... What do you think the talented 10 meant? Or do the little old caucasian ladies huddle in a corner, clutching their purses because you got into the elevator? Ask yourself, is that the life you truly desire? Then from there, in the future, how fun will your experiences have been when you find yourself around all these "Buppies" that are talking about how the Step Correct Show went off and who won and whether you would truly really feel a part of that discussion? Or would you just prefer drinking beer every weekend with your "buddies" for the rest of your life with no "game"?

Ok, this argument held true (most definately) in the 1960's and 1970's (and before), less so in the 80's and has been decreasing since. It would be more true if I were paranoid all the time about discrimination and being "held down by the man." The women in my sorority have yet to make me feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, quite the opposite of how I felt when I first met a member of AKA during my freshman year... but I won't get into it.

Recently, 4 traditional GLO fraternities got suspended from the university where I teach because they caused their pledges to be alcohol poisoned.

Perfect example of overgeneralization. My chapter has a very strict alcohol policy and hazing is not tolerated in any way, shape, or form. This policy is also held campus wide.

I would like to end by saying that I can truly see where you're coming from with your arguments. I mean, being black, it's kind of hard to completely disregard certain aspects of society. But at the same time, I can't agree with anything you've said. I grew up in a white community, am currently attending a predominately white, private university, and (you might want to sit down for this one) dating a white man whom I love very much. To say that I should join a BGLO so as not to deny my "heritage" would involve me giving up what I have grown up around and known for 19 years. I am most uncomfortable when I am around a group of black women who are not from the same background as me. Not because they put me in an uncomfortable situation on purpose, but I'm just not used to it. And in most cases they can sense that. I really would like to expound on the topic a bit more but it is 4 in the morning and I still have exams to study for (boo finals!). Hope to hear from you soon~

dz_theta

Kappa Alpha Theta
Delta Zeta Chapter
Emory University


[This message has been edited by dz_theta (edited December 13, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by dz_theta (edited December 13, 2000).]