[zchi2]

Originally posted by Sistermadly
But you're missing my point -- the point is that for every anecdote, there's always a similar anecdote. I'm going to keep saying it until someone hears me: anecdotal evidence does not mean that something is a fact!

Us folks in the NPC/NIC have said time and time again in this thread (and elsewhere) that when we signed on the dotted line, we did it for life, but no matter how many times we say it, someone offers up an anecdote about someone who says "I was a...." as if that anecdote rules our commitments null and void! I'm really tired of it!

Think of all the anecdotes we've heard over the years about black men who are robbers/rapists/murderers. Yet none of us (meaning minority folks) would so much as think that ALL black men are like this. Why then is it okay to suggest that just because Mary Ann from Purchasing says "I used to be an Alpha Phi" that it means that everybody in the NPC/NIC feels like this? What is implied is "If Mary Ann said it then it must be like that all over" -- that's the perception that I get when I see it over and over again -- I can't speak for anyone else but myself.

That's a question I'd love to get an answer to, but as someone who's on both sides of the issue, I think I know why I'll never get a satisfactory answer. That's cool -- but I'm going to keep calling B.S. when I see it.

Oh, and as to why it's okay/not okay to ask someone to justify their choice: when you're asking that question of a minority person who decided to "go against the grain", what is unspoken is a suggestion that somehow you've deserted "your people" by making that choice. The level of condescension is subtle -- but it's there.

Just like you don't think people see your point, I really don't think you are seeing my point, which is ok. What is wrong with saying that someone joined XYZ organization coming in knowing that they were going to be a member for life and another person joins ABC organization thinking that it's only a group for the college years but after being a full member realizes that they want remain active post graduation? Why can't we as members of Greek organizations see something positive in another greek organization such as the involvement of their alumni and congratulate them. Just because I think another sorority might do something better than mine doesn't mean I think my sorority is bad. Instead of saying, "I know a sister over in Mississippi that has been an active member for 80 years..." What we all need to say is "this organization over here has an OVERALL greater percentage of active alum in their organization. Let's see what they are doing that we aren't so that we can make our organization better."