much respect...
i am just curious about something.
on page two in the post made by AKA_Monet
you asked the following questions of Mr. Trevor Charles, Executive Director of Delta Phi Upsilon, Inc.
Quote:
How is an ivy symbolic with the Black gay/lesbian community?
How is an sheild with a dove, globe, clasped hands, book, torch symbolic of the Black gay/lesbian community?
How is a motto, "Service to OUR Kind", reflective about your community?
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i may be wrong but in asking him to justify or devulge the meanings of the symbols, motto, and sheild that he holds dearly and is sacred to his fraternity. would this be much like myself inquiring about your esteemed sororities "business" as well? wouldn't that be very disrespectful on my part or in fact anyone's part?
i understand your concern. and i think that from reading Mr. Charles' very respectful, intelligent, and highly articulate posts that he had concerns as well...thus he approached your national headquarters on the same issues that have now been debated on this forum.
it is unfortunate but the fact remains that the welcoming of gay/lesbian/bisexual people into the divine nine has not been one of brother/sisterhood but one of disdain and bitterness. in many posts located all over this forum and included in this thread there are thinly veiled threats, derogatory names being called, and many homophobic & paranoid complaints about gays/lesbians/bisexuals alike. therefore ladies and gentlemen have taken it upon themselves to serve their communities. it is only natural. but that does not mean that there can not be some sort of camraderie amongst BGLOS, G/L/BiBGLOs, and GLOS and others.
i understand, although not a member of a greek organization, that the meanings of each symbol, motto, sheild, call, acronym, hand symbol etc. etc. mean the world to each of you...and it should. but you must also understand that their "business" means the world to them too...and just like yours...it is private and personal.
as none of you would appreciate an "ousider" being inquisitive to the point of demanding that you justify the "meanings" of your sacred items so too should you also respect that boundary for others. and as many of you would say and have said numerous times on various forums, "Membership has its Privileges"
I think it would also be interesting to note that there are 9 organizations under the NPHC umbrella. Each of these organizations are different, yet bound to serving the black community. But if there was only one organization that was handling the needs of the entire black community then the others would not have been founded. But this does not stop each organization from trying to be united with the other members of the Divine Nine to heal the ills of the entire black community. each organization thus lends a hand where they can be most useful. and Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. and other gay/lesbian/bi BGLO's are doing the same thing....uplifting a part of the black community that other organizations have not served in the past.
i am sure that i will get blasted by this...i will get the replies that "i don't know what i'm talking about"..."shut up you're not greek"..."you must be gay thats why you're defending him"...and on and on.
but i hope that while you are making these remarks filled with anger, bias, and phobia that you think about how different his posts were...versus how many of your posts were. it would be helpful to talk to one another...and not spit so much hate at one another...
just some thoughts
peace
[This message has been edited by lastpoetnsite (edited March 30, 2001).]