[Jill1228]

Editorial in the Tuscaloosa paper

UA sorority pledges black student, breaks racial barrier
August 19, 2003


Gamma Phi Beta’s bid to Carla Ferguson broke a historic barrier on Monday, as the traditionally white Greek system at the University of Alabama knowingly accepted an African American into membership. It wasn’t drama on the scale of Vivian Malone walking through the door of Fosters Auditorium or as heroic as Rosa Parks sitting on a Montgomery bus, but it was an important milestone.

The fraternities and sororities at UA no longer can be called racially segregated. That is not to say they are racially integrated in any real sense. There remains a clear distinction between the traditionally white Greek system and a system of traditionally black Greek organizations. While there have been white members of black sororities, and a multi-ethnic sorority was founded last year outside the mainstream, this is the first time someone identified as black has been accepted into a mainline white Greek organization.

The record books may carry an asterisk by Ferguson’s name because a woman of mixed racial background stepped forward last year to say she had been accepted by a white sorority. That student, Christine Houston, had not initially identified herself as black.

All the caveats and qualifications aside, Monday’s announcement was historic. Ferguson has shown poise and composure through a sorority recruitment process that is stressful even for those not in the media spotlight. She has politely declined to speak with reporters. She has not made it a public crusade for racial justice. She has, from all appearances, made every attempt to fit in with her sorority sisters in a manner that will help the next African American who wishes to follow in her footsteps.

The UA Panhellenic Association deserves credit for delivering on a promise to do more to break the color barrier. UA President Robert Witt agreed to end an experiment with holding Rush after the start of classes, a break from tradition made by his predecessor Andrew Sorensen in hopes of getting more black students to join the Rush process. UA administrators put themselves in a more vulnerable position, trusting the Greek leaders would voluntarily fix the problem. That trust was rewarded.

The Panhellenic Association’s houses, particularly the fraternities, have an opportunity to build on the goodwill they have demonstrated by recruiting a more diverse membership. African Americans and other minorities should not simply be permitted membership; they should be welcomed.

The benefit of diversity for the fraternities and sororities goes hand in hand with the benefits to the new members they bring aboard. Society today is increasingly diverse. The ability to engage socially with people of differing backgrounds is an essential skill for success.

As the state’s Capstone of education, the university has a mission to connect all students to opportunities it creates. Students may choose to join a mainline fraternity or sorority, or they may remain independent. The important point is that opportunities for such a choice exist for all students