Quote:
Originally posted by DoggyStyle82:
I assumed diversity meant either ethnic or racial. I was unaware that some white greeks still separate themselves by hair and eye color.
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Greeks, whether white, black, purple or striped, do not separate themselves based on hair and eye color. It's like you said all AKA's have light skin and if you didn't have light skin, you couldn't get in. A load of rubbish.
Diversity is what you make it to be - skin color, religion, upbringing, sexual preference, or country of origin.
For me, a Jewish member of a Christian-founded fraternity, diversity is more than skin color, although we show plenty of that, too. Below are selected comments on the UGA situation from an African-American member of an NPC fraternity:
Wow! I just couln't believe what I read. I am SO GLAD we're not like that. For those of you who are new to the list, I attend school in <removed> and as an African-American student, I can tell everyone that racism is very prominent not too far away cities from my university, but I never had any problem going to a fraternity event nor has my house had a problem from doing philanthropies, to socials, etc.
I did try to "rush" a historically African-American Sorority <snip> The girls were into hazing(they really didn't like me and why pay money to an organization that you're not valued as a member <snip> My African-American friends ask me what made me rush <removed> and I'll just tell them about my experience between the two. I am not joking when I say I just did not feel welcome and valued into the (African-American) organization and I lost $150 (I never regretted that decision[to leave]!!)
About 3 semesters later, I rushed <removed> and the experience is just a world's
difference!! NO HAZING for one, and everyone at my chapter was excited that I joined and was active. Yes, there is a considerable cost
difference, but the additional money that I spend is well worth it. I have always felt welcome at the house and that alone I can't place a price tag on it. I don't feel that our greek system has a problem with racism.
The image is misleading because the number of African-American students that attend are just a small percentage and when you consider the fact that National Pan-Hellenic sororities and fraternities are competiting
for the same people, Panhellenic and IFC do have a modest representation of members of other ethnic backgrounds.
A few things that I think is holding African-American students back from joining is the image of segregation, the cost, stereotypes(which fuels the image of segregation). I'm not promoting the putdown of other houses(I
know that everyone out there has heard such and such house are like that),
but when I hear my African-American friends talk about the greek system, they talk about how all they see is blond hair, blue eyes, size zero snobby girls that drive really expensive cars, different color but same
style shirt, black pants, same hair style....etc. etc... now <removed> is NOT
like that(I have sisters that don't own a car and work 2 jobs to pay for
membership and school),but we as an
entire system need to go out and make ourselves more known on campus and not just be known as the snobby rich folks in the big
houses on the west part of campus.
I went to school in the midwest during the early and mid-80's. My chapter pledged a number of non-white members during this time and a number of non-traditional women as well. The amount of diversity in our chapter then, and now, set a standard on our campus.
I'll say it again. The sister that left UGA because of her principles is to be commended and I hope the Alpha Gam Chapter is disciplined severely for this lapse in judgement and ethics.
Barbara