Quote:
Originally posted by Ms. Jay:
GiggyZ, when I say "real" greek lettered organizations. I mean being known nationally, giving back with the community service you do for your organizations, and it being for life. As much as I loved Eboni Pearls and the other young women that were involved, I only keep close contact with one and we are not known nationally. Once we graduated, it was over. Sorry if I offended with my mean of a "real" greek lettered organization. It's only my opinion.
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Ms. Jay your words did not offend me at all and although we can disagree, you and any other responsible member of this forum has a right to share opinions. I now understand your definition of real Greek. I stand by my opinion that any organization with Greek letters is a real greek organization regardless of its geographical reach.
Having said that we must not confuse what I was talking about originally. I am referring to greek letter High School groups--NOT groups with names like Eboni Wonders, Sisters of Distinction, Southside Players, etc. These clubs have always existed and often do not have NPHC mentorship. Back in ancent times (i.e. the late 70's) when I was a high school student, we had a few of these groups that wore jackets, had little initiation rituals, etc. But they were not recongized by the high school nor were they linked to the vast NPHC BGLO network.
My query referred to organizations with names like Kappa Alpha Phi or Delta Alpha Sigma, etc. These organizations have taken greek letters, mimic what they beleive the black "Greek" experience to be, and sometimes have mentors/advisors who are members of NPHC organizations. I have stated and will state again that I do not understand how any NPHC member can serve as advisor to a group like this when their own organization had a nationally sanctioned youth group.
Many NPHC orgs have youth auxiliaries, for example Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., has three--Archonettes (high school girls), Amicettes (middle school girls) and Pearlettes (pre-school and elementary girls). In Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, these are the ONLY THREE sanctioned youth organizations that are a part of our sorority family. I don't care if a group is running around some hs campus with blue and white shirts, calling themselves Zetaettes, saying meow or whatever--THEY ARE NOT SANCTIONED BY ZETA AND ARE THEREFORE NOT TO ASSOCIATED WITH ZETA PHI BETA or our youth auxiliaries. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., has the Sigma Beta Club for boys. This is the PBS youth affiliate.
My understanding (and correct me if I am wrong) is that other NPHC organizations have youth groups that have the "blessing" of the national organization. Young women or men running around in crimson clothing or gold socks should not be confused with the teen groups that have NPHC ties.
NPHC youth groups must work closely with their sponsoring sorority or fraternity. They have the opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills by participating in conference and workshops at the local, area, state, regional and national levels.
I am not familiar with any group called Kappa Pearls. Perhaps someone can share that national organization with which they are affiliated. Or is this a group of young women who adopted colors of an NPHC sorority without any ties to that organization? I suspect that is the later.