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I've followed this thread with interest. I'm a member of Omega Psi Phi. I pledged 24 years ago as junior in college. I'm active in my graduate chapter as an office holder and member of several committees.
Although certain stereotypes have been dispelled, there is more than a grain of truth in them. NPHC-member groups for the most part are organized differently than NPC and NIC groups. Graduate chapters are fully functional like undergraduate chapters are, and if a person is active they can serve a very important part of one's life. (I'm generally at committee meetings two to three times a week, and socialize with my brothers and DST sorors. It's like a family.) Also, NPHC organizations tend to be more involved in DOING outreach projects, rather than just philanthropy. There are chapters of my Fraternity that run day care center and get faith-based govt. grant to do mentoring and a host of other things. And there seems,to me, to be a more organic relationship between the NPHC organizations and society in terms of how we view religion and the role it plays in our lives and a host of other things.
Yes, people should join whatever organization they choose;but I'm big booster for NPHC-member groups for the things they do.
An aside:Last Sat. we had a visitation for a brother who is in a nursing home. This is one of our programs. After that event, I went to take another older brother to the doctor,and later another chapter brother joined us. The caucasian doctor was mystified when he told her that we his Fraternity brothers. her response was:"Aren't you too old to be in a fraternity?," speaking to a 70-something man with his 40- and 30-something brothers. I do think, this is how many people see NIC and NPC groups.
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