|
thanks everyone for their commenting to help bring to light on this issue.
but once again, my main concern is: are the multicultural organizations fulfilling the purpose that is argues for?
For example, one asian-interest sorority states the following mission:
Our mission is to provide sisterhood among women, scholarship, leadership and Asian awareness in the University and community.
Based solely on my campus and the fact that I know many women within this chapter, I am still quite confused as to where the awareness comes about. Yes, greek life is supposed to help unite people and give them a place they can call a second home. However, it should also provide something beyond sisterhood and brotherhood - that is to help each other raise awareness for their chapter's cause as well as support each other not just emotionally, but give each other opportunities for leadership and scholarship.
I do understand that many MGLCs have historically been created because they could not find a place for themselves within the NPC and IFC. However, isn't the problem with America is that there is too much segregation and not enough unification? I think that for MGLCs to promote their missions, NPC, IFC, etc need to work with them as partners in created awareness for a need to diversify Greek Life.
Back to my confusion, what is the purpose of MGLC? I just hope that the formal mission statement is something that is achieved and not just words written on a website or in a book. It is easier to say something that it is to actually do it.
Based upon my campus, it truly bothers me that the depiction of Asian-American women are women who constantly are drinking, partying, and showing very little effort in their supposed philanthropies and causes. What upsets me the most personally is the hazing I hear from my friends within these chapters, who remain in the chapter for fear of alienation from their peers, and deal with the hazing because they want to have the letters associated with the organization - not because it strives to show others the ambition, scholarship, and leadership of Asian American women everywhere - but because its "cool."
As college organizations, we need to work harder to diversify Greek life. Bring multicultural orgs and historically "white" chapters together, and have them work to provide better awareness of such issues onto their own campus.
I am very interested to what goes on with regards to what goes on across the country. I just hope that ALL Greeks can get a better reputation for themselves on their campus and across the country.
|