Quote:
Originally posted by L.O.C.K.
OK, this is a really interesting topic...
First off, I am new here, but a little background on me, since I plan to be frequenting these forums. I am in Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc, founded in 1994 at Binghamton University. We are an Asian Interest Cultural Fraternity. Although it is Asian Interest, it is not Asian Exclusive. In fact, I myself am white. My "Big Sis" (used in Asian Greek Life as someone who is there for you, etc.) is an AKA.
Going back to the topic at hand before all of the bickering...
I think RACooper is trying to do the right thing, which is honorable. Right now in society, white culture is the dominate culture. It is everywhere, and regardless of race, people all know what it is. The simple truth is that if you are not white, you are much more likely to be aware of racial issues because it directly affects you.
In order to understand the foundation of multicultural greeks, I feel it is ESSENTIAL to understand the basis of their founding): namely, to unite people who share similar backgrounds/cultures in a society that is dominated by another culture.
Naturally, this causes a much stronger bond. When you are part of the majority, ignorance is bliss as they say. Why? because unless something affects you directly, it is human nature to not care as much about it.
Personally, I believe that in order to bridge this gap culturally, and also between Greeks, reaching out must occur. It is natural for some NPHCs to be defensive about this, of course, because of the numerous lawsuits.
The essential difference between multicultural greeks and traditionally "white" social Greeks, is that when you join a multicultural greek, it is for LIFE. This is not a four year fling in college. Obviously, you might get some people like that, but the network and brotherhood/sisterhood is so much tighter due to one simple fact: Numbers.
Being in an Asian Fraternity, no one knows anything about us, since we are relatively new (although Pi Alpha Phi was founded in 1926, roughly seventy years before Iota Phi Theta, the newest of the Divine Nine).
We are struggling to find ourselves right now. Personally, I feel we are much closer to the NPHC greeks in nature. Although we are young, we are gradually progressing, because there is always the fight for racial equality.
The reason I know so much is because I researched. Just like some people said on here earlier, the first step to breaking the barriers is knowledge. Learn. It's Ok to ask questions. That's how you get rid of ignorance. I've asked a LOT of questions in my day. Hell, I ask questions every day to my friends in NPHC and NALFO(National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations) about their orgs. No, I'm not asking about their secrets. What I am doing is spending time with them, because they are my friends, and learning about them.
One of the beauties of this country is that I can be different than someone, and love someone because they are different than me. Just because I may be white and my friends Asian, Black, Latino, South Asian, etc, etc, doesn't matter. Because I see that I can learn a lot from them, and they can learn a lot from me.
I know this is a LONG post, but this is something I feel very passionately about, and which is why I am President of our Multicultural Greek Council at The George Washington University.
We don't have an NPHC (even though we have APhiA, KAPsi, ZPhiB, AKA, and DST) because we all want to further our common goals together. In fact, I know some people in those aforementioned orgs that are against having an NPHC at GW because they feel it would divide people.
If people want to break the barriers, then they have to learn first. That is the ONLY way. I get odd looks all the time from white people, because my friend base is mostly non-white. When people come into the Greek Office, they always think I am in IFC, and I have to point them to someone else  (Which I get a kick out of, btw).
What it is going to take is humlity and the willingness to understand that not everyone has it as easy as you. Realize that your fellow Americans (jeez, I sound like a politician  ) are facing totally different issues than you could even imagine.
So, read Black Greek 101 (which I am reading now), go to Multicultural Greeks' events, ASK QUESTIONS, show interest, make friends in those organizations, and learn. And you will see that you'll learn a lot and in turn, become a stronger person.
If anyone is interested in talking more about this, please post here or PM me. Hahaha, this is my life's mission! OK, maybe one of my missions.
I just thought up a new quote... "Ignorance is for the weak of heart". Because it is.
Thanks! 
-Nate Hayward
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After this long post, I thought you would have typed something that no one else has typed.  You basically told him to "read a book and figure it out by talking to people" like almost everyone else in this thread. You certainly did not divulge any SPECIFIC info (founding date is pretty basic) on your organization in this thread, beyond the general belief that certain organizations are "for life."
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