NPHC: Are they Hypocrites?

mojo · #1 09-23-2000, 01:26 PM

There is much ado about pledging, mip, skaters, who is respected and who is not.
My question is if this is such a big deal why do you have honorary members. Do they all do this. Just because someone is famous or is a multi-millionaire, that doesn't make the person better than others. Take Oprah. Rejected in college, but was called by that very org to be an honorary member, which she declined. I've heard that Jada Pinkett Smith also declined honorary membership. What's the deal? Is it that you want your org to look great by having famous members. That way you can claim them. I have only once seen a list of famous members with (honorary) beside the name (DST). Is it just being money grubbing. If we make this person a member they may donate cash. What is it?
---------------------------------------------
If you look to long the MOJO is gonna get ya!

daisymargarita · #2 09-23-2000, 02:27 PM

This reminds me of something that just happened during our recruitment process. One girl is friends with all the members of one sorority and they didn't even invite her back. She got a snap bid from them though, and she accepted it!!! I SO wouldn't have... she was really hurt when they didn't invite her back. If it had been me, I would have felt like they weren't real friends. And since I know a little bit of inside info about this sorority anyway, I know for a fact that they're not true friends.

SilverTurtle · #3 09-23-2000, 04:03 PM

I can't speak directly for NPCH orgs, as I'm not a part of any. However, my fraternity also has honorary members.

We are an arts fraternity, w/ a special focus on service. There are a few nationally renowned artists (music, theatre, visual arts, etc.) who embody our ideals and character. They are extended honorary membership as an honor and distinction.

Also, our fraternity has numerous alumni chapters. Some honorary members choose to affiliate through and alum chapter also.

I imagine that the African Americans (and/or others) that are honorary members of BGLOs have been given this as a distinction for their positive example and/or work in ______(fill in the blank w/ whatever).

------------------
SilverTurtle@greekchat.com

Phi Beta Fraternity
Phi chapter

12dn94dst · #4 09-23-2000, 04:53 PM

SilverTurtle, you hit the nail on the head. The reasons you stated are why SOME of the NPHC Organizations extend honorary memberships. Why did I say "some"? Because not all NPHC Organizations extend honorary memberships.

I think it's important to note that not all famous members are honorary: Spencer Christian (Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.), Star Jones (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.), Mother Love (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.), and Stuart Scott (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.) to name a few. So you see Mojo, we don't extend memberships to famous people just to say "Shirley Ceasar and Camille Cosby are Deltas." We can name drop without extending honorary memberships. We do it to say "You've made outstanding strides in your field. We would be honored if you would wear our letters." We MUST be doing SOMETHING right in our "regular" membership since these two ladies, and other honorary members within the NPHC, were so inclined to accept.

------------------
Kelli
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
12-Delta Nu-94
MAL, Southern Region
Savannah State University c/o 1997

ZetaAce · #5 09-23-2000, 05:09 PM

Well, I can't say anymore than 12dn94dst has said. Well done!

Just some points of clarification: Jada Pinkett Smith is a member of AKA. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

ZetaAce

#6 09-23-2000, 05:44 PM

How do members of organizations that do have honorary brothers/sisters feel about those individuals being able to wear letters, etc. without having actually gone through a membership process?

AKA2D '91 · #7 09-23-2000, 07:18 PM

Well said 12dn...

Zeta, you are correct...Jada is an AKA, she is honorary...

What is the difference between extending honorary membership to someone in a GLO as opposed to someone receiving an honorary degree for speaking at a college or university?

WHY is this still an issue for some? This topic has been beaten into the ground...do I smelllllllll haaaatttterrrrsssss? :eek

mojo · #8 09-24-2000, 02:04 AM

No sweetie, I don't think you smell haters but you may smell something bad. I know there are many rich and famous members of the Divine Nine as well as other GLO's. If this is the case and everything is great, then why hate on those who didn't pledge. What's the difference there? Oh, you don't have to pledge if your rich and famous, but if your broke we need to torture you to respect you. I haven't seen anything on honorary members before, so if it's been beaten to the ground in your mind, maybe your a guilty party and that's what you smell.

Hermana to answer your question, I guess it would be okay for them to wear the letters/colors although they didn't pledge. Why not, they're rich!
---------------------------------------------If you look to long the MOJO is gonna get ya!

Finer Woman10-A-91 · #9 09-24-2000, 02:40 AM

You know I almost understood where you were going with this topic Mojo. But then you ruined it with your last comment. You made a huge assumption(actually a generalization) about honorary membership across the board with NPHC organizations.

Since this is your thread...you started this topic, I want to invite you to find 3(a VERY small task) honorary members in all of the Divine 9 who are not rich...millionaires necessarily or particularly famous.

I have a sneeking suspicion that it was not your intention initially to come on Greekchat.com boards and just simply stir up drama by asking if NPHC are hypocrites. I think after you have found that information some of your own questions/doubts of perhaps your interests...or shall we call it fascination with BGLO will be put to rest.

I hope this note does not put you on the defense, it certainly was not my intention. In the meantime, should you decide not to take my challenge, I still wish you well. However, I sincerely hope that you will not continue to promote your misconception of honorary membership without at least first asking very directly the organizations you may be interested in...or curious about what their take on honorary membership means to them rather than simply attacking the subject without a real frame of reference.

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo:
No sweetie, I don't think you smell haters but you may smell something bad. I know there are many rich and famous members of the Divine Nine as well as other GLO's. If this is the case and everything is great, then why hate on those who didn't pledge. What's the difference there? Oh, you don't have to pledge if your rich and famous, but if your broke we need to torture you to respect you. I haven't seen anything on honorary members before, so if it's been beaten to the ground in your mind, maybe your a guilty party and that's what you smell.

Hermana to answer your question, I guess it would be okay for them to wear the letters/colors although they didn't pledge. Why not, they're rich!

------------------
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

mojo · #10 09-24-2000, 09:02 AM

No FinerWoman, I have not been put on the defense.

My question should have been more inquiry than attacking. Your tactfulness has opened my eyes to that and is much appreciated.

Why are they more accepted, in general, than those who went through MIP and would it be okay for them to wear nalia?

DirectorDST- I, nor anyone I know, have had a bad experience. Just curious. I only know of one org that doesn't make honorary members.

AKA2D '91 · #11 09-24-2000, 11:05 AM

WELL, MISS SWEETIE...

If you would do your complete RESEARCH on this board, you will find that indeed, this topic regarding honorary membership has been discussed here before! Click on Search....

So, no, it is not in my mind...IT IS A FACT! CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF...AND NO, I AM NOT GUILTY OF ANYTHING...MY CONSCIENCE IS VERY CLEAR!

PEACE OUT SWEETIE!

ManndingoNUPE · #12 09-24-2000, 02:17 PM

Interesting topic, but I just wanted to add that not all Divine 9ers extend honorary membership. (Not knocking those who do) but Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, has not,does not, never will extend honorary membership to anyone.

It is however a great honor to be a Kappa, so in that sense, we are all honorary members.

Peace and Luv

MN

P.S. The answer to your question MOJO is no, we are not hypocrites. We are intelligent people who sometimes have different veiws on various topics. Just as you do, I am quite sure.

[This message has been edited by ManndingoNUPE (edited September 24, 2000).]

Finer Woman10-A-91 · #13 09-24-2000, 09:44 PM

My bad...I did know Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated does not extend honorary membership. Quite frankly, I like your organization's stance on the issue of honorary membership. Honorary members are entitled to different rites and privileges respective of the organization they are members of...wearing their letters is one of them.

Quote:

Originally posted by ManndingoNUPE:
Interesting topic, but I just wanted to add that not all Divine 9ers extend honorary membership. (Not knocking those who do) but Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, has not,does not, never will extend honorary membership to anyone.

It is however a great honor to be a Kappa, so in that sense, we are all honorary members.

Peace and Luv

MN

P.S. The answer to your question MOJO is no, we are not hypocrites. We are intelligent people who sometimes have different veiws on various topics. Just as you do, I am quite sure.

[This message has been edited by ManndingoNUPE (edited September 24, 2000).]

------------------
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

mccoyred · #14 09-25-2000, 01:45 PM

Mojo, I am not sure where you received your info but Delta does not make honorary members for financial reasons. Honorary members are nominated because they pledged LIFE. We don't tell them to pay $25,000 and here are your letters.

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo:
Just because someone is famous or is a multi-millionaire, that doesn't make the person better than others. Take Oprah. Rejected in college, but was called by that very org to be an honorary member, which she declined. I've heard that Jada Pinkett Smith also declined honorary membership. What's the deal? Is it that you want your org to look great by having famous members. That way you can claim them. I have only once seen a list of famous members with (honorary) beside the name (DST). Is it just being money grubbing. If we make this person a member they may donate cash. What is it? [/B]

prettypoodle6 · #15 09-25-2000, 02:52 PM

Why do we have honorary members?

For the most part, to join an NPHC org you must have a bachelors degree or be enrolled at an accredited 4 year university.

But there are men and women (famous and not) that have done EXCEPTIONAL work for the community, but do not have degrees. And for that reason, some of us have implemented an honorary membership category. (same with honorary degrees) It has nothing to do with money.

Just because they are famous does not mean they did not come in through the "normal" chanels . And just because they are honorary does not mean that they are famous!