BGLO and GLO

[PM_Mama00]

I dont understand why there needs to be black fraternities and sororities. I am in NO WAY prejudice. I have black friends who are in a fraternity. They chose to join a regular GLO over the black ones. With all the complaints about being equal, doesn't having your own greek organization separate u even more on a college campus? BGLOs on my campus are never around. They don't participate in Greek Week, dont party wiht us. Until recently I didn't even know there were black fraternities and sororities on campus. I am not PREJUDICE. I just want to make that clear. I'm just asking a simple question....why segregate urselves even more that u say u are?

DISCLAIMER: Please note the date I posted this thread and my join date. I was a naive, uneducated about Greek Life GCer at the time. I can honestly say that GC has taught me SOMETHING.

[HeidiHo]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00:
They don't participate in Greek Week, dont party wiht us. ?

BGLO members could easily say that WGLOs don't do step shows with them or party with them. I understand the point you're making, but I've decided that some things just are the way they are. I am intersted to hear other responses though.
Heidi

[33girl]

PM_Mama -

I do understand the question you're asking but I also know until you walk a mile in someone's shoes, you have no idea how they fit.

If BGLO's didn't still serve a purpose, they would cease to be. Same with Greeks in general. There was already a sorority on campus when Phi Mu was founded - why did your founders feel the need for another one? (I think you can see where I'm going)

As long as we can all support each other as Greeks working towards betterment of the member, campus, and community, that's what counts.

[mccoyred]

There have been discussion ad nauseum addressing the very same question. Please read the old threads with comments from GLO members, BGLO members and GDIs.

If after reading some of them, you have a question that was not answered, feel free to bring it to the group. Since there are several threads on this topic, I can't imagine that any question pertaining to this topic HAS NOT been answered.

You can type in 'BGLO' and all the threads should come up. Try searching both Greek Life and Risk Management forums.

Happy Hunting!!

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[BlueandBlue]

Hey...no real comment but I just wanted to remind you guys that a lot of people find the term "WGLO" somewhat offensive.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by alpha1906:
Why don't we invert your theory? Why not eliminate white GLOs? Then you could participate in BGLOs and we wouldn't have two different systems. That seems like a fine solution.

Lawrence Ross

That sounds a little racist. I wasn't saying to eliminate BGLOs. There are many blacks who join GLOs, but whites are not allowed in BGLOs. So, I wouldnt be able to participate in your organization. Do you understand MY theory now? If u eliminated so-called WGLOs, then there wouldnt be any fraternity or sorority for all types of races to join. Besides, I take offense for you calling it a WGLO, but it is definately NOT just for whites. On my campus, black girls who try to join sororities get harassed by the BGLOs. Now that's racism isnt it?

[Nubian]

Do your research before you post misinformation. BGLO's do not discriminate against any race. Why would a group that has fought discrimination throughout its existence practice it?

Honestly, BGLO's, and GLO's still serve a purpose whether it be social, or service oriented, don't turn something so obvious into a race debate.

Tamika

[This message has been edited by Nubian (edited June 29, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nubian (edited June 29, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nubian (edited June 29, 2001).]

[RUgreek]

Oh Sh*t,

I don't like the way this thread is heading. Didn't we tackle this topic months ago?

[Ideal08]

I don't understand why there needs to be GLO's. Just because they were first? So, basically, because GLO's existed first, no sense in our starting our own, because the GLO's already have it on lock?

Understand that at the times our orgs were founded, BLACKS WERE NOT PERMITTED TO JOIN GLO'S. Secondly, at the time our orgs were founded, they served the purpose to improve the status of Black Americans. They weren't started to segregate us more, as you have stated. Things were already segregated (and not by us, I must add). As the saying goes, Necessity is the mother of invention. BGLO's were created out of NECESSITY.

Do you invite the BGLO's on your campus to party with you? On my campus, BGLO's DID participate in GreekWeek. And they DID party with the GLO's.

There needs to be BGLO's, just like there needs to be a Black Miss America pageant, just like there needs to be Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU's), etc. We have to provide for OURSELVES what America has not provided for us. Plain and simple.

Also, understand that being equal DOES NOT MEAN having and doing the exact same things that white people do. Being equal is all about opportunity. EVERYONE should have an equal opportunity in education, the work force, etc. HOWEVER, I don't have to choose what you have to be equal. What you have may not be what I want or need. The fact that I have CHOICES is equality. What I CHOOSE is my business.

Does that help?

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Nubian:
Do your research before you post misinformation. BGLO's do not discriminate against any race. Why would a group that has fought discrimination throughout its existence practice it?

Furthermore, although I am not greek, I'm pretty sure the reason you never see BGLO's at your "parties" is because they are out doing some service to their respective communities. Could that be why you never see them? Honestly, BGLO's, and GLO's still serve a purpose whether it be social, or service oriented, don't turn something so obvious into a race debate.

Realistically, we're not always doing service 24/7. Especially during party hours. Don't get me wrong, we do PLENTY of service, but keeping it real, we party, too!

And WHAT IS SO WRONG with having race debates/discussions????? PM_Mama00 didn't turn it into a race debate! This is clearly a racial issue. We have PREDOMINATELY white orgs and we have PREDOMINATELY Black orgs. THERE IS A REASON FOR IT, IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE.

Why can't we be adults and discuss this??? Why does it always get out of hand, and no one wants to talk about it anymore? Why will these questions KEEP resurfacing until we can have a civil discussion about them without people getting their panties or boxer/briefs in a bunch? I am in no way saying let's start spewing out malicious racial stuff, I'm just saying, can we at least talk about it, dang. And I understand that people might get offended by some stuff, but ok, they will get over it. And that includes me. I'm sure something will get said in this thread that will tick me off. That doesn't mean I'm not woman enough to handle it and move on. That's all I'm saying.

So can we talk about this, or what? I'm interested in hearing (the truth) why people think that BGLO's don't need to exist.

If someone offends you, please, cool off FIRST then either post your FEELINGS or email the person privately. I have faith that we can handle this maturely.

I just don't get it. I have white friends that are near and dear to my heart (and I don't mean associates either, I mean I would die for them, and I know they would do the same for me) and we talk about race stuff all the time. We talk about stereotypes, everything. Why can't we do that here?

I know I'm rambling, but it's Friday, and I really don't want to work!

[Kimmie1913]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00:

That sounds a little racist. I wasn't saying to eliminate BGLOs. There are many blacks who join GLOs, but whites are not allowed in BGLOs. So, I wouldnt be able to participate in your organization. Do you understand MY theory now? If u eliminated so-called WGLOs, then there wouldnt be any fraternity or sorority for all types of races to join. Besides, I take offense for you calling it a WGLO, but it is definately NOT just for whites. On my campus, black girls who try to join sororities get harassed by the BGLOs. Now that's racism isnt it?

I am not sure where you go that information from but it is entirely FALSE>

BGLO's DO NOT discriminate on the basis of race. I have met members of all 9 BGL organizations who represent all races. I have Black, White, Asian and Latina Sorors in Delta Sigma Theta. Please do your homework before spreading misconceptions.

Now your experience may be tha you hav eonly encountered chapters that were 100% Black but that does not represnt the entire organization. Just as I have encountered many GLO's that were 100% White.

There are a number of threads on GC regarding this issue. A search may be helpful and help to dispell some of he misinformation you have seemingly received. Although I do not remeber the link, I remeber a thread that connected to an article about ALpha Kappa ALpha that specifically addressed the multicultural nature of the mebership. While all 9 orgs are predominately Black organizations, we are not 100% for a reason.




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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Baltimore Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter
#3 of ER 30
Spring 1999

"No finer girls will you ever see, and I'm so glad I pledged- for what?
For DST!"

[LeslieAGD]

First of all, PM_Mama is only asking why the segregation takes place, she is not suggesting that any organization should be abolished or trying to start a racial war. So everyone breathe and count to ten before getting in a tiffy.

As Nubian said, albeit a little harshly, HBGLOs do not descriminate on the basis of race, however in my experience few non-African Americans join HBGLOs. PM_Mama, I am Hispanic yet I joined a HWGLO, but someone people are more comfortable with others who may share their lifestyles and experiences. This is part of why Black, Hispanics, Asians, etc. have separate GLOs. Another reason may be that HWGLOs are more socially based, while "historically race specific GLOs" are more service based.

On my campus, the social GLOs and the BGLOs are very segregated...with the exception of a very rare co-sponsored event. I believe that if the organizations supported each other, it would be a lot better for the Greek Community in general but I think both systems think the other should make the first attempt. In reality, how hard is it to say "you know, it'd be really cool if you came to our fundraiser/stepshow/party/social/etc."? But, that's only my opinion!

[LeslieAGD]

Just a side note, maybe "social GLO" would be a more PC and less offensive term than "white GLO."

[SilverTurtle]

In the spirit of discussing this maturely (as was suggested), here's some perspective from a white female member/alumna of a co-ed fraternity (PFA conference) that had a variety of ethnic groups in her undergrad chapter:

As was previously stated: BGLOs originated because it wasn't like African Americans could just go out and join any GLO they were interested in. Creating equality has been a long journey (and I'm not going to be naive enough to say that everyone is 100% equal in this country, either, although that's what we're striving for). Here are some reasons that "we" shouldn't eliminate BGLO's (or Latino/a, Hispanic, Asian, etc.):

• There's some important history in the founding of BGLOs. It was a big deal for blacks to attend college (albeit at black-only schools), much less start organizations that have grown to such proportions.
• Some people are very interested in the betterment of specific groups, whether it's African Americans, women, Asian Americans, etc. These specific groups allow individuals to be in an evironment that supports that particular endeavor.
• Comfort. People naturally feel at ease with what is familiar to them. My campus was about 94% white my freshman year. There were many black students who had come from predominately black areas of the country. It seems natural to me that they would seek out organizations that they can be comfortable & feel at home in. (Just an example)
• While I believe all people are equal, there are different shared experiences between any group. It can be race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. It kind of goes with what I said in the previous reason, but people want to have something in common with their future brothers/sisters.

Also, look at it this way: I belong to a fine arts fraternity. We were founded in 1912 as a women's fraternity. Now, by 1912 there were already some women's fraternities/sororities that included various fine arts in their purpose (specifically music). So why go to the trouble of creating a whole new organization? Why not just affiliate with one already established? We were founded to unite music and speech. We quickly altered that to incorporate all of the creative and performing arts. The point being: our Founders saw a need & took the opportunity to do something groundbreaking. I respect all of those organizations that came before us, as well as those that have come after. What it really comes down to is that we all have to find that organization that "feels like home" to us. And for those that don't find it, they either don't affiliate with a GLO or they start a new one.

Just some thoughts

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SilverTurtle

Phi Beta Fraternity: National Professional Association for the Creative & Performing Arts

[This message has been edited by SilverTurtle (edited June 29, 2001).]

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by Ideal08:
Why can't we be adults and discuss this??? Why does it always get out of hand, and no one wants to talk about it anymore? Why will these questions KEEP resurfacing until we can have a civil discussion about them without people getting their panties or boxer/briefs in a bunch? I am in no way saying let's start spewing out malicious racial stuff, I'm just saying, can we at least talk about it, dang. And I understand that people might get offended by some stuff, but ok, they will get over it. And that includes me. I'm sure something will get said in this thread that will tick me off. That doesn't mean I'm not woman enough to handle it and move on. That's all I'm saying.

I have faith that we can handle this maturely.

I just don't get it. I have white friends that are near and dear to my heart (and I don't mean associates either, I mean I would die for them, and I know they would do the same for me) and we talk about race stuff all the time. We talk about stereotypes, everything. Why can't we do that here?

Soror Ideal08:
You've obviously picked very mature and enlightened people as your friends. It's good to hear that you can discuss race issues with them. Not everybody is there yet. We have had roughly 40 years of civil rights in theory, but 40 years of civil rights can't automatically reverse insanity dating back to the 1600s.
Race issues, differences should be discussed. We have to learn.