Cultural "Greeks"

[Randall]

I don't mean to start a flame war, but I've viewed some of the threads here, and I wanted to bring up a sentiment felt very strongly at my campus, and probably on others as well.

I've noticed some of the members on this forum belong to "cultural" organizations. There are several of those here, and after talking with several other greeks, I have to ask the question: Are these organizations really necessary?

These orgs only promote segregation. Why must one only limit themselves to one race or culture? This only creates tension between greek orgs that cater to different races, i.e a Hispanic org getting into it with an Asian org.

Sure, membership is not relegated to people of the race/culture in question, but why should an org's premise only cater to promoting their race/culture? Why not try to work within every aspect of the community?

And with "multicultural" orgs, how exactly does one "promote" multiculturalism? Does that mean that IFC/Panhellenic orgs, that no longer limit their membership by race, do NOT promote multiculturalism?

Another point: most of these organizations were created in the 80s-90s, long after the IFC and Panhellenic greeks had already desegregated. Has there every really been a need for them in this day and age?

Two exceptions though. The Divine Nine were created during a time when IFC and PHC greeks WERE segregated, so that would be considered an exception to the theory.

And, in areas like the South, where there still is high racial sentiment, MAYBE cultural orgs would be ok, but I'm sure many of the IFC and PHC greeks there have members of various races as well.

The fight between Pi Alpha Phi and Lambda Phi Epsilon further shows the gang mentality that many of these orgs have, a bad influence in the greek community and the community in general.

These are all views that I've heard from other greeks. So I ask again. are they really necessary?

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by Randall

These are all views that I've heard from other greeks. So I ask again. are they really necessary?

Do you realllly think with all racial tension that we have in this world that everyone will join organizations that promotes BROTHERHOOD and SISTERHOOD together?

[Randall]

If that's the way everyone thought, then IFC and PHC orgs would have only white members, but it wouldn't be their fault. Why don't people of other races try to break the barrier and try to promote Brotherhod and Sisterhood within the IFC and PHC, and relieve some of that "racial tension"?

[FuzzieAlum]

No matter what your intent is, don't expect responses to stay polite. How would you like it if I asked why your organization was necessary? After all there are so many other fraternities, why do we need yours?

I think the very fact that these organizations exist is proof that someone felt they were needed - it takes a lot of hard work to establish a new organization, especially in the face of negative attitudes. They don't have to justify their existence to you or to me or anyone else.

[Opie25]

I couldn't disagree with you more, Randall. I believe that cultural based organizations (and fraternities and sororities) give individuals the opportunity to connect with people with similar interests, backgrounds, plans, and idealogies (much like any other fraternity or student group).

You go where you feel most comofortable, and let's face it people sometimes our (NIC, NPC) organizations are NOT comfortable to everyone and can be very restrictive in focus and show a lack appreciation of diversity. (generalization)

Not to mention that culturally based organizations (much like ours should) take to heart the idea of service to society, and mentoring and education and yes even uplift of their own ethnic or cultural backgrounds....and what's wrong with that?

I don't think that they suffer from or have anytype of "gang mentality" because let's face it there could be several (although basic) similarities drawn between gangs and ALL fraternities. (inititation, nicknames, letters, symbols, colors, territory)

And as far as multicultural organizations it "promotes" multiculturalism as one of their aims, standards, or goals, much like my organizations prmotes "freindship, scholarship, and moral rectitude." There aren't many (or any that I'm aware of) NIC or NPC organzations that specifically state one of their founding purposes or ideals as "multicultural"

Thanks for listening.

[starang21]

are you kidding me? of course they're needed. the "regular" frats probably don't offer what people in the "cultural" frats do. on that note, do we need the "regular" frats? the asian frats do their thing (good stuff for the community, helping people out), how is this fight different from a brawl between the pikes and sig eps or a fight between the ques and the alphas? it's not, and there isn't a gang mentality there. if you don't like them promoting their culture and their race, don't mess with them. i'm pretty sure they could care less about you anyway. they're necessary for those people who want to go greek and want to promote their culture. i'm pretty damn sure the "regular' frats are sure as hell not going to promote asian culture for their few asian members. and while many of the organizations talk about being desegreted or whatever, they're still predominantly WHITE.

[starang21]

Originally posted by Randall
If that's the way everyone thought, then IFC and PHC orgs would have only white members, but it wouldn't be their fault. Why don't people of other races try to break the barrier and try to promote Brotherhod and Sisterhood within the IFC and PHC, and relieve some of that "racial tension"?

becuase they don't like those organizations. it's not rocket science. when i was a freshman, i got jocked by one of those IFC organizations, i didn't do it becuase i didn't like them like that. if people don't want IFC or PHC, then let them be.

[33girl]

Originally posted by starang21
i'm pretty damn sure the "regular' frats are sure as hell not going to promote asian culture for their few asian members.

And why WOULD they promote it? That's not why they were created. We had a Japanese member (as in from Japan) and while she introduced us hicks to some aspects of her culture, she didn't want to talk about it all day. If I was an Asian who joined a "regular" group and they decided they had to have a program on Asian culture because of me, I would be pretty offended.

[starang21]

Originally posted by 33girl


And why WOULD they promote it? That's not why they were created. We had a Japanese member (as in from Japan) and while she introduced us hicks to some aspects of her culture, she didn't want to talk about it all day. If I was an Asian who joined a "regular" group and they decided they had to have a program on Asian culture because of me, I would be pretty offended.

EXACTLY!!!!! that's why those asian orgs. are needed, to promote and have that kind of stuff for the asian culture. that's the purpose for why those orgs. are created.

[White_Chocolate]

Wow, this is pretty heavy. . .and hopefully, people answering these threads are in cultural organizations. And remember, there are multicultural ones.

Cultural organizations came about because people want to go Greek but not lose their identity. When people get shoveled into an IFC or PHC, they get seen as being a part of a predominantly white organization with a few colors sprayed here and there. Their point of view gets muffled. I would know since I am the only black in my sorority. . .the second one in almost 18 years for my chapter. I can speak from MY POINT of view and say that

yes, there is sisterhood but they don't understand my view of a situation. like when i didn't want to participate in a SERVICE AUCTION(you just don't ask a black person to sell themselves especially when there's nothing but white guys in the audience). . .that kind of looks 1800s. so, when i said no, everyone was wondering why. it wasn't until i related it to slavery that girls understood and called the whole thing off. or the time when someone was decorating a door and they put white actresses up for everyone including me. . .and then, when i pointed it out to them that i wasn't white. . .they laughed and said 'we don't look at you like that'. . .i was confused. what do they see me as?

thus, someone else probably had that same experience. they went through rush, talked to a couple of people who made jokes about chinese food or fried chicken or illegal immigrants and they may have laughed on the outside. . .but on the inside, they probably thought, 'is this how you see me?' and a cultural organization was born.

[starang21]

Originally posted by White_Chocolate

thus, someone else probably had that same experience. they went through rush, talked to a couple of people who made jokes about chinese food or fried chicken or illegal immigrants and they may have laughed on the outside. . .but on the inside, they probably thought, 'is this how you see me?' and a cultural organization was born.

that's happened to me before, but i didn't just laugh and play it off. i set them straight at that moment.

[White_Chocolate]

i love the cultural ogranizations
every time i go to chicago, i pass on my own sorority to hang out with the cultural organizations
i came from texas where culture is everywhere
so any time i'm near it, i submerge

[MysticCat]

Originally posted by Randall (in part)
And, in areas like the South, where there still is high racial sentiment, MAYBE cultural orgs would be ok, but I'm sure many of the IFC and PHC greeks there have members of various races as well.

Sheesh! Well, yes, many NIC and NPC groups here in the backward South do have members of various races. In some cases, I would wager that they have more such members than similar groups in more "enlightened" parts of the country. Talk about geographical bias.

And for the record: Of course I am not in any way denying the history of racial discrimination and segregation throughout the South. We know it has been a deeply imbedded part of culture here for centuries. But in many cases (not all, of course), that knowledge has spurred Southerners to be more aware of racial problems and to work harder to eradicate them than some people in other parts of the country who prefer to think that the South is the epicenter of racial prejudice.

[White_Chocolate]

so true, so true
but there's is more snobbish distrust

[Pi Kapp 142]

I agree that there is a need for cultural organizations. Unforntunately, it sometimes hurts my NIC organization, because it is a lot harder to get people from different backgrounds. Having people with different life experiences is a huge reason I joined and right now my chapter is not as diverse as I would like. Also, from a operations standpoint having people with many different views and experiences is an asset that is missing if you have a lot of people from the same background.