African American going through recruitment at Alabama?

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Please see Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, page 1226, second column, 4th from bottom:

thru var of THROUGH

So what's your excuse for the dangling modifier? LOL

[Yoquierotacobel]

Originally Posted by Oneperson

So YOU, OP, are not African American? I'm sorry, I had the impression that you were because of what you were asking. I apologize.
I am amused by you "not aiming at a particular house." PNMs have the mistaken assumption that they're going to "go for" a particular house/sorority. In formal recruitment, PNMs have less control than they think. But you could be one of those rare PNMs that everyone wants.


I assure you my opinion and info are current as of the 2011 formal recruitment.

It would have to be for the reason you mentioned in the second sentence. But it will probably be an icy day in hell for the top groups will do it. In my crystal ball, it will be one of the smaller groups that does it...like last time. Then another one, but not 10 or 15 years later, a lot quicker. Then another one. Eventually the "old row" sororities will join...after some of the top fraternities begin admitting AAs.

Sorry for the confusion. I am indeed African American and my sister is an active member of one of the "Old Row" sororities, just at a different school, not Alabama. Sorry for the mix up.

[Yoquierotacobel]

Originally Posted by HQWest

OP- I was there when the first AA girl pledged at a chapter i advised - that was 15 years ago. She had friends in the chapter from her high school, and she was welcomed with open arms. She was a great sister too.

Alabama is a tough nut to crack - because there are so many ladies going through. The "top tier" already has a list of favorites and legacies that they have known about since they started high school, and usually they have to work to cut that list down. UAB, Auburn, USM, Ole Miss all have AA members - but there just arent very many AA women that go through at The big "Old South" schools.

A lot of girls will get cut, its not because they dont like you. Its probably they dont know you.

See, this is where I feel a little behind. I'm not from Alabama, let alone Tuscaloosa, so I have no connections. When I was set on UT, I also thought about how much connections down there matter. Most of the girls have been friends with each other since highschool(even elementary or middle). But that would just mean I have to work a little harder. Which is fine!

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

So what's your excuse for the dangling modifier? LOL

And from Random House:

Constructions that may technically be classified as dangling participles have, however, long been a feature of standard literary English and are today commonplace in speech and edited writing: Looking to the west, a deep river valley can be seen in the distance.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Please see Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, page 1226, second column, 4th from bottom:

thru var of THROUGH

A dictionary is not a style manual or a grammar text. You will find the word "ain't" in there, but that doesn't mean using it is correct. If something is commonplace it can still be wrong. Artistic license means writers of literature will often play fast and loose with strict grammatical rules; I tell my students authors can do that because they have poetic license, while my college freshmen have only learners' permits.

In my experience, it is better to acknowledge having made a mistake (even Homer nods) and move on rather than getting into dueling grammatical/spelling mistakes.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Just so it can't be said that I skulked off in the night, I strongly disagree with this. First of all, I was not judgmental and rude. OP's original post was rather "loose" in language and information - loose enough to wonder if she had the required GPA and recs. Since sororities troll GreekChat to check out PNMs, any post one places here should be carefully considered. You can be outed in a few clicks of a mouse. Many people have been! If you don't want to be "outed", don't post it here. Many people here have figured out who I am. That's fine. And it needs to be fine with PNMs who post here also as it's going to happen to them.

Second, having a "black" in a sorority would not "sully" them in my opinion. I advise now on a campus that has had many - and in my group as well - and they've all been welcomed with open arms. You won't find anyone there saying otherwise. And we're just down the road from Tuscaloosa. Besides, if you knew me, you would know where I personally stand on this issue and the racist side is definitely not it!

1. Regarding outing herself: Sure any posted can be outed here on GC. Is it significant considering the fact that she'd likely be the only African American PNM (or one of the only ones) in recruitment? If she participates, she will be discussed. Were this not the case, this thread wouldn't have gone where it did. Moreover, even if she was your run of the mill white PNM, she hasn't posted anything objectionable.

2. Regarding the bold text, I'm now waiting for you to tell us about how many African American friends you have.

Originally Posted by Titchou

As my father said to me many times, I only know what you say, not what you mean to say.

Pardon? I don't know that I'd have said that to defend myself, given what you've posted. What you actually said (especially in consideration of you being an Alabama alum) was pretty foul.

Originally Posted by Titchou

Please see Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, page 1226, second column, 4th from bottom:

thru var of THROUGH

Irregardless is in the dictionary, too. That doesn't mean it's preferred usage.

You don't want to do battle regarding grammar, diction, and style with me, but I'm glad you have a dictionary, even if it is almost 20 years out of date. Here's some of the words that have been added to the 11th ed: def and phat. Let's make sure the OP knows those words are acceptable and their usage would not indicate that she had poor grades.

Originally Posted by Titchou

And I meant to be judgmental - we all are here. Being truthful by calling attention to what she said is not being rude - unless, of course, what she said was rude to begin with.

Keep digging. I'd be embarrassed, too.

[AnchorAlumna]

"Irregardless"?
Tsk. Tsk.

[AnchorAlumna]

Does this thread now qualify as a train wreck?

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Does this thread now qualify as a train wreck?

I think so.

[mom3boys]

I knew no one would let that usage error get a pass. Here are the usage notes, if anyone is interested:

Usage note
Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by Titchou

And from Random House:

Constructions that may technically be classified as dangling participles have, however, long been a feature of standard literary English and are today commonplace in speech and edited writing: Looking to the west, a deep river valley can be seen in the distance.

If you're going to use a quote from Random House to defend your dangling participle you might want to use the entire quote. You conveniently left out the following:

Most usage guides warn against the dangling participle and usually suggest revising any sentence that has one.

[fascination]

Back to the original poster, I wish you the best of success wherever you choose to attend college. I hope you will post a recruitment story and let us know how things turn out for you. You've been respectful to your elders who've posted responses, and you've behaved like a lady.

[Yoquierotacobel]

Originally Posted by fascination

Back to the original poster, I wish you the best of success wherever you choose to attend college. I hope you will post a recruitment story and let us know how things turn out for you. You've been respectful to your elders who've posted responses, and you've behaved like a lady.

Thank you.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

If you're going to use a quote from Random House to defend your dangling participle you might want to use the entire quote. You conveniently left out the following:

Most usage guides warn against the dangling participle and usually suggest revising any sentence that has one.

Which means you can use it but they prefer you didn't.....the "usually" giving one the "out."

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Which means you can use it but they prefer you didn't.....the "usually" giving one the "out."

No - it means that the majority of the guides suggest it be revised but some do not. Some simply say it is incorrect. If you chose to use it you run the risk of being seen as someone who uses substandard English.

The first rule of holes - when you find yourself in one, stop digging.