NPHC vs. 25/52 Family-Why the animosity?

[Rain Man]

Over the last nine years I have wondered why there seems to be, for lack of a better word, "tension" between the NPHC orgs and the two major service GLOs, Alpha Phi Omega and Gamma Sigma Sigma. Most of the NPHC orgs proclaim that they are service organizations. So is APO and GSS (collectively referred to as the 25/52 family b/c of the years they were founded). Is the fact that one group is historically black and one isn't the major factor? I ask this because I have heard from numerous Gamma Sigs that they are heavily hated on by NPHCers on their yards for reasons unknown. As far as frat, well AFAIC they hold their own. BTW, I am referring primarily to HBCU schools, or schools with a predominately black 25/52 chapter.

In 1996, our National Membership and Extension Chair went so far as to mail a letter to all nine NPHC organization in an attempt to bridge the gap between APO and the NPHC--only two sororities responded--I have copies of both letters.

It seems to me that the major difference is that the NPHC caters primarily to the black community and the 25/52 family does not. I saw on one NPHC website a subtle condescending reference to 25/52, in that "some GLOs do not have memberships that caters to just women or just men. They just serve the general population." What the... is that supposed to mean? After reading numerous rude and nasty posts from NPHCers in various 25/52 guestbooks, I have to ask you all, What is the real problem?

Match Game '73

[pirate00]

This is the first I've heard about any feud between the NPHC and APO/GSS family. Maybe it's because I don't attend a HBCU, but I am an APO Brother. I can only speak for ECU, though. We have both APO and a GSS chapter here and the "Divine Nine" are represented here (except for Iota Phi Theta) and we seem to co-exist peacefully.

[Senusret I]

No one was thinking about this thread for seven years.

[preciousjeni]

LOL

[Little32]

LOL. What is up with all of the necroposting lately?

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by Little32

LOL. What is up with all of the necroposting lately?

Yeah

[LoveDove]

Originally Posted by pirate00

This is the first I've heard about any feud between the NPHC and APO/GSS family. Maybe it's because I don't attend a HBCU, but I am an APO Brother. I can only speak for ECU, though. We have both APO and a GSS chapter here and the "Divine Nine" are represented here (except for Iota Phi Theta) and we seem to co-exist peacefully.

Hey Frat. Well on my campus (ECSU, which I know that you know about us, well at least u should) But anyway, many people don't like the name Alpha Phi Omega because it has Alpha Phi (A-Phi) and Omega (Que). Other then that, thats it. I really don't pay it any mind b/c I am a Brother of A-Phi-Que and I am in a divine nine org.
But many people don't, and I see that b/c APO isn't part of the divine nine. They think b/c people join a greek letter org. that isn't divine nine b/c they couldn't get into a divine nine org. which isn't the case. I became a brother because I love to help others and APO does more community service then any divine nine org.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by LoveDove

Hey Frat. Well on my campus (ECSU, which I know that you know about us, well at least u should) But anyway, many people don't like the name Alpha Phi Omega because it has Alpha Phi (A-Phi) and Omega (Que). Other then that, thats it. I really don't pay it any mind b/c I am a Brother of A-Phi-Que and I am in a divine nine org.
But many people don't, and I see that b/c APO isn't part of the divine nine. They think b/c people join a greek letter org. that isn't divine nine b/c they couldn't get into a divine nine org. which isn't the case. I became a brother because I love to help others and APO does more community service then any divine nine org.

Sometimes I wonder whether Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs would be better off if it didn't refer to itself as A-Phi-Que. Do the Omega's view us using Q to represent our Omega to be flattery or not?

I'm still trying to find out both when Omega Psi Phi started using Q to describe itself and when Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs started using Q as part of its self description.

Randolph Finder
Alpha Phi Omega History and Archives Cmte.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by naraht

Sometimes I wonder whether Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs would be better off if it didn't refer to itself as A-Phi-Que. Do the Omega's view us using Q to represent our Omega to be flattery or not?

I'm still trying to find out both when Omega Psi Phi started using Q to describe itself and when Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs started using Q as part of its self description.

Randolph Finder
Alpha Phi Omega History and Archives Cmte.

I think NOT.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by naraht

Sometimes I wonder whether Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs would be better off if it didn't refer to itself as A-Phi-Que. Do the Omega's view us using Q to represent our Omega to be flattery or not?

I'm still trying to find out both when Omega Psi Phi started using Q to describe itself and when Alpha Phi Omega at the HBCUs started using Q as part of its self description.

Randolph Finder
Alpha Phi Omega History and Archives Cmte.

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I think NOT.

Agreed. I'm an APO brother who detests "A Phi Que."

[Senusret I]

I think chapters that call themselves A Phi Que because it's part of their campus culture or chapter culture. It's usually not meant to signify a difference between men and women except among an extreme minority of members (JayBee) who want it to signify that.

[gamma_girl52]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I think chapters that call themselves A Phi Que because it's part of their campus culture or chapter culture. It's usually not meant to signify a difference between men and women except among an extreme minority of members (JayBee) who want it to signify that.

I would have to respectfully disagree on this only because that still is used to signify a difference between all-male/co-ed chapters. I know a lot of A Phi Ques who would tell you in a minute that they are different from their APO counterparts and this is the reason they would give. A Phi Ques can only be males who pledged at an all-male chapter ("Vikes" are the other name used for these men too) and both titles are used interchangeably anyway all the time. So, for a woman/APO (somebody who pledged at a co-ed chapter) to call herself an A Phi Que would get some sideways looks.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by gamma_girl52

I would have to respectfully disagree on this only because that still is used to signify a difference between all-male/co-ed chapters. I know a lot of A Phi Ques who would tell you in a minute that they are different from their APO counterparts and this is the reason they would give. A Phi Ques can only be males who pledged at an all-male chapter ("Vikes" are the other name used for these men too) and both titles are used interchangeably anyway all the time. So, for a woman/APO (somebody who pledged at a co-ed chapter) to call herself an A Phi Que would get some sideways looks.

And this is one of those instances where it's best to let Brothers have this conversation.

[APhiQuetieACE]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

And this is one of those instances where it's best to let Brothers have this conversation.

MESSAGE!

[gamma_girl52]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

And this is one of those instances where it's best to let Brothers have this conversation.

...and perhaps GC isn't the place to have it either but I will respectfully bow out.