Minority members of IFC and Panhellenic

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

Let me clarify. I never thought Morehouse wasn't a prestigious school. I just didn't realize how preppy its students were.

No, the point I was making concerned the social composition and dynamics of a school like Morehouse (and some other HBCUs), where, for some, there is an undercurrent of classism and cliquishness. I personally know of two people who transferred from "elite" HBCUs for this very reason. And a few years ago when I asked a former coworker about sending his academically talented daughter to Spelman, he bristled. He objected to her being subjected to this treatment there; he remarked that he'd rather her suffer this fate at a Public Ivy with snooty white people. (She went to UNC-Chapel Hill.)

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Whether it is implicit or explicit, the argument can be made that they do.

I have stuff to do and not enough time to wade through 14 pages of posts, but I want to get my two cents in.

Personally I HATE the term cultural organization. While some GLO's do tend to focus on one culture, they all have one thing in common. Well at least the social orgs like NIC, NPC, NPHC and NALFO. The primary purpose of all GLOs is to foster brotherhood and sisterhood between their members. I personally am a Latino and a member of a NIC GLO. Psi Upsilon like almost all NIC fraternities is considered to be for white people. However it does not promote the white culture. Hell my chapter is mostly minorities like myself.

On the same note I hate when people generalize based on stereotypes, which I think is what the OP was talking about. On my campus Psi U in the past has been mostly asian for a good period of time. So I told people I was pledging Psi U and I was told "Wait, isn't that the Asian Fraternity?" NICs have never been about one particular culture , instead just promoting brotherhood between those who joined, regardless of background. It has just happened that most fraternities have been established at predominantly white universities plus the fact that alot of NIC and NPC orgs have a rep for being white only.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

However it does not promote the white culture. Hell my chapter is mostly minorities like myself.

Then your experience will certainly be shaped by the dynamics of your chapter, right?

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

It has just happened that most fraternities have been established at predominantly white universities plus the fact that alot of NIC and NPC orgs have a rep for being white only.

There are very few coincidences in life.

[Psi U MC Vito]

You have a point about that, my chapter experiences are shaped by the makeup. and ass for my second point that you quoted lets try something else.

Alot of NIC fraternities were founded at insitutes of higher education at a time when those of non white descent did not truly have the option of doing so themselves.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

You have a point about that, my chapter experiences are shaped by the makeup.

Good then you can understand my response to your second point:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Alot of NIC fraternities were founded at insitutes of higher education at a time when those of non white descent did not truly have the option of doing so themselves.

There are very few coincidences in life.

What this means:
Your chapter experience, which (whether you admit it or not) factors into your overall sorority experience, is shaped by the chapter makeup. So there is no denying that the majority of NPC and IFCers' experiences are shaped in the same manner. The members do not call it a "cultural" experience or emphasis, but that's only because "whiteness" was considered an invisible race and ethnicity for so long because it was mainstream and majority. However, patterns of socialization and networking are important to pay attention to even if the organizations' philanthropies don't target the "white community."

[Psi U MC Vito]

Hmm. You have a very good point. I'm assuming with sorority you are generalizing with yourself. But what about when you have a chapter that is part of a "white" organization, but the chapter itself is not of that makeup. I mean I understand why the generalizations were started, but why do they still hold strong today? Also what exactly do you mean by IFC? do you mean NIC?

[DSTCHAOS]

I think enough has been said that you can connect the dots from here.

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Also what exactly do you mean by IFC? do you mean NIC?

Yeah, they're the same thing except the term NIC (North-American Interfraternaty Conference) is the international council of historically white fraternities and the term IFC (Interfraternity Council) refers to local councils of NIC fraternities at a particular campus. But the terms are pretty interchangeable.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Ah I was wondering. My school doesn't have a IFC but we have an Inter Fraternity and Sorority Council which is probally the same. But our IFSC is all GLO on campus weither they be NIC like Psi U or TKE, NPC like AST and DPhiE, NPHC like DST and the Sigmas, or local. thats why I was wondering.

[AKA_Monet]

The new Morehouse Man's valedictorian expose at graduation...