Another Problem w/ Pittsburgh

[goodies247]

I've noticed that in other cities/states where there seems to be more of a black population young aspirants don't seem to have nearly as much trouble "finding" their hopeful organization etc. Before I rumple any chapter feathers in the Pittsburgh area let me explain what I mean. At several colleges in this area you are lucky to find a black union and darn near blessed to find a black greek letter organization. Could this have something to do with the college itself? The city chapter is listed only according to a P.O. Box so I don't know where it is. I guess that I just want to see more organizations with beautiful black faces, greek and non greek alike. I can only hope that the city chapter answers my email.

Never Giving Up,
goodies

[mccoyred]

Greetings, Ladies of Pink and Green!

I was recently in Pittsburgh on business and found that you are hard pressed to find many Black organizations or activities at all. I did meet some good folks at work but found that the climate is not conducive to Black folks organizing and getting ahead. I'm sure that it is not much different on campus.

I do want to say that one of the tightest sisters I met in Pitt was one of your sorors. She represents your org well.

peace

------------------
mccoyred

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

[Ania]

Even though I am not a member of any greek organization, I will say that you won't ruffle any feathers for the simple fact, everything both of you have stated, is true.
As a native from Pittsburgh who has lived in other cities for a few years, I will say I am "sickened" by the enviroment that the black organizations and people in general are "stuck" in.
I understand that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., as well as a few other black greeks organizations are not active at this time(for various reasons) on the University of Pittsburgh's campus.
Even though that may be the case, you would think with schools like University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne U., Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow College, Chatham College, and La Roche College would have more representation of black greeks(even though the schools are traditional private and white).
But this issue is much bigger than the black greek representation in Pittsburgh and I could vent on the problems facing blacks in this city forever.
As far as finding greeks on Pitt's campus, you really just have to investigate by asking people and keeping your eyes open. Good Luck!

[AKA_Monet]

Dear goods:

Apparently I may be incorrect in my assumption about the east coast and lack of finding folx. I am on the west coast and with the exception of LA and the Bay, it is difficult to find us doing thangs out here, too. Why? I have yet to know.

But as the assistant graduate advisor for a city wide chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. it would appear to me at a largely caucasian/asian population the few black specks you can identitfy are really not trying to be a part of the larger picture in terms of participation in events.

The Afrikan Student Union at the school I teach, has a heck of a time getting the necessary working bodies needed to pull of a huge event such as a high school conference which recruits these kids. Other organizations on campus severely are affected, too. On top of that, because of prop 209, the number of African American college age kids attending a non LA/Bay area school is practically reduced to zero. Such as the University of California at San Diego--they only have no more than 100 blacks in a 10 mile radius of the school! So what kinds of lines of sight do you think you'll be able to see if you were to move out here? Then forget about the surrounding states because I hear it's worse! Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Idaho...

We are out there, but a little detective work will be required to find us. Then networking with be what will be your saving grace. Because there only so many Rocktoberfests I can attend without becoming rap music-deprived?

[1SSf97]

I know for a fact that there is greek life in Pittsburgh, I ran into sorors, frat, and other greeks in the community (esp. U.Pitt.); and they were repin so I suggest that you communicate to more people and let them know that you have interests in greek life as well as the black programs...

my 2 cents,
One.

[Jade4AKA]

Greetings Sorors and Sister friends! Normally, I don't have the time to respond to message boards, but I thought that I could add my .08 cents to this topic.
In response to Goodies247 comment... the answer is YES, it does have a lot to do with the school itself. As a student at Carnegie Mellon University, there really wasn't a whole lot of support for the students that wanted to join a BGLO, not even from fellow African American students. In most cases if you wanted to participate in any type of Black Greek life, you had to hang out at University of Pittsburgh's campus to find out what was going on and do your best to meet the members of the organization that you were interested in to get the information you needed. When I was there, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) was what I would call BGLO Central. On Pitt's campus there were AKA's, Delta's, Zeta's, SGRho's, Kappa's, Alpha's, Sigma's and even Groove Phi Groove...as well as their auxiliary organizations. I THINK that the only BGLO that wasn't on campus at that time were the Que's. There was always a step show or party sponsored by one of these organizations. So, greek life was definitely alive and well. Duquesne University also had an African American greek presence.
I have to agree with ISSf97. You definitely have to spend a little time meeting people on Pitt's campus to get the information you need. They are out there. You just have to find them. Goodies247, feel free to e-mail me at jadeddc@yahoo.com, if you have any more questions. Good Luck!

JADE - AKA Forever in a Day
Omicron Theta Omega Chapter

[DoggyStyle82]

If you really want to see Greek life in Pittsburgh, wait til the Ques return to the yard. The Bruhs will be bringing the funk soon and return to their position of running the yard and improving the campus and surrounding community.

[goodies247]

Thank you to everyone for your replies. Since then we have had a "Meet the Greeks" meeting and I enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately the AKA's are not expected to return this year or next year but a woman who runs the NPHC on campus told me that this could change. I am praying that it will I'm a junior and I don't have much time left. Anyway yes the Omega men are back for the first time in 15 yrs. We are still missing the Kappas though. I must say that BGLOs are starting to pick up a bit the sad thing is that I didn't see a lot of brothers at the meeting at all. Women made up the majority of interests. Even then the crowd was smaller than what I had expected. I feel that these organizations are of the great importance and when people don't even take the time to learn what they are all about I feel as though they are missing out on a learning experience.

goodies