GreekLove

Ok, this is basically in response to the previous topic about multi-cultural women in PHC "White" sororites. I would have replyed there but it was already 3 pages long-

My family came from Denmark 100 years ago but never really assimilated into mainstream culture very much. How much does my background have in common with that of the average white american? Probably less than the average black american's does. Skin color is such an inacurate way to group people!
I joined a PHC sorority to meet interesting new women and find lifelong friendships. I pledged not to find more people just like me (I could have stayed at home and done that) but I pledged to meet interesting new women. I understand that there is a certain special bond that is shared in BGLO's and Asian or Latino groups. This is a bond between people who have suffered much discrimination and prejudice and I would imagine that it is hard to understand what they have not having experenced their hardships. However, to call PHC's "white" as if a light skin tone is the requirement and goal of PHC groups is to shortchange, misread and underestimate all that we are trying so hard to become. Yes, I would never deny that we have discriminated too but we are trying very hard to become something so much more than that! We are not trying to be shared cultural interest groups but places for women reguardless of background to come together in the name of shared ideals. For this reason, would strongly urge all women to give the future of the PHC a chance. I really don't give a good God damn where your family's boat sailed from, it landed in America, WELCOME!

[AKA2D '91]

I messed up...no comment here!

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited August 10, 2000).]

I agree completely. I hate it when people call NPC sororities "white" sororities. Predominantly maybe, but NPC sororities are not based on being "white" and are working to increase diversity, not only meaning by race, to reflect the campuses and communities we are a part of. I think what a lot of poeple dont realize is that most NPC groups want more diversity but we cant give bids to people who dont rush. Not that we would let someone in for the sake of diversity but we want the best women regardless of race

[ZChi4Life]

Hey all,
Just to put my 4 cents in this. I see where you guys are coming from w/ this. I think it's bad that people refer to greek orgs as either white, black, latino/a, etc, etc. I myself do this from time to time but I do try to use the term NPC, IFC or what have you.
However, to equeen, your comment about:

I find the characterizations like this interesting, and usually spoken out of ignorance, rather than racism. So I try not to be offended.

Well granted some people may be using those terms out of ignorance (no doubt about that). I think we've all probably witnessed those who use it in that way on this forum! BUT, I don't think that everyone refers to GLOs by race b/c they are ignorant. The reason that I sometimes refer to them as such is mainly due to the principles which they were founded upon. For instance, w/ NPHC orgs, they were founded upon the principles/goals of uplifting and educating the African-American community. So that is why I differentiate them by calling them a BGLO b/c that's part of the reason they were founded. You can even read that in their history books and websites, etc. I can also say this is true for Asian and Latino/a sororities and fraternities. Just read their history and most, not all, will say that they were founded to help that specific ethnicity's community. I think that's why some people tend to refer to orgs as either black, white, etc, etc. For me, my org is multicultural and I have no problem when people use that to refer to us b/c that's what our history, purpose and creed all includes. Our founders were from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and in our history it says that we were founded to promote multiculturalism and multicult. education, etc, etc around the communities where we are established.

But I agree w/ you all that we all should try to shy away from distinguishing sororities and fraternities by race, but sometimes, I think it's needed in order for people to truly understand what these orgs were founded upon and the goals and ideals that they are trying to promote/foster among others. Nowadays, so many orgs are saying they are multicultural b/c they may have a mixture of people in it. And that's totally cool. BUT, with my sorority, I want people who want to join to understand that we are not saying we are multicultural cuz we LOOK it, but b/c, we stand for that and promote that on our campus and community. Does this make sense? So basically, there can be 2 sides to this differentiation.



[This message has been edited by ZChi4Life (edited August 11, 2000).]

[equeen]

Originally posted by PHC's not "White":
...My family came from Denmark 100 years ago but never really assimilated into mainstream culture very much. How much does my background have in common with that of the average white american? Probably less than the average black american's does. Skin color is such an inacurate way to group people!
...to call PHC's "white" as if a light skin tone is the requirement and goal of PHC groups is to shortchange, misread and underestimate all that we are trying so hard to become. Yes, I would never deny that we have discriminated too but we are trying very hard to become something so much more than that! We are not trying to be shared cultural interest groups but places for women reguardless of background to come together in the name of shared ideals...I really don't give a good God damn where your family's boat sailed from, it landed in America, WELCOME!

Eloquently put, PHC's not "White."

I find the characterizations like this interesting, and usually spoken out of ignorance, rather than racism. So I try not to be offended.

What I do find incredibly funny is when someone tries to tell me I'm in a "white" sorority and that I'll never be accepted in my Chapter/sisterhood, ultimately, as much as I would be in an organization of a particular culture. First of all, I've taken the Oath, and others with me. I'm already there! And second of all, it's be (individual) choice, not design, that the minorities in my Chapter outnumbered non-minorities at one point.

*shrug*...I think it speaks volumes.



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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

[equeen]

Originally posted by ZChi4Life:
...However, to equeen, your comment about: Well granted some people may be using those terms out of ignorance (no doubt about that)....I don't think that everyone refers to GLOs by race b/c they are ignorant. The reason that I sometimes refer to them as such is mainly due to the principles which they were founded upon.

I agree! I should clarify, I think it's completely in keeping with the history, goals, & reasons for founding that BGLOs, LGLOs, AGLOs, MCGLOs etc. are characterized as such. In my mind, it's an important characterization that defines why those organizations came into being. It's a characterization that's important to the respective memberships, and I appreciate that.

Similarly, referring to non-BGLOs etc. automatically as "white" GLOs (sometimes as WGLOS) is a misinformed characterization, simply because GLOs weren't founded on the same kind of ethnic/cultural service principles that BGLOs and others were founded upon. After all, the basis of my (and other) GLOs is not ethnicity or culture, even though the membership may be predominately and historically white.

By the way, I look forward to co-moderating with you in the new forum!



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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

[ZChi4Life]

Equeen, I see where you're coming from now.

Hey, that's awesome that we're co-moderators! I just saw it up on the boards! I'm gonna email ya so we can get some boards going!