School Daze question.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Its good to hear you're proud of your group's accomplishments, and they seem to be numerous. That aside, I don't understand why black orgs somehow think that having graduate and alumni chapters in some way makes them superior. I'm glad it works for those groups, but it surely doesn't hinder traditional IFC members from being successful. If you need examples, consider the U.S. House of Representatives, The U.S. Senate, and the President of the United States.

Superior isn't the word I would use, but there are three reasons:

1) A bulk of our membership comes from graduate intake and a lot of social action occurs at the graduate level. It is expressed to all new initiates that what they are doing with the organization while in college is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find active and financial members of our organizations quite easily once you graduate.
2) Our organizations pride ourselves with being lifetime commitments--this is something that we tell people at informationals and interest meetings.
3) A more socially significant explanation: When minority groups are deemed inferior by the majority for many years, the minority groups often latch onto certain group norms and traditions for which they are proud of. It's their way of reclaiming their place and gaining their own identity without needing the majority to legitimate their existence

[shinerbock]

Which is all fine, but I'm not sure the influence and success of traditionally black fraternity members against their white counterparts would come at all close to favoring those black organizations.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Which is all fine, but I'm not sure the influence and success of traditionally black fraternity members against their white counterparts would come at all close to favoring those black organizations.

Well, shinerbock, I did not know that this was a pissing contest. Pardon me for being improperly dressed. But you should re-read #3 from my post above to understand why your attempt at comparison really means nothing.

[shinerbock]

Theres really not a pissing contest at all. However, when you give three reasons why traditionally black groups are ________(enter appropriate term but not quite "superior here), you should expect such a response.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

you should expect such a response.

Only from someone who didn't read my 3 reasons.

[shinerbock]

No no, I read them. If you are saying those are three reasons you enjoy your membership, then that is understandable. However, from your post it seems you are comparing them to white groups.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

However, from your post it seems you are comparing them to white groups.

No--I was answering your question about the graduate and alumnae level.

You are the one who said "superior" so within the context of your post I was explaining why NPHC members hold some things so near and dear to our hearts. I can't speak for other NPHCers but "white groups" aren't even part of the equation when it comes to my love and admiration for NPHC organizations and their accomplishments. Just like most members of "white groups" don't sit around waiting for NPHC organizations' accomplishments and members' opinions to legitimate their existence.