Congrats to Michelle Obama

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

As I have posted elsewhere, I'd love to have more interaction, but any and all invitations to D9 groups to do projects with the alumnae groups I am active with have been refused. It was explained to me that D9 have very specific goals in terms of philanthropy, and if a project is not perceived as meeting those goals the chapter will not be interested. However, it has meant that we really have no personal interaction with D9, which I lament.

I am very careful to whom I attribute standing in regards to information about D9, or any other GLO, here on GC. There are those I trust, and those who I wouldn't if they tried to tell me the sky was blue. GC has been informative in letting me know the way D9 groups operate. It's easy to assume that all GLOs operate the way in which your group does, and I think it is important to realize that not all groups operate the same way.

I asked my initial question because I didn't want to give credence to some of the more outrageous "trash talking",(and that's why I'm not going to post examples - why give it any more space?) and it turns out I was right to be suspicious. I also was sincere in wondering why there was any debate about Michelle accepting AKA - it would seem to me to be a good thing for all D9 groups.

Follow-up question - do D9 groups have the equivalent of our NPC Alumnae Panhellenic groups?

Yup, that's what I was referring to really when I said we work and socialize together at the alumnae level. The NPHC Alumnae chapters usually represent cities: ex. Philadelphia NPHC, Atlanta NPHC, etc. These chapters consist of delegates from all the local Alumnae chapters that wish to participate.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Yup, that's what I was referring to really when I said we work and socialize together at the alumnae level. The NPHC Alumnae chapters usually represent cities: ex. Philadelphia NPHC, Atlanta NPHC, etc. These chapters consist of delegates from all the local Alumnae chapters that wish to participate.

I have never heard of any NPC alumnae panhellenic events nor has the local NPHC alum chapter done a joint program with the NPC alumnae panhellenic.

However, in addition to the various events that the NPHC orgs advertise seperately, the local NPHC alum chapter releases its calendar and publicizes its events.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've noticed that some NPHC members (and it's here on GC, so they may just be perps, I realize) are willing to insult other Divine Nine orgs in a way NPC group members would almost never do--

Sometimes it is just playing the dozens and "jonin'". Most of us don't really have any ill will or negativity against other organizations. How people feel about individual members is their business.

Idunno. You say "almost never" but I think it's moreso passive aggressiveness on many of you all's parts. I read threads on GC and wish that people would sometimes just say what they mean and mean what they say. Afterall, the Private Message Culture on GC is active and some of you all are saying stuff off the board. But, some of you obviously try way too hard to play nice on the boards so people can think highly of you and your org and/or a thread won't get closed. Then we have "those" threads that people call trainwrecks because the NPC and IFC(?) orgs are going at it in some way--over ranking or however you all dress it up.

[breathesgelatin]

I think the whole thing hinges on what "non-exclusive" means. If Michelle just meant she'd like to participate in the philanthropic activities of all the D9 orgs, then it seems like that is encouraged anyway. However, if she meant she wants to be initiated into all the groups so as not to be exclusionary, then she may end up not being initiated.

I am not advocating the next idea, just pointing it out. There are some people on the far left or other political groups who have a very negative opinion of Greek orgs. My boyfriend is one and he constantly calls me out for "exclusionary practices," just like the woman in that comment for the Washington Post did. They view Greek orgs as inherently elitist... which hey, I can't really argue with. So there's a possibility that this might be a problem, although I really don't think this is going to get that much media play to become one.

In general I think the D9 has a much stronger community reputation than NIC/NPC. I don't really think much can be made of any hazing stuff with AKA.

re: Elephant Walk's comments about the "white community," or the white community in certain regions, I do not think the importance of particular NIC/NPC orgs for people's social status can in ANY WAY be compared to the ties that D9 orgs have to the social status in the black community. It's true that in the south, or in a particular state, college freshmen of a certain background may want to join certain orgs. But these statuses are in NO way as universal from region or region or as well-established as those in the D9. I believe there is some analog, but not as much as you're trying to draw.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Sometimes it is just playing the dozens and "jonin'". Most of us don't really have any ill will or negativity against other organizations. How people feel about individual members is their business.

Idunno. You say "almost never" but I think it's moreso passive aggressiveness on many of you all's parts. I read threads on GC and wish that people would sometimes just say what they mean and mean what they say. Afterall, the Private Message Culture on GC is active and some of you all are saying stuff off the board. But, some of you obviously try way too hard to play nice on the boards so people can think highly of you and your org and/or a thread won't get closed. Then we have "those" threads that people call trainwrecks because the NPC and IFC(?) orgs are going at it in some way--over ranking or however you all dress it up.

Well, one of the things that I think is different is that NPHCs seem to have national reputations, types (or stereotypes) while NPC or IFC groups generally usually just have campus level reputations, types (or stereotypes).

So it while some joking around or trash talking about D9 groups' images could be understood on a national level, with NPC or IFCs, you could only do it with people from your campus.

( I know that some people really do like to think that their NPC groups or IFC groups are stronger nationally than others, and they may be, but they don't have an image that is particularly distinct from other strong or elite groups. How is Kappa's image different than Theta's, for example, on a national level? Or Chi Omega's different than Pi Beta Phi's? But I think the average NPHC member could explain how AKA's image is different than DST or Alpha Phi Alpha image is different than Omega Psi Phi.)

ETA: and I think this ties in with Breathesgelatin's point too. There's not a "white" equivalent, exactly, to having membership in one NPHC.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

NPC or IFC groups generally usually just have campus level reputations, types (or stereotypes).

I, and many NPCers and IFCers, think that you all also have national reputations and stereotypes.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Sometimes it is just playing the dozens and "joining'". Most of us don't really have any ill will or negativity against other organizations. How people feel about individual members is their business.

Idunno. You say "almost never" but I think it's moreso passive aggressiveness on many of you all's parts. I read threads on GC and wish that people would sometimes just say what they mean and mean what they say. Afterall, the Private Message Culture on GC is active and some of you all are saying stuff off the board. But, some of you obviously try way too hard to play nice on the boards so people can think highly of you and your org and/or a thread won't get closed. Then we have "those" threads that people call trainwrecks because the NPC and IFC(?) orgs are going at it in some way--over ranking or however you all dress it up.

Oh, I'm not saying NPC members always just LOOOOVE all the other groups - but it is an unwritten understanding that you don't badmouth another group. Maybe that's what you mean by trying too hard to play nice. I like to think it is just politeness. When the chips are down, we are all NPC. It's kinda like your family - you may talk about your cousin, but God help the outsider who does. And some NPC groups do have more of a bond with some other groups - Syracuse Triad, Monmouth Duo, Longwood Four, Macon Magnolias - that may approximate what has been said about the D9 closeness.
Pming is just that - PRIVATE messaging. It's true we don't want to say anything that might make our GLO look bad, but I think it fair to say that most of us have no problem letting our true feelings be known. The understanding seems to be you just don't air your dirty laundry. But when an issue arises like the Delta Zeta incident at DePauw there will be a discussion that will include criticism.
IFC-type orgs are TOTALLY different (as you know). They bash each other right and left, on-line, on-campus, you name it. I can't tell you the whys and wherefores.
I think that those of us who have had more of a national look at our orgs may recognize that there are some general stereotypes out there, but we fight them because the fact is that every chapter is TOTALLY different. (And let's not even discuss the regional bias that some have!)

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Oh, I'm not saying NPC members always just LOOOOVE all the other groups - but it is an unwritten understanding that you don't badmouth another group. Maybe that's what you mean by trying too hard to play nice. I like to think it is just politeness. When the chips are down, we are all NPC. It's kinda like your family - you may talk about your cousin, but God help the outsider who does. And some NPC groups do have more of a bond with some other groups - Syracuse Triad, Monmouth Duo, Longwood Four, Macon Magnolias - that may approximate what has been said about the D9 closeness.
Pming is just that - PRIVATE messaging. It's true we don't want to say anything that might make our GLO look bad, but I think it fair to say that most of us have no problem letting our true feelings be known. The understanding seems to be you just don't air your dirty laundry. But when an issue arises like the Delta Zeta incident at DePauw there will be a discussion that will include criticism.
IFC-type orgs are TOTALLY different (as you know). They bash each other right and left, on-line, on-campus, you name it. I can't tell you the whys and wherefores.
I think that those of us who have had more of a national look at our orgs may recognize that there are some general stereotypes out there, but we fight them because the fact is that every chapter is TOTALLY different. (And let's not even discuss the regional bias that some have!)

You were speaking on what you noticed about NPHC orgs on GC and I was commenting on what I noticed about NPC and IFC orgs on GC.

I'm not sure why you felt the need to embark on this discussion but your play-it-safe public service announcement can also be applied to NPHC org members on and off of GC (as you noted with the "closeness"). When members get along, they get along. When they don't, they don't. When members feel the need to keep certain topics within the NPHC, they do so. When they feel it's a topic that can be discussed openly, they do so.

I hope you were able to get some stuff off of your chest.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

You were speaking on what you noticed about NPHC orgs on GC and I was commenting on what I noticed about NPC and IFC orgs on GC.

I'm not sure why you felt the need to embark on this discussion but your play-it-safe public service announcement can also be applied to NPHC org members on and off of GC (as you noted with the "closeness"). When members get along, they get along. When they don't, they don't. When members feel the need to keep certain topics within the NPHC, they do so. When they feel it's a topic that can be discussed openly, they do so.

I hope you were able to get some stuff off of your chest.

Nothing to get off my chest - just following up on my original question, which was directly linked to the thread topic. I didn't understand why other D9 orgs would object to Michelle's initiation, and if they wouldn't, why she might not accept because she doesn't wish to be exclusive to AKA.
You made an observation about NPC, and just as my question elicited the pov of D9 members, I assumed you were interested in NPC pov, and weren't just being argumentative.

eta - I guess there is really nothing more to say until Michelle decides - have she or her spokespeople indicated when that might be?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Nothing to get off my chest

OK.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I assumed you were interested in NPC pov, and weren't just being argumentative.

I was responding to your comments about the NPHC dynamics on GC as relative to those of the NPC on GC. Nothing to be argumentative about. But I also wasn't interested in the "NPC pov." My opinions of my observations hasn't changed.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I, and many NPCers and IFCers, think that you all also have national reputations and stereotypes.

Do tell? I'm unaware of them. How are Thetas different than Kappas?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Do tell? I'm unaware of them. How are Thetas different than Kappas?

They aren't different? That sucks for them.

To get into specifics is a waste of time. Suffice it to say that all of our organizations have things that they are best known for, including stereotypes of members. The stereotypes are intended to be true in many instances but not in every instance. Just like the "reputations" and stereotypes of NPHC orgs that have nothing to do with our history and programs.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

They aren't different? That sucks for them.

To get into specifics is a waste of time. Suffice it to say that all of our organizations have things that they are best known for, including stereotypes of members. The stereotypes are intended to be true in many instances but not in every instance. Just like the "reputations" and stereotypes of NPHC orgs that have nothing to do with our history and programs.

And I think the number of organization in the NPC is too big and so rarely present on any one campus that national reputations based on anything other than Saturday Night Live skits are pretty hard to come by.

Rather than worrying about listing them all, how about you describe any national NPC reps?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Rather than worrying about listing them all, how about you describe any national NPC reps?

NPHC, NPC, and IFCers say it "depends on campus" or "depends on the region" for our organizations' stereotypes and it does to a great extent. But the truth of the matter is that if people are more familiar with the "pretty girl" Tri-Delt chapters and hear their friends talk about the "pretty girl" Tri-Delt chapters at their schools, those who don't fit that stereotype will be considered the exception that defy the rule but not that overturn the rule.

Were you thinking of something different when you talk about "national stereotypes?" It doesn't require a consensus but it does require that a lot of people are aware of them. Many people are aware of the stereotypes of certain NPC and IFC orgs across campuses, which makes it "national," as far as I'm concerned.


ETA: http://www.collegeotr.com/university...ogy_kappa_1860
The last paragraph. It's not the most detailed explanation but this author was hinting at something. Whoever this author is, he/she can't be the only one who sees that it's more than just campus rivalries or stereotypes in some instances.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

NPHC, NPC, and IFCers say it "depends on campus" or "depends on the region" for our organizations' stereotypes and it does to a great extent. But the truth of the matter is that if people are more familiar with the "pretty girl" Tri-Delt chapters and hear their friends talk about the "pretty girl" Tri-Delt chapters at their schools, those who don't fit that stereotype will be considered the exception that defy the rule but not that overturn the rule.

Were you thinking of something different when you talk about "national stereotypes?" It doesn't require a consensus but it does require that a lot of people are aware of them. Many people are aware of the stereotypes of certain NPC and IFC orgs across campuses, which makes it "national," as far as I'm concerned.


ETA: http://www.collegeotr.com/university...ogy_kappa_1860
The last paragraph. It's not the most detailed explanation but this author was hinting at something. Whoever this author is, he/she can't be the only one who sees that it's more than just campus rivalries or stereotypes in some instances.

So, you are offering Kappas are rich, brunette girls who lately are tending to be Jewish who have rivalries with Tri Delt for the hot girls? Okay then.