UT (Texas) minority in "white" sorority

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

I know that she will *literally* never find out. I get that. But don't you think it would be unsettling (not to mention, unfair) for this woman to have to *wonder* if that was the reason she was not invited to join?

In addition to this....

I wonder if the young women (and at least once on GC, a young man) in this situation ever contemplate their blackness or brownness prior to pursuing membership in a GLO.

I was not raised as a minority, but was aware of my blackness because, well, I'm American, I watched the news, and I took history -- I knew DC was a majority black city and not to expect anyplace else in the world like it. One of the reasons I did not choose to attend an HBCU was because after 18 years, I felt it was time to be among the majority and expand my world view.

I also was aware that groups existed to ease the transition and to feel at home, even though I would be in the minority. Black Student Alliance, NAACP, the multicultural center, etc.

I guess I always wonder what's going on in the lives of people who grew up in a different class and/or different racial dynamic than I did, and whether this fear of not being accepted is the first time they've had to deal with race.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I wonder if the young women (and at least once on GC, a young man) in this situation ever contemplate their blackness or brownness prior to pursuing membership in a GLO.

I guess I always wonder what's going on in the lives of people who grew up in a different class and/or different racial dynamic than I did, and whether this fear of not being accepted is the first time they've had to deal with race.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I think our generation is the first one where there's a shared experience of growing up in integrated middle or upper-middle class neighborhoods where there may have only been a handful of kids of color in their schools. Their class and postwar political correctness may have insulated them from the harsh realities of race relations so, yes, they've never really HAD to contemplate their blackness. If you're a black girl who grows up as an "Only" in your school and social world (and you didn't have an alternate black social outlet in terms of church, social organizations, or family), and your extended family is pretty much the same way, there aren't a lot of opportunities to contemplate your Otherness unless you're self-aware in ways that a lot of 18 year-olds just aren't.

When they go to college, they assume that their high school life will be identical to their college life. Their friends are planning on joining sororities, and they know that it's pretty much all-white on a lot of campuses. Can they fit in? Will they be able to continue to coast on the political correctness and well-meaning liberalness of upper-middle class suburban neighborhoods? Are they considered sell-outs if they join ADPi instead of AKA? These are pretty big questions to deal with for the first time when you're 18; I think that's why we get so many of these posts.

I'm also sure that someone else can say this far better than I can.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I think you hit the nail on the head. I think our generation is the first one where there's a shared experience of growing up in integrated middle or upper-middle class neighborhoods where there may have only been a handful of kids of color in their schools. Their class and postwar political correctness may have insulated them from the harsh realities of race relations so, yes, they've never really HAD to contemplate their blackness. If you're a black girl who grows up as an "Only" in your school and social world (and you didn't have an alternate black social outlet in terms of church, social organizations, or family), and your extended family is pretty much the same way, there aren't a lot of opportunities to contemplate your Otherness unless you're self-aware in ways that a lot of 18 year-olds just aren't.

When they go to college, they assume that their high school life will be identical to their college life. Their friends are planning on joining sororities, and they know that it's pretty much all-white on a lot of campuses. Can they fit in? Will they be able to continue to coast on the political correctness and well-meaning liberalness of upper-middle class suburban neighborhoods? Are they considered sell-outs if they join ADPi instead of AKA? These are pretty big questions to deal with for the first time when you're 18; I think that's why we get so many of these posts.

I'm also sure that someone else can say this far better than I can.

I think you did a fine job!

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

In addition to this....

I wonder if the young women (and at least once on GC, a young man) in this situation ever contemplate their blackness or brownness prior to pursuing membership in a GLO.

I was not raised as a minority, but was aware of my blackness because, well, I'm American, I watched the news, and I took history -- I knew DC was a majority black city and not to expect anyplace else in the world like it. One of the reasons I did not choose to attend an HBCU was because after 18 years, I felt it was time to be among the majority and expand my world view.

I also was aware that groups existed to ease the transition and to feel at home, even though I would be in the minority. Black Student Alliance, NAACP, the multicultural center, etc.

I guess I always wonder what's going on in the lives of people who grew up in a different class and/or different racial dynamic than I did, and whether this fear of not being accepted is the first time they've had to deal with race.

Not everyone is conscious and cool like we are in both majority and minority settings.

Also, remember that being the minority often leads some to be treated as royalty. "You're not like the rest" and "teach me about...." is the same as "some of my bestfriends are...."

Being the only (insert race and ethnicity) among people who are your friends relieves some anxiety. However, going into a new environment where your (insert trendy cool thing that you do that the white folks think is awesome--it is often dancing and "Black speak" for Blacks in white settings) isn't met with celebration, you will now have to be "just one of the others" and wonder whether you will be accepted. I have heard minorities say "it wasn't like this back home" when they are met with whites who are neither amused nor impressed by the "token."

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I think you hit the nail on the head. I think our generation is the first one where there's a shared experience of growing up in integrated middle or upper-middle class neighborhoods where there may have only been a handful of kids of color in their schools. Their class and postwar political correctness may have insulated them from the harsh realities of race relations so, yes, they've never really HAD to contemplate their blackness. If you're a black girl who grows up as an "Only" in your school and social world (and you didn't have an alternate black social outlet in terms of church, social organizations, or family), and your extended family is pretty much the same way, there aren't a lot of opportunities to contemplate your Otherness unless you're self-aware in ways that a lot of 18 year-olds just aren't.

When they go to college, they assume that their high school life will be identical to their college life. Their friends are planning on joining sororities, and they know that it's pretty much all-white on a lot of campuses. Can they fit in? Will they be able to continue to coast on the political correctness and well-meaning liberalness of upper-middle class suburban neighborhoods? Are they considered sell-outs if they join ADPi instead of AKA? These are pretty big questions to deal with for the first time when you're 18; I think that's why we get so many of these posts.

I'm also sure that someone else can say this far better than I can.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Not everyone is conscious and cool like we are in both majority and minority settings.

Also, remember that being the minority often leads some to be treated as royalty. "You're not like the rest" and "teach me about...." is the same as "some of my bestfriends are...."

Being the only (insert race and ethnicity) among people who are your friends relieves some anxiety. However, going into a new environment where your (insert trendy cool thing that you do that the white folks think is awesome--it is often dancing and "Black speak" for Blacks in white settings) isn't met with celebration, you will now have to be "just one of the others" and wonder whether you will be accepted. I have heard minorities say "it wasn't like this back home" when they are met with whites who are neither amused nor impressed by the "token."

True.