UT (Texas) minority in "white" sorority

[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.

[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.

[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!

[srmom]

Very interesting posts. Thanks for your insightful responses.

In response to the OP, I will say that I know of some NPC houses at UT who have minority members, others that don't. While it may seem as if race is the reason for this, it could be more that others had better connections to the house or people pulling for them inside.

UT is competitive, Period. It can be hard to get a bid if you are "pretty, perfect, little darling, cheerleader, top of the class, always had everything go their way, etc." as we have seen in other threads on GC (especially by shell shocked rushees and moms).

Best thing to do is prepare yourself, get great RIF's, and go out with your best foot forward, but be prepared to face tough recruitment. Be open minded, meet a ton of people, and hope for the best.

Good luck to you!!

[APhiAnna]

First, let me say that I am not overly familiar with UT recruitment. But I do believe that a minority rushing may have a harder time at schools like UT or SEC schools vs. schools in California, East Coast, etc. I'm not condoning it, but I think it's an honest answer.

Now, I think the main problem is that there are very entrenched social circles in those societies that can be difficult, or near impossible, to break into. There are girls going to these schools whose families have known each other for generations. Their mother, aunt, grandmother and older sister may all have been bid by ABC at their same school, not to mention the fact that they have already been flagged because of their hometown, the ball where they were a debutante, high school, the fact that they went to Sunday School with Sister Susie, her dad golfs with Sister Sally and Sister Stacey's debutante escort was her older brother. In short: this girl was born and bred to be an ABC at University X.

Due to historical reasons, minorities have usually not managed to crack this inner-circle (and, like some have pointed out, those that do may be the "token" friends and not necessarily treated equally) and therefore are not going to be one of the PNMs the chapter is competing for the most. The same goes for white girls that just didn't come from that ABC background.

Is there ever some more overt racism from particular members? Probably. But I think the chapter stance probably leans more towards tried-and-true Southern elitism, which unfortunately also rules out many minorities. I doubt it ever even gets to discussion about race...more likely, "these 150 PNMs fit our social standards, we have a legitimate chance at getting 80 of them, and we only need 50 for quota, so let's move on."

Now, are there chapters that don't follow this way of thinking? Absolutely. But there will always be some that do, so I think it is something to be aware of if you are rushing at the most competitive schools in Texas/the South...and is why keeping an open mind on every chapter is the best policy (not that it isn't ALWAYS the best policy for every school, because it is, but it may be even more important for these schools).

Someone more familiar with UT recruitment can feel free to correct me, but I don't think I'm too far off.

[srmom]

Is there ever some more overt racism from particular members? Probably. But I think the chapter stance probably leans more towards tried-and-true Southern elitism, which unfortunately also rules out many minorities. I doubt it ever even gets to discussion about race...more likely, "these 150 PNMs fit our social standards, we have a legitimate chance at getting 80 of them, and we only need 50 for quota, so let's move on."

Exactly

Now, are there chapters that don't follow this way of thinking? Absolutely. But there will always be some that do, so I think it is something to be aware of if you are rushing at the most competitive schools in Texas/the South...and is why keeping an open mind on every chapter is the best policy (not that it isn't ALWAYS the best policy for every school, because it is, but it may be even more important for these schools).

Someone more familiar with UT recruitment can feel free to correct me, but I don't think I'm too far off.

Nope, you are right on the money. And your post should be required reading for anyone rushing at Texas or any other traditionaly competitive recruitment.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

Now, I think the main problem is that there are very entrenched social circles in those societies that can be difficult, or near impossible, to break into. There are girls going to these schools whose families have known each other for generations. Their mother, aunt, grandmother and older sister may all have been bid by ABC at their same school, not to mention the fact that they have already been flagged because of their hometown, the ball where they were a debutante, high school, the fact that they went to Sunday School with Sister Susie, her dad golfs with Sister Sally and Sister Stacey's debutante escort was her older brother. In short: this girl was born and bred to be an ABC at University X.

Due to historical reasons, minorities have usually not managed to crack this inner-circle (and, like some have pointed out, those that do may be the "token" friends and not necessarily treated equally) and therefore are not going to be one of the PNMs the chapter is competing for the most.

I agree. I think what's going to happen within the next 5-10 years is that we're going to see more young women of color whose families have cracked that "inner circle"--even in Texas and some parts of the South. What's going to happen to them? It'll be interesting to find out.

[gee_ess]

At the risk of sounding like I am saying "some of my best friends are..."

I do want to point out that at Arkansas about 8 years ago, the Kappas pledged a minority woman. It was a big deal, and at the same time, not one. The news that the color line had been "crossed" spread like wildfire among the alumnae. I believe on campus, the young woman was deemed a top rushee and was heavily rushed everywhere based on her merits, not her color...

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I agree. I think what's going to happen within the next 5-10 years is that we're going to see more young women of color whose families have cracked that "inner circle"--even in Texas and some parts of the South. What's going to happen to them? It'll be interesting to find out.

It will.

Not that this is particularly related to your post, but I wonder about the potentially upcoming generation of children of Af. Am. women who will be NPC sorority legacies (and how that will play out at some different schools).

[DrPhil]

The more things change the more they stay the same. There won't be a substantial increase in nonwhite members just as there won't be a substantial increase in nonBlack members for NPHC orgs.

As for the first real generation of nonwhite NPC legacies, they are so few in number that they will probably be more focused on a support mechanism based on their dominant identity (gender, social class and/or race and ethnicity) instead of being so quick to capitalize on NPC legacy status. Some may be steered in the right direction by their families in terms of what schools to go to as a nonwhite NPC legacy. I think it won't pan out that way for the majority of them unless they were groomed for that all of their lives. But, such grooming is annoying regardless of whether it is NPC or NPHC.

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

It's going to be a loooooooong spring and summer...........

...explain, please?

And thank you all for the discussion, however few of you actually answered my original question.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by spurs911

And thank you all for the discussion, however few of you actually answered my original question.

Our discussion was more interesting than the original question.

[chickenoodle]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Our discussion was more interesting than the original question.

I actually had forgotten the original question. But I'm glad she posted b/c this discussion was generated as a result.