Black/Multiracial women in "White" sororities

[mwedzi]

As I have said somewhere else on this network, I am black and joined a traditionally white sorority. At my campus (east la), there are few white people, so my chapter is made up mostly of latina women with mixes of asian, white and black women.

I'm pretty sure there were black GLOs and latino GLOs and asian ones too. But they were not very visible on campus. Though it's a big public school, greek life is really not big there.

Anyway, as I have said before, I have not one regret when it comes to choosing the sorority that I did (AST!)

[Poplife]

http://dallasnews.com/lifestyles/105767_AKA05.html

[Gina_lynn]

I have no PROBLEM with black women joining GLOs, but I don't understand it. But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I have to understand other people's decisions, just like I'm not inclined to "explain myself" to someone else. I just can't see wanting to join an orgainzation that may or may not have admitted you when the orgainzation was founded. Why would you want to join a group (any group) where your brother could have been lynched just for comming to see you at the Sorority house not 30 years ago (even now in some places). Especially when there are four orgainzations whose founders look like you, fought so that you could get an education at some of the best schools, do community service in YOUR COMMUNITY ect. I must admit, I just don't understand that. But then again, I Love Delta, and I have a bit of a time understanding why you would choose ANYTHING but. :-)


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If you can't raise conciousness, at least raise hell!--Rita Mae Brown

[DELTABRAT]

Hello all!!!


I have to agree with Discogoddess in her explanation of affiliation with BGLO's and other Black people on predominantly white college campuses. I had a friend who used to attend all of the "formal" meetings for my Sorority. She did so for about a year or so. We applied at the same time, the whole nine. This was (and still is my GIRL!!!). She was always a little "different" from the other Black students on campus, however, she made it clear that she intended to be active in all African Student Union activities and wrote frequently in the Newsmagazine for African Students. She was down. Nonetheless, (for whatever reason) she ended up joining a white sorority. I don't know what happened to her application for mine, but she just said she decided to go with that sorority. I was like cool. I asked her what she had in common with the women in the sorority. She said she had a lot in common. Something about sisterhood and "community." Point is, we NEVER shunned her. She continued to TRY to be down with the struggle of Black students on campus. She lived with white folks and pretty much really felt she could relate to white people. On top of that, they LOVED her. It was amazing. She was homecoming queen and the whole nine!!!. At UCLA, that is a huge feat considering there have been all of like, what?... 3 or 4 Black homecoming queens. Let me end by saying, that when this young woman became pregnant (after graduation)...NONE of her "sisters" were in attendance at the shower. NOT ONE. Guess who was there? The same Black folks that had her back the whole way through.

I bring this up to say that I truly don't have a problem with "sistahs" joining white sororities. I do however feel that (in some cases) people don't understand the "natural" bond that people of the same cultural (YES, cultural) background have with one another. I would NEVEER leave my sorority sister hanging out to dry the way those women did. Honestly, I feel like if she were white, they would have supported her. Yeah, their chests were all poked out when they could say "Whoo-hoo a Kappa Gamma girl is Homecoming Queen, yeah baby." But when it came time for real emothional support, they were ghost!!! As long as she wore weaves and contats, they were down, when she tried to support causes for Black students (fully donning African laphas and geles, cowrie shells, etc., confused? thing Ericka Badhu), they were GHOST. I am her child's Godmother and that is my Sugar Boogar (the baby). My "sands/LS" is my son's Godmother. Why are her sorority sisters not even remotely present in her life? I feel the bond is somewhat superficial. At least that is MY experience based on what I saw with her. I know that is not the cae for everyone, but damn!!! Not ONE KG girl in attendacne. Not a gift from the whole chapter saying "Hey, sorry we couldn't make it." NOTHING.

[Corbin Dallas]

One thing that needs to be understood is that not all colleges have BGLO's, and even though you might still be able to join one, I'm not sure on this, it certainly wouldn't be the same. Besides, the organizations aren't the same as they were 50, 100, 150 or 200 years ago, whatever the case may be. It shouldn't be about who you LOOK more at home with, it should be about who you FEEL more at home with, period.

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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Zeta Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[12dn94dst]

Originally posted by Corbin Dallas:
One thing that needs to be understood is that not all colleges have BGLO's, and even though you might still be able to join one, I'm not sure on this, it certainly wouldn't be the same.

Steve, can you clarify what you mean by this?
Undergrad and grad chapters of the NPHC orgs have the same rituals, the same National Headquarters, the same rules & regulations, and we work for the same goals, etc. The only difference being that the undergrads may spend a little more time partying and stepping than the grad members, but that's not always the case. We have enough partiers and t-shirt wearers, and if that's the only thing attracting them to the NPHC, we don't need them.


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Kelli
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
12-Delta Nu-94
MAL, Southern Region
Savannah State University c/o 1997

[Corbin Dallas]

All I meant was that you may not get the full experience. I know BGLO's are different that GLO's, but I wouldn't join a fraternity just to be a part of the national organization. I joined my CHAPTER, and became a part of the general fraternity.

Taking part in the philanthropy is a great aspect to being in a fraternity, but the social facet is also a part of this experience. I hope this helps clear up what I was saying.

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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Zeta Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[Gina_lynn]

Steve,

I think their is (yet another) fundamental difference between BGLOs and GLOs, and that is: As a general rule, we DON'T pledge a CHAPTER we pledge the NATIONAL ORGAINZATION. I Chose Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Alpha Theta just happened to be the chapter that was here. If I hadn't wanted to deal with them for whatever reason, I would have done Delta Sigma Theta through an alumnae chapter later. I love and respect the members of my chapter, but in all honesty, that was just happenstance. When you chose an organization that way, what the sorority/fraternity stands for and where it has come from, becomes a whole lot more important. And again, I'm not putting anyone's choice down, but it is just different.

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If you can't raise conciousness, at least raise hell!--Rita Mae Brown

[12dn94dst]

To add to what Gina_Lynn said, we spend a relatively short time (2-3 years) in an collegiate chapter and the rest of our lives (40-60 years) in one or more alumnae chapters. But, if you'd like to think of it in "chapter" terms, yes, I did join A CHAPTER, the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

[Corbin Dallas]

Ok, I see what you are saying, but seriously, every fraternity or sorority has a great cause, at least as far as I know. I know most spend 2-5 years with a chapter, but those are the guys you will live with for those years, and associate with for the rest of your life, unless you decide you made a wrong decision. I think I would feel just as good being a part of ANY general fraternity, but being a part of MY chapter is what makes it special.

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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Zeta Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[Gina_lynn]

Steve,

You are right, every orgainzation says that they are in existance to either do community service, glorify God (and all of his psudonyms), foster sister/brotherhood ect. But if you read thier propaganda, so did the Nazis and the facist, and every other subgroup that you can think of. The proof is in the actions of the members, and you don't know what those actions were unless you do your research. While I was doing my research I ran across an article writen by a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority who said that the reason that she chose that
orgainzation was because it was founded by teachers, and she was an education major. She said that she liked what actions has come from the ideas of these 7 teachers and, though there may come a time when the orgainzation gets away from its roots, When it comes back it its founding it will be the actions of those teachers. I thought that was beautiful. You don't get that from a chapter.

[Kymberleigh]

DeltaBrat. I'm glad that you didn't shun this particular girl for chosing a GLO. HOwever, in my experience you and your friends are the exception. I know quite a few people who were cut out of the pic. because they joined GLO's and not BGLO's. I wish that my knowledge concerning this issue was more like yours.

However, I disagree with your statement concerning the white/black issue and this woman you speak of. You can't say that because her and her sisters weren't tight after graduation is because of racial issues, and if that is the case with that particular situation. It is for that particular situation. The way you made your statement it seemed as though you use that one case to base why no black person should join a GLO.

[haylee726]

I'm black and in a GLO. My boyfriend is also white and I do not consider myself to have any black friends besides a couple guys who live in my dorm and a guy friend of my boyfriend's. To put it quite simply, black girls generally don't like me and friendships with the few that do never develop. That is why I didn't even consider joining a BGLO. The thought crossed my mind for a brief second but that is all. Every girl in my sorority has been very welcoming, and the black/white issue has never come up.

[mwedzi]

Corbin, I feel the same as you. I think every sorority/fraternity has excellent records of service, and not just "propaganda." The contribution of these organizations, on the national level, has been significant. And I also feel that my sorority is changing. Frankly, I am part of many things (schools and organizations) that would not have admitted me because of my color however many years ago. Hell, who am I kidding? I am in Korea teaching English and to put it frankly, most parents would like to have their students taught by people with white faces. Many parents feel black people simply cannot speak "proper" English. I know that, and did it make me say, "well, since some people feel/felt that way, I'm not going to take advantage of it?" Certainly not. I choose in all areas of my life that which I desire for myself, and that which suits me, regardless of the ignorant opinions of others.

And while I have strong feelings for my sorority, they do spring from my feelings for my chapter. We are the only chapter in California. We are trying to get an alumnae chapter in California going as well. So basically, 99% of the time I will spend with AST members will be from my chapter or from the alumnae chapter we are trying to get started. We, like everyone else, have bonds with sisters across the country who share our letters because we took the same oaths, went through the same processes, and share "secrets." We all contribute to the same national philanthropy, have the same ceremonies, etc. But all my *real* experience has been through my chapter and through the people there. Should I move to another state and there is an alumnae group there, I will definitely participate and will *want* to participate, but that desire comes from my chapter, if you see what I'm trying to say.

[This message has been edited by mwedzi (edited August 09, 2000).]

[Ice Cold Kreator]

I agree somewhat with DeltaBrat and Discogodess...

too often we say what we think will be easy to stomach...

and maybe I stand on the side of the militant...probably alone but I'm going to speak my peace!!!

I do think that there is a problem when black people pledge white organizations...white organizations who did not want you...and given the racial problems of the past 100 years...how can any of these organizations teach unity in sisterhood or brotherhood...there is no common experience to tie us...I don't mean to be rude or mean...but I think that black people who join these organizations or culturally and racially unconscious...many of these students can't tell prejudice from popcorn, thats my own personal experience as i went to a traditionally white liberal arts college!

I don't think that white folks should pledge BGLOs...how can you understand that experience...how can you bond with that culture...our organizations are inately rooted in our culture as white organzations are rooted in their cultures...

I question any white person who wants to serve in my community...whats your purpose...and why do you want in?...I'm not interested in having tokens in the Frat. Some will see it as validation (as many trad. white orgs do)...but BGLO don't need that...our record stands alone...

ask any Delta about their founders walking in the back of the suffrage march in 1913...

ask any Kappa about lodging at Indiana University in 1911

ask any Alpha about fair classrooms and alienation in 1906

ask any AKA about the Mississippi health projece in the 1920's

you better ask em', and have them sit down and tell you about service...but also about their people...

so yes, I'm mad when eligible black candidates turn their backs on our WONDERFUL and BEAUTIFUL orgs...and we have white young people beating down our doors to join! There is something intuitively wrong with that picture.

It's a shame in many cases and in many ways...

I'm sorry if I have offended anybody...but I just thought this was necessary...

In the spirit of ALPHA,

I am,

Ice Cold Kreator