Do BGLO's = equality???

Great post and great response L-Dawg...very mature I'm glad you didn't stoop to the level some others did in argument. NICE

I've been observing this debate the entire time and I'd just like to say "way to be" L-Dawg. I'm glad you stuck by your beliefs despite obvious disagreement. Very adult

I just wanted to make it clear that I still stand by my beliefs. I also want to thank everyone for their responses (positive or negative)...
~Lauren

[Corbin Dallas]

I was just playing in my last post. I didn't know that about brownouts and blackouts. My bad. I was just kidding about whiteout, and liquid paper, not liquid ink (oops, my bad again). As far as my people being slaves, don't forget that not only black people were slaves. there were american indian slaves, but they knew the country too well and got away. There were also white endentured servants, but again, it was too easy for them to escape and blend in, plus i'm sure they weren't treated as poorly as the blacks and indians. However, "my people" were enslaved! Don't forget the Roman persecution and enslavement of the Christians. And don't forget how the English treated the Irish centuries ago. The poor people were "owned" by those that owned the land they lived on.

Just my 2 cents.

Steve

[blu_theatrics]

Originally posted by Corbin Dallas:
I notice that other ethnicities use it all the time. Just curious.

Steve

I'm confused now, "white" people do have an ethnicity correct, so don't they have other people with their ethnicity?

[blu_theatrics]

i'm sorry after reading my post it might sound as if I was being a "smart-***" and I wasn't trying to be, so please don't take it as that , i was just asking why can't white people (who are from different areas of the world) have an ethnicity or have "their own people" I don't see the problem with that

[prettygyrl]

awwwww blue-theatrics you did not sound like a smart a** girl. (lol) White people are not considered ethnic. although they do have their own "people"(which of course would be white people).I do not see nothing wrong with white people saying "my people" either. When one talks about ethnicity they are talking about people of color or people from other countries.

Ethnicity pertains to races or peoples, not to skin colors. Not all black people share the same ethnicity, some blacks are African, others Jamaican, Carribian, etc. The same with white people. There are Italians, Germans, English, Scottish, Polish, Jewish, Russian, etc. These are all different "white" ethnicities.

[PhoenixGrad]

First...well said Charles.

Second, historically Black greek letter organizations were founded originally because Black men and women in the early 20th century were not able to join established fraternities and sororities. Black membership in IFC and NPC organizations was virtually unheard of until the 1980's, when African Americans began attending large (predominately white) colleges and universities in greater numbers. BLGOs once provided a vital professional and social support system for Black students that, at one time, did not exist for them. When my father pledged Omega Psi Phi in the 1960's, the organization was able to assist him in law school, gave him important contacts within his field, and provided much need emotional support while he attended Wharton School of Business (there were only 5 African Americans in his class). BGLO served an important purpose!

The question is whether or nor BGLOs are relevant today. Because I'm not a member of one, I can't judge. Most brothers and sisters feel that as long as there are important issues to be dealt with in the Black community, BGLOs are necessary. Others see them as purely social orgs. out to have a good time. Whatever...but Black fraternities and sororities have played an key role in the development of American culture, and they are here to stay.

[SapphireSensation]

Peace & Blessings to all
Whew..this conversation has gone quite the distance!
L-Dawg, let me say that I understand and respect your opinion and comment towards tbe reference to the "B" in BGLO. From my perspective, I am the Director of Media & Public Relations for the Atlantic Region of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
As I have served in this capacity, I am often confronted with the question of, "What school are you from?" "Didn't you finish with that Sorority-stuff in college?" "Are you still in college?" My point is that the simplest way to answer these questions is that the Black Greek lettered Organizations do not function in the same manner that other organizations do. I choose my words very carefully, as I am an official representative/spokeswoman for my Sorority.
So, again, I understand where you're coming from, I don't agree with it but I respect it.
We are unified and we will continue to serve our communities, the same way we have been doing for decades. And, as far as animosity goes for non-Black Greek lettered organizations, I feel secure in saying that neither my Sorority or Brother Fraternity has any ill feelings toward them. Afterall, that's why we started our own.

[nicci19]

Originally posted by Charles:
Ethnicity pertains to races or peoples, not to skin colors. Not all black people share the same ethnicity, some blacks are African, others Jamaican, Carribian, etc. The same with white people. There are Italians, Germans, English, Scottish, Polish, Jewish, Russian, etc. These are all different "white" ethnicities.

First of all you are so waaaay off, Ethnicity DOES not refer to a race of people. It refers to a shared and common cultural heritage amongst groups of peoples. The example you just made about being Italian, German, English, Scottish is NATIONALITY, for crying out loud were you awake in global history class. I was born in Jamaica so my nationality is Jamaican, Carribean(this is the correct spelling thank you) denotes the region on the map describing the countries situated by the Carribbean Sea, but because of the distinct, rich and blessed pigment of melanin in my skin, I am UNEQUIVOCALLY PROUD to be Black...always capitalize the first B in Black if you are addressing my people, thank you very much.

Once and for all let me try to school some of y'all ignorant folks. When you suscribe to a ideology or "game" where the rules, playing field and players, tools etc... are dominated by one sector of the population, anything differing from that status quo will be recognized and described based on their unique characteristic by those people....hence the distinction of gender or color or religion. Oh by the way Jewish is not a race because there are people from around the globe of different skin tones who ascribe to the Jewish FAITH.

ZetaAce dont worry sista because there are a million of those "l-dawg's" out there who when feeled threatened by the resilience and tenacity of anyone normally viewed as according to their terminology the "underclass". So they start creating smokescreen arguments to try and justify there widely accepted and indoctrinated racist practices that they never feel the need to justify.

Charles and L-dawg, if you wish to debate this with me at length, go right ahead. I love educating and illuminating the not so knowledgeable and please save your myths, cliches and cries of reverse racism diatribe for someone else and bring the the knowledge of the WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.


Thank you and enjoy YOUR independence day because Black slaves not were not granted their independence in 1776. Know your history people...or you will be doomed to repeat it.

[This message has been edited by nicci19 (edited July 01, 2000).]

I just wanted to make one thing clear, none of the BGLO were founded because the members couldn't get into other "white" orgainzations!!! Please, if you know nothing else, know that. Most of our organizations were founded on Historically black universities. The idea to join an established orgainzation probably never crossed their minds.

nicci, I'm not an expert in history or geography so please forgive my mistakes on that part, my spelling, etc. But I know for a fact that I am right in my point about the meaning of ethnicity.

You say ethnicity "refers to a shared and common cultural heritage amongst groups of peoples", sorry, that's the meaning of CULTURE. A shared/common cultural heritage amongst a group of people IS their culture.

Nationality does not refer to a person's "blood" history (ethnicity), such as Italian, Russian, etc. Nationality DOES denote an individual's belonging to a NATION.

All this info about ethnicity, culture & nationality is in the dictionary (check if you do not believe it). If you so much enjoy debating & educating the not so knowledgeable, I suggest you pick up a copy so you are well armed with the correct information.

By the way, Jewish is a term used to describe an ethnicity AND a faith, though independently of one another. Just as there are people of other ethnicities who practice the Jewish faith, there are also people of Jewish ethnicity who practice other faiths.

[prettygyrl]

Well said Nicci. Charles when people refer to "ethinic" groups they are usually not talking about white people.

[Manders]

Nicci,

you need to calm down. L-Dawg was simply stating her opinion which is just as valuable as your own! It isn't fair to say she is not knowledgeable. Her and zetace were having a fine debate. There is no need for criticism like your own. Don't be so bitter about the world either. You are a part of this COUNTRY not just your ethinicity. This holiday celebrates our countries independence. I understand your ancestors were slaves to white people but I think it's rediculous to bring it up in a debate such as this one. You are not your ancestors and neither is anyone else. You seem to have a lot of hate in you. How are we supposed to move past things like that with such feelings of hatred toward others. Please don't criticize others like you have. It really makes you, not them, seem like the ignorant one.