Minority members of IFC and Panhellenic

[BetteDavisEyes]

I used to get asked this all the time. I ignored ignorant people like this b/c nowhere on the SK creed & bylaws does it say "white women only." Seriously, people are morons.
I was once called a race traitor for not joining a Latina sorority but I did not feel comfortable there.

[Tom Earp]

I just wonder, when will people start getting over Historically anything.

It was, It is not now.

As can be seen, there are members from all races and relegions who have joined different organizations.

Now, the question is why?

Maybe, just maybe, they felt comfortable with the GLOs they joined. Not because They were expected to.

The name of the GLO and Racial structure is not the question, but the Members that They have felt at ease with.

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
I just wonder, when will people start getting over Historically anything.

It was, It is not now.

As can be seen, there are members from all races and relegions who have joined different organizations.

Now, the question is why?

Maybe, just maybe, they felt comfortable with the GLOs they joined. Not because They were expected to.

The name of the GLO and Racial structure is not the question, but the Members that They have felt at ease with.

I'm afraid "historically" and "predominantly" sometimes go hand-in-hand.

[Tom Earp]

Semantics it might be, but the truth will still will out!

So, and your point is?

Am I and so many people be wrong?

[epchick]

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
So, this fact alone trumps what other people have to say about this issue.

The only difference between what I'm saying and what others are saying is "implicit" versus "explicit."

Exactly!!!

What I don't think is that people are grasping the full idea of a "cultural organization." Sure, when you first hear or see those words you think (just as I do) of a group of people, who are predominantly the same race, coming together to celebrate that race. Just like my dance group, which is ballet folklorico (or mexican folk dancing) would be considered a "cultural organization." But that is where it all stops....it doesn't seem like a lot of people can get past the fact that a sorority IS a cultural organization.

But from what I've read on this thread most people are saying something to the effect of "oh a black or hispanic sorority would be a cultural organization, but not a "white" sorority." But you all have not explained why a "white" sorority would not be considered "cultural." Like I stated before, EVERYONE has a culture....EVERYONE! So that means that every single "white" person has a heritage, a culture. So when 30-40 girls come together, especially if they are predominantly the same race, they in effect become a sort of "cultural organization."

Just because your sorority does not EXPLICIT state that you are to "help the white community" (or something to that effect) doesn't exempt you. Just because your philanthropy doesn't encompass a certain race, doesn't mean jack.

A "white" person is not different from a "black" person or from a "hispanic" person. Like I've said numerous times, they all have a culture that they come from. So with that being said, you CAN NOT say that a "white sorority" is different than a "black" or "hispanic" sorority, but the latter are "cultural organizations" and the white sorority isn't.

that is why I said Tri Delta COULD be construed as a "cultural organization" just for the fact that "white" people are not excluded from having a culture

So yeah..sorry i know i sounded redundant...but oh well.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
I'm afraid "historically" and "predominantly" sometimes go hand-in-hand.

How so?

BGLOs enjoy white laws, are in white USA, recruit at white schools, and follow the establishment of GLOs that were all white.

And I guess when a "white" GLO has a charity that raises money for a health condition that affects black people more, they are still only serving the "white" community huh?

-Rudey

[preciousjeni]

Tom, you said

Originally posted by Tom Earp
I just wonder, when will people start getting over Historically anything.

For many people, it is difficult to understand why it isn't right to call predominantly [fill in the blank] organizations "Historically anything."

Personally, I just can't see why "historically caucasian/Euro-American" is negative or incorrect when it is true?

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by Rudey
How so?

BGLOs enjoy white laws, are in white USA, recruit at white schools, and follow the establishment of GLOs that were all white.

And I guess when a "white" GLO has a charity that raises money for a health condition that affects black people more, they are still only serving the "white" community huh?

-Rudey

I think we're looking at this from different perspectives. What I'm saying is that:

Alpha Kappa Alpha is BOTH historically and predominantly African American

and

Alpha Phi is BOTH historically and predominantly European American

But, this is not to say that either organization is made up entirely of AA/EA nor that either organization bars members of other "ethnicities."

ETA: I was directly referring to Tom's comment. I wasn't making a value judgment on the mission of any organization.

For all - can you imagine the effect on our society if NPC/NIC orgs stopped giving generous donations to charities or if NPHC orgs stopped providing service to those charities? Any help is good help and all help is needed!

[ladygreek]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I'm not sure what you mean by this? Taualumna was stating a fact of life in Toronto.

Which is what? That Asian stores in Toronto are generally not clean? This still shocks me.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by ladygreek
Which is what? That Asian stores in Toronto are generally not clean? This still shocks me.

Asian stores used to be less clean than non-Asian stores. I remember holding my nose when grocery shopping with my mom.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
Personally, I just can't see why "historically caucasian/Euro-American" is negative or incorrect when it is true?

Because some people don't like the truth.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by Rudey
BGLOs enjoy white laws, are in white USA

LOL!!

Thanks to typing this!!! This ALSO proves my point!!!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by AGDee
For Alpha Gamma Delta, specifically, our focus is entirely on betterment of the individual, rather than betterment of the community.

Again....

"Implicit" versus "explicit."

If the individuals most often fit certain demographics then the betterment of these individuals translates to the betterment of their corresponding community(ties).

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
I just wonder, when will people start getting over Historically anything.

It was, It is not now.

Get over it for what? Do we get rid of history courses in this country? Obviously history is as important in this country as the current state of things.

These organizations WERE and they still ARE. Consider if and how all of our organizations would evolve if this was not the case.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by epchick
Exactly!!!

What I don't think is that people are grasping the full idea of a "cultural organization." Sure, when you first hear or see those words you think (just as I do) of a group of people, who are predominantly the same race, coming together to celebrate that race. Just like my dance group, which is ballet folklorico (or mexican folk dancing) would be considered a "cultural organization." But that is where it all stops....it doesn't seem like a lot of people can get past the fact that a sorority IS a cultural organization.

But from what I've read on this thread most people are saying something to the effect of "oh a black or hispanic sorority would be a cultural organization, but not a "white" sorority." But you all have not explained why a "white" sorority would not be considered "cultural." Like I stated before, EVERYONE has a culture....EVERYONE! So that means that every single "white" person has a heritage, a culture. So when 30-40 girls come together, especially if they are predominantly the same race, they in effect become a sort of "cultural organization."

Just because your sorority does not EXPLICITLY state that you are to "help the white community" (or something to that effect) doesn't exempt you. Just because your philanthropy doesn't encompass a certain race, doesn't mean jack.

A "white" person is not different from a "black" person or from a "hispanic" person. Like I've said numerous times, they all have a culture that they come from. So with that being said, you CAN NOT say that a "white sorority" is different than a "black" or "hispanic" sorority, but the latter are "cultural organizations" and the white sorority isn't.

that is why I said Tri Delta COULD be construed as a "cultural organization" just for the fact that "white" people are not excluded from having a culture

So yeah..sorry i know i sounded redundant...but oh well.

Great post!

Thanks for bringing this full circle.