BGLO and GLO

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

Don't call them 'WGLOs' 'cause they will have a fit. Be prepared for some flack.

No. He shouldn't not call us "WGLOs" because we will have a fit.

He shouldn't call us "WGLOs" because that's not what we are.

[KAY10]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

Don't call them 'WGLOs' 'cause they will have a fit. Be prepared for some flack.

Yeah, I feel ya on that.

[Langox510x]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

I dont understand why there needs to be black fraternities and sororities. I am in NO WAY prejudice. I have black friends who are in a fraternity. They chose to join a regular GLO over the black ones. With all the complaints about being equal, doesn't having your own greek organization separate u even more on a college campus? BGLOs on my campus are never around. They don't participate in Greek Week, dont party wiht us. Until recently I didn't even know there were black fraternities and sororities on campus. I am not PREJUDICE. I just want to make that clear. I'm just asking a simple question....why segregate urselves even more that u say u are?

I happen to be black in an almost all white fraternity and I can tell you many schools have all white fraternities, and I know a couple of TKE members who in no means do I consider racist, but they really seem to automatically look at blacks as "they wouldn't want to join our fraternity". I wouldn't mind being in a black fraternity, but I'm glad they exist because they offer many things most non-black fraternities don't offer. My dad is Kappa Alpha Psi from the 70's and even at UC Berkeley wouldn't have stood a chance at getting into any non-fraternity on campus. They existed because back in the day blacks couldn't get into other fraternities/sororities, and because of that have evolved with a different flavor, not to mention that any race is welcome to pledge for a black fraternity. Kappa Alpha Psi at Stillman University isn't just all black.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Langox510x

I happen to be black in an almost all white fraternity and I can tell you many schools have all white fraternities, and I know a couple of TKE members who in no means do I consider racist, but they really seem to automatically look at blacks as "they wouldn't want to join our fraternity". I wouldn't mind being in a black fraternity, but I'm glad they exist because they offer many things most non-black fraternities don't offer. My dad is Kappa Alpha Psi from the 70's and even at UC Berkeley wouldn't have stood a chance at getting into any non-fraternity on campus. They existed because back in the day blacks couldn't get into other fraternities/sororities, and because of that have evolved with a different flavor, not to mention that any race is welcome to pledge for a black fraternity. Kappa Alpha Psi at Stillman University isn't just all black.

Not only were we Founded because blacks were not allowed entry into most fraternities and sororities in the early and mid 1900s, blacks were also not allowed at most of the PWIs (of course not every BGLO was Founded at an HBCU so there were some blacks at some PWIs).

We were also Founded because of a need to nurture the intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and structural needs of the black community/ies. The general belief was/is that we need to start with the core of our community before we branch out to help others.

[ProspeKt]

^^Amen

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by alpha1906

Why don't we invert your theory? Why not eliminate white GLOs? Then you could participate in BGLOs and we wouldn't have two different systems. That seems like a fine solution.

Lawrence Ross

This statement really makes me sad. Although a lot of sororities and fraternities were founded by caucasion individuals, that doesn't make them "white" GLOs. I think everyone should just join whatever GLO they feel comfortable in. I guess I am just a bit naive though.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

This statement really makes me sad. Although a lot of sororities and fraternities were founded by caucasion individuals, that doesn't make them "white" GLOs. I think everyone should just join whatever GLO they feel comfortable in. I guess I am just a bit naive though.

No, You are not naive at all.

It just seems the small mindedness of a few people is underwhelming!

Men and Women join a GLO for one thing and reason, to feel comfortable about the people around them.

Those that say any different, well, it just points out ------?

The ones who promote this way of thinking are the ones who have problems.

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

This statement really makes me sad. Although a lot of sororities and fraternities were founded by caucasion individuals, that doesn't make them "white" GLOs. I think everyone should just join whatever GLO they feel comfortable in. I guess I am just a bit naive though.

While it doesn't "make them white GLOs," these GLOs do have a history of being predominantly white. Whether they have a history of excluding members of other colors and races or not (and I believe that most of them did, at one time), all of the NPC and NIC GLO's have historically catered to a vast majority of caucasian men and women and continue to do so. Similarly, the D9 have historically catered to a majority of black men and women. If we are going to call NPHC organizations "black GLO's" it only makes sense to call the NPC and NIC organizations "white GLO's."

FTR, I agree that everyone should join whichever GLO they feel comfortable in and we shouldn't force segregation, but the historical origins are important to the continuing identities of the organizations as well.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by GDIfly

While it doesn't "make them white GLOs," these GLOs do have a history of being predominantly white. Whether they have a history of excluding members of other colors and races or not (and I believe that most of them did, at one time), all of the NPC and NIC GLO's have historically catered to a vast majority of caucasian men and women and continue to do so.
Similarly, the D9 have historically catered to a majority of black men and women. If we are going to call NPHC organizations "black GLO's" it only makes sense to call the NPC and NIC organizations "white GLO's."

FTR, I agree that everyone should join whichever GLO they feel comfortable in and we shouldn't force segregation, but the historical origins are also important to the continuing identities of the organizations as well.

While history's implications are definitely important, I was always baffled when individuals I knew and was friends with wouldn't join a Greek organization on campus because it wasn't a traditionally African American sorority. We also had several women decline bids ONLY because KD was not a traditionally "black" GLO. I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

While history's implications are definitely important, I was always baffled when individuals I knew and was friends with wouldn't join a Greek organization on campus because it wasn't a traditionally African American sorority. We also had several women decline bids ONLY because KD was not a traditionally "black" GLO. I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

What you (and many others who are not African-American) do not realize is the significance that NPHC orgs play in the African-American community. Most Black freshman have a least a familiarity with NPHC orgs because they've seen them in the community, they have family members or family friends who are members, they've been in someone's youth auxillary or cotillion, or maybe a teacher/mentor/coach is Greek. They've seen these orgs do things for and in the community (both the African-American community and the geographical community) and realize the significance that these orgs play. For the majority of folks who join NPHC orgs, its about helping our community on a regular basis for the rest of your life, not just having fun for your collegiate experience.

*cue someone who comes in and says NPC/NIC is for life too*

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

What you (and many others who are not African-American) do not realize is the significance that NPHC orgs play in the African-American community. Most Black freshman have a least a familiarity with NPHC orgs because they've seen them in the community, they have family members or family friends who are members, they've been in someone's youth auxillary or cotillion, or maybe a teacher/mentor/coach is Greek. They've seen these orgs do things for and in the community (both the African-American community and the geographical community) and realize the significance that these orgs play. For the majority of folks who join NPHC orgs, its about helping our community on a regular basis for the rest of your life, not just having fun for your collegiate experience.

*cue someone who comes in and says NPC/NIC is for life too*

I find this EXTREMELY offensive, because I feel the same way about MY Greek letter organization, although some people might say that it is a "WHITE" GLO. I work in the community with my organization, and consider myself a lifetime member--it was NOT just a sorority for my college years, or a place to party at. For your information, the GLO I am in has FOUR national philanthropies, and numerous links to the community. I served as overall philanthropy chair as well as chair of our annual philanthropy event, and I have to tell you, we worked in the community EVERY weekend. Our members range from former Miss America winners to three star generals to current governors of states. Also, you shouldn't make assumptions about the color of my skin--just so you know, I'm from NY, and work in the Bronx. You have NO IDEA what color my skin could be.

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

We also had several women decline bids ONLY because KD was not a traditionally "black" GLO.

Strange. If they didn't want to join a GLO that wasn't a traditionally "black" one, why were they rushing in the first place? Did NPHC sororities at your campus recruit/intake with the NPC sororities?

I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

This is beautifully idealistic, and I would love to agree, but there are always going to be people who are more "comfortable" with others of the same color.

That sounds terribly racist, I know, but the fact is that, in this country, people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds often identify culturally better with people of the same background as them. Whether this is because they are perceived similarly by American society, because they often fall into the same socio-economic background, because they have shared cultural experiences, or for a multitude of other reasons, groups of people tend to gravitate towards those of the same race or ethnicity.
That is not to say that they necessarily have a problem with people of other colors (though they might), just that they feel more comfortable with those who have more shared life experiences with them, and race/ethnicity provides a huge shared experience.

That being said, for a caucasian person in the United States today, they are the majority. With exceptions, they will generally be surrounded mostly by other white people and thus not feel as though they are a representative for their group. For black people, asians, hispanics, or any other group to which BGLO's and MGLO's cater, they are not provided that comfort in everyday life, but the ability to go to an HBCU or join a BGLO (for example) allows them that cushion of comfort that white people so often take for granted.
So, while we shouldn't force segregation, equalling out the balance of whites and blacks (and asians, and hispanics) in all GLO's would be counterproductive to one of the main functions of the BGLO.

[kathykd2005]

[QUOTE=GDIfly;1328028]Strange. If they didn't want to join a GLO that wasn't a traditionally "black" one, why were they rushing in the first place? Did NPHC sororities at your campus recruit/intake with the NPC sororities?

At the school where I went, the only African American sorority that was there left in the mid-90s, and never tried to recolonize. A lot of my friends went through recruitment for the experience, but when it came to joining, some said they didn't want to join because they didn't want to be in a sorority that was not a traditional "Black" GLO. After that, some of the ladies I knew tried to start a chapter of AKA, but were not able to get the appropriate backing.

Thanks for explaining your opinion in such a positive manner, I truly appreciate it!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

Some people think everything is racism.

[KAY10]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

While history's implications are definitely important, I was always baffled when individuals I knew and was friends with wouldn't join a Greek organization on campus because it wasn't a traditionally African American sorority. We also had several women decline bids ONLY because KD was not a traditionally "black" GLO. I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

I agree with you but that's not the way it is.