School Daze question.

[KAY10]

I'm kind of going way back here to some earlier postings I read. Some of the posting that Shinerbock made about some greek organizations not being real. Well, at my school I don't consider some to be real. I'm not going to mention any names, but there is a Karate frat at my school. Funny but true, and none of them know Martial Arts except mabey one or two. They are only at my school though. Too me that's not real, but BGLOs are real. BGLOs are nation wide and some are even going International if not already. I see what you're saying Shinerbock as far as not being exposed to BGLOs, but because you haven't been exposed to them does not mean they are not real. I went to a historically black college and I had never heard of WGLOs in my life because I had never been exposed to them, until I went to visit Ohio State. At first I didn't think the WGLOs were real. I said to myself, "What the heck is that???" Well, I didn't want to stay ignorant (not saying that you are) so I did some research on some of them and learned about the history of some. Some were quite interesting. My founders founded my fraternity because not only were they not allowed in WGLOs but also were not allowed to share the same faciltities as white students. They couldn't even use the gynasium because of the color of their skin. This all took place at Indiana University, where African American students would go weeks without seeing another African American student. At the time, Indiana was nicknamed Klandiana because the Klan was very big there and growing. Funny but this is true. The founders started Kappa Alpha Psi as a support group for black students since they didn't have any support groups.

Because I wasn't exposed to WGLOs, I didn't let that stop me from finding out about some of them. You should expand your mind a little and read some of the books about BGLOs. You would find it interesting. We have a ton of history and the greatest thing about the Divine 9 is that after graduation we still recognize our organizations, and are very much involved with them until the day we die. It's like a marriage. "Til death do us part." I'm not saying all, but most WGLO members that I meet always say "I USED to be in a frat," or "I USED to be in a sorority". To me I think real organizations take their organizations to the grave with them. That's REAL to me. I hope you didn't take offense to anything I said, because I wasn't trying to offend you or your organization. Believe it or not, some WGLO sororities are starting to participate in BGLO step shows, a tradition that was started in Africa and continues with BGLOs. I'm not going to try and change your opinion, I'm just trying to get you to learn more history and open up a little that's all.

[shinerbock]

Which is fine, and I never said I havent been exposed to black or multicultural groups, but that those I have been exposed to don't function like the IFC groups do. I think we can all agree that the two types are very different. I guess I consider IFC fraternities to be "real" fraternities because they generally have been around longer, although that isn't always true. We just do things quite a bit different, so to each their own. If I was on a campus with only black or multicultural GLO's, I don't think I'd have gone greek (this is ignoring the issue of race, I'm saying this based only on how these groups work, differences in traditions, etc.). Likewise, there may be some of you who wouldnt join a more traditional IFC type fraternity. The reason I would say something along the lines of other types being not "real" is that naturally I consider what I'm apart of to be the original type of American collegiate greek life, so that is the standard I use when comparing other types of groups. After all, it obviously doesnt have to be "real" to me to be so to you.

[marquise1911]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I guess I consider IFC fraternities to be "real" fraternities because they generally have been around longer, although that isn't always true. We just do things quite a bit different, so to each their own.

All the NPHC Fraternities are part of the IFC? What is your point? We all know the IFC has its standards for membership and if KAY AFA WYF FBS are all part of the IFC then we must have met the standards of those previously admitted. So what are you referring to?

[shinerbock]

I thought only a select few traditionally black fraternities were in IFC, so I guess I was wrong. When I was referring to IFC fraternities, I was referring to traditional fraternities such as SAE, KA, SN, SX, Sig Ep, Kappa Sig, etc, etc... I'm trying to refrain from using terms like "traditionally white" fraternity, but I guess that may point you in the direction I was referring to.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I thought only a select few traditionally black fraternities were in IFC, so I guess I was wrong. When I was referring to IFC fraternities, I was referring to traditional fraternities such as SAE, KA, SN, SX, Sig Ep, Kappa Sig, etc, etc... I'm trying to refrain from using terms like "traditionally white" fraternity, but I guess that may point you in the direction I was referring to.

No, you're right - the fraternities with joint membership in the NPHC and the NIC are Alpha Phi Alpha and Iota Phi Theta. Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma are not members of the NIC. With individual schools' IFCs, I don't know, I guess that would depend on how they are structured.

Personally, I don't see what is such a big deal with using the terms traditionally white fraternity or traditionally white sorority ... it can get tricky when you're trying to not to use the terms.

[shinerbock]

Well there is obvious mixing, especially in parts of the country where minorities are commonly members of NIC/trad white fraternities. But in all honesty I don't think anyone would deny there are some pretty big differences between traditionally white and traditionally black fraternities, both in operation and in culture.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I thought only a select few traditionally black fraternities were in IFC, so I guess I was wrong. When I was referring to IFC fraternities, I was referring to traditional fraternities such as SAE, KA, SN, SX, Sig Ep, Kappa Sig, etc, etc... I'm trying to refrain from using terms like "traditionally white" fraternity, but I guess that may point you in the direction I was referring to.

well, those that you listed are traditionally white, historically white, ect...but that terminlogy might seems to get people caught up in a tizzy. it is what it is.

[alchemistoxi]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I thought only a select few traditionally black fraternities were in IFC, so I guess I was wrong. When I was referring to IFC fraternities, I was referring to traditional fraternities such as SAE, KA, SN, SX, Sig Ep, Kappa Sig, etc, etc... I'm trying to refrain from using terms like "traditionally white" fraternity, but I guess that may point you in the direction I was referring to.

You are correct. only a select few are part of the IFC. SOme of us don't do our research either. Only Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Regrettfully (lol) Iota Phi Theta are part of the IFC, the other 2, Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Psi Phi are not part of the IFC

[alchemistoxi]

APA, PBS

PHI It is spelled with a P not an F

Also, Phi Beta Sigma is not part of the IFC, neither is Omega Psi Phi

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by alchemistoxi

APA, PBS

PHI It is spelled with a P not an F

Also, Phi Beta Sigma is not part of the IFC, neither is Omega Psi Phi

Who/where are you refering to? And in the "Symbol" Greek font, Phi is an F, that's probably what they were doing/trying to do.

[alchemistoxi]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Who/where are you refering to? And in the "Symbol" Greek font, Phi is an F, that's probably what they were doing/trying to do.

Ah. I understand now..

[KAY10]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Which is fine, and I never said I havent been exposed to black or multicultural groups, but that those I have been exposed to don't function like the IFC groups do. I think we can all agree that the two types are very different. I guess I consider IFC fraternities to be "real" fraternities because they generally have been around longer, although that isn't always true. We just do things quite a bit different, so to each their own. If I was on a campus with only black or multicultural GLO's, I don't think I'd have gone greek (this is ignoring the issue of race, I'm saying this based only on how these groups work, differences in traditions, etc.). Likewise, there may be some of you who wouldnt join a more traditional IFC type fraternity. The reason I would say something along the lines of other types being not "real" is that naturally I consider what I'm apart of to be the original type of American collegiate greek life, so that is the standard I use when comparing other types of groups. After all, it obviously doesnt have to be "real" to me to be so to you.

You're right when you say that both GLOs are quite different. In fact they are very different. A buddy of mine is a member of SAE and he and I really couldn't communicate at all. It was funny because when we started talking to each other about our pledge periods, we did so thinking that the pledge periods would be similar. They're totally different. We shed some history about each others organizations but that was it. I agree with you also when you said you wouldn't join a BGLO, since it's not what you are culturally used to. I know I would never join a WGLO, but not because it's culturally different. I went to a predominately white Catholic (I'm not Catholic though) grade school and a predominately white Catholic military academy, so I know the culture, but WGLOs aren't life time, Well..at least most of them aren't, and to me they just don't do as much for the community at BGLOs. Not that they're bad or anything, it's just something I wouldn't have any interest in because of that. Like you said, to each his own. Basically, I just wanted to see if I could open your mind a little.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by KAY10

You're right when you say that both GLOs are quite different. In fact they are very different. A buddy of mine is a member of SAE and he and I really couldn't communicate at all. It was funny because when we started talking to each other about our pledge periods, we did so thinking that the pledge periods would be similar. They're totally different. We shed some history about each others organizations but that was it. I agree with you also when you said you wouldn't join a BGLO, since it's not what you are culturally used to. I know I would never join a WGLO, but not because it's cuturally different. I went to a predominately white Catholic grade school and a predominately white Catholic military academy, so I know the culture, but WGLOs aren't life time, Well..at least most of them aren't, and to me they just don't do as much for the community at BGLOs. Not that they're bad or anything, it's just something I wouldn't have any interest in because of that. Like you said to each his own. Basically I just wanted to see if I could open you mind a little.

That's "funny" because the SAEs and Sigma Chis I went to school with could almost completely relate.

And it is a misconception that these other organizations are not for a lifetime. Many individuals who join those organizations go on to alum involvement. There are differences in how many of them live out their lifetime commitment versus how many of us do but it is still a lifetime commitment.

[KAY10]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

That's "funny" because the SAEs and Sigma Chis I went to school with could almost completely relate.

And it is a misconception that these other organizations are not for a lifetime. Many individuals who join those organizations go on to alum involvement. There are differences in how many of them live out their lifetime commitment versus how many of us do but it is still a lifetime commitment.

I'm sure the SAEs and Sigma Chis can communicate. They're in WGLOs. I mentioned that this SAE I know had a hard time communicating with me because I'm in a BGLO. I had no clue what he was talking about and he had no clue what I was talking about. I just said that BGLOs and WGLOs can't communicate. I didn't say all WGLOs aren't life time, it's just the ones that I've run across that have made statements about how they USED to be in a frat or sorority. That term USED to doesn't sound life time to me. In fact it sounds like once I'm done with college, I'm done with the organization too. And they do say that quite often. BGLOs never ever say that. It's life time for us.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by KAY10

I'm sure the SAEs and Sigma Chis can communicate. They're in WGLOs.

Uh...sure...but within the context of your post, I was saying that they could relate to BGLOs.

We BGLO members chatted with SAEs and Sigma Chis all the time and found that they (maybe it's on a chapter-basis) were more similar to us than we assumed. With exception for a couple terms here and there there was no miscommunication. No harm in enlightening each other on a couple of terms here and there, anyway.