BGLO and GLO

[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.

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

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.

You'll just have to be offended. I didn't say that you didn't do any of the things you mentioned, you just got all hissy at what you THOUGHT I said.

Let me give you an example of what I'm talking about: As a child, I attended academic programs sponsored by AKA and DST. My friends participated in Kappa League. I had teachers who wore para ever chance they got. During AIDS walk and March of Dimes, I saw members of all 9 NPHC orgs. When I volunteered at the hospital and the homeless shelter, I did so alongside NPHC members.

My point is that NPHC orgs are extremely visible in the African-American community. So by the time most African-American students make it to college, they have at least a passing knowledge of these orgs and what they do in the community. To be honest with you, I had never heard of any NPC sororities until my sophmore year of college. I didn't get any info about rush my freshman year (maybe cause I'm black? ). But then again, you don't see me on GC talking about how much "better" the NPHC is than NPC/NIC the way some others do...

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

My point is that NPHC orgs are extremely visible in the African-American community. So by the time most African-American students make it to college, they have at least a passing knowledge of these orgs and what they do in the community. To be honest with you, I had never heard of any NPC sororities until my sophmore year of college. I didn't get any info about rush my freshman year (maybe cause I'm black? ). But then again, you don't see me on GC talking about how much "better" the NPHC is than NPC/NIC the way some others do...

Some schools are just really bad about getting information out about their recruitment. I sincerely hope it wasn't due to your skin color.

[KAY10]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

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.

I think that's great you're still involved with your sorority. You should be. Kappa Delta should stay with you til the day you die. Keep it up.

[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!

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

I try not to respond in these threads that touch on race because at the end of the day no one is going to change their minds here anyway...but what alot of the folks on GC that are members of NPC/IFC orgs don't seem to fully grasp is that its a COMPLETELY different experience for us...I knew what sorority I wanted to pledge in middle school....I also knew that you don't "change teams" so to speak....if I had not been chosen by Delta in Spr 02, I would have tried for DELTA in Spr 03, then a graduate chapter for as long as it took until I got DELTA....if the good Lord never made it happen for me, I would have died with no letters...the greeks in my family taught me this among other lessons about the BGLO experience early on....my favorite teacher was a Delta..like someone said we see the D9 orgs doing work in our communities as we grow up...we admire and respect these people and want to join the same orgs...or the orgs that our family members belong to....I attended a school with no NPHC representation for 1 year...I would never participate in a NPC rush, thats just me...the idea of not knowing where I was going to end up baffles me....but I'm not knocking it....why can't it be ok for the BGLOs and the "predominantly" WGLOs (yeah I said it) to be different and therefore needed?

[Tom Earp]

There is nothing saying you are not right.

But why isnt there more HBGLOs on Camupuses?

With the presence there, would it not give the chance to join a HBGLO? If it or they isn't there, then it doesn't does it?

My School has one only HBGLO, while I was there, it had four, two Male and two Female, now, only one Fraternity.

So, I want to know why is that?

Whose fault is it?

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

what alot of the folks on GC that are members of NPC/IFC orgs don't seem to fully grasp is that its a COMPLETELY different experience for us...

Well, there is a lot about each person's individual experience that could potentially make two COMPLETELY different experiences for two girls who are even in the same chapter. So to generalize and say "us" and "them" isn't really productive.

Is what you described typical of a white girl rushing an NPC sorority? No. But I'm sure there have been girls who are legacies to some NPC sorority 3 or 4 times over and feel the same way you do about dying without letters rather than joining a different sorority. Likewise, I'm sure there have also been black girls who would join any of the four NPHC sororities, though they might have their favorite, but will take life as any greek over their favorite sorority.

[KAY10]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

I try not to respond in these threads that touch on race because at the end of the day no one is going to change their minds here anyway...but what alot of the folks on GC that are members of NPC/IFC orgs don't seem to fully grasp is that its a COMPLETELY different experience for us...I knew what sorority I wanted to pledge in middle school....I also knew that you don't "change teams" so to speak....if I had not been chosen by Delta in Spr 02, I would have tried for DELTA in Spr 03, then a graduate chapter for as long as it took until I got DELTA....if the good Lord never made it happen for me, I would have died with no letters...the greeks in my family taught me this among other lessons about the BGLO experience early on....my favorite teacher was a Delta..like someone said we see the D9 orgs doing work in our communities as we grow up...we admire and respect these people and want to join the same orgs...or the orgs that our family members belong to....I attended a school with no NPHC representation for 1 year...I would never participate in a NPC rush, thats just me...the idea of not knowing where I was going to end up baffles me....but I'm not knocking it....why can't it be ok for the BGLOs and the "predominantly" WGLOs (yeah I said it) to be different and therefore needed?

I feel ya. I remember when I went to Ohio State to visit with the Zeta Chapter Nupes and I saw WGLOs for the 1st time. I said to myself what is that???? I tried to remember some of them and the ones I did remember, I did some research and found out how old they were. Some were founded at the turn of the 20th Century but most were not. They were founded during the 19th Century. I thought this was interesting, but if I didn't go to a Historical Black college I still would have pledged Kappa Alpha Psi never an organization outside the Divine 9. I think Divine 9 orgs. do more including community service. My opinion