What do people think about ethnic GLOs

[jubilance1922]

I swear, I am so tired of the "ethnic GLO's are just reverse racism, blah blah blah" speech. Get a new tune people.

The FACTS are that in 1906 - 1922, NO NPC or IFC organization was open to non-White members. Most weren't even open to non-Christian White people. Obviously there was a need for organizations for African-Americans. In later years there was a need for organizations for Latinos and Asians.

Now it is 2006, and these organizations have been around for many years, and I seriously doubt that any organization is going to want to close up shop just because a few misguided people (who have no idea what these organizations do in the community or even their purpose) think that they should.

I personally think that everyone who is in the "Let's get rid of ethnic GLO's cause they cause separation!" club should go kick rocks.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

I swear, I am so tired of the "ethnic GLO's are just reverse racism, blah blah blah" speech. Get a new tune people.

The FACTS are that in 1906 - 1922, NO NPC or IFC organization was open to non-White members. Most weren't even open to non-Christian White people. Obviously there was a need for organizations for African-Americans. In later years there was a need for organizations for Latinos and Asians.

Now it is 2006, and these organizations have been around for many years, and I seriously doubt that any organization is going to want to close up shop just because a few misguided people (who have no idea what these organizations do in the community or even their purpose) think that they should.

I personally think that everyone who is in the "Let's get rid of ethnic GLO's cause they cause separation!" club should go kick rocks.

The way I see it, IFC/NPC orgs were founded with Christian whites (mostly Anglo-Saxon) in mind, and for the greater part of their history and development (and still today, the largest part of their membership) deals with that racial/ethnic group. They're as much "ethnic" orgs as any other, in that regard. No matter which group you choose, you're picking something with racial overtones. I don't understand why people somehow think that the IFC/NPC orgs are race and ethnicity neutral. White history is not neutral history, and historically white (yes, I said it ) GLOs are not racially neutral (even if their current policies are non-discriminatory - the GLOs everyone are labelling as ethnic also have these policies).

Not trying to step on any toes here, just stating the facts as I see them.

[BamaDad DZ]

With all due respect to the politically correct members of this forum, I find it hard to believe that race is not considered an issue with Greek fraternities and sororities on practically all US campuses. Among other memberships I've held in life, I joined Tau Epsilon Rho while in law school, an historically Jewish law fraternity, whose members include many Gentiles like myself. I understand that Tau Epsilon Rho is currently returning to its religious roots. This comes from the official Tau Epsilon Rho web-site:

Beginning with the mid-1950’s, Tau Epsilon Rho Law Fraternity welcomed into its membership every member of the legal profession, regardless of their race, religion, or gender. In 1985, the organization formally changed its name to Tau Epsilon Rho Law Society to more accurately represent its diverse membership and to promote group solidarity. In recent years, TAU EPSILON RHO has made a conscious decision to reemphasize our Jewish roots, and to promote our particular moral and ethical standards as they relate to the legal profession and our personal lives. While TAU EPSILON RHO remains strongly committed to the principles of inclusion and equality, which were our founding ideals, we believe that these religious imperatives also enforce the proper, highest moral aspirations of attorneys and judges throughout the nation.

Under this philosophy, I would be less likely to join today. I respect the religious ideals of Judaism as much as my own, but I feel the religious and racial emphasis on being Jewish becomes slightly more exclusionary. The same holds true for any (hypothetical) Protestant, Buddhist, Hindu or Islamic fraternity or sorority.

I understand this thread involves ethnic Greek organizations, but I cannot help but think that religious affiliation bears a similar, perhaps overlapping, influence on membership issues. Under the theory of homophily, birds of a feather naturally flock together. Its not racist, just natural segregation. So long as people remain homophilous, separate ethnic and religious Greek organizations will likely endure, if permitted by law and social practice. Check out the following link for a brief discussion of homophily.

http://www.ciadvertising.org/SA/summ...;20Theory.html

I am not advocating one way or another with respect to ethnic or religious Greek structures. I am simply tossing a few thoughts into the forum,

Happy New Year!

[DSTCHAOS]

I agree with Ladygreek, DZ, and Firehouse.

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I agree with Ladygreek, DZ, and Firehouse.

Not me?

I'm sad

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

Not me?

I'm sad

LOL. I quoted you directly and cosigned.

I didn't feel like quoting 3 other people.

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

LOL. I quoted you directly and cosigned.

I didn't feel like quoting 3 other people.

...............

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

Now it is 2006, and these organizations have been around for many years, and I seriously doubt that any organization is going to want to close up shop just because a few misguided people (who have no idea what these organizations do in the community or even their purpose) think that they should.

I agree and our Founding principles are still salient as long as race, class, and gender are salient.