What do people think about ethnic GLOs

[ejay286]

Originally Posted by Firehouse

I envy this about the HBGLOs: whenever blacks gather, and it doesn't matter on what social level, if someone is introduced as, say, "an Alpha man", everyone in the room knows exactly what that means. All the black fraternities and sororities are known and admired throughout all levels of black society.

Black Greeks may have originated because blacks were not rushed by general fraternities and sororities, but they have successfully created their own organizations with their own unique culture, parallel to the "general interest" Greeks.

I think multi-cultural Greeks were founded, not because they were denied admission to the other groups, but because they wanted the same things the rest of us have and also to be around other minorities like themselves. In time they'll develop their own familiar profile and signatures.

One thing that would help the Multis is increasing their membership. Some of the chapters only have a few members. That doesn't attract attention or build prestige.

I think this is not only why blacks prefer BGLO but also an increasing number of whites. No matter what campus you go to the BGLO are the same: AKA, DST, ZPhiB, SGRho, APhiA, Ques, KaPsi, and Sigmas. So no matter where you are likely to find a brother or sister.

[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]

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.

[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.

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

[PhoenixAzul]

I tend to think of it as let people go where they feel the bond. Obviously, my sorority was the best fit for me. But, I understand that it isn't for everyone. I probably wouldn't be a fit for some NPC's, probably wouldn't fit in the NPHC and probably wouldn't fit in a lot of other councils and groups. But there are women for whom those organizations are fabulous and fulfilling fits (wow, check out that alliteration!). And I think that every woman should have a chance to experience what I've experienced through my sorority. It sounds Pollyanna, but I'm alright with that.

Furthermore, I think organizations like my own need to be making an effort to reach out towards groups outside AND inside our systems. We can't keep waiting for others to reach towards us...no one ends up connecting that way. Taking the first steps towards bonds, and sometimes REextending the hand of friendship repeatedly, is sometimes what is needed to bring about real unity.

And while I'm at it, I think an effort needs to be made to diversify our membership. I'm not 100% talking racial, although that is a part of it, but I'm talking about in terms of background in all areas (socio-economic, geographic, physical, educational). I think that a house full of 100 blonde, thin, underwater basket weaving majors from Anytown, PA would be really, really boring. I think part of the point of sisterhood is to find that common bond in uncommon places. Part of what I liked about my own sorority is that people looked at them and went, "wow, they are nothing alike". But when you got down to it, we were alike in that we cherished the same ideals taught by our sorority, we cherished life in the same way, we cherished school and education and dialog. We didn't need to be the same coming into it, we gained common ground through our growth in the sisterhood.

I dunno, now I'm rambling.

Short version: Let people find sisters and brothers wherever they can.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by jaynu

I really feel that other organizations, and even the University in particular, don't take the Philanthropies, community involvement, and the simple concept of a Greek organization done by AGLOs seriously.

How do you guys perceive the Asian organizations on your campuses? Thanks, everyone, for the insight.

I have meet several members of predominantly Asian greek-lettered organizations on my campus.

I see that these greek-lettered organizations are sorely needed for the sharing and cohesiveness within the respective group.

The young people tell me that their parents may not understand but are very caring. The kinds of activities they do on campus are political in nature due to the sheer number of Asians that have graduated from the school.

Look, not every organization, even mine, can provide ALL the needs of the community. We call ourselves living in a capitalistic soceity and free-market economy.... And the last I checked, the United States is governed by a constitution. That we are a UNION with 50 states...

Many people died so that we can all be here to say some of the chit we say to each other when there are so many people that suffer in the United States!!! Aside from the world.

Let's this New Year count our blessings--no matter what new year time we count...

I know what you are going through in Texas. Believe ME, I know... What you need to do it bring forth some controversy on campus with numerous Adult supervision to guide you... Be prepared... You will be a witness to U-G-L-I-N-E-S-S!

But, that is the price of freedom is not always free...

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by jaynu

My guess would be because the majority of AGLO's are still in its first decade (with the except of less than a handful). I'm sure in another decade or two, many, if not most, would have joined a council and become recognized.

I find it interesting that Asians are interested in joining "new" GLOs because where I come from, all most Asians (at least HK Chinese) care about is "tradition." Parents who can afford private school more often send their kids to century-plus prep schools than a post WWII school with an excellent academic reputation.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

I find it interesting that Asians are interested in joining "new" GLOs because where I come from, all most Asians (at least HK Chinese) care about is "tradition." Parents who can afford private school more often send their kids to century-plus prep schools than a post WWII school with an excellent academic reputation.

When making a statement like this I feel it is important to specify which Asian community, since the term Asian covers a lot of different groups.

Here in Minnesota the vast majority of Asians are Southeast Asians. And we have found that even with that geographical focus, there are many differences among the Hmong, Laotians, Cambodians, and Vietnamese communities.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

When making a statement like this I feel it is important to specify which Asian community, since the term Asian covers a lot of different groups.

Here in Minnesota the vast majority of Asians are Southeast Asians. And we have found that even with that geographical focus, there are many differences among the Hmong, Laotians, Cambodians, and Vietnamese communities.

OK, I should clarify. The majority of "Asians" in Toronto are of Chinese descent, mostly from Hong Kong (and I guess their British colonial upbringing is probably the reason why they are likely to send their children to old line prep schools...these schools are still relatively strong in UK heritage). Hong Kong and Taiwanese (despite their non-UK colonial past) make up a good proportion of Asian students in such schools, but there are some Korean students there too.

[cheerfulgreek]

I think BGLO orgs sometimes bring segregation in when there isn't any. For example at my school we always ask several BGLOs to participate in Greek Week and they never do. That's so sad . At my school there is an NPHC fraternity that is the 1st BGLO to have a house on fraternity and sorority row. I see this as integration. If they separate themselves from NPC/IFC greeks then this is what causes segregation.

Originally Posted by ladygreek

When making a statement like this I feel it is important to specify which Asian community, since the term Asian covers a lot of different groups.

Here in Minnesota the vast majority of Asians are Southeast Asians. And we have found that even with that geographical focus, there are many differences among the Hmong, Laotians, Cambodians, and Vietnamese communities.

Here in Hawaii, the Japanese community is the majority, followed closely by the Chinese and Filipinos.