Thoughts on minorities in NPHC

[ariend]

Could it be said then that such desires to uphold traditions are prohibiting success in progressive moments? From how I see it, NPHC organizations have great potential to revolutionize the way life is lived and preceived. There are so many teens that can benefit from the programs such as GEMS. Then there are still hundreds of thousands who are ignorant of blights around the world. NPHC organizations have the ability to change all of this and more.

At least in this region, it seems as if these organizations have become more of a social group rather than a team of dedicated men and women who are obligated to continue the fight their forefathers began. I just find it strange that some of those who do join did so superficial intentions... Maybe these statements are more idealistic than realistic. Perhaps I have misunderstood the history of many of the fraternities and sororities.

PhDiva's statements have made me realize that I more than likely misunderstood the purpose of NPHC organizations. This country has a hard time treating everyone as equals. So NPHC organizations are more of a safe haven rather than a force? I just assumed that ideals each organization is based on had some greater meaning (love for all, uplift, involvement in social revolutions, ect, ect).

(Sorry if I have offended anyone)

[MeezDiscreet]

Originally Posted by ariend

Could it be said then that such desires to uphold traditions are prohibiting success in progressive moments? From how I see it, NPHC organizations have great potential to revolutionize the way life is lived and preceived. There are so many teens that can benefit from the programs such as GEMS. Then there are still hundreds of thousands who are ignorant of blights around the world. NPHC organizations have the ability to change all of this and more.

At least in this region, it seems as if these organizations have become more of a social group rather than a team of dedicated men and women who are obligated to continue the fight their forefathers began. I just find it strange that some of those who do join did so superficial intentions... Maybe these statements are more idealistic than realistic. Perhaps I have misunderstood the history of many of the fraternities and sororities.

PhDiva's statements have made me realize that I more than likely misunderstood the purpose of NPHC organizations. This country has a hard time treating everyone as equals. So NPHC organizations are more of a safe haven rather than a force? I just assumed that ideals each organization is based on had some greater meaning (love for all, uplift, involvement in social revolutions, ect, ect).

(Sorry if I have offended anyone)

I'm offended. I have a hard time paying attention to anyone speaking on things that they don't know about.

[laylo]

Originally Posted by ariend

Could it be said then that such desires to uphold traditions are prohibiting success in progressive moments? From how I see it, NPHC organizations have great potential to revolutionize the way life is lived and preceived. There are so many teens that can benefit from the programs such as GEMS. Then there are still hundreds of thousands who are ignorant of blights around the world. NPHC organizations have the ability to change all of this and more.

At least in this region, it seems as if these organizations have become more of a social group rather than a team of dedicated men and women who are obligated to continue the fight their forefathers began. I just find it strange that some of those who do join did so superficial intentions... Maybe these statements are more idealistic than realistic. Perhaps I have misunderstood the history of many of the fraternities and sororities.

PhDiva's statements have made me realize that I more than likely misunderstood the purpose of NPHC organizations. This country has a hard time treating everyone as equals. So NPHC organizations are more of a safe haven rather than a force? I just assumed that ideals each organization is based on had some greater meaning (love for all, uplift, involvement in social revolutions, ect, ect).

(Sorry if I have offended anyone)

Since when have these functions been mutually exclusive??

You sound like a relatively smart girl, so I'm sure you realized that what you said would be offensive.

[ariend]

I was speaking out of fustration. What I had said previously had little to do with the topic originally addressed. I know a several of the organizations over here can do more in the service sector. I shouldn't have put down the whole group. I was eagerly waiting for another Deborah Wolfe or Dorothy Height. Amidst my niavete, I failed to recognize thousands of women who are contributing to the community in some form. Even the smallest contribution will revolutionize the way people live. Again, I apologize. I shouldn't have applied this specific situation (again, what is going on around here) to all the others.

[PhDiva]

Could it be said then that such desires to uphold traditions are prohibiting success in progressive moments?

This wasn't what I was suggesting or intimating when I spoke of some resistance to let non-AAs into NPHC organizations. NPHC have been at the forefront of progressive moments and movement from their inception. Having non-AAs members will not make or break the NPHC. The OP was trying to figure out if our orgs. do not prohibit non-AAs from being members, why is there some resistance at the local level. I simply gave an example of what I think may cause some of the resistance to non-AAs joining NPHC orgs.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by ariend

Could it be said then that such desires to uphold traditions are prohibiting success in progressive moments? From how I see it, NPHC organizations have great potential to revolutionize the way life is lived and preceived. There are so many teens that can benefit from the programs such as GEMS. Then there are still hundreds of thousands who are ignorant of blights around the world. NPHC organizations have the ability to change all of this and more.

At least in this region, it seems as if these organizations have become more of a social group rather than a team of dedicated men and women who are obligated to continue the fight their forefathers began. I just find it strange that some of those who do join did so superficial intentions... Maybe these statements are more idealistic than realistic. Perhaps I have misunderstood the history of many of the fraternities and sororities.

PhDiva's statements have made me realize that I more than likely misunderstood the purpose of NPHC organizations. This country has a hard time treating everyone as equals. So NPHC organizations are more of a safe haven rather than a force? I just assumed that ideals each organization is based on had some greater meaning (love for all, uplift, involvement in social revolutions, ect, ect).

(Sorry if I have offended anyone)

it takes more than some random person with an opinion to offend me. but i think maybe youre in the wrong place at the wrong time? i can imagine if you are not within the BGLO lifestyle or in a community where they are active, you will not see as much of our orgs in action in the community. and trust, we have in many ways, "revolutionize[d] the way life is lived and preceived." again, wrong place and time?

and again, maybe on the LOCAL level it APPEARS to you that our orgs are social, but again, unless you are scoping us 24/7, youre not going to get the 100% gist of how we get down. of course, this is where "membership has priveledges" comes in - you really wont get the big picture until youre on the other side.

until then, do some research. and then do some MORE research.

[PhrozenGenius]

Well, it's different everywhere so I'll try not to use blanket statements. I think many of us are graduate members, where the dedication to the ideals has waned is in the undergraduate sector. (Hear me out before you jump down my throat)

I am actually a recent graduate. I still hang around many of my undergraduate brethren and other undergraduate greeks. I never hear, "Damn that was a great community service function yesterday. We really helped those people." I do hear, "That was a crunk @$$ party last night." or "There was too many women out there cuzz!"

I know of very few chapters that are doing GREAT in the community service department. (Auburn's Kappas have completely changed a community, The Deltas at Tuskegee are totally about their business.) For the most part, I hear people arguing over stepshows and fighting over percieved disrespect.

At the graduate level I don't see that. A lot of the younger grad members (24-40) are gung ho about going into the community and uplifted what could be considered "downtrodden humanity" but alot of the older members are simply focused on money. So, since they're older we tend to defer to them on a number of issues.

These are just my observations...Maybe it's different where you are but down here....*sigh* never mind.