Organizations founded AFTER 1930, Why did you pledge?

[preciousjeni]

Before 1930 (and actually much later than that) the time wasn't ripe for the multicultural organizations to develop. Our culture first had to grasp the concept of cultural organizations (for better or worse), those to which multicultural GLOs owe a tremendous debt of gratitude.

The first 'minority multicultural sorority' wasn't founded until the 1980s and inclusive multicultural sororities (founders were not majority Latina or Asian and the organizations are very open to non-'minority' members) were founded in the 1990s.

In Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., I saw the beginnings of a social movement - something different from "diversity" and "melting pots" - a place where people are situated in such a way that they can't avoid each other and they have to come to terms with their own perceptions of the world and the consequences that follow.

I suppose it sounds more idealistic than what generally occurs in reality, but my organization still provides something that I don't see very often and that is a place to openly learn, ask questions, realize how much bigger the world is than the self and have an opportunity to make a positive change in someone's life in the face of the oppression that still occurs in the U.S.

I wasn't joining a sorority for the social aspect although the networking is certainly a plus. I made the decision that if I were going to put my blood, sweat and tears into anything, it had to be progressive, inclusive, socially aware and willing to stand against the norm. For this reason, I personally take cues from and deeply respect NPHC sororities. I see that they are doing similar things in their contexts. I would like to see my organization grow to the level of influence that these organizations have though I realize getting there will be a drastically different process.

[SxyLambdaLady6]

hey wicked,

do you know anything about phi iota alpha?

[TotallyWicked]

Isn't Phi Iota Alpha's founding year still in question? There are many that say they are not the first Latino org founded since they are a product of two mainstream fraternities (one was a Hispanic society), an a product of Pan Americanism philanthropy. (this is the argument i've heard)

I know they didn't resurface until the 80's due to alot of Latinos being involved in all the wars.

[L.O.C.K.]

I've always put Phiotas founding (well the very beginnings) at RPI in 1898. Of course they went through a shitload of mergers and stuff and were inactive on the collegiate level for awhile.

[SxyLambdaLady6]

idk...I went on their main website and the history was very confusing so I'm just gonna stick to what I know..

[LTA4]

from what i see on their website, it seems they are the result of several fraternities/secret societies/student organizations that were scattered all over... they seem to have been different from the contemporary definition of a latino fraternity, more of an organization or secret society. then they died out and re-emerged in the 80s, perhaps in response to the development of the Latino Greek Movement as it has been since 1975.

[SxyLambdaLady6]

When I was in highschool and applying to college I never thought of joining a sorority because they all seemed pretty wack. basically. I always thought greek life was what you saw on TV and that was definitely not what I was about. Then I started attending UCF and one of my room mates (who went to the same highschool as me) started becoming interested in a mainstream organization...and after a while she stopped because it did not feel right for her (I don't blame her)...then she started attending meetings for LTA in fall 04 and she kept on trying to make me come with her. I was still against sororities so I never went. Then in spring 05 I started to go to these meetings and I realized how different minority greek life is! These girls I went to meetings with were so professional and passionate It was right where I belonged! I remember seeing another sorority doing tables outside the student union but they did not say anything to me, so I grabbed one of their goodie bags..ate the candy...then threw away the rest. The LTAs were actually interested in what I had to say and were very down to earth and caring. I was an interest for 8 months and the rest is history

I became a sister FALL 05 and I could never be happer!

I love my chapter, without them I would not be here

[Ilaria Ame]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

...if I were going to put my blood, sweat and tears into anything, it had to be progressive, inclusive, socially aware and willing to stand against the norm...

beautiful...and exactly why i joined my org. i've grown up in the deep south where change is often talked about but rarely seen. i'm proud to be a soror in an organization dedicated to opening people's minds about what a sorority can be.