D9 stereotyping..

[OneTimeSBX]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

This issue is by no means a D9 only issue. I was just addressing a specific stereotype...just one of many that women in D9 orgs have to deal with. And yes, not only do we have to deal with NPHC stereotypes but we also have to deal with "greek" stereotypes and prejudices in general. People who know nothing about the NPHC and other BGLO's automatically think of "girls gone wild," popular fraternity movies, and the new one on the block..."dorm porn" which is supposedly filmed at frat houses during frat parties. So unfortunately the stereotypes affiliated with the predominently caucasian sororities and fraternities add to the prejudice against us and every sorority and fraternity member.

whats interesting, and maybe this is only because i associate with more black people, is the fact that the caucasian stereotypes usually involve drinking/partying/taking tops off, etc. the D9 stereotypes i hear about are mostly looks/personality/intelligence. it is a shame that the D9 stereotypes are not things that can be "outgrown", but personality and physical traits...

[1908Revelations]

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

whats interesting, and maybe this is only because i associate with more black people, is the fact that the caucasian stereotypes usually involve drinking/partying/taking tops off, etc. the D9 stereotypes i hear about are mostly looks/personality/intelligence. it is a shame that the D9 stereotypes are not things that can be "outgrown", but personality and physical traits...

So I wonder are any of us (on GC) who are associated with what seems the more positive of the traits that people think we possess. The reason I ask is b/c before I ever expressed any interest in sororities people would assume that I wanted to be an AKA or a Delta. I would never confirm or deny, but I was just wondering if there are positives that have been attached to you as well. Although people should move beyond what they think the typical 'ABC' or 'XYZ' looks or acts.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by 1908Revelations

So I wonder are any of us (on GC) who are associated with what seems the more positive of the traits that people think we possess. The reason I ask is b/c before I ever expressed any interest in sororities people would assume that I wanted to be an AKA or a Delta. I would never confirm or deny, but I was just wondering if there are positives that have been attached to you as well. Although people should move beyond what they think the typical 'ABC' or 'XYZ' looks or acts.

yes, I have heard people (greeks and non-greeks) say that we are intelligent, sophisticated, professional, very independent, ladylike, cool with everybody (greek and non-greek), never put other NPHC sororities down, and do a great deal of community service despite our smaller size.

[Little32]

I think that people tend to associate all of the D9 sororities with a certain level of intelligence. You don't ever hear that XYZ is the sorority for dummies , or at least I don't. I think that because you have to go to college to be a part of any of these organizations, the women and men are credited with a degree of intelligence. (And that is definitely a quality that I possess.)

What are the positive stereotypes associated with each org? I hear these less often than the negative ones.

Honestly, most of the folks that I know have told me that they would never have suspected that I would be interested in being Greek, but then again, they don't know what I know...

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Little32

What are the positive stereotypes associated with each org?

As far as I'm concerned "stereotype" usually doesn't allow for positivity. Even something like "they are the pretty girls" or "those guys are good in bed" or "they are the smart ones" is negative because 1) the average person in that org isn't "pretty" or "good in bed" or "smart" (by average standards) and 2) that implies a deficit in the other groups.

Now, generalizations that are based on people's observations are understandable. But my generalizations based on my observations would defy what many of the folks on this board believe to be true. Lastly, generalizations based on the demographic info our orgs publish are the most valid because they tend not to be based on seemingly superficial and subjective criteria.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

As far as I'm concerned "stereotype" usually doesn't allow for positivity. Even something like "they are the pretty girls" or "those guys are good in bed" or "they are the smart ones" is negative because 1) the average person in that org isn't "pretty" or "good in bed" or "smart" (by average standards) and 2) that implies a deficit in the other groups.

Now, generalizations that are based on people's observations are understandable. But my generalizations based on my observations would defy what many of the folks on this board believe to be true. Lastly, generalizations based on the demographic info our orgs publish are the most valid because they tend not to be based on seemingly superficial and subjective criteria.

Are you referring to SGRho's or NPHC members in general? It's not about the generalizations that are based on one person's observations but rather it's the generalizations that are based on the observations of many that will probably have some truth to it. This of course depends on how many are included in the "many." For example, a poll or survey taken on one campus, area, or region may tell you something about the "truth" that exists on a specific campus, area, or region, but this of course is not necessarily the whole story since the "many" does not extend to the rest of the nation and beyond. That's why overall, it's better to stay away from generalizations and stereotypes...both can be negative and very untrue overall. Although saying something positive is always better than saying something negative if people are going to talk...and they ARE going to talk.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Are you referring to SGRho's or NPHC members in general?

NPHC members, in general.

[IncontRHOllable]

Originally Posted by 1908Revelations

So I wonder are any of us (on GC) who are associated with what seems the more positive of the traits that people think we possess. The reason I ask is b/c before I ever expressed any interest in sororities people would assume that I wanted to be an AKA or a Delta. I would never confirm or deny, but I was just wondering if there are positives that have been attached to you as well. Although people should move beyond what they think the typical 'ABC' or 'XYZ' looks or acts.

Soror Rhoyaltempest answered exactly what I would say. However, I must agree with Sistergreek who said that she hears the positive stereotypes much less than she hears the negative stereotypes. It seems to me that its the negative stereotypes that drive some prospects to steer clear of some orgs and pursue others. I am hoping (may be false hope) that we in greekdom can move beyond the negative stereotypes and stop perpetuating them by tearing down eachother by speaking negatively about one another. If you just look at Youtube you can see some of the D9 members post such hateful nasty things about each other and why is that? It must cease.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

whats interesting, and maybe this is only because i associate with more black people, is the fact that the caucasian stereotypes usually involve drinking/partying/taking tops off, etc. the D9 stereotypes i hear about are mostly looks/personality/intelligence. it is a shame that the D9 stereotypes are not things that can be "outgrown", but personality and physical traits...

I'm not sure I understand you on this one. Can you please explain?

[OneTimeSBX]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I'm not sure I understand you on this one. Can you please explain?

i am going to go on and use black and non-black to differentiate between the sororities...

well, when you hear about the non-black sororities, like the girls on the "girls gone wild" video, we pretty much all think of the same "type" of girl. there may be some black girls on there, ive never really felt the need to watch...but from what i hear my non-black coworkers say about the non-black sorority girls, its she is a lush/freak/takes her top off/sleeps around. later, these same girls clean up nice and have a tea party. eventually, nobody mentions the fact that "Barbara" who is in her 40's now used to be that same alcoholic topless wonder. she "outgrew" her sorority ways, settled down, had some kids and bought a house.

now, my godmother, who is an XYZ, is still being considered stuck up/prissy/etc. even though she pledged XYZ back in '77. she is a professional educated woman with a family now...why should she still be stereotyped because of the type of sorority she pledged? im not talking about the stereotypes that could be considered positive, please group me with smart/pretty/popular people anytime!

why is it that the D9 stereotypes that stick and that people remember are the negative ones? shouldnt it be the same all across the board?

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

i am going to go on and use black and non-black to differentiate between the sororities...

well, when you hear about the non-black sororities, like the girls on the "girls gone wild" video, we pretty much all think of the same "type" of girl. there may be some black girls on there, ive never really felt the need to watch...but from what i hear my non-black coworkers say about the non-black sorority girls, its she is a lush/freak/takes her top off/sleeps around. later, these same girls clean up nice and have a tea party. eventually, nobody mentions the fact that "Barbara" who is in her 40's now used to be that same alcoholic topless wonder. she "outgrew" her sorority ways, settled down, had some kids and bought a house.

now, my godmother, who is an XYZ, is still being considered stuck up/prissy/etc. even though she pledged XYZ back in '77. she is a professional educated woman with a family now...why should she still be stereotyped because of the type of sorority she pledged? im not talking about the stereotypes that could be considered positive, please group me with smart/pretty/popular people anytime!

why is it that the D9 stereotypes that stick and that people remember are the negative ones? shouldnt it be the same all across the board?

I see what you're saying now. I think this is because of our longevity and the seriousness in which we take our organizations. Since people who know anything about NPHC greeks know that our membership is for life (whether you remain active and join a grad chapter or not), the stereotypes keep following us because the sorority/fraternity life for us is limitless. On the other hand, many people (including all types of greeks) associate predominently Caucasian organizations with not taking things as seriously (because their purpose for existing isn't as serious) and being done with their organizations after college. It's just like the many people who did wild and crazy things in college who were able to shed those not so desirable acts and traits once they "grew up" and left college behind. Even though some of the predominently Caucasian organizations do have alumni chapters, they don't accept new membership at that level, each alumni chapter is specifically for the former members of a particular school chapter, and you NEVER hear (or at least I've never heard) them say anything about being active in their organizations until the day they die.

Also, I have heard many members of predominently Caucasian organizations say that they "used" to be a member of XYZ when they were in college. This is something that a NPHC greek would never say (unless they denounced their organization for some reason).

[OneTimeSBX]

i think thats it Rhoyal...the longevity. My godmother is almost as active now as she was in the 70's. for us it can become more of a lifestyle, or a addition to our lifestyle. for them (not to sound insulting) it comes across as a "club" that was just a crazy phase...

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

i think thats it Rhoyal...the longevity. My godmother is almost as active now as she was in the 70's. for us it can become more of a lifestyle, or a addition to our lifestyle. for them (not to sound insulting) it comes across as a "club" that was just a crazy phase...

That's right and many of them (the fraternities more so than the sororities) will tell you that those were their crazy days and many didn't intend for it to be anything more. As for us, because of our African heritage and African American history we feel like we HAVE to do the work we do and we HAVE to keep the sister/brotherhood alive to enhance our lives in a country and world that we all know can be (and has been) less than kind to Black people (all over the world).

[blackngoldengrl]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I see what you're saying now. I think this is because of our longevity and the seriousness in which we take our organizations. Since people who know anything about NPHC greeks know that our membership is for life (whether you remain active and join a grad chapter or not), the stereotypes keep following us because the sorority/fraternity life for us is limitless. On the other hand, many people (including all types of greeks) associate predominently Caucasian organizations with not taking things as seriously (because their purpose for existing isn't as serious) and being done with their organizations after college. It's just like the many people who did wild and crazy things in college who were able to shed those not so desirable acts and traits once they "grew up" and left college behind. Even though some of the predominently Caucasian organizations do have alumni chapters, they don't accept new membership at that level, each alumni chapter is specifically for the former members of a particular school chapter, and you NEVER hear (or at least I've never heard) them say anything about being active in their organizations until the day they die.

Also, I have heard many members of predominently Caucasian organizations say that they "used" to be a member of XYZ when they were in college. This is something that a NPHC greek would never say (unless they denounced their organization for some reason).

ouch.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by blackngoldengrl

ouch.

Let me make a correction here because I don't want anyone taking this the wrong way. I made this statement given the history, heritage, and legacy of NPHC greeks and the reason our orgs were created in the first place. Of course sisterhood and brotherhood are purposes serious enough to build a great organization.