why join? (sure already asked)

[susan314]

Originally Posted by hockeydude1234

does it matter if im asian as i saw the bible thing.......

Bible thing?

No, it does not matter if you are Asian. What does matter is simply finding a group that you click with.

If you seriously look into rushing, you'll find that each chapter of each fraternity has a different personality. Although all groups should have at least some focus on academics, some chapters may be more studious than others. Some groups may be really into athletics. Etc. (I'd recommend not necessarily listening to stereotypes of chapters, which can be wrong or exaggerated - form your own impressons too.)

[nwu43]

^

exactly
--

and yea im confused about this whole "bible thing" too ???

[macallan25]

I'm sorry, but both of you are being just a little naive. There are plenty of chapters at many schools where, absolutely, it would matter if you were Asian, or any non-white race.

[UGAalum94]

macallan25,

Would you have them answer, "oh, you're Asian; forget it" ?

Yeah, some chapters do discriminate, contrary to the non-discrimination clause of their national organizations, but I suspect that they're covered by Susan's "click with" comment.

Non-whites aren't likely to click with racist chapters, right?

[macallan25]

No, nor did I say anything like that, I was just being honest.

Furthermore, I think it is mighty unfair for you to label chapters as discriminatory, and I think you would make quite a few people extremely upset if this is what you believe goes down in many of our selection processes. Just because you have an all white chapter, in no way, means that you routinely discriminate during the rush process.

[susan314]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Just because you have an all white chapter, in no way, means that you routinely discriminate during the rush process.

Doesn't that somewhat contradict with what you said here:

There are plenty of chapters at many schools where, absolutely, it would matter if you were Asian, or any non-white race.

Anyhow, you were looking at the comments about being Asian not mattering from an individual chapter perspective - I was making the comment from the system as a whole perspective. Being Asian would not make a difference for him approaching the rush process - are there some individual chapters which might discriminate against him? Sure. (unfortunately) But would those really be the chapters he felt that he fit in at and wanted to join anyhow? Probably not.

[UGAalum94]

Macallan25,

This discussion just seems goofy since you were the guy who brought it up. If you want him to know that it might matter to certain chapters that he's Asian, it doesn't seem to me to make much sense for you to turn around and say that it's wrong to assume that groups discriminate on the basis of ethnicity.

Either they do or they don't. Either it will or it won't.

But you can't really say in advance of rush: many chapters will specifically consider your being Asian, but do not assume because they are all white that they discriminate on this basis.

[dgdramadawg]

I don't think it is contradictory to say that just because a chapter is all-white they are not necessarily racist when also saying that there are plenty of groups where it would matter.

Example: UGA has what, 23 IFC fraternities? A lot of them are all-white. Does that mean they are all racist? Of course not. Does that mean that a non-white PNM could have a chance with some of the more deeply rooted "South-will-rise-again" chapters? No. The point is that a non-white PNM would probably not be interested in a chapter that would discriminate against him because of his race.

To the OP: It is totally possible to join an IFC fraternity if you are Asian. Also totally possible to join a fraternity that was founded with Christian beliefs if you are not Christian (this is what I assume you mean by "the bible thing"). However, depending on your campus you may find that your options are more limited.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

macallan25,

Would you have them answer, "oh, you're Asian; forget it" ?

Yeah, some chapters do discriminate, contrary to the non-discrimination clause of their national organizations, but I suspect that they're covered by Susan's "click with" comment.

Non-whites aren't likely to click with racist chapters, right?

I'm quoting myself so you can see what was actually there. "Some chapters" is the language used. I think you agree.

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

It depends on the campus, though. At some universities diversity is key, and non-white PNMs going through recruitment with mostly white fraternities or sororities would have a VERY good chance of being chosen. And yes, at some, that would keep them from getting a bid. I am betting that there are chapters at those two extremes and many in the middle at every campus and agree that a non-white PNM would not likely be interested in rushing a chapter that would be discriminatory. It is no different from a girl with purple hair and 18 peircings not feeling comfortable at BarbieSorority which outlaws piercings and unatural hair colors. It does not mean it is right, but it is reality. Just like in the real world, there will always be groups who discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

It is also true that sometimes very few non-white PNMs participate in NPC or IFC recruitment at some schools. At mine this is true. Our chapters are not likely to be discriminatory because of the campus atmosphere, but almost every single PNM is white.