Is 40 to old to join a sorority?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by skylark

Very much doubt it... I think we should abandon this one and the AI one going on since the OPs don't seem to be at all as interested in hearing the advice compared to how interested we are in doling it out.

I think they would be more interested if the advice was like this.

[SthrnZeta]

DZRose, I think AI is such a touchy subject on GC because each group handles it differently (it is harder to do in some chapters than others, and impossible in some) and also because some women don't want to see the privilege abused. I don't agree that the arguments need to get as heated as they sometimes do on this topic, but I can see why some women on here get a little frustrated with the discussions. AI is thrown out there as a last resort sometimes for women who didn't get in while in college or for whatever reason couldn't/didn't pursue collegiate membership. There are certainly cases where AI is warranted and is a benefit to the organization, especially since so many are really pushing for alumni involvement (the key to keeping the org as a whole going is the support of its alumnae since you are an alumna for far more many years than you are a collegiate for), but I also agree that it's not for every woman either.

[AlphaFrog]

I still can't help but think, being that she's "afrikanscholar" that she's talking about NPHC. From what I've gathered, it still seems like it would be awkward for her to pledge an undergrad chapter, but it also seems that once she's graduated, it would be perfectly commonplace for her to try a Grad chapter.

[icicle22]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I still can't help but think, being that she's "afrikanscholar" that she's talking about NPHC. From what I've gathered, it still seems like it would be awkward for her to pledge an undergrad chapter, but it also seems that once she's graduated, it would be perfectly commonplace for her to try a Grad chapter.

I was thinking that too...no offense or anything, but by her name alone I thought she was black.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by icicle22

I was thinking that too...no offense or anything, but by her name alone I thought she was black.

I assumed she's an Afrikan scholar.

I didn't assume she was black b/c I hope many 40 yr old black people who are interested in NPHC orgs generally know the answers to these types of questions or know not to come to Greekchat to ask them.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I still can't help but think, being that she's "afrikanscholar" that she's talking about NPHC. From what I've gathered, it still seems like it would be awkward for her to pledge an undergrad chapter, but it also seems that once she's graduated, it would be perfectly commonplace for her to try a Grad chapter.

I agree. I also differ slightly with DSTCHAOS in her assessment of commuter schools, but then again the only one I'm familiar with is UDC.

Of the girls I know on a recent sorority line at UDC, the youngest was 19 and the oldest was 40.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I still can't help but think, being that she's "afrikanscholar" that she's talking about NPHC. From what I've gathered, it still seems like it would be awkward for her to pledge an undergrad chapter, but it also seems that once she's graduated, it would be perfectly commonplace for her to try a Grad chapter.

Which is confusing to me, because when you spell it that way, you are usually anti-greek organizations anyway? Most who are Afrikan Centered lack the sentiment and desire to join any NPHC organization because we are viewed as mock ups of the NIC by them... I have my ways of knowing these realities...

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Which is confusing to me, because when you spell it that way, you are usually anti-greek organizations anyway?

Why? (If you don't mind me asking...I don't know anything about the connotation of spelling afrikan/african.)

[ForeverRoses]

[QUOTE=AlphaFrog;1546297]Why? (If you don't mind me asking...I don't know anything about the connotation of spelling afrikan/african.)[/QUOTE

The spelling of Afrika versus Africa is because spelling it with a "c" is considered to be "eurocentric". Spelling it with a "k" focuses it more on Afrika. As a good friend and member of a NPHC sorority explained it to me, most people who spell it with a "k" consider sororities to be eurocentric institutions and not traditional Afrikan institutions (in other words, they view sororities and fraternities as being sell-outs).

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

The spelling of Afrika versus Africa is because spelling it with a "c" is considered to be "eurocentric". Spelling it with a "k" focuses it more on Afrika. As a good friend and member of a NPHC sorority explained it to me, most people who spell it with a "k" consider sororities to be eurocentric institutions and not traditional Afrikan institutions (in other words, they view sororities and fraternities as being sell-outs).

I find this spelling distinction ridiculous and I question where your good friend (and apparently AKAMonet) got the bolded from.

[Dionysus]

[QUOTE=ForeverRoses;1546378]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Why? (If you don't mind me asking...I don't know anything about the connotation of spelling afrikan/african.)[/QUOTE

The spelling of Afrika versus Africa is because spelling it with a "c" is considered to be "eurocentric". Spelling it with a "k" focuses it more on Afrika. As a good friend and member of a NPHC sorority explained it to me, most people who spell it with a "k" consider sororities to be eurocentric institutions and not traditional Afrikan institutions (in other words, they view sororities and fraternities as being sell-outs).

Okay, that's cool! From now on, I'm going to start spelling things with a "k" to get back at THE MAN!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Most who are Afrikan Centered lack the sentiment and desire to join any NPHC organization because we are viewed as mock ups of the NIC by them... I have my ways of knowing these realities...

I don't know how most Afrikan Centered (is that an organization or just a frame of mind?) think. Is there a survey or something?

Afrocentrism (which I assume is the same thing you are referencing with "Afrikan Centered") doesn't preclude membership in fraternities and sororities for many Afrocentric people. They aren't a monolithic group.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I don't know how most Afrikan Centered (is that an organization or just a frame of mind?) think. Is there a survey or something?

Afrocentrism (which I assume is the same thing you are referencing with "Afrikan Centered") doesn't preclude membership in fraternities and sororities for many Afrocentric people. They aren't a monolithic group.

Dr. Marimba Ani is the first the publish this idea of "Afrikan Centeredness". Then Dr. Na'im Akbar published in through out his works. The ASCAC often uses it for their research studies from Dr. Cheikh Ante Diop, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima and Dr. John Henrik Clarke.

Afrocentrism is thought to be a fabrication, commercialized to sell the angry black man or woman. It centralizes superiority of one group versus another, meaning it subjugates, which is contrary to what most of these authors support, think and believe. It is also contrary to our Ancestors and what they died for during the Maafa, which was recently honored during Nakambuka Day.

Afrikan Centered was a called upon from the Watoto and Asili, the Utaamawaazo, a definition of a new epistemology. It requires study and research to apply tantric principles and transcend with the Buddha, incorporate humility from transgressions and provide mitzpah. It allows all to to investigate and lead to Enlightenment, our Houses and Peace...

[fantASTic]

To shed as much light as a corn-fed white girl can on the 'k' spelling thing...

In my sociology class, we read the biography of Assata Shakur, and this is her take on the usage of 'k' instead of 'c'. She used that commonly, for a lot of things [kourt for court, afrikan, etc]. What we were informed is that the use of the k indicates a racism or biased system. For example: she uses kourt instead of court to denote the system in which she was tried, because it was racially slanted against her. Apparently the k is used because of the KKK.

In the same light, an "afrikan" according to Assata is a black person who has "sold out" to the white-centered society.


I have no idea if there are other meanings or whatever, so please don't jump down my throat if I'm wrong!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

To shed as much light as a corn-fed white girl can on the 'k' spelling thing...

In my sociology class, we read the biography of Assata Shakur. She used that commonly, for a lot of things [kourt for court, afrikan, etc]. What we were informed is that the use of the k indicates a racism or biased system. For example: she uses kourt instead of court to denote the system in which she was tried, because it was racially slanted against her. Apparently the k is used because of the KKK.

In the same light, an "afrikan" according to Assata is a black person who has "sold out" to the white-centered society.


I have no idea if there are other meanings or whatever, so please don't jump down my throat if I'm wrong!

Okay--this is Assata Shakur's take on it. She's hardly the foremost authority on such things. And I'm humored that you all were assigned her biography for your soc class.