NPHC Traditions and Practices that annoy you

[TotallyWicked]

well I think folks should do some research before trying to host a party in a gang infested neighborhood...couldn't hurt in the long run to avoid any major issues....even though I acknowledge fights can break out anywhere.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TotallyWicked

well I think folks should do some research before trying to host a party in a gang infested neighborhood...couldn't hurt in the long run to avoid any major issues....even though I acknowledge fights can break out anywhere.

I surely did not get the impressions that the parties were purposely held in gang infested neighborhoods. The thing is public parties are intended to attract just that--the public. Especially if they are a fundraiser, which many are.

Let's not be naive about gangs--they do travel. And you may not even know that you are letting mambers into a party until it is too late. And very honestly a party of any kind, anywhere is a magnet for gang face-offs. Heck here a U of MN football player was killed attending a public club by a gang member in downtown Mpls for no real reason. We have teens killed at bustops because they were mistaken for rival gang members.

This is no joke. And if anyone thinks all that needs to be done is some research on venues and how to keep them out of the parties, then they are very naive, or they do not live in an area with gang problems.

Oh and guess what? Some gang members do go to college and join BGLOs.

[TotallyWicked]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I surely did not get the impressions that the parties were purposely held in gang infested neighborhoods. The thing is public parties are intended to attract just that--the public. Especially if they are a fundraiser, which many are.

Let's not be naive about gangs--they do travel. And you may not even know that you are letting mambers into a party until it is too late. And very honestly a party of any kind, anywhere is a magnet for gang face-offs. Heck here a U of MN football player was killed attending a public club by a gang member in downtown Mpls for no real reason. We have teens killed at bustops because they were mistaken for rival gang members.

This is no joke. And if anyone thinks all that needs to be done is some research on venues and how to keep them out of the parties, then they are very naive, or they do not live in an area with gang problems.

Oh and guess what? Some gang members do go to college and join BGLOs.

I am very much aware of gangs, I grew up in one of the largest gang areas in the Midwest...I know gangs do travel, I think it would be best to minimize the possibilities of gang fights if the venue were held somewhere not identified as a gang zone. Also, the average age that people leave gangs is 19, while former gang members join BGLO's, that shift in life (going to college, growing out of gangs, getting married, etc.), will detach them from gangs so that should not be a worry (It may be difficult for them, but for the most part this is how people leave gangs).

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by TotallyWicked

I grew up in one of the largest gang areas in the Midwest.

LOLZ. Unless you're talking Chicago, the Midwest is not exactly known for gangs.

[TotallyWicked]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

LOLZ. Unless you're talking Chicago, the Midwest is not exactly known for gangs.

Yup! South Side of Chicago!

Also, that's a dangerous assumption, there are other cities in the Midwest whose gang problems get downplayed, e.g. St. Louis, Gary, IN, Detroit, Cleveland, etc. Chicago is not the only one with a severe gang problem, and hopefully people don't look at Chicago as the sole representative for gang issues.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by TotallyWicked

Yup! South Side of Chicago!

So, why didn't you just say that you grew up in Chicago? Chicago is about the only city in the midwest with a significant gang problem. Adding mileage to your agrument, in this case, doesn't add to the impact.

You edited as I was posting....

St. Louis, ok, I'll give you that - but I don't think Detroit is considered Midwest, and I don't think you can put Cleveland and Gary up there with Chicago and St. Louis.

[TotallyWicked]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

So, why didn't you just say that you grew up in Chicago? Chicago is about the only city in the midwest with a significant gang problem. Adding mileage to your agrument, in this case, doesn't add to the impact.

You edited as I was posting....

St. Louis, ok, I'll give you that - but I don't think Detroit is considered Midwest, and I don't think you can put Cleveland and Gary up there with Chicago and St. Louis.

Because I said it in an earlier post LOL Detroit is considered Midwest. I'm saying if L.A. is recognized for its gang problem, we don't use that as the sole representative for California, we are aware of places like Oakland and Compton; I feel if we recognize more Midwestern cities we can help aid in fixing the gang problem...

.....even though the mayor's solution to Chicago's problem is to push em to the suburbs....but that's an entirely different topic

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

So, why didn't you just say that you grew up in Chicago? Chicago is about the only city in the midwest with a significant gang problem. Adding mileage to your agrument, in this case, doesn't add to the impact.

You edited as I was posting....

St. Louis, ok, I'll give you that - but I don't think Detroit is considered Midwest, and I don't think you can put Cleveland and Gary up there with Chicago and St. Louis.

When I was growing up in the Lou, we did not have a gang problem--I suspect they do now. And my relatives who were in gangs all lived in Chicago.

We even have a problem here in MN, but guess what? We have our fair share of Bloods, Crips, Disciples, etc., but we also have Asian and Latino gangs. And they are no joke.

Oh and Michigan is considered midwest in a lot of designations. And Gary--whew! Per capita I bet they would compare to Chi and the Lou.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

LOLZ. Unless you're talking Chicago, the Midwest is not exactly known for gangs.

...............Really, I beg to differ.

[Phrozen1ne]

When, at stepshows, NPHC orgs give info about their org before they go on and STUMBLE AND MESS UP info like founders and the year founded. Plus reading it off a piece of paper. Then they try to chalk it up to being nervous. If you were that nervous maybe should let someone else do it.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TotallyWicked

I am very much aware of gangs, I grew up in one of the largest gang areas in the Midwest...I know gangs do travel, I think it would be best to minimize the possibilities of gang fights if the venue were held somewhere not identified as a gang zone. Also, the average age that people leave gangs is 19, while former gang members join BGLO's, that shift in life (going to college, growing out of gangs, getting married, etc.), will detach them from gangs so that should not be a worry (It may be difficult for them, but for the most part this is how people leave gangs).

But my point is that mentality has invaded college campuses. I have seen it first hand. And yes they basically traded one gang for another (in their minds) when joining a BGLO, thus the continued hazing.

I should tell you that I am an old head that has experienced a lot of life, probably before you were even born. And your solutions are not that simple.

[TotallyWicked]

I never said they would be simple solutions...but it's a start...I've experienced the 'college thugs' as some call em, and know of folks who have returned to their hometown after school and yet still found themselves in the same situation as when they left.

If someone is very into the gang lifestyle and they are seeking membership, I don't really think it is wise for the organization to give them a bid unless they have a real sit down and have an understanding before they undertake their Membership Intake, if you're just taking folks without knowing really where they are coming from then we can expect this behavior to continue...I feel this would help shake off the cobwebs they (those interested) have and the misperceptions they have of GLO's as "college gangs"

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by TotallyWicked

I never said they would be simple solutions...but it's a start...I've experienced the 'college thugs' as some call em, and know of folks who have returned to their hometown after school and yet still found themselves in the same situation as when they left.

If someone is very into the gang lifestyle and they are seeking membership, I don't really think it is wise for the organization to give them a bid unless they have a real sit down and have an understanding before they undertake their Membership Intake, if you're just taking folks without knowing really where they are coming from then we can expect this behavior to continue...I feel this would help shake off the cobwebs they (those interested) have and the misperceptions they have of GLO's as "college gangs"

I think the idea of BGLO's as gangs is only a thought in areas where there is gang activity because people are sensitive to the topic. I've never heard anyone say such a thing where I live.

[DivineDiva47]

Yea...I can say the same here in the "A". Since I am the neo on the board I rarely hear comments like this about our orgs...if I do it is usually from someone who has not clue what we stand for or aware of the impact D9's have in the community they live in. I tell them what my org (DST) has done past and present and they comments are few to none..

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I think the idea of BGLO's as gangs is only a thought in areas where there is gang activity because people are sensitive to the topic. I've never heard anyone say such a thing where I live.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

But my point is that mentality has invaded college campuses. I have seen it first hand. And yes they basically traded one gang for another (in their minds) when joining a BGLO, thus the continued hazing.

I should tell you that I am an old head that has experienced a lot of life, probably before you were even born. And your solutions are not that simple.

Maybe this is true for certain chapters but our organizations are national and most chapters have not been inspired by gang activity...not at all. I live and was initiated in an area where there is no known gang activity and yet the hazing still goes on and no one is thinking about a gang. The reasons for why hazing continues (especially among the fraternities) is much deeper and complex than this. The book "African-American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision" offers some interesting ideas and insight into the Why's of hazing in BGLO's.

And yes I know that you are a seasoned NPHC member and that you have a great deal of knowledge/wisdom to share but I also know that when it comes to the hazing thing (as it is today), the newer heads are just more in touch than a lot of the old heads are. Some of us have been through it ourselves, observed it, been involved in it, so the why's are a bit more clear to us whether we agree with it or not.