Congrats to Michelle Obama

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

I think you are and I'm afraid maybe I was not clear. I'm not talking about "tiers"...people certainly don't say that "XYZ is the best everywhere" and "ABC is consistently bad" because that's never the case. Maybe in some regions XYZ is usually strong but even then I think people see the distinction.

I also am not saying characteristics like "all XYZs are hot". I'm talking about characteristics that are more subtle that can be assigned to any chapter even if they are the "bottom of the totem pole" so to speak. I think the best examples I can give you without saying specifically what I mean would be mirror images of some IFC fraternities...ie, Pike usually seen as athletic, KA as having southern traditions (even a California chapter I know is labeled like that!), etc. You can throw that at the top chapter at campus and you can throw that at the struggling chapters. I think those three sororities have similar characteristics that can be used no matter how the chapter stands in college culture. I don't think JuicyCampus, etc is causing it, but rather reflecting it.

Sorry to you both. I was just looking at this one when I asked about which groups. I didn't go back and look.

I mean you APhiAnna and Breathesgelatin, who had to do my reading for me.

Yeah, I'll go with agree to disagree with APhiAnna about national images and reputations. Stereotype, I suppose is arguable since it wouldn't actually have to be based on any real similarity at all, but in may be a question of how many perceptions count to make a national reputation, image or stereotype.

[APhiAnna]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Sorry to you both. I was just looking at this one when I asked about which groups. I didn't go back and look.

I mean you APhiAnna and Breathesgelatin, who had to do my reading for me.

Yeah, I'll go with agree to disagree with APhiAnna about national images and reputations. Stereotype, I suppose is arguable since it wouldn't actually have to be based on any real similarity at all, but in may be a question of how many perceptions count to make a national reputation, image or stereotype.

Just to clarify I'm only arguing stereotypes. National image is taken into account by the population as a whole, as well as people who are familiar with GLOs. In both cases GLOs will have a varied image because of chapter variations. I think this is the accurate point of view. Stereotypes, in my opinion, are 95% fostered by collegiate Greeks simply because nobody else really cares who is old money, who is fat, who is slutty, etc. And, as I've argued, amongst collegiate Greeks I think there are a couple stereotypes that have jumped state lines and stuck to certain GLOs regardless of if the chapter meets the criteria for the stereotype or not. But I understand that many people apparently do not feel this way...I guess it's just differing of opinion.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

Just to clarify I'm only arguing stereotypes. National image is taken into account by the population as a whole, as well as people who are familiar with GLOs. In both cases GLOs will have a varied image because of chapter variations. I think this is the accurate point of view. Stereotypes, in my opinion, are 95% fostered by collegiate Greeks simply because nobody else really cares who is old money, who is fat, who is slutty, etc. And, as I've argued, amongst collegiate Greeks I think there are a couple stereotypes that have jumped state lines and stuck to certain GLOs regardless of if the chapter meets the criteria for the stereotype or not. But I understand that many people apparently do not feel this way...I guess it's just differing of opinion.

Actually, this post makes it sound like instead of arguing for national stereotypes you are actually stating that there are some regional, collegiate stereotypes. I would be far more likely to accept the idea of some isolated regional stereotypes than overall national ones in terms of NPCs.

[pinksirfidel]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Actually, this post makes it sound like instead of arguing for national stereotypes you are actually stating that there are some regional, collegiate stereotypes. I would be far more likely to accept the idea of some isolated regional stereotypes than overall national ones in terms of NPCs.

I couldn't agree with you more! Just compare some chapters in the North to the South... I have also found that many girls in NPCs buy into these "regional" stereotypes, and would agree to some degree that there may be "some" truth to it.

Regarding Michelle Obama, Congrats to her! I think it's silly to insist that AKA extend an invitation to Cindy McCain. Every organization has the right to choose who they would like to honor. This really doesn't have to be political. I would be happy for any woman who was extended the invitation of being an honorary member for any sorority. They had to have done something right!

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by pinksirfidel

I couldn't agree with you more! Just compare some chapters in the North to the South... I have also found that many girls in NPCs buy into these "regional" stereotypes, and would agree to some degree that there may be "some" truth to it.

Regarding Michelle Obama, Congrats to her! I think it's silly to insist that AKA extend an invitation to Cindy McCain. Every organization has the right to choose who they would like to honor. This really doesn't have to be political. I would be happy for any woman who was extended the invitation of being an honorary member for any sorority. They had to have done something right!

I think it would be silly (for a lot of different reasons) to insist that they extend a membership to Cindy McCain too. Where have you read that people are saying that?

[pinksirfidel]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I think it would be silly (for a lot of different reasons) to insist that they extend a membership to Cindy McCain too. Where have you read that people are saying that?

UGAalum94, I was referring to the following post (#53):

Originally Posted by MysticCat

From the comments section:

"If AKA is so inclusive and by virtue of their tax status MUST NOT be biased for or against a particular party, I must ask, did AKA extend the same honorary invitation to Cindy McCain? Also isnt AKA the sorority where two young women lost their lives to hazing? As I write anohter young woman is recuperating from disabling injuries due to hazing by AKAs. Lets all write Obama and ask why Michelle Obama is willing to join this elitist exclusionary group whose members were featured in Mink coats as a form of status."

Posted by: Rita | July 14, 2008 9:05 PM

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by pinksirfidel

UGAalum94, I was referring to the following post (#53):

Thank you. I thought you meant someone on GreekChat.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Actually, this post makes it sound like instead of arguing for national stereotypes you are actually stating that there are some regional, collegiate stereotypes. I would be far more likely to accept the idea of some isolated regional stereotypes than overall national ones in terms of NPCs.

Absolutely.