Race & Sororities

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by UMryanne13

Hi
I'm a bi-racial (black/white) female attending Ole Miss in the fall. I want to rush, but I don't want to limit myself to historically black sororities. Is race a deciding factor in most sororities? Are any of you members of sororities with members of a race other than the majority?

Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated.

as you can see i never said i didn't want to join a black sororities...
i said i don't want to limit myself.
as in i want a chance at more than 4 organizations.

but to give you a better understanding of why i would like to try for more than just those 4:

i've always gone to predominantly white schools.
the majority of my friends are white (the black kids thought i was weird because i "acted white." but that's an inside issue?)
i've always been myself.
i've always acted the same... i uphold the things my BLACK family taught me...

so i can assure you i'm perfectly fine with my race... i know who i am... but i've never been one to sit around and follow the norm.

[please don't take this as me being rude because that's not my intention... but as a whole (i'm not saying all), i've not been accepted within the african-american community because of my PERSONALITY...]
i want to be somewhere that i'll fit in and not have to monitor my natural personality...

Your story isn't unique. And yes, in my opinion it sounds like you simply want to join a white sorority and you came here to have someone tell you that they won't discriminate against you. Personally I think you may be setting yourself up for heartache. From my experience black and bi-racial women have a difficult time joining white sororities....especially in the South. Some people get angry when you say that, or deny it to the fullest, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. Racism is alive and well and in these situations it is often hidden. It's done in a very subtle and genteel way.

As far as your claims about not being accepted by the African-American community, I think I will stay away from that. Suffice it to say I think it's BS and your explanation kind of gives that away.

At any rate, you should check out ALL of the sororities...including the black ones....instead of just automatically shying away from them.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

As far as your claims about not being accepted by the African-American community, I think I will stay away from that. Suffice it to say I think it's BS and your explanation kind of gives that away.

At any rate, you should check out ALL of the sororities...including the black ones....instead of just automatically shying away from them.

Gee you're a nice person.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Gee you're a nice person.

Gee thanks.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

She has the right to pursue the organizations of her choosing. She understands that she may be at a disadvantage and was seeking the advice of those who may have dealt with similar situations.

I had some of the same problems the OP discribes and chose to pursue what at most schools (not mine) is an extremely "historically white" sorority with people who were more similar to those I dealt with growing up, etc. If they choose not to accept you for who you are, at least you made an effort and know that it wasn't meant to be (regardless of the reason). You can choose your next step at that time. You can not change you race so do not focus on it, rather, focus on what helping others potentially realize that you may make an amazing sister.

WOW.
I love the fact that you have the audacity to explain my life to me in the way that you see it.
I sense some bitterness and animosity, and I really doubt it has anything to do with my post.
You're entitled to your opinion, and I'm entitled to mine.
You can think what you want about me and "some people get angry when you say that, or deny it to the fullest, but that doesn't mean it isn't true."
If you thought I was some clueless little girl looking for justification or sympathy then you're wrong.
I'm a strong young woman with a drive to succeed.
I am interested in GLOs in general.
I simply asked a question. ( and yes it was a question )
It was not a statement of my general ideas and/or hopes in a sad attempt to obtain a response conducive to my dreams.
And as for racism being present in the South, I agree. I know. I live here. I also know that racism isn't just something shown by white people... (hint hint)
I know who has accepted me, and you CANNOT sit there and tell me that my life experiences are BS when you DO NOT know me.
My mother (who is black) experienced the same thing.
She went to the same high school.
The people she went to school with parented the people I go to school with.
It seems that some people prefer the stereotypical black person, and that's sad.
Now you can say whatever you'd like in response to this, and frankly, I don't care.
In my opinion, you're not here to help. You're here to justify your beliefs, as you think I am.
I wish you all the best.

PS.
rudeness a good look for anyone.

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Your story isn't unique. And yes, in my opinion it sounds like you simply want to join a white sorority and you came here to have someone tell you that they won't discriminate against you. Personally I think you may be setting yourself up for heartache. From my experience black and bi-racial women have a difficult time joining white sororities....especially in the South. Some people get angry when you say that, or deny it to the fullest, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. Racism is alive and well and in these situations it is often hidden. It's done in a very subtle and genteel way.

As far as your claims about not being accepted by the African-American community, I think I will stay away from that. Suffice it to say I think it's BS and your explanation kind of gives that away.

At any rate, you should check out ALL of the sororities...including the black ones....instead of just automatically shying away from them.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by UMryanne13

It seems that some people prefer the stereotypical black person, and that's sad.

.

So I'm curious now...what is the "stereotypical black person?" It's interesting that you brought this up because I heard this kind of thing said quite often while Obama was running for president...that he isn't the typical black person. I always wondered what people meant by that.

I suggest watching BET's College Hill...
or any other show with black people as the main focus.
that's what most people view the black community to be.
and sadly, sometimes it's not far from the truth.
just as a lot of white people are viewed in a negative manner by other races.

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

So I'm curious now...what is the "stereotypical black person?" It's interesting that you brought this up because I heard this kind of thing said quite often while Obama was running for president...that he isn't the typical black person. I always wondered what people meant by that.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by UMryanne13

I suggest watching BET's College Hill...
or any other show with black people as the main focus.
that's what most people view the black community to be.
and sadly, sometimes it's not far from the truth.
just as a lot of white people are viewed in a negative manner by other races.

I suggest that you actually get out in the community and personally interact with other Black people. I mean, face to face, real life interactions. You know, where you actually talk to them and really get to know them. Because if BET is your only exposure to Black people, then I can see why you feel the way you do.

And, btw, some of my best friends are White. They really are!

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by UMryanne13

I suggest watching BET's College Hill...
or any other show with black people as the main focus.
that's what most people view the black community to be.
and sadly, sometimes it's not far from the truth.
just as a lot of white people are viewed in a negative manner by other races.

I've never seen the show, so it would be nice if you would provide specific examples.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by UMryanne13

I suggest watching BET's College Hill...
or any other show with black people as the main focus.
that's what most people view the black community to be.
and sadly, sometimes it's not far from the truth.
just as a lot of white people are viewed in a negative manner by other races.

You lose at life.

And you would be a waste of a ritual and membership card for ANY sorority. Instead of wondering NPC vs NPHC, you need to learn more about yourself and about life. None of us want members who are clueless about the basics.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by UMryanne13

WOW.
I love the fact that you have the audacity to explain my life to me in the way that you see it.
I sense some bitterness and animosity, and I really doubt it has anything to do with my post.
You're entitled to your opinion, and I'm entitled to mine.
You can think what you want about me and "some people get angry when you say that, or deny it to the fullest, but that doesn't mean it isn't true."
If you thought I was some clueless little girl looking for justification or sympathy then you're wrong.
I'm a strong young woman with a drive to succeed.
I am interested in GLOs in general.
I simply asked a question. ( and yes it was a question )
It was not a statement of my general ideas and/or hopes in a sad attempt to obtain a response conducive to my dreams.
And as for racism being present in the South, I agree. I know. I live here. I also know that racism isn't just something shown by white people... (hint hint)
I know who has accepted me, and you CANNOT sit there and tell me that my life experiences are BS when you DO NOT know me.
My mother (who is black) experienced the same thing.
She went to the same high school.
The people she went to school with parented the people I go to school with.
It seems that some people prefer the stereotypical black person, and that's sad.
Now you can say whatever you'd like in response to this, and frankly, I don't care.
In my opinion, you're not here to help. You're here to justify your beliefs, as you think I am.
I wish you all the best.

PS.
rudeness a good look for anyone.

First, you came to us, so to speak. So you opened the issue, not us.

All we know about your life is what you have told us and the vein that you have told us. Basically, you said that you identify more with Whites than Blacks, and that is fine. The caution that some of us have told you is that given your racial background *and* the university you want to attend *and* the greek org you want to join *and* the area of the country where this school is located is that you may not have the outcome you hope to have.

If you'd said what you said, but stated that you were going to large-commuter university where joining a NPC is not that competitive and/or being greek at that school is not a big deal, then you may have gotten a slightly different response. Heck, I'm not NPC, but I've been on GC long enough to learn this difference.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by OTW

Your first name plus your location = people already figuring out your identity. A very shitty thing if you're seriously considering rush. I'd be very surprised if you haven't already been red flagged.

If she's more than just a troll, she NEEDS to get red flagged. She's an idiot who can't possibly be an asset for any organization.

People need to leave sororities out of their racial identity issues.