Race & Sororities

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I disagree. There are hundreds of collegiate chapters in the U.S. People have pretty much seen and heard it all, even if we haven't ourselves.

Chapters of GLOs that would give a member who is not of the predominant group "hell" are often located on campuses with some level of racial and ethnic tension.

But, the truth of the matter is still that none of our organizations get an influx of aspirants who aren't of the predominant race. There are a couple of chapters that get more, but those are just exceptions.

I'm not saying that it's never ever happened in the history of the world, but when I was doing my own research when I was considering joining a Greek organization, I had heard such "horror stories," and still couldn't find anyone who would actually admit to having experienced anything like this, or knew anyone who experienced it firsthand. It was always, "I talked to someone who heard about a black girl who tried to rush at Fillintheblank U and they said she was too poor, even though her father like, OWNED all of Cleveland."

The only "horror stories" I got about joining an NPC group that actually could be substantiated were from several HS classmates who didn't like being in an NPC group and depledged (or just became inactive in college), who then realized that they had basically prevented themselves from joining an NPHC group. "Don't do it!," they said, "'cause after college, you can't go AKA or Delta grad!"

So much of it is urban legends and college apocrypha.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I'm not saying that it's never ever happened in the history of the world...

Then what's the debate really about? LOL

You never heard it but you admit it probably HAS happened at some time.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Then what's the debate really about? LOL

You never heard it but you admit it probably HAS happened at some time.

Where's the debate? I didn't say probably! Besides, I still think that the poster above kind of made that up out of a previously documented sense of paranoia.

It just seems like a thing that someone would say to discourage a friend or family member to join a specific sorority, based more on a lack of understanding than any real truth.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Where's the debate? I didn't say probably! Besides, I still think that the poster above kind of made that up out of a previously documented sense of paranoia.

It just seems like a thing that someone would say to discourage a friend or family member to join a specific sorority, based more on a lack of understanding than any real truth.

I agree; there's a difference between saying that there are some racist/discriminatory chapters out there, and setting it up like that's the norm. At the end of the day, in most cases, you're relying on rumor and guesses because of the secrecy of the intake/membership selection process.

That said, I always cringe when I see posters putting up this much information, whether it's during the rush process, while pledging, or even during their time as an undergrad brother/sister. It's been shown that a lot of undergrads read Greekchat, and getting into too much detail with regards to ANY issue will likely create more headaches for the poster.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I agree; there's a difference between saying that there are some racist/discriminatory chapters out there, and setting it up like that's the norm.

I don't know if that particular poster did the latter. It looks more like she did the former.

It isn't like she said she HEARD that most NPC chapters give nonwhite pledges a hard time. (But, I also didn't read her posts that thoroughly )

[SWTXBelle]

But . ..but . ..didn't you read "Pledged"? You KNOW that's true, so OF COURSE all the stories you hear are true!


eta - I do sometimes wonder about motivation. Hmmm . . . how could it benefit NPHC members to make pnms of colour think they will not have a chance at NPC recruitment, or if they do get a bid they will get hazed? It is a sad fact that even within the hallowed halls of NPC some chapters will discuss other chapters in such a way as to make pursuing membership with the other chapters sound impossible or negative. While recognizing that most NPHC members have far too much justifible pride in their own GLOs to stoop to trash talking the NPC, I have to ask why else would someone be so vehement about NPC membership selection being racist?

eta yet again - Ideally, any pnm would feel free to research both NPC and NPHC memberships and make her choice based on the very different but equally beneficial experiences offered by the groups. That's why I hate the continuing spreading of half-truths and rumours. If quality women of colour don't go through NPC recruitment, the cycle will not end. So at the end of the day, I want to encourage women of every colour to pursue membership in the group they feel will be their true sisterhood. That's my motivation.

[Ch2tf]

As for the NPC Racism issue, I'm still trying figure out why there is an effort to sugar coat the fact that she MIGHT have a hard time joining an NPC chapter at her particular school. Southern rush as been discussed here on numerous occasions, and there have been posters that either directly or indirectly posted about the difficulties (or impossibilities) of a person on color/minority (what ever they may happen to be) will have in rushing. That doesn't mean that the entire NPC is racist or even that <insert org here> that has a chapter at her school is racist. But to deny that it isn't possible is irresponsible.

The advice to go for it, be the best PNM possible, etc. is good advice. And no she may never know for certain how the decision about her selection was made. But if that is what she wants, then she should pursue it.

To the OP,
I really can't believe that you just equated the entire Black Experience/Identity to College Hill! I'm truly at a loss for words at that. But I can say you will continually be ostracized or whatever it is you feel if you're approaching black people with the "you're all alike but I'm different/better" attitude.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

But . ..but . ..didn't you read "Pledged"? You KNOW that's true, so OF COURSE all the stories you hear are true!


eta - I do sometimes wonder about motivation. Hmmm . . . how could it benefit NPHC members to make pnms of colour think they will not have a chance at NPC recruitment, or if they do get a bid they will get hazed? It is a sad fact that even within the hallowed halls of NPC some chapters will discuss other chapters in such a way as to make pursuing membership with the other chapters sound impossible or negative. While recognizing that most NPHC members have far too much justifible pride in their own GLOs to stoop to trash talking the NPC, I have to ask why else would someone be so vehement about NPC membership selection being racist?

eta yet again - Ideally, any pnm would feel free to research both NPC and NPHC memberships and make her choice based on the very different but equally beneficial experiences offered by the groups. That's why I hate the continuing spreading of half-truths and rumours. If quality women of colour don't go through NPC recruitment, the cycle will not end. So at the end of the day, I want to encourage women of every colour to pursue membership in the group they feel will be their true sisterhood. That's my motivation.

I'm amazed at the fact that you continue to sum it all up by saying that quality black women don't apply. WOW. Like I said before, the lack of acceptance is always done in a genteel manner. And the excuse is always that the person wasn't of "quality." lol

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Where's the debate? I didn't say probably! Besides, I still think that the poster above kind of made that up out of a previously documented sense of paranoia.

It just seems like a thing that someone would say to discourage a friend or family member to join a specific sorority, based more on a lack of understanding than any real truth.

Okay, "maybe."