Race & Sororities

[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.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

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.

But isn't that exactly the mentality that is evident from the tone of the initial post? There is the inherent suggestion that there is something limited or limiting about NPHC membership. Are you really that surprised?

[Ch2tf]

In her initial post I actually didn't read it that way. But as she continued to post there were red flags that went up that made me question my initial reading. The College Hill post pushed it over the line.

[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

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

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

If that's what you got out of my posting, you need to work on your reading comprehension. I gave you the specific example of Southern Methodist University, where it was indeed the case that no black women had applied when the NPC groups were being roasted in the press. I cited a very specific example to back up my assertion. You should try it some time.

And FYI - of course all of our pnms who are not invited (the literally hundreds every chapter at a major system has to cut) are done so in a genteel manner. There are no "excuses" given - none needed. Membership selection is private and you, deepimpact, have NO EXPERIENCE OR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT ENTAILS.

I am encouraging women to pursue NPC membership with an open mind - what is it exactly you are doing?

[deepimpact2]

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...,58980,00.html

GEORGIA
Athens 2000 A member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority filed a racial discrimination complaint when other members insisted on rejecting a black freshman applicant. The University of Georgia temporarily suspended the sorority during an investigation.
Hanover 2000 A Dartmouth sorority held a "slave auction" fundraiser.
Hanover 10/98 More than 400 dartmouth students protest against a fraternity-sorority "ghetto party" where students were urged to dress as inner-city blacks

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=165763&sectioncode=26
These are just a few incidents involving predominately white sororities and fraternities. It's not just hearsay or instinct or gossip, and for the record I have never read Pledged so you need to stop even bringing that up.

[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."