Race & Sororities

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

No smart person would argue that NPC sororities are racist. That's just a dumb assertion. It is unfounded and cannot be proven. If that's deepimpact's claim then you all should ignore this thread, altogether.

However, the response to accused racist practices is not "I have ONE friend." The female CEO is the minority, for a number of reasons, so anyone who cites her as proof that gender discrimination and exclusion don't exist or have substantially declined in corporate America, would be a fool.



Bolded 1: No, it doesn't. It proves that white people don't mind "sharing" sometimes. If you piss the white people off, though, they can still take their ball and go home.

Bolded 2: Again, DUH.
And don't forget that our chapters aren't humanless entities. Their traditions are contingent upon the people within them. A chapter that was open to different sexual orientations when I was in school 10 years ago can be the most homophobic and heterocentric chapter now. The socially conscious people graduated and new members have taken over.

"Sharing"? Really? That makes me sad. But surely you aren't arguing that Obama didn't have to overcome racism - right? I will admit he had a very strong hand - he is intelligent, well- educated, what is it Joe Biden said, "clean"? But I don't think whites said "Oh, let's share." I still think it fair to say he overcame racism to achieve his success. It doesn't mean others don't still struggle - but even he, with all of his advantages, couldn't have been elected a mere 40 years ago. Things, thank God, change.

As to your second point - YES. And a previously racist chapter/campus can also change. That is why I want to encourage the OP to go for it. Clinging to the past is a poor excuse to not go forth boldly and create the future you wish to see.

And yes, much of my posting has been of the DUH variety. Just because you are sharp, Dr.Phil, doesn't mean all are.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

"Sharing"? Really?

Absolutely.

And thanks for reminding us all that people think that intelligent and well-educated Black men are so rare that people can't get the hell over Obama. Certainly a white man wouldn't get acknowledgement over something that basic.

Thank God that I was raised by an intelligent and well-educated Black man and am surrounded by the same kind of Black men in my family and in my friendships.

Whew-----

ETA: Obama hasn't overcome racism. Racial and ethnic minorities do not overcome racism through attainment.
"What do you call a Black CEO?"
"What do you call a Black PhD?"

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

And thanks for reminding us all that people think that intelligent and well-educated Black men are so rare that people can't get the hell over Obama.

Oh come on now. You know perfectly good and well my point is that intelligent and well-educated men of ANY race are rare - and while the intelligent portion may be the gift of a spin of the genetic wheel, it is a sad fact that being well-educated is more of an issue of class, I think for the most part, than race. In fact, given certain white politicans I can think of right off the top of my head, the intelligent and well-educated part might be tougher for them to claim.

I myself am not sure what to make of the Joe Biden quote - I guess the President wasn't too bothered by it, or he would not have made him vp. It did give us fodder to discuss in the English 1302 class I was teaching at the time. You have to ask yourself - Really? In 2008?

eta - My single friends inform me that intelligent, well-educated men are in short-supply in areas other than politics. Apparently, they are a rare breed everywhere but here on GC.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

my point is that intelligent and well-educated men of ANY race are rare

If you claim that was your point, I can only take your word for it. I don't think you really believe this, but okay.

What I look at is what's (intentionally or unintentionally) embedded in such comments. And what I perceived to be embedded in the comment is what I responded to.

ETA: Intelligent and well-educated men are rare for your single friends because of the places your friends frequent. And maybe your friends aren't intelligent and well-educated--Idunno. When I was single, I was as surrounded by intelligent and well-educated men as I am now. There is an abundant supply everywhere I frequent.

[SWTXBelle]

Okay, if you are going to try and find hidden sub-text in everything . . . then there's nothing for me to say. Whatever I say will be interpreted by you to fit the construct you have already decided on, and if I attempt to clarify what I see as a misconstruction of my intent you will just say that you know better than I what I meant. At least now, I've got it. Sorry I misread you, Dr.Phil.

As to the snarky addition to your post - maybe my friends just have higher standards of what constitutes intelligent and well-educated than you.

eta - I think we've reached the point where we should just sing "You say tomato, and I say tomato . . .let's call the whole thing off." Toodles.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Okay, if you are going to try and find hidden sub-text in everything . . . then there's nothing for me to say.

I said I will take your word for it.

I simply don't believe that in a discussion of racism, you found it necessary to note Obama's intelligence because you think an intelligent and well-educated Presidential candidate is rare.

We weren't talking about dating or even run of the mill interactions, so the perceived rarity of male intelligence wouldn't be your point of reference unless specified.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

As to the snarky addition to your post - maybe my friends just have higher standards of what constitutes intelligent and well-educated than you.

It was more tongue-in-cheek than snark. Most of my posts are tongue-in-cheek because I crack myself up.

That's what all single people try to say.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

eta - I think we've reached the point where we should just sing "You say tomato, and I say tomato . . .let's call the whole thing off." Toodles.

That point was reached pages ago when you all kept responding to deepimpact. You all were typing past each other but kept typing.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

If you claim that was your point, I can only take your word for it. I don't think you really believe this, but okay.

You say you "can only take your word for it" . . . but then you say you don't really believe it. So which is it?

And yes, I know your comment about intelligent and well-educated men was tongue-in-cheek (SEE? We NEED a tongue-in-cheek smilie) but then, so was mine.

Also, I realize I should have put di3 on ignore. But I plead temporary insanity. Soon enough August recruitment season will be here, and we will have our hands full of whining helicopter moms and their offspring. Till then, we have to find our amusement where we can. I actually have a Panhel event to go to now - so I'll gracefully bow out now.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

You say you "can only take your word for it" . . . but then you say you don't really believe it. So which is it?

You did a thread flounce, but then you posted again. So which is it?