African American women in CPC, opinions, please?

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

See, this right here is why I question AfAm women who join NPCs. I think that in theory any woman should join any sisterhood that she feels is right/best for her. But, in all reality, issues like you mentioned occur.

Those issues may occur--BUT, you have to realize that many, many Black women who join NPC sororities are used to being the "Only" in their social contexts, in their schools, neighborhoods, what have you. Even if NPHC Greek Life is part of their family or social context, it may not be something they'll think of doing. Some of them might not feel completely comfortable around large groups of unrelated black people. Whether or not that's right or wrong isn't for me to say--I can't judge teenagers I don't know.

So, many go to college wanting to do the same thing their non-Black friends are doing. In that case, they are joining the sisterhood that feels right to them. You'll see that there are a good number of Black NPC members here who have remained active as alumnae, and had good experiences. Others might "discover" their blackness in college and regret their decision.

So, I can't "question" those young women, because they're just doing what they know best at the time.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

So, many go to college wanting to do the same thing their non-Black friends are doing. In that case, they are joining the sisterhood that feels right to them. You'll see that there are a good number of Black NPC members here who have remained active as alumnae, and had good experiences. Others might "discover" their blackness in college and regret their decision.

That's one good thing about black NPC girls who are NPHC-aware. There's this family/internalized pressure that's like "I don't care if you joined a white sorority, you BETTER be in it for life."

If that didn't come out right, shut up. You know what I mean.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

That's one good thing about black NPC girls who are NPHC-aware. There's this family/internalized pressure that's like "I don't care if you joined a white sorority, you BETTER be in it for life."

If that didn't come out right, shut up. You know what I mean.

I know what you mean, and it's true. I think I heard so many relatives/family friends dismiss NPC membership as "just a college thing" that I was like, ha! I'll be more active than any'all!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

That's one good thing about black NPC girls who are NPHC-aware. There's this family/internalized pressure that's like "I don't care if you joined a white sorority, you BETTER be in it for life."

If that didn't come out right, shut up. You know what I mean.

This is quite true, actually.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Those issues may occur--BUT, you have to realize that many, many Black women who join NPC sororities are used to being the "Only" in their social contexts, in their schools, neighborhoods, what have you. Even if NPHC Greek Life is part of their family or social context, it may not be something they'll think of doing. Some of them might not feel completely comfortable around large groups of unrelated black people. Whether or not that's right or wrong isn't for me to say--I can't judge teenagers I don't know.

So, many go to college wanting to do the same thing their non-Black friends are doing. In that case, they are joining the sisterhood that feels right to them. You'll see that there are a good number of Black NPC members here who have remained active as alumnae, and had good experiences. Others might "discover" their blackness in college and regret their decision.

So, I can't "question" those young women, because they're just doing what they know best at the time.

So my "question" is why would an AfAm woman want to join an org where she MAY be shunned outside certain contexts of her GLO (based on the implied reason of her race). I don't question to judge. I question to try to understand the reason.

Why would she purposely put herself through that? It seems that she would be cheated out of the full experience of sisterhood.

And btw, I too have been the "only one" in certain situations, so I understand what you mean.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Those issues may occur--BUT, you have to realize that many, many Black women who join NPC sororities are used to being the "Only" in their social contexts, in their schools, neighborhoods, what have you. Even if NPHC Greek Life is part of their family or social context, it may not be something they'll think of doing. Some of them might not feel completely comfortable around large groups of unrelated black people. Whether or not that's right or wrong isn't for me to say--I can't judge teenagers I don't know.

So, many go to college wanting to do the same thing their non-Black friends are doing. In that case, they are joining the sisterhood that feels right to them. You'll see that there are a good number of Black NPC members here who have remained active as alumnae, and had good experiences. Others might "discover" their blackness in college and regret their decision.

So, I can't "question" those young women, because they're just doing what they know best at the time.

Thank you. You are awesome. You already knew that.

I remember the Black men and Black women in NPC and NIC organizations that I have interacted with in undergrad and taught when I got older. Except for one of them, all of these Black men and women were obviously and admittedly "mimicking" what they think "white GLOers" should dress like (which includes a young Black woman who was in denial about her hair texture), act like, and talk like. It even extended to things like "mimicking" the facial expressions of their white counterparts which sounds strange but a lot of things we do are based on socialization--those who know what "dual identity" and "double consciousness" are will know what I mean.

I recall being told by an older Black student who was an NPCer that she wishes she had learned about the NPHC before joining an NPC. That annoyed the hell out of me because I don't believe in being apologetic and explaining yourself when it comes to such life choices. Sure, you can never be NPHC but all is not lost if you're looking for "the Black experience" and philanthropy that focuses on the African diaspora. Afterall, she could still hang with the other Black students (some of whom weren't in any sorority or fraternity) instead of relegating herself to the "cool Black girl who is unlike other Black people we've met" in most of her NPC and NIC interactions.

Originally Posted by Senusret I

That's one good thing about black NPC girls who are NPHC-aware. There's this family/internalized pressure that's like "I don't care if you joined a white sorority, you BETTER be in it for life."

If that didn't come out right, shut up. You know what I mean.

LOL. I hate you in the most loving way possible.