Diversity in the SEC

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

If you are saying that some people will abandon the issue of diversity in the SEC because of a GC thread, those people are easily deterred fools who never wanted diversity. They wanted a quick and easy fix that required minimal effort, minimal discomfort, and minimal inconvenience. Those people are indicative of what some of us have been saying in this thread.

That's not what I said . . .though you continue to be clairvoyant enough to proclaim what other people think, feel, and want.

But not observant enough to realize you lost your audience.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

. . .though you continue to be clairvoyant enough to proclaim what other people think, feel, and want.

Or you missed a generalization used to make a larger point.

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

But not observant enough to realize you lost your audience.

I am very observant which is why I typed what I posted in this thread. This was never "my audience" and you should not assume that every reader has been lost. As with other GC threads, some people hate it, some people are apathetic or ignoring it, some people like it, and some people love it. Your time would be better spent researching the answers to your previous questions.

[28StGreek]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

As I have also said a couple of times in this thread, my posts are not about diversity in the SEC

I hadn't been following this thread after it went to the 2nd page. But seeing it expand to 7 pages just piqued my curiosity.

I did not intend to bring this up because I do find it very snide of me to do so; however in my experience any one continuing to lord and lecture beyond a certain point has a greater motive than simply education.

I am also a bit confused on your stance as to the purpose of diversity. When you yourself do not want your own GLO to be racially diverse?

This is anecdotal as it has been quite a few years since it occured. When I was on our campus' Greek Diversity Encouragement Council. I remember none of the NPHC groups wanted to take part in it. It was as if they preferred being themselves racially segregated yet at the same time point out about the 'white' dominance of IFC and NPC glos. I also remember how we made a point that the traditionally NPC/IFC Songfest philanthropy event was open to NPHC groups (as well as other groups like Dorm/Residential Orgs) but I think only Alpha Phi Alpha took up the offer, and it only happened once. And on top of that I remember various Greek town hall-stye meetings where NPHC members were invited, as well as the other greek councils, their participation was minimal.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

This is anecdotal as it has been quite a few years since it occured. When I was on our campus' Greek Diversity Encouragement Council. I remember none of the NPHC groups wanted to take part in it. It was as if they preferred being themselves racially segregated yet at the same time point out about the 'white' dominance of IFC and NPC glos. I also remember how we made a point that the traditionally NPC/IFC Songfest philanthropy event was open to NPHC groups (as well as other groups like Dorm/Residential Orgs) but I think only Alpha Phi Alpha took up the offer, and it only happened once. And on top of that I remember various Greek town hall-stye meetings where NPHC members were invited, as well as the other greek councils, their participation was minimal.

As I stated in another recent thread about NPHC participation, understand that the priorities for NPHC orgs are not the same for NPC/IFC orgs.

NPHC orgs are first and foremost community-service based. So social events like songfests are just not top priority.

Undergradute NPHC chapters are under direct supervision from their sponsoring graduate / alumnae chapter. For example, I am a member of the Gamma Sigma graduate chapter. My graduate chapter advises three undergrad chapters: 1) TAMU, 2) Sam Houston State, and 3) UH Central Campus.

Each undergraduate chapter is expected to attend certain events as outlined by the sponsoring grad chapter. Thus, each undergrad member is expected to attend those events, meetings, and conferences of the organization.

I will use my org as an example. For this academic year, we expect the members of our undergraduate chapters to attend an Area meeting, our fall fundraiser in November, our fundraiser in Feb / March, and the Regional meeting next Spring semester. And, if it is a Boule' year, they also have to attend Boule'.

So, NPHC undergraduate chapters adhere to the policies of their sponsoring grad chapter, and national organization first. Any other events on campus that are not in direct alignment with the NPHC org's policies are not high on the campus chapter's list of things to do.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

This is anecdotal as it has been quite a few years since it occured. When I was on our campus' Greek Diversity Encouragement Council. I remember none of the NPHC groups wanted to take part in it. It was as if they preferred being themselves racially segregated yet at the same time point out about the 'white' dominance of IFC and NPC glos. I also remember how we made a point that the traditionally NPC/IFC Songfest philanthropy event was open to NPHC groups (as well as other groups like Dorm/Residential Orgs) but I think only Alpha Phi Alpha took up the offer, and it only happened once. And on top of that I remember various Greek town hall-stye meetings where NPHC members were invited, as well as the other greek councils, their participation was minimal.

Not to give excuses, but here are some things to consider.
1. Numbers: Chapters are not generally having lines of 100+. The Delta chapter at my UG had 13 members at one point, but most of the time there was less. If a chapter has 7 members, it's a different ball game. The entire NPC chapter will not have to participate in a "Songfest," while a 7 member NPHC chapter would have to participate, not everyone wants to make that commitment. Anytime a small chapter makes a commitment, it has to be considered that ALL members would want to do it.

2. Commitments: Many members of NPHC chapters are also involved in other organizations. Many Black Student Unions have Greeks as board/committee members. This along with NPHC boards and orgs like NAACP, Greek Service Orgs, Bible Studies, Athletic Teams, Dance Teams, Political Orgs, etc. So if the 7 member NPHC chapter has 4 members on other boards, most likely the other 3 members are supporting those organizations as well. Adding more meetings, along with school and work is a bit much. I knew one Zeta who was on the Black Student Union board, NPHC board as well as her own chapter board. That's 4 meetings (Black student Union has exec board and general meetings) that she was running to, along with programs in those orgs.

I have a very close friend who is Black and a member if a IFC frat. He was also president of our Black Student Union and on the board for the College Democrats. He was worn out, so he couldn't always participate in every event. He had tons of brothers who could attend on his behalf, that isn't always an option for NPHC orgs.

3. National mandates: Most NPHC chapters have a full slate of national and regional programs that they have to participate. Schedules get pretty packed with these programs, meetings, service projects, etc. This isn't adding the social events, such as step shows, talent shows, fashion shows, parties, etc, which are often planned months in advance. We're not even adding factors like intake, or going to things other NPHC chapters are holding at nearby universities.

I know programs like Songfest require many months of planning and resources. They do it at my university as well. They have a lot of elaborate themes, costumes, sets, etc. But NPC/IFC groups know it is coming because it is discussed at their meetings constantly. Plus since it is done yearly, it's common knowledge to be prepared for the program. I'm curious to ask how much time in advance the non-NPC/IFC orgs were given to start working on something for Songfest. At my university it is a competition, so you have to put your best foot forward!

And maybe it is on a date when NPHC orgs have a program/meeting. I remember when my university hosted a stepshow and the NPC/IFC orgs were invited to attend. There were very few in attendance and initially it was disappointing, but then people found out some NPC/IFC orgs had a function at the same time. It shouldn't be assumed that NPHC members are just sitting on their behinds. Sometimes it is just not a priority.

Sorry for the novel.

[DrPhil]

Some of you were discussing diversity in the SEC. Some of us were addressing a larger issue. Not everyone is oblivious about the points being made so do not make yourself the spokesperson for some GCers.

Rather than amusing me, I recommend you take back the thread and "your audience". Some of you do quite well when it comes to other GC topics but are easily distressed and silenced with any mention of race and diversity. That is actually evidence of what some of us are saying in this thread. The ability of most whites to quickly take off their "race hat" at any hint of inconvenience. If you have comments you want to make and questions you want answered, govern yourselves accordingly and make it happen. A thread started by NPHCers would certainly not be derailed and NPHCers silenced by some outspoken and opinionated non-NPHCers.

[carnation]

Actually, I think that the audience got bored by the rhetoric. Recruitment is going on and we have more entertaining things to do.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by carnation

Actually, I think that the audience got bored by the rhetoric. Recruitment is going on and we have more entertaining things to do.

I see what you mean.

[DrPhil]

Only some of the audience.

Thus is the nature of whiteness and "race only when it is convenient, entertaining, and worth acknowledging."

So those of you who are easily lost and cannot see how these pages addressed diversity in the SEC: Long story short, no, it is not happening at a larger scale for many years to come. The people who want diversity in the SEC need to first unpack the invisible knapsack. Well, they first need to get more whites to acknowledge there even is an invisible knapsack.

[carnation]

No Phil, you yacked your butt off and the eyes of GreekChat collectively glazed over. This thread has pretty much lost its audience; next time, you could tone it down.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by carnation

...the eyes of GreekChat collectively glazed over. This thread has pretty much lost its audience; next time, you could tone it down.

No.

Greekchat has silent lurkers and people who both agree and disagree for every thread. Yet when it comes to race and diversity threads, some of you are so cowardly that you pretend as though everyone feels as you do and a consensus has been reached. I would love for you all to take this "either this or that" stance with other GC threads.

I will keep doing what I do. You had a post pages ago that essentially stated you were done with the discussion. You know the routine.

[carnation]

Drone on!

[DrPhil]

Yes, hide behind me and use me as a tool of escape.

[Titchou]

Two interesting things:

1) No one has asked me, as the OP, what I meant/intended by the question

and

2) At least one person has admitted to purposely not answering the questions but providing answers to questions which were not asked.

Seems counterproductive to me.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Two interesting things:

1) No one has asked me, as the OP, what I meant/intended by the question

and

2) At least one person has admitted to purposely not answering the questions but providing answers to questions which were not asked.

Seems counterproductive to me.

So what did you mean by posting the thread?