Diversity in the SEC

[sigmadiva]

I think a point that is being implied, and not explicitly stated is there needs to be action and not words.

Great, you (NPC) pledged a Black girl. You feel a "warm fuzzy" because now people can not accuse you of being racist. And I can understand where you are coming from. You probably grew up in an environment where anyone other than white was considered beneath you. You probably grew up in an environment where there were subtle ways of excluding other people, with the most common way of just pricing other people out of certain markets. So I get it. In your minds you have made great strides to reach out and connect to those other people. Great!

But, what else are you going to do? Are those SEC NPC chapters going to literally spend time conducting community service activities in the AA community? Are you going to have programs where the central focus is on attacking some of the issues that are persistent in the AA communities. I mean really, are NPC chapters going to do anything to actively participate in Black History Month programs?

To me, sometimes this proclamation by White NPCers that they have pledged a Black girl comes off like that scene in Animal House where the all white male fraternity member points to the couch and says "See, we have a Black guy, and Indian guy, and a Muslim guy. We're not racist." It just comes off as being a bit insincere.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

But, what else are you going to do? Are those SEC NPC chapters going to literally spend time conducting community service activities in the AA community? Are you going to have programs where the central focus is on attacking some of the issues that are persistent in the AA communities. I mean really, are NPC chapters going to do anything to actively participate in Black History Month programs?

Probably not directly. They'll keep doing their national philanthropy activities like literacy and breast cancer and arthritis, which will help people of all races. But they're probably not going to do anything directly with the black community because some people would tell them that they're only trying to make themselves feel good and that they didn't even add a drop to the bucket. Why stick your neck out if you're only going to be attacked?

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

I think a point that is being implied, and not explicitly stated is there needs to be action and not words.

[. . .]

But, what else are you going to do? Are those SEC NPC chapters going to literally spend time conducting community service activities in the AA community?

Yes, I know of some that literally do, though I think these volunteer opportunities are undertaken on the basis of need (requests from local agencies/programs for volunteers), not race.

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

Are you going to have programs where the central focus is on attacking some of the issues that are persistent in the AA communities.

A predominately white college sorority would be an appropriate and/or effective group to "attack" issues in the AA communities?

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

I mean really, are NPC chapters going to do anything to actively participate in Black History Month programs?

IMO, this seems cliche'. I think it is misguided to assume that all girls of non-white ethnicities constantly want this to be pointed out by their GLO --actually, in fact, it seems a little "counter-color blindness."

Perhaps they just want to live their lives without their race being pointed out as their basis of identity -- like Carnation's children.

I would be interested in a list of things to do and say about diversity in SEC GLOs that are not considered "cliché."

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I would be interested in a list of things to do and say about diversity in SEC GLOs that are not considered "cliché."

There is great irony and cliche in your wanting a quick GC Diversity Training.

Your post reminds me of my "sandbox" post in another thread. White organizations tend not to play in the sandbox owned by nonwhites or tend not to be willing to create a new sandbox with nonwhites. Nonwhites, on the other hand, tend to be accustomed to having to smile and show an appreciation for even being invited to the white sandbox.

I'm all for separate sandboxes that can work together if so desired. But since some organizations seek diversity, they need to know that such diversity is not contingent upon how the majority feels. Don't invite minorities and then expect them to not acknowledge the minority identity. That serves no purpose than to make the majority feel warm and fuzzy. I have no interest in riding the rainbow pissing pony created by the majority. The majority who wishes to pretend no one cares or thinks about this stuff can form their Kumbaya circle elsewhere.

Originally Posted by amIblue?

NPC groups didn't have to worry about keeping Black members out at their founding because their schools already did that for them. How many schools were racially integrated in the late 19th century and early 20th century?

Yep and white students knew this. Many celebrated this.

I just want people to stop living in lala land. For instance, GLOs were founded at HBCUs in the early 1900s, and some of them mention being a brotherhood or sisterhood for Blacks. Race and ethnicity are intentional and detailed in some of our purposes despite being surrounded by 99% Black student population at HBCUs. Race was still not invisible and neutral to us. Our founders were thinking beyond the HBCU campus and for years to come.

The only difference is the founders of the predominantly white GLOs made no explicit mention of race. Race stood for itself despite attempts at false race neutrality.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

There is great irony and cliche in your wanting a quick GC Diversity Training.

Your post reminds me of my "sandbox" post in another thread. White organizations tend not to play in the sandbox owned by nonwhites or tend not to be willing to create a new sandbox with nonwhites. Nonwhites, on the other hand, tend to be accustomed to having to smile and show an appreciation for even being invited to the white sandbox.

Could you give me the Cliffs Notes for your "sandbox" post too?

I guess there is also great irony and cliché in your dodge.

It's a serious question -- what should NPC chapters be striving to say or do that wouldn't be considered "cliché?"