Diversity in the SEC

[28StGreek]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Nor does the NPHC (in general) typically claim diversity or to be seeking diversity.

Is that just your personal opinion or is that actually a widely held view by NPHC members? Regardless, I find that kind of attitude to be disturbing if you at the same time criticise the lack of diversity of other groups.

I have never once felt that the colour of my skin or my race had negatively impacted my Greek experience at USC. As someone who grew up outside of America, I always found it so perplexing that there were communities who would make a storm about race relation issues, toleration and acceptance; yet at the same time cling on so tightly to their minority identity.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

Is that just your personal opinion or is that actually a widely held view by NPHC members?

I typed about this pages ago. If you understand the general purposes behind the NPHC sororities and fraternities, you will understand why we nationally do not tout racial diversity and particularly non-minorities. Even the more racially and ethnically diverse NPHC sorority and fraternity are still majority people of the African diaspora (across ethnicities, languages, cultures, and continents). This is not by accident.

Individual chapters do whatever they do based on their campus and city environments but that is their choice. Even these chapters know that diversity does not mean ignoring different racial and ethnic histories and identities. It also doesn't mean that white aspirants (using white as an example) can become members without any understanding of the racial and ethnic identities and history of the majority of the membership. Some of us see it comparable to knowing the history and present day significance (and subjectivity) of notions of gender, womanhood, and feminism if you want to join a sorority.

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

Regardless, I find that kind of attitude to be disturbing if you at the same time criticise the lack of diversity of other groups.

Show me where I criticize the lack of diversity of other groups.

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

I have never once felt that the colour of my skin or my race had negatively impacted my Greek experience at USC. As someone who grew up outside of America, I always found it so perplexing that there were communities who would make a storm about race relation issues, toleration and acceptance; yet at the same time cling on so tightly to their minority identity.

People who type what you typed cannot be the least bit concerned with diversity. You first need to understand the "why" and "how"--and stop pretending that racial and ethnic identities are a bad thing--before you claim to want diversity. That is what some of us have been saying for pages. I would have never been attracted to a GLO in which the majority of members say what you said in the bolded part of your post. I also would have never been attracted to a GLO in which the majority of members say "we don't see race, ethnicity, and culture...we are just sistersssssssssss...."

[28StGreek]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

stop pretending that racial and ethnic identities are a bad thing

Maybe I have incorrectly understood the context of this sentence but when I read this all I can think of is Bosnia. Heck elsewhere in the Balkans and all the Yugoslav wars. I could continue with Chechnya, Kashmir, Rwanda, Israel-Palestine.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

Maybe I have incorrectly understood the context of this sentence but when I read this all I can think of is Bosnia. Heck elsewhere in the Balkans and all the Yugoslav wars. I could continue with Chechnya, Kashmir, Rwanda, Israel-Palestine.

I think there's a big difference between recognizing racial and ethnic identities and going to war or committing genocide because of them.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

Is that just your personal opinion or is that actually a widely held view by NPHC members?

I'll have to agree with my Soror. I try my best not to speak for any whole group of people. I'll speak for myself and say that I've never seen an emphasis placed on diversifying. We were certainly taught that there were woman of many races, ethnicities, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, etc. within Delta. We were also taught that no matter what, they are our sisters and we are working towards the same goals. So we do accept and respect diversity, I don't think we necessarily seek it out.

One of the first people who followed me on my social networks after I crossed was a White Soror. I found out she had crossed a few days before me and we chatted. My assumption is that she knew what she was getting into when she became a Delta interest. While we do serve many communities, much of our emphasis is in the Black community, so as long as an interest (who may not be like the majority) is down for our causes, then I'm not going to worry about her race, just how much work she does for the org.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

Is that just your personal opinion or is that actually a widely held view by NPHC members? Regardless, I find that kind of attitude to be disturbing if you at the same time criticise the lack of diversity of other groups.

It depends on the organization.

From Zeta Phi Beta:

Founder Viola Tyler was oft quoted to say "[In the ideal collegiate situation] there is a Zeta in a girl regardless of race, creed, or color, who has high standards and principles, a good scholarly average and an active interest in all things that she undertakes to accomplish."

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

It depends on the organization.

From Zeta Phi Beta:

Founder Viola Tyler was oft quoted to say "[In the ideal collegiate situation] there is a Zeta in a girl regardless of race, creed, or color, who has high standards and principles, a good scholarly average and an active interest in all things that she undertakes to accomplish."

How beautifully stated!