Alabama recruitment fall-out

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The thing is, some people don't see it as bucking the system. Some alums see it as this chapter getting away with just probation because of its size and being in a popular Greek system - i.e. if this chapter was at your alma mater or mine, they'd be closed down so fast after that article their head would spin.

And incidentally, my comments are not toward KD specifically. Any other group with a chapter at Alabama would likely do the same exact thing in the situation, and my side eye would also be the same.

1. The Alabama problem isn't just one chapter's problem. It's a pattern across multiple NPC groups. Shutting down one chapter isn't going to solve the problem. This isn't about one or two or ten chapters misbehaving, as much as it is about a system is stuck in a historical pattern of institutionalized racism. Other schools have transitioned away from those patterns. This one can, too.

2. Insofar as my sorority historically helped build a system that is neck-deep in institutionalized racism and segregation, I think we should stick around and work on the problem. Walking away is easy. Working on the problem is hard and uncomfortable. KD wasn't mentioned in the first set of articles as a problem child. Now that National KD is working on the issue, National KD is getting flak. It's uncomfortable. It's also the right thing to do.

[lake]

Very classy statement! I like how they stated a couple of times the importance of student-driven decisions and processes.

It'll be interesting to see how Alabama's recruitment goes this year. I feel sorry for the undergrads who, in addition to regular Alabama recruitment stress, now have the added stress of being under a national microscope. I don't think I could handle it!

[lake]

Ugh! Okay I just read the second link. Very depressing!

[AnchorAlumna]

That article is full of misinformation.

[Bamarox]

I am just curious, what part of that article misrepresents what went on? I also think that the alumnae are getting a great deal of the blame thrown their way.
I think that if you read the article, you very quickly realize that there are active chapter members who are not on board with diversifying their membership. I think a lot of attitudes must change before a racially diverse member feels welcome.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by Bamarox

I am just curious, what part of that article misrepresents what went on? I also think that the alumnae are getting a great deal of the blame thrown their way.
I think that if you read the article, you very quickly realize that there are active chapter members who are not on board with diversifying their membership. I think a lot of attitudes must change before a racially diverse member feels welcome.

The first reports in other organizations at Alabama specifically stated that some alumnae blocked voting on PNMs who weren't white. That's why alums are getting a lot of blame. There were collegians who were complaining specifically that they would have LOVED to have a specific PNM as a member, but the alumnae said "No."

There are active members who are copping an attitude. However, that attitude may have as much to do with being in "Big Trouble" as being unwilling to welcome an AA PNM. And nobody likes having change handed down from above, and that's how this is going to go.

I've worked with some really diverse chapters. I don't think that the college age women at Alabama are THAT different from college age women at other campuses in values or outlook. It's not not 1954, it's 2014.

[Tropical_Dancer]

It seems to me that the article's author had a specific viewpoint that she wanted to support and found everything she could to support her viewpoint. Activist journalism 101.

I think the better story would have been to find these AA women who pledged NPC sororities after the president issued COB period and write about their experience. Even better would be to follow them during next year's formal recruitment.

I think KD's approach is probably similar to all of the other NPC groups on campus. I also think we don't know the full story and we will never know the full story.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by KDCat

1. The Alabama problem isn't just one chapter's problem. It's a pattern across multiple NPC groups. Shutting down one chapter isn't going to solve the problem. This isn't about one or two or ten chapters misbehaving, as much as it is about a system is stuck in a historical pattern of institutionalized racism. Other schools have transitioned away from those patterns. This one can, too.

2. Insofar as my sorority historically helped build a system that is neck-deep in institutionalized racism and segregation, I think we should stick around and work on the problem. Walking away is easy. Working on the problem is hard and uncomfortable. KD wasn't mentioned in the first set of articles as a problem child. Now that National KD is working on the issue, National KD is getting flak. It's uncomfortable. It's also the right thing to do.

So very true.