Alabama recruitment fall-out

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AGDee

To make this a productive conversation- let's ask - What could College Panhellenics do to get more women of color to go through recruitment?

This has been discussed in GC threads over the years. This question will keep being asked because some GCers haven't gotten the answer they want, which for many GCers is the following:

1. Smile and be friendly like you just left a diversity training
2. Support the nonwhite campus organizations
3. Repeat this phrase over and over again: we don't see race....

To truth of the matter is items 1 and 3 are meaningless Kumbaya quick fix nonsense. Instead, NPC chapters can start by challenging the presumed invisibility and race neutrality of whiteness. White people also have a color so some people (like me) hate the phrase "people of color". And NPC as a whole and certain chapters can stop believing they are THE sororities.

Even with all of the above, many GLO-aspirant nonwhites at some schools will not be interested in the NPC because they want an experience that intentionally speaks to their cultures and experiences; they don't like race being treated like the elephant in the room; and/or even if the chapter is diverse, they want their GLO experience to be one of the few times in their life that doesn't involve a predominantly white environment.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This has been discussed in GC threads over the years. This question will keep being asked because some GCers haven't gotten the answer they want, which for many GCers is the following:

1. Smile and be friendly like you just left a diversity training
2. Support the nonwhite campus organizations
3. Repeat this phrase over and over again: we don't see race....

To truth of the matter is items 1 and 3 are meaningless Kumbaya quick fix nonsense. Instead, NPC chapters can start by challenging the presumed invisibility and race neutrality of whiteness. White people also have a color so some people (like me) hate the phrase "people of color". And NPC as a whole and certain chapters can stop believing they are THE sororities.

Even with all of the above, many GLO-aspirant nonwhites at some schools will not be interested in the NPC because they want an experience that intentionally speaks to their cultures and experiences; they don't like race being treated like the elephant in the room; and/or even if the chapter is diverse, they want their GLO experience to be one of the few times in their life that doesn't involve a predominantly white environment.

I don't think anyone has suggested they "don't see race". The women in the chapters I have advised aren't white girls with darker skin. They come to the chapter with their own diverse cultures and experiences which brings a rich experience to AOII. Race isn't being used in membership decisions. That is different than saying we don't see race. Choosing to add members to our chapters that bring a wealth of experience and cultural backgrounds is a conscious effort made by our members. That may include race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexuality differences. I've seen it all in these chapters. Some chapters choose only to add members that have their own culture. They aren't okay with adding other cultures to the mix. The NPC is changing. Yes, the NPC was started as "white" originally, but they weren't all Christian and several were started by women bent on a course of diversity (to the extent that was allowed at the time) from the very beginning.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I don't think anyone has suggested they "don't see race".

Read some of the older threads.