Delta Gamma Eliminates Legacy Policy

[TriDeltaSallie]

So I signed into my husband's FB account so I could see the discussion for myself.

This stood out to me:

Delta Gamma Fraternity
Hi Roselle, something to recognize is that sororities were built during a time in our country’s history when women were just being invited to attend colleges and universities for the first time. While this was a big step, it was not inclusive of all women and was limited to those who were White at most colleges and universities. Because of that, the rituals, practices and traditions of sororities were built upon white ideals and perspectives.

I more than stand by my original comments re: the content in the video I shared. It's freaky to read all of this DG stuff after watching that video.

And, yes, it will also eventually become changing grade expectations because grades are a barrier and so on. That's the way it works.

Eventually, new members won't even experience the same ritual in our organizations. Those, too, will be completely changed and rewritten to make them "acceptable" and devoid of "white ideals and perspectives." At that point, are we even members of the same organization? The ritual and ideals are the things that bind us together through generations. If that's gone, then what's left? A sweatshirt and a bumper sticker in certain colors?

The thought that keeps going through my mind is that if I had something like stock in NPC or individual sororities, I'd be calling my broker to sell.

[GoldenAnchor]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

Eventually, new members won't even experience the same ritual in our organizations. Those, too, will be completely changed and rewritten to make them "acceptable" and devoid of "white ideals and perspectives." At that point, are we even members of the same organization? The ritual and ideals are the things that bind us together through generations. If that's gone, then what's left? A sweatshirt and a bumper sticker in certain colors?

The thought that keeps going through my mind is that if I had something like stock in NPC or individual sororities, I'd be calling my broker to sell.

Wow. That’s a jump. I’m shocked at how many people here are convinced this singular choice will be the downfall of all NPC groups. Have a little faith. Legacies still exist, even in DG, it’s not like that bond is being completely erased.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by GoldenAnchor

Wow. That’s a jump. I’m shocked at how many people here are convinced this singular choice will be the downfall of all NPC groups. Have a little faith. Legacies still exist, even in DG, it’s not like that bond is being completely erased.

Watch the video I linked to and then tell me the same thing.

I was explaining this development to my husband and said that one of the big problems is that not only did DG change their legacy policy, they blew it up. Without input from members or voting. Apparently without warning. And announced it on social media to the general membership (read: a lot of the soon-to-be alienated middle).

On top of that, they directly tied the change to the most divisive developments in our culture at the current moment - identity politics, intersectionality, and critical race theory.

While colleges are already experiencing trouble with enrollment.

And I guarantee you that it will only be a matter of time before NPC organizations call out for every bit of "white ideals and perspectives" (read: Christian references and language) to be eliminated from the rituals. If that happens, the Tri Delta ritual won't even be my ritual. To re-write it would basically require an entire new ritual. Which brings me back to the question of what do we have in common if not our rituals? Colors and a mascot?

Someone sent me a PM and said they couldn't watch the video I shared because it was a word salad. If you don't understand the concepts they are using, then you won't understand what is happening in our culture and now our NPC groups.

If you think I'm wrong, go watch the interview Joe Rogan did this week with Bret Weinstein, formerly of Evergreen College. He told everyone this was coming because this is what happens once you start down this path. It takes on a life of its own that you cannot control.

[GoldenAnchor]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

Without input from members or voting. Apparently without warning. And announced it on social media to the general membership (read: a lot of the soon-to-be alienated middle).

On top of that, they directly tied the change to the most divisive developments in our culture at the current moment - identity politics, intersectionality, and critical race theory.

To address this part - this is a direct result of calls to action on the collegiate level, multiple collegiate chapters made this request of EO. Input directly from the members being impacting by this policy and seeing it in action in their recruitment spaces.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by GoldenAnchor

To address this part - this is a direct result of calls to action on the collegiate level, multiple collegiate chapters made this request of EO. Input directly from the members being impacting by this policy and seeing it in action in their recruitment spaces.

I would think, though, that this would come up directly after recruitment, not NOW, when people have other things on their minds to put it mildly. If in October or November they would have opened a discussion saying, many chapters felt hamstrung by our legacy policy this past recruitment season, they had to cut great women and many of these women were POC, etc etc, it would have been much more well received. Instead, it gets tied to the George Floyd murder and subsequent recent events and really does come across as virtue signalling.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I would think, though, that this would come up directly after recruitment, not NOW, when people have other things on their minds to put it mildly. If in October or November they would have opened a discussion saying, many chapters felt hamstrung by our legacy policy this past recruitment season, they had to cut great women and many of these women were POC, etc etc, it would have been much more well received. Instead, it gets tied to the George Floyd murder and subsequent recent events and really does come across as virtue signalling.

This a million times over.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I would think, though, that this would come up directly after recruitment, not NOW, when people have other things on their minds to put it mildly. If in October or November they would have opened a discussion saying, many chapters felt hamstrung by our legacy policy this past recruitment season, they had to cut great women and many of these women were POC, etc etc, it would have been much more well received. Instead, it gets tied to the George Floyd murder and subsequent recent events and really does come across as virtue signalling.

But if their alumnae were paying attention, they'd know that it isn't tied to that. Go back and read the Winter 2019 Anchora posted by DGalumna. It seems apparent that this isn't a decision that emerged out of thin air.

[GoldenAnchor]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

But if their alumnae were paying attention, they'd know that it isn't tied to that. Go back and read the Winter 2019 Anchora posted by DGalumna. It seems apparent that this isn't a decision that emerged out of thin air.

This!

Legacies have been a discussion for a long time, this isn’t coming out of nowhere. Last year they made another change regarding legacies that largely went unnoticed. We used to be required to call the legacy connection (sister, mom, grandma, etc) when a chapter chose to release a legacy, intended as a courtesy. This was changed last year because the alumnae who had to make these calls were not being treated well and it resulted in some chapters feeling like they couldn’t release a legacy without extreme backlash.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

But if their alumnae were paying attention, they'd know that it isn't tied to that. Go back and read the Winter 2019 Anchora posted by DGalumna. It seems apparent that this isn't a decision that emerged out of thin air.

I agree with this and it rather proves my bigger point.

I have no doubt that collegians and very young alumnae have only the best of intentions. There is no snark behind that. I mean it sincerely. They are looking at this from street level and see what they perceive as a real need in their immediate situation they want to address.

The alumnae who are upset are looking at this from a different perspective. It's like they are standing on the Empire State Building. They see the bigger picture because they have been a member longer. They also see how it may potentially impact them and their legacy. I would venture some are also upset because (from their perspective) it's One. More. Stupid. Thing. in their life that is in upheaval.

I'm trying to get people to look at this from 30,000 feet. To see the really big picture. The really big picture that is explained in detail in that video.

I agree that this has probably been in the works for some time in DG. They have already adopted a framework that includes critical race theory, intersectionality, and wokeness. Many of them may not even realize that is what they have bought into, but it's there in the language they use. Contextualization, "white ideals and perspectives" and so on.

So they may realize what they have bought into and the leadership is making the choice to fundamentally change DG in incremental steps. Their goal is to do away with everything that is not in line with these paradigms.

Or they may not realize the Pandora's box they have opened. I have no idea. I don't know them and I don't know DG enough in any way to have an opinion or any particular insight.

All I know is that those of us who have a ritual with "white ideals and perspectives" (read: significant Christian content and text) have real reason to be concerned. I'm telling you right now that our ritual will not survive a purging of "white ideals and perspectives" and any Tri Delta who is reading this knows exactly what I'm talking about.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

But if their alumnae were paying attention, they'd know that it isn't tied to that. Go back and read the Winter 2019 Anchora posted by DGalumna. It seems apparent that this isn't a decision that emerged out of thin air.

I read it. And whether you were “paying attention” or not, whether they had this on their schedule back in March 2019 to announce this change on this date, you gotta read the room.

If this is what they want to do that’s fine but regardless of how long this has been being discussed, it’ll come across how it comes across.