Why do historically Black GLOs use corporate designators?

[Titchou]

Ronaldo9: Since you are not a natural born citizen accustomed to the subtilties of Greek life and certainly not those of Southern members (because many of us here are and which can be even more difficult to decipher), I must tell you that your questions/remarks border on being both impolite and impolitic. Perhaps you should chat with some of your own fraternity brothers about your questions first so that they may direct you to the resources and etiquette of same.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Ronaldo9: Since you are not a natural born citizen accustomed to the subtilties of Greek life and certainly not those of Southern members (because many of us here are and which can be even more difficult to decipher), I must tell you that your questions/remarks border on being both impolite and impolitic. Perhaps you should chat with some of your own fraternity brothers about your questions first so that they may direct you to the resources and etiquette of same.

Titchou:

I don't even mind him asking, if he really wants to know. I don't presume that his fraternity brothers would necessarily know the answer to this particular question, so why not ask here? You had the answer, and it was accurate.

If he can ask simply, without editorializing, that would be even better.

[Ronaldo9]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

Titchou:

I don't even mind him asking, if he really wants to know. I don't presume that his fraternity brothers would necessarily know the answer to this particular question, so why not ask here? You had the answer, and it was accurate.

If he can ask simply, without editorializing, that would be even better.

That's okay, Titchou already answered my question so I'm set. Thanks, though!

Best,
R

[naraht]

I will note, that whatever specific reason applies the situation at the time of the founding of the older 8 members of the NPHC (who were founded between 1906 (Alpha Phi Alpha) and 1922 (Sigma Gamma Rho), that it is also deliberately used by the ninth member of Iota Phi Theta (founded in 1963). Groove Phi Groove, Swing Phi Swing, Wine Psi Phi and MALIK, also founded during the 1950s-1960s also tend to emphasize the Incorporated.


I have also seen it used by chapters of non-NPHC groups on HBCU campuses including (found in a 5 minute google search)

• Alpha Phi Omega (chapters at Winston-Salem State and Florida A&M) and
• Gamma Sigma Sigma (chapters at Prairie View A&M and Florida Memorial)
• Kappa Kappa Psi (chapter at Lincoln)
• Tau Beta Sigma (chapter at Norfolk State)

I do believe that there can be both initial reasons *and* a recognition that it has become an expectation of Greek Letter Organizations and chapters with significant African-American membership

[Ronaldo9]

Originally Posted by naraht

I will note, that whatever specific reason applies the situation at the time of the founding of the older 8 members of the NPHC (who were founded between 1906 (Alpha Phi Alpha) and 1922 (Sigma Gamma Rho), that it is also deliberately used by the ninth member of Iota Phi Theta (founded in 1963). Groove Phi Groove, Swing Phi Swing, Wine Psi Phi and MALIK, also founded during the 1950s-1960s also tend to emphasize the Incorporated.


I have also seen it used by chapters of non-NPHC groups on HBCU campuses including (found in a 5 minute google search)

• Alpha Phi Omega (chapters at Winston-Salem State and Florida A&M) and
• Gamma Sigma Sigma (chapters at Prairie View A&M and Florida Memorial)
• Kappa Kappa Psi (chapter at Lincoln)
• Tau Beta Sigma (chapter at Norfolk State)

I do believe that there can be both initial reasons *and* a recognition that it has become an expectation of Greek Letter Organizations and chapters with significant African-American membership

That's an interesting find. I just tried the same and got similar results. I think your analysis seems like a good one. It's a bit like the evolution of key style badges in that regard (a practical reason metamorphosing into a symbolic one).