SCOTT,
My soror responded to you just as I would have, but I feel compelled to reiterate the fact that our membership is very much OPEN. In fact, I'd venture to say we have MORE non-black members in our organizations than you have non-whites in yours. We don't set quotas, and we don't seek our members out, they seek US out. African Americans have ALWAYS been an accepting race of people, but I don't think that history and the present prove that such is the case for the white race. The fact that racism still exists proves that.
The only reason most of our organizations were even founded in the first place was because white fraternities and sororities REFUSED to allow us in their organizations. In fact, they weren't too thrilled that we were even allowed to attend college at all, much less with them. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was founded in 1906 on the campus of Cornell University-- a white college. Had those so-called "multi-racial [fraternities]" allowed black members, then there would have been no need for its establishment. Your comment that "The very existence of your organization, as well as black only organizations of all kinds, are a slap in the face of all the progress that blacks have made as a people," proves that you haven't taken so much as 1 minute to find out anything about BGLOs. If you had an ounce of knowledge about our histories, you'd know that we were established during some of the most racially segregated times in U.S. history BEFORE the Civil Rights movement! You are suggesting that, because times have changed and blacks have received many of those rights we faught for, our organizations should simply cease to exist. Again, I reiterate that you obviously know nothing about our purpose! Of course you, a privileged white male, think that everything's A-OK, but as a black female, let me assure you that blacks are STILL fighting for equality. So when you ask "what is wrong with that? Isn't that the exact thing the Civil rights movement was meant to do?" I have to say NO-- the Civil Rights movement was about equality-- something blacks still do NOT have. Listen to yourself--even YOU are suggesting that our organizations should die out or mesh into yours because "who needs em, anyway?" (ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO SAY?) If your organizations have the right to exist, then isn't it only fair (i.e. EQUAL) that our organizations have the right to exist without having to prove why we do? Predominantly Black organizations are ALWAYS the targets of criticism. What is so equal about that? You are suggeting that it is wrong for us to form sisterhoods and brotherhood with people who share/appreciate African American culture and are committed to the uplift of African American people. You do not need to be black to enjoy such a familyhood, nor do you need to be black to want to see conditions improve for African American people. Elenor Roosevelt is a member of a black sorority-- did you know that? As a member of the AMERICAN community, you SHOULD be dedicated to ANY cause intended to help your fellow man. Instead, you are criticizing the existance of organizations who do more for the black community in one year than your fraternity has probably done since its inception. You should be glad that it's being done and not give a d@#! who's doing it! And, just so you'll know, our organizations do not just help people in the African American community-- we help people (black, white, latino, Asian, Native American, etc.) who are IN NEED. And, I never said that your organizations are "white only." I have MANY, MANY friends who are members of non-NPHC fraternal organizations, and I am fully aware that their membership is just as open as ours, so please don't assume that I am ignorant about other organizations. Unlike you, I have done my research...
I am far from being a racist, and if you knew me, you'd feel really silly for the accusations you made in your response. I am very proud of my race, heritage and culture, but I am also a Christian woman who loves PEOPLE-- ALL people. I don't criticize anyone's need to enjoy and enrich his/her heritage as you've done of mine. Instead, I join in their celebration as a means of learning more about who they are and about the customs they hold dear. You haven't even taken the time to research NPHC organizations, so you don't seem to care much about celebrating black culture. While you may indeed NOT be a racist, I think forum readers will agree that you have inadvertently adopted a racist way of thinking as it relates to African American history and culture. I can not blame you for that-- it is a problem that plagues American society. However, I hope that, should you choose to respond again, you've done the necessary research about BGLOs to fully educate yourself on issue.
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Pi Kappa
#3 SPR97
QUINTESSENCE
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