Tell me if this would bother you.

[Jhawkalum]

Hey BlueViolet, I PMd you

[IvySpice]

This thread makes me feel like some kind of naive Pollyanna. I'm acutely aware that there's a giant problem with racism in this country...but somehow I expect people to be ashamed of it. In particular, I guess I kind of expect national sororities to take their values seriously and actually work to build better women. I expect them to try a little harder than this. I did not expect them to deliberately tolerate blatant racism in the operation of their official functions. This is not a glass ceiling we're talking about here. We're talking about suggesting that a member be forced to go alum because she kissed a black guy.

It sickens me to think of all the nonwhite members of this GLO taking vows of loyalty to a sorority which is being profoundly disloyal to them. Their chapters love them, but what is the meaning of national sisterhood in light of this kind of betrayal?

On a related note, does anyone know when the various historically white GLOs removed the whites-only clauses from their constitutions? How long has it been?

Ivy

[Hermione]

I was unaware that "Historically White" organizations had non-white clauses in their constitutions. Example?

[TKESweetheart]

We had a really nice girl rushing us and she said that she was going to join BGLO instead. We asked why-cause we really liked her-and she said she like both of us but they made her feel guilty about even considering us and that she didn't want to be a traitor. She said if things with them didn't work out, she'd rush us again the next year.They were the lucky ones-she is so sweet.

[violets]

First I want to thank IvySpice for her intelligent, well reasoned and passionate posts in this thread. You have said so much that I think needs to be read by anyone who values their Greek membership.
IvySpice I hope that you are active both in your sorority and, I especially hope, Panhellenic. Your abilities, values and leadership are needed there.

BlueViolet,
I know this situation must be very difficult for you, but I reiterate my advice. Please inform your chapter advisor, your district advisor and the district advisor for the "single letter chapter." (I'm assuming the structure of your sorority, but I'm sure you follow my meaning.) Give these alumnae volunteers the opportunity to address this disturbing situation. As a sorority volunteer I know that I work for the sisterhood to insure that every woman who joins will know the ADPi I do. I would be crushed if I found out that this type of racism was being perpetuated by a chapter president and I was not trusted enough with the information.
I wish you all the best with this decision.
violets

[33girl]

I read a book written by a Berkeley fraternity brother re his experience circa 1960. He mentioned that at that time there were 4 national fraternities that still had "white clauses" (I won't mention the names, if you want to know PM me).

The best way to find out who had them is to find an old Baird's from the 30's or 40's - they often specify if the GLO is composed of "Christian white males" or the like.

[shadokat]

This isn't always true. I know that we don't have a vote to decide if a transfer student can affiliate with our chapter. We've had two women transfer into our chapter, and we never voted. If a woman is an initiated member in good standing, she is welcomed to our chapters.

Originally posted by carnation
Latina Alumna,

I believe that all NPC groups require a chapter vote before someone can affiliate. This has been heavily discussed on GC but it has to do with some chapters not exactly being selective--okay, taking women who were literally psychos--and the women went to other campuses and were not welcomed with open arms. If you can find those threads and read the stories, you'll see why.

Another reason that automatic affiliation isn't allowed is that especially in the South, if a woman thinks she can't make the cut into the sorority she wants, she'll pledge it at a less selective school and then transfer to the bigger one. Sometimes a sorority will even suggest that to a prospective member. The thing is that most big Southern schools have limits on how many members they can have.