Why do multicultural GLOs/organizations exist?

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by Reds6
Most likely the reason most of us refer to most GLO's as historically white or white GLO's is because historically you are. There have been may discussions on this board of how blacks and other minorities were not accepted into GLO's for simply not being white. So its not to disrespect you but to clarify and bring a distinction to the different makeups of GLO's, whether black, multicultural, etc.

We should respect what they prefer to be called. We all have umbrella councils -- let's let that be the distinction.

[kddani]

Originally posted by Senusret I
We should respect what they prefer to be called. We all have umbrella councils -- let's let that be the distinction.

Thank you Senusret!

Just as Reds6, there have been many threads discussing discrimination in all governing council's groups. There has also been discussed NUMEROUS times that making a blanket statement such as WGLO is false in many cases, not accurate to this day, disrepectful to non-white "WGLO" members, and also, really, how fair is it? None of us were around where around when that discrimination took place, so why do we all have to get labeled as such? Most of us are from pretty well integrated groups, perhaps even more integrated than non-"WGLO".

What's so hard about calling groups by their proper council names, NPC and IFC, etc? There is absolutely NO reason to use WGLO.

Respect goes both ways. If you can't respect the requests of many to not use the moniker "WGLO", why should members of that group respect your requests and preferences?

[SapphireSphinx9]

Originally posted by Senusret I
We should respect what they prefer to be called. We all have umbrella councils -- let's let that be the distinction.

thank you senusret!

[shadokat]

33girl is right in that most NPC orgs have recently gone the "vision/mission" route. That wasn't always the case. It all comes down to the new marketing of NPC/NIC organizations as values based, which was something that got a little lost along the way through our histories.

Originally posted by preciousjeni
This does lead me to believe that the aims and creeds were made to be general. If, however, they were more specific (e.g. to advance South-Asian women) it might be more difficult to make adjustments. You've brought up a great point.

[33girl]

Hmmm....let me see if I can explain this....it's just doing more conscious explaining of what a sorority is, what it hopes to accomplish and what it stands for because the groups have come to realize that not everyone knows that.

It's the same in any business - hardly any corporations had official "mission statements" back in the 1950's or so.

[Reds6]

Originally posted by kddani
Thank you Senusret!

Just as Reds6, there have been many threads discussing discrimination in all governing council's groups. There has also been discussed NUMEROUS times that making a blanket statement such as WGLO is false in many cases, not accurate to this day, disrepectful to non-white "WGLO" members, and also, really, how fair is it? None of us were around where around when that discrimination took place, so why do we all have to get labeled as such? Most of us are from pretty well integrated groups, perhaps even more integrated than non-"WGLO".

What's so hard about calling groups by their proper council names, NPC and IFC, etc? There is absolutely NO reason to use WGLO.

Respect goes both ways. If you can't respect the requests of many to not use the moniker "WGLO", why should members of that group respect your requests and preferences?

No disrespect, but it doesn't really matter to me how you a referred. I was just explaining why the terminology is used. I'm not offended by being referred to as an African-American or Black sorority, because historically that what we are and hopefully will continue to maintain a majority African-American presence in my organization. Why saw that, because I know the history behind why AA GLO where founded. But lets not kid ourselves and think that all GLO's are accepting of minorities, in the past,present and will be in the future. Having 1 or 2 members with ethnic backgrounds isn't that great after you have been in existence for over a hundred years. Again this isn't all, but a lot. I think multicultural and NPHC organizations are present for reasons historical and beyond. Belong where you believe you best fit in, I have no problem withthat and I think its your right, but I thinktheir is a need for organiztions they represent and perserve your culture and belief systems. Its almost saying, why have, baptist, catholics, etc, they are all christians.

[sigtau305]

Originally posted by Senusret I
We should respect what they prefer to be called. We all have umbrella councils -- let's let that be the distinction.

[SapphireSphinx9]

I think why a few of us are a little uneasy about our organizations being called "historically white" (and I can't speak for everyone) is because some of our GLO's were founded upon welcoming all races, creeds, religions, etc. into our membership. I understand that a lot of the NPC's (or what people are calling the "historically white" sororities) were founded for Caucasians... but like I said, not all of them were. And so blanketing the WHOLE conference like that is disrespectful, because it's as though you don't want to learn about how different our organizations really are.

[Reds6]

Originally posted by SapphireSphinx9
I think why a few of us are a little uneasy about our organizations being called "historically white" (and I can't speak for everyone) is because some of our GLO's were founded upon welcoming all races, creeds, religions, etc. into our membership. I understand that a lot of the NPC's (or what people are calling the "historically white" sororities) were founded for Caucasians... but like I said, not all of them were. And so blanketing the WHOLE conference like that is disrespectful, because it's as though you don't want to learn about how different our organizations really are.

If most of your OLDER GLO's were founded at schools during a time when minorities weren't allowed to attend, then they are historically white GLO's. Who else was there to join? Again not trying to be disrespectful and call yourself what you want I'm just trying to clarify why we oftern refer to you as historically or white.

[SapphireSphinx9]

Originally posted by Reds6
If most of your OLDER GLO's were founded at schools during a time when minorities weren't allowed to attend, then they are historically white GLO's. Who else was there to join? Again not trying to be disrespectful and call yourself what you want I'm just trying to clarify why we oftern refer to you as historically or white.

I understand your intensions were not rude, but clarification of why members of non-NPC orgs call us "historically white" doesn't excuse the disrespect that some of us feel, when we're all thrown into that generalization.

I think both of us are coming from two different sides of this; you're org was founded for African American women at a predominantly African American university, while mine was designed to "promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background." So you may not think that there's anything bad about being called "historically black", "white", etc. but in my case, the only thing Phi Sigma Sigma should be referred to, if not as just an NPC organization, is as "historically diverse" (or something similar) fraternity.

[Reds6]

Originally posted by SapphireSphinx9
I understand your intensions were not rude, but clarification of why members of non-NPC orgs call us "historically white" doesn't excuse the disrespect that some of us feel, when we're all thrown into that generalization.

I think both of us are coming from two different sides of this; you're org was founded for African American women at a predominantly African American university, while mine was designed to "promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background." So you may not think that there's anything bad about being called "historically black", "white", etc. but in my case, the only thing Phi Sigma Sigma should be referred to, if not as just an NPC organization, is as "historically diverse" (or something similar) fraternity.

And what year was your organization founded?

[SapphireSphinx9]

Same as yours. 1913

[preciousjeni]

Looking at history as a continuum and seeing the number of caucasians that, throughout time, have entered NPC orgs, I can understand why people would call NPC orgs "Historically White/Caucasian." But, I do agree that it might be appropriate to call each other by the titles that we prefer.

I know I'm guilty of being mildly irritated when someone left out the "multicultural" in Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

[Reds6]

Originally posted by SapphireSphinx9
Same as yours. 1913

First wonderful year!

But I'll assume none of my family could have joined your organization in 1913, unless they were white, whick makes it historically...

[Wolfman]

It is good to know a bit of history;this always makes it easier to contextualize and make sense of this terminology. If I'm not mistaken, in the early part of the last century,in the realm of Greek life and exclusionary policies, withinin the "caucasian" system,the real issue revolved around the exclusion of Jews. Groups like Phi Sigma Sigma, I believe(correct me if I'm wrong!), came into existence in light of this reality. There seems to be an analogy to the present day development of the MCGLO, of which some are partially Latino-based. Similarly, there developed GLOs that had a mission as Jewish groups and those that were more ecumenical in focus,like Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity and Phi Sigma Sigma. So in a sense, both sides are right:blacks and Latinos basically weren't in the mix in the development of groups like Phi Sigma Sigma, and they did have open admission policies.


The value of our Fraternity is not in numbers, but in men, in real brotherhood."--Bro. Walter H. Mazyck,Esq, The Oracle 1925,Omega Psi Phi.