BGLOs in Canada?

[Corbin Dallas]

Originally posted by gphi2k:
...You'll learn fun stuff like, Ontario Provincial law (or is Canadian Federal, help me out West Coasters) requires that all packages and signs be in both french and english. And I do mean EVERY.

Like in Canadian Bacon? I love that movie. It's hilarious. When Dan Aykroyd pulls John Candy over, and he thinks he's busted. That's great!

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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[gphi2k]

Originally posted by Lil_G:
I really think your reference to quebec and francophones was poor to say the least. You've neglected to state that there are many french canadians outside of Quebec (e.g some of my boys). The actual separation of quebec is more along a cultural sovereignty or to "look after itself", and not a full withdrawal from the country.
class

Me again. sorry. was just curious to know if you meant my explanation of Quebec was poor or if the original reference was poor.
The seperatist movment is very small and mostly centred in Quebec. I am by no means suggesting that it is rampant in the province and/or that there aren't many people who are against it both within Quebec and the rest of the country. Sorry if it came out that way....

Leslie

[SoTrue1920]

Thanks for the information, Serenity.

Originally posted by Serenity:

That's Gamma Phi Delta, Sorority, Inc. They have a website: http://gphid.com

[Siobhan]

Originally posted by Corbin Dallas:
Like in Canadian Bacon? I love that movie. It's hilarious. When Dan Aykroyd pulls John Candy over, and he thinks he's busted. That's great!

I absolutely love that movie, especially the part where the guy driving the truck that says "eat my shorts" gets pulled over by the cops - but not just any cops - the language police. The guy had to spray paint "mange mes briefs" on the truck so he wouldn't get fined. I nearly died laughing. Crazy thing is it's oh so true.

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Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Gamma Chapter
University of British Columbia
Sigma 1996

[This message has been edited by Siobhan (edited March 01, 2001).]

[Discogoddess]

Just to add:

I don't know much about Canadian greek life, but I DO know that it's mistaken to assume that, at least in the case of the HISTORICALLY not EXCLUSIVELY (meaning, formed to keep others out) black orgs., we formed along ethnic/racial lines as a method of segragation. If you understand anything about U.S. history, you will understand that these societies were formed when blacks, even on the historically black campus many of them were founded on, had very few choices in the way of support while at college. We exist today STILL, because of the HUMAN (not "ethnic") need to bond with others of like minds/interests AND because, with all the progress made toward equal playing fields in the classroom, boardroom and statehouse, many of us STILL feel the need to find support (and in some cases refuge) among those who understand our challenges/culture and not have to constantly explain ourselves or wear the "mask".

I say all this to correct the assumption that some posts seem to make that BGLOs are somehow exclusionary based on race/culture.



[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited March 02, 2001).]

[Eclipse]

Originally posted by SoTrue1920:
Hi people,

I just moved to Vancouver, BC from Atlanta, GA. While there's not a sizeable Black population in Vancouver, there are in other cities (Toronto, Halifax, Edmonton, Winnipeg), yet I've never seen any BGLOs represented on-line, in publications, or in person.

If you're a member of a BGLO, do you know of any chapters that have been chartered in the "Great White North"?

SoTrue,
I'm not greek, but as I was looking at the Gamma Phi Delta web site, I saw posts in the guest book that mentioned various NPHC members in Canada. If you have not already looked at that, then I suggest you do. Most had e-mail addresses attached, so even if some one is not in your general area )I know Canada is a big country!_ they may be able to point you to some one closer. Good luck in making conections. Who knows, maybe you will be able to charter a chapter of your sorority there!!

Eclipse

p.s. Why did you ever leave L.A. (lovely Atlanta)??? I can't imagine!

[SoTrue1920]

I left Atlanta when my true love came calling. I met a guy from Vancouver online almost two years ago, and we were married this past January 12.

Originally posted by Eclipse:

SoTrue,
p.s. Why did you ever leave L.A. (lovely Atlanta)??? I can't imagine!

[SoTrue1920]

canadajen,

I want to thank you for your well thought out and conscientious response. I don't think of a BGLO in terms of "competing" with the existing Greek system at colleges and universities, instead, I think of our system as a compliment to the system as a whole.

As someone else mentioned on the board (forgive me for not remembering who), BGLOs aren't just a social system for Black students on predominately white campuses. They're a support system as well. These organizations don't only serve or benefit the Black community, they benefit EVERY community in which they reside.

Thanks again for your excellent response.

[Serenity]

Thanks for the information, Serenity.

Anytime.....

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Sigma Lambda Upsilon: Sincerity, Loyalty, Unity http://www.sigmalambdaupsilon.org

[Siobhan]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by canadajen:
[B]Now that the earth has stopped shaking ... sorry, just had to mention Wednesday's earthquake ... Vancouver & Seattle just don't get much play up in here!


I posted a topic in the chit chat forum regarded our shaker - however didn't get a huge response



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Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Gamma Chapter
University of British Columbia
Sigma 1996

[AKA_Monet]

It would be nice to organize a charter in Canada for my Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I understand the beauty of diversity in Canada and I also think there may be some needs that are overlooked by others that the Canadiens of African descent may left unmet. From what I garnered, that is probably why the Gamma Phi Delta Sorority was founded according to their website.

As far as finding enough members to "populate" a chapter that share in our ethnic interests, as for my Sorority, we have chapters all over the world. Several other BGLO's have worldwide chapters also. There are 2 very active chapters in Seoul, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany. The population may be due to there being US military bases in those areas, also.

BGLO's in other cultures still play a significant role in understanding the civil rights of one another. What if Martin Luther King, Jr. did not pledge Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. ? How about Eleanor Roosevelt for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.?

My fellow BGLO members can add to this list of members who played a significant role in the development of civil rights and equal justice for all.

[Lil_G]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by canadajen:

To all the skeptics of the sovereignty movement of Quebec, please don't be lulled into the false sense of security that has come with the silence of the past few years. From what I've heard, Bernard Landry & the PQ are quite serious & will be pushing for another referendum SOON -- we all know the results from the last one, and the weren't very pretty ... something like 50.6 to 49.4!

Although this is off topic with the thread I just have to respond to this because it's so damn interesting

I think being isolated way out in B.C. has left you a little in the dark about quebec sentiments

I don't really see separation as a big problem, the attitudes vary according to region - chicouttimi (sp?) - quebec city are diehard seperatists; the outaouis region and montreal are strong federalists. I really don't think quebec can separate with a slight majority (50%) and what they actually are seeking for no one knows.

If anything, I would compare their sovereignty movement to the governance of the first nations. Besides, we have Jean Charest in PQ, he knows what's going on

I go to a bylingual school in a bylingual city, I don't see why we all can't get along
anyways, that's enough rambling for now.

p.s. sorry les, I wasn't referring to you about the poor quebec reference.

[Siobhan]

Ok, being a PoliSci minor in Canadian politics I cannot resist this Quebec topic any longer. Personally, I hope Canada stays together: but here are couple of things to keep in mind. If Canada can be partitioned so can Quebec.... This argument lies in the fact that there are many anglophones and first nations in Quebec who want to remain in Quebec and remain in Canada. The second is the recent passing of the Clarity Bill: weren't there problems with the last referendum that the question made no sense and led people to believe they were voting to stay in Canada whereas they actually voted to separate, plus didn't they attach a bunch of stuff that really had nothing to do with Quebec's sovereignity? I could be way off here. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Anyways as westerners we have our own issues with Ottawa . I just hope Quebec stays...

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Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Gamma Chapter
University of British Columbia
Sigma 1996

[This message has been edited by Siobhan (edited March 03, 2001).]

[canadajen]

Now that the earth has stopped shaking ... sorry, just had to mention Wednesday's earthquake ... Vancouver & Seattle just don't get much play up in here!

Anyway ...

Originally posted by gphi2k:

The seperatist movment is very small and mostly centred in Quebec. I am by no means suggesting that it is rampant in the province and/or that there aren't many people who are against it both within Quebec and the rest of the country. Sorry if it came out that way....

Leslie[/B]

The first thing that I saw when I logged onto aol Canada this morning was this headline:
"Bernard Landry becomes Parti Quebecois leader and says sovereignty is a must"

To all the skeptics of the sovereignty movement of Quebec, please don't be lulled into the false sense of security that has come with the silence of the past few years. From what I've heard, Bernard Landry & the PQ are quite serious & will be pushing for another referendum SOON -- we all know the results from the last one, and the weren't very pretty ... something like 50.6 to 49.4!

As far as BGLOs here in BC, I have not heard of any undergrad or graduate chapters either. Having become acquainted with a few BGLO members from UW, I asked about the BGLO absence in Canada - I was told that the black community is almost too small here in Vancouver to support an organization.

Like Siobhan, I too have been a member of UBCs greek system for a number of years, and in that time, both rush & our chapter's membership have continued to grow more & more diverse, yet we have not seen any black Canadians participate. I personally feel that a BGLO chapter would be a great asset to the UBC community -- as it is, membership in our greek community represents maybe 3% of our campus (about 800-900 members at a school of over 30,000 students).

The fact that there is an incredibly strong greek system only 2.5 hours north of Vancouver -- Seattle, which is home to a number of strong BGLOs at UW (from what I've heard), could also be a great help & resource to colonizing a BGLO here.

... just my thoughts.

(definitely *stepping down from the chair* now)

Delta Zeta chapter
Alpha Gamma Delta
University of British Columbia


[This message has been edited by canadajen (edited March 03, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by canadajen (edited March 03, 2001).]

[gphi2k]

Originally posted by Siobhan:
weren't there problems with the last referendum that the question made no sense and led people to believe they were voting to stay in Canada whereas they actually voted to separate, plus didn't they attach a bunch of stuff that really had nothing to do with Quebec's sovereignity? I could be way off here. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Anyways as westerners we have our own issues with Ottawa . I just hope Quebec stays...

yes, you're right. there were such issues at the time of the referdum. it was our version of the u.s. elections. unclear ballots. and i agree, it will take a lot more than a squeek-through majority to allow for separation. Quebec is naive to think that they could survive as a seperate nation. what they wanted was a distinct and seperate society with continued support, financially speaking, by the greater canadian government. basically, they wanted to have their cake and eat it too. there is simply not enough industry in quebec to sustain their economy if they were to have independance.

I'm thinking this part of the thread should go into chit-chat. it's an incredibly interesting and fun topic but i'm thinking it's straying from the original post. i'll open a thread over there if you wanna come join me.

and lil_g, thanks for the clarification. i feel better now .

Leslie