Racism at Ole Miss or Bama??

[DubaiSis]

I'm old, not from the south and white, so that makes me the perfect person to jump in on this. HA! These schools are very competitive just to get in, as well as the Greek system. I think there might still be some bias out there, but I would go in being and behaving as you are and will continue to be. Nobody can tell you there is or is not racial profiling because member selection is confidential AND changes over time.

My guess is, presuming your grades are fine, your credentials are good (extra-curriculars, volunteer history, etc.) and your recs are up to snuff, you'll be able to find a home. These systems are very competitive, so I wouldn't go blaming race issues if you do get cut heavily (we've heard that before from girls who refused to accept their snotty attitude, bad grades or lack of recs had anything to do with it).

I'm presuming you're a senior in high school, so this is your last chance to make sure your grades are stellar and you've got some good extra-curricular and leadership elements on your resume. Focus on those, and not what the membership criterion is. You can't do anything about it anyway, and it shouldn't impact your college decision.

Good luck!

[PincGator Que]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

It's dumb to say she wishes she was white especially since you really don't know her ethnic background (she may be more "white" than black). That's cool you're happy to be black (as you should be) but why waste the energy to get all butt hurt if someone of mixed race identifies as being more white than black?

I said based on her post that's how she comes off, to me. People can identify themselves in whichever way they please, but to disregard what your skin color is, (and in her case "non-white") because you want to be accepted by another race sounds like someone with a color complex. If you think my comments are dumb, then that's your opinion that you are entitled to believe. Frankly, I don't give a fuck what you think.

"I have white hair" not "black hair". What kind of shit is that? And what is "black hair" supposed to look like? In other words what she is trying to ask is, "since my skin color is light, I have "white hair", and since "most of my friends are white", etc etc etc. then should it be easier for me to get into this particular organization?" That's what her post sounds like, to me.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by PincGator Que

I said based on her post that's how she comes off, to me. People can identify themselves in whichever way they please, but to disregard what your skin color is, (and in her case "non-white") because you want to be accepted by another race sounds like someone with a color complex. If you think my comments are dumb, then that's your opinion that you are entitled to believe. Frankly, I don't give a fuck what you think.

"I have white hair" not "black hair". What kind of shit is that? And what is "black hair" supposed to look like? In other words what she is trying to ask is, "since my skin color is light, I have "white hair", and since "most of my friends are white", etc etc etc. then should it be easier for me to get into this particular organization?" That's what her post sounds like, to me.

Damn...aré you sure you're not the one with a complex? Why are you so offended that she's not embracing her "blackness"? It's my understanding that most people of white/black mixed race identify as being black because that is how they physically look as well as how society sees/treats them as(being black). From what I read of the OP, she claims to have more caucasian than black features. If she doesn't appear black, is it that crazy to think that maybe she's never been looked at/treated as being black, therefore doesn't identify as being black?

[PincGator Que]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Damn...aré you sure you're not the one with a complex? Why are you so offended that she's not embracing her "blackness"? It's my understanding that most people of white/black mixed race identify as being black because that is how they physically look as well as how society sees/treats them as(being black). From what I read of the OP, she claims to have more caucasian than black features. If she doesn't appear black, is it that crazy to think that maybe she's never been looked at/treated as being black, therefore doesn't identify as being black?

She can choose whatever ethnic background she wants to. But, is it really necessary for her to describe her physical appearance- what she looks like and what she doesn't look like? What race of people she hangs out with? Is that necessary?

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle93

I do not have traditionally black hair, you would say I have "white" hair basically. My skin is definitely light, I have mostly white friends. I would like to know what I am getting my self into.

This is what I'm getting at. And what she's really asking, from the way I see it, is not what am I getting myself into, but more on the lines of "because I do not have "traditionally black hair", I have "white hair, and mostly white friends, do you think my chances are better?"

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by PincGator Que

She can choose whatever ethnic background she wants to. But, is it really necessary for her to describe her physical appearance- what she looks like and what she doesn't look like? What race of people she hangs out with? Is that necessary?

No its not necessary but why make such a fuss about it? You can tell from her post she's young and naive and her post is quite tame compared to some of the others we see on here. You're gonna burn yourself out fast.

[FSUZeta]

southernbelle93, have you always lived in california?

i ask because the culture shock might be significant; moving from Cali to Tuscaloosa.
I hope that you will visit both Ole Miss and Bama for several days each, to try to pick up the local flavor.

Both these schools have extremely tough recruitments, even for local girls, and sororities at both schools expect to receive recommendations for the girls going thru recruitment. Just do your homework.

Where do your friends get their info. on Ole Miss and Bama?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

It's dumb to say she wishes she was white especially since you really don't know her ethnic background (she may be more "white" than black). That's cool you're happy to be black (as you should be) but why waste the energy to get all butt hurt if someone of mixed race identifies as being more white than black?

It's awesome that you think it's cool and that he should be happy to be Black. Whoa. Thanks for the approval. Sure.

PincGator Que already said that he wasn't offended by what she said. He's simply opinionated over what she says. But I realize that Black people can't have an opinion on topics pertaining to race without being told we are getting all butt hurt.

Anyway, I agree with PincGator Que and Drolefille.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Damn...aré you sure you're not the one with a complex? Why are you so offended that she's not embracing her "blackness"? It's my understanding that most people of white/black mixed race identify as being black because that is how they physically look as well as how society sees/treats them as(being black). From what I read of the OP, she claims to have more caucasian than black features. If she doesn't appear black, is it that crazy to think that maybe she's never been looked at/treated as being black, therefore doesn't identify as being black?

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

No its not necessary but why make such a fuss about it? You can tell from her post she's young and naive and her post is quite tame compared to some of the others we see on here. You're gonna burn yourself out fast.

Let the record show that PiKA2001 is making more of a fuss than Que ever was. I am also not surprised that PiKA2001 missed the point completely.

Also, if the OP didn't identify (or physically look like) as Black or any other racial and ethnic minority then she wouldn't have brought her behind to GC to ask this question. She would've gone with the flow and to see how well she can mesh, just as many nonwhites who are technically racial and ethnic minorities do. These nonwhites receive the "what are you" question quite often and are able to assimilate quite well because people can't readily figure out "what they are"...and then they go home to their Black, Native American, Hispanic, etc. families.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle93

I do not really look like any specific race and I do not have traditionally black hair, you would say I have "white" hair basically. My skin is definitely light, but not awkwardly pale haha; I'm bronzed thank to the sun. I was raised in a predominately white community and I have mostly white friends. I am not racist and this is not a huge factor in my life, however I would like to know what I am getting my self into.

[pixell]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Let the record show that PiKA2001 is making more of a fuss than Que ever was. I am also not surprised that PiKA2001 missed the point completely.

Also, if the OP didn't identify (or physically look like) as Black or any other racial and ethnic minority then she wouldn't have brought her behind to GC to ask this question. She would've gone with the flow and to see how well she can mesh, just as many nonwhites who are technically racial and ethnic minorities do. These nonwhites receive the "what are you" question quite often and are able to assimilate quite well because people can't readily figure out "what they are"...and then they go home to their Black, Native American, Hispanic, etc. families.

I agree with PincGator, drolefile and DrPhil.

Her post came off to me as "I don't really look or act black, so will they know I'm not really white during recruitment?" The whole thing seems weird to me, but it seems similar to the girls that come on here saying how pretty and awesome they are and asking for their chances.

I'm one of the "awkwardly pale" people she mentioned earlier, so maybe I'm off based but the whole question seemed pretty offensive.

[DrPhil]

I agree with pixell. This kind of question is quite baffling in a "will they know what I am in order to exclude me" kind of way.

Speaking of college-level sororities, I know two college students who many consider to be white. They have talked about their heritages and how they are "physically white" but racially and ethnically nonwhite. They wouldn't even have to wonder whether they would be excluded from anything on the basis of race. They "are white" until they tell people otherwise.

That's always been the case for a percentage of racial and ethnic minorities in this country. The difference is that they KNOW that and wouldn't need to pose this kind of question if they believe that most people don't know they are nonwhite.

Even the "one drop rule" was intended to not only shape how people self-identify but to give Blacks, who could pass, a permanent "Black card" so people couldn't solely go based on how they look. However, the "one drop rule" didn't keep many racial and ethnic minorities from passing in settings where people didn't know they had the "one drop."

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I agree with pixell. This kind of question is quite baffling in a "will they know what I am in order to exclude me" kind of way.

Speaking of college-level sororities, I know two college students who many consider to be white. They have talked about their heritages and how they are "physically white" but racially and ethnically nonwhite. They wouldn't even have to wonder whether they would be excluded from anything on the basis of race. They "are white" until they tell people otherwise.

That's always been the case for a percentage of racial and ethnic minorities in this country. The difference is that they KNOW that and wouldn't need to pose this kind of question if they believe that most people don't know they are nonwhite.

Even the "one drop rule" was intended to not only shape how people self-identify but to give Blacks, who could pass, a permanent "Black card" so people couldn't solely go based on how they look. However, the "one drop rule" didn't keep many racial and ethnic minorities from passing in settings where people didn't know they had the "one drop."

Dr.Phil, I really like how you explained this. It makes a lot of sense so, thank you for explaining it to those of us who are not minorities. I will say that, even though I am half-PR, I don't look latina. My spanish-speaking skills are horrible. It's sad but, true. In fact, my bio father (who was never around while growing up) is the parent who is full-blooded PR. Unfortunately, I never fully embraced my heritage-for many reasons. Maybe that's how this girl is feeling. I'm not sure. I know that if I would have told some of my friends in a 99% white town about my background, they probably would have looked at me different. It wasn't until college until I began understanding the pride that comes along with being different. Who knows if this young woman is feeling the same way.

As far as Pika2001, I think the new Que with the 6 posts needs to stop freaking out on him and the OP. As I said, we don't know where this OP is coming from (maturity level-wise, background, etc.). To sit here and curse out a seasoned GCer because you are upset is completely unacceptable, in my opinion. I feel like if any other new person would come on GC and start acting that way towards people who have been on here for a while, they would get told to go elsewhere. Because this is a topic of race, it's okay? As I stated, Dr. Phil, thank you for sharing because (as you already know) I really appreciate the insight you have and are willing to share. As for this Que guy-well, I've said all I need to say about him. Way to make a point without sounding like a jackass.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by als463

As far as Pika2001, I think the new Que with the 6 posts needs to stop freaking out on him and the OP. To sit here and curse out a seasoned GCer because you are upset is completely unacceptable, in my opinion. I feel like if any other new person would come on GC and start acting that way towards people who have been on here for a while, they would get told to go elsewhere. Because this is a topic of race, it's okay?

What?

PincGator Que's posts are fine because (he's a Coleman and) some of us agree with him and PiKA2001 doesn't understand the point being made. He doesn't just disagree, he doesn't understand. The tone of PincGator's posts are quite calm and it is you and PiKA2001 who are getting excited. PincGatorQue doesn't give a fuck what PiKA2001 thinks. LOL. Get over it.

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

What?

PincGator Que's posts are fine because (he's a Coleman and) some of us agree with him and PiKA2001 doesn't understand the point being made. He doesn't just disagree, he doesn't understand. The tone of PincGator's posts are quite calm and it is you and PiKA2001 who are getting excited. PincGatorQue doesn't give a fuck what PiKA2001 thinks. LOL. Get over it.

A Coleman? I don't know what that is. Please explain. I think cursing at both the OP and Pika2001 are unacceptable and far from calm, to get his point across. I'm not really getting too excited about it, I just recognize that this guy is freaking out on someone he doesn't even know. I really don't care much about this Que, that much and wouldn't base my opinion of Ques on this one jackass. Whether you agree with someone else or not doesn't mean (especially after 6 posts) that you have the right to ridicule or belittle someone as if you own the place. It's tacky-regardless of what the subject may be.

[rebelgirl]

I haven't posted on her in a LONG time, but since I did graduate from Ole Miss I thought I'd throw in my two cents. This year Theta took in two girls who are black or at least from the pictures look so. If you had looked through the recruitment photos you could have seen that for yourself.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...89727&page=121

I will tell you that being from California may be more of a strike against you then being "not white." There are LOTS of girls who don't get a bid at Ole Miss, so make sure ALL of your ducks are in a row. Go to Greek Week. Gets lots of recs. I know this sounds crazy, but some girls even get a Recruitment Coach. Yes, it is that serious and it is that competitive.

Know that there really aren't any "bad" sororities though some may be seen as "not as good." I personally know girls from each and every sorority at Ole Miss and even from Zeta and ADPi that are no longer there. There are beautiful, talented, smart, amazing women in each sorority, so know that you are competing with THAT not your skin color. Realize that a LOT of these girls a long connections with not only the schools, but with the chapters and girls. These girls know each other, went to camp together, were debs together, etc. There will be lots of legacies and legacies of THOSE chapters. There is a reason Recruitment had to be moved to October.

I will point out that being an actual Southern Belle myself (born and raised in MS), I'm curious to why you would think that you, a California native, are and would pick that name. I'm not sure what movie you've watched that gives you this idea that you just WANT to join a "Southern" sorority, but I hope it works out for you. From what I understand California has great greek life at many of their colleges. Greek life is what you make it, so if you are expecting dance cards and serenades, you may be disappointed.

As someone stated earlier YES people are racist. Everywhere! The South doesn't hold the card on racism, so don't walk in with that attitude. I will also warn you to not get on the internet and describe yourself so clearly in an open forum. How many mixed race girls from California do you think will be going through recruitment next fall? You might be pretty easy to pin point. I'm just sayin'. Anyhow, good luck to you and hope it works out for the best.