DIVERSE FRATS AND SORORITIES

[shadokat]

carnation--

I would hope that your sorority, nationally, does not disrespect their alums by cutting women who are perfectly fantastic just because they aren't white. Besides, isn't there a legacy policy? We have one stating that a chapter may not cut a legacy without having authorization from the Vice President of Recruitment on the International Council. Chapters are fined $500, among other things, if they cut legacies without approval. It's about respect for our members.

Originally posted by carnation:
This issue has always been of great concern to me since 4 of my daughters are Asian and 1 is Hispanic. I've seen GLOs here in the South with members who weren't white, as well as chapters of my own sorority. However--I do worry about what will happen in rush. It doesn't take too many people to cut a rushee and I don't think a member would be so stupid to say, "Let's cut her, she's not white" but they could sure manufacture another excuse if they had to. Furthermore, the girls might not feel comfortable in AGLOs or LGLOs because they've been raised with Caucasians and other international adoptees. I can only hope that their high grades plus school activities plus being double legacies will make the sororities say, "Gotta have those girls!"

[carnation]

Hi, Shadokat--

No, my sorority would never cut girls just because of their race--but I know that individual chapters of several nationals do just because individual girls can be prejudiced and like I said, it doesn't take too many members to cut a girl! No one would say,"Let's cut her, she's not white," but they might just use the old standby of saying, "She'd just fit in better someplace else," with significant looks that might lead people to think she was wild or whatever. You know, it's really not too hard to cut a rushee you don't like; if you don't want to state your reason aloud, there are other ways.

I'm sure we--and and my oldest daughter's sorority-- have the general NPC policy about legacies that says all legacies will be asked back to at least one set of invitationals and if they're asked back to prefs, they have to be put on the first list. To the best of my knowledge, neither sorority has to report to anyone when they cut a legacy, although it's a good idea. I think many actives don't realize the preciousness of a legacy bond...and therefore, that cutting those girls should never be done rashly or lightly.

It'd be great if my girls pledged one of the groups they're legacies to, but more and more I just want to see them happy with the sorority they pledge.

[sigmagrrl]

As a minority in an NPC sorority, I have to tell you it's not too often you see a minority go thru NPC rush. If you do, she already knows the potential hard time she will get, but has resolved that her desire to belong to one of these sororities is stronger than her "fear" of retaliation or comments from those in her own race. I feel I am a trailblazer and, truthfully, couldn't give a damn about others' opinions. This was one of the best choices I have ever made!

[SoCalGirl]

When it comes to cutting a legacy, it's my nationals policy that the member is called by the chapters rush advisor and told that her daughter/sister/etc will not be invited back. However, if the rushee cuts us, we don't have to do anything! Which is really great, because I've heard of advisors that have broken down crying at the thought of having to make that call.

Carnation--I'm sure your daughters will be just fine. Let's face it, if a chapter does want to cut her based on her race, would you really want her there?
When you mentioned your daughters were adopted it made me think of one of my sisters. She's is Korean and was raised by a white family. But before I found that out I was shown a pic of her blue eyed blonde white sister. It took me forever to figure out that they weren't blood sisters at all! I just thought to my self, "huh, I didn't realize she was mixed. It sure is odd that her sister doesn't look Asian at all though."

[AlphaGam1019]

Originally posted by carnation:
This issue has always been of great concern to me since 4 of my daughters are Asian and 1 is Hispanic. I've seen GLOs here in the South with members who weren't white, as well as chapters of my own sorority.

As an Asian-American in a Southern chapter of an NPC group, I can personally say I don't feel a bit out of place in my sorority. (Valdosta State)

Furthermore, the girls might not feel comfortable in AGLOs or LGLOs because they've been raised with Caucasians and other international adoptees. I can only hope that their high grades plus school activities plus being double legacies will make the sororities say, "Gotta have those girls!"

I went to a primarily all white high school in the Atlanta 'burbs and feel very comfortable where I am in the sorority. I can say I would feel really uncomfortable in AGLO. My sisters do not view me as an "asian girl" but just another active loving sister! If there are NPC chapters that exclude according to race, they are missing out...big time! Your daughters sound like a great asset to any chapter! :0)

[AXO Alum]

Originally posted by Allie_XO:
Sometimes the south seems soooo irrational.

Allie

Allie --- PEOPLE sometimes seem so irrational -- NOT THE SOUTH! The "South" cannot be blamed for every ill in society just because situations can be made to fit stereotypes! Freedom of speech is yours -- I just wanted to point out what IMHO is another slant on the south. I have no problems with you now or ever, I just wanted to call it to your attention that people are irrational -- not a region.

As far as the original topic goes, I am sorry, BABELSUSA that you would have heard such a statement from these girls. Obviously they were not clued in as to what true sisterhood/brotherhood is and should be which is their loss.

[Allie_XO]

Originally posted by AXO Alum:

Allie --- PEOPLE sometimes seem so irrational -- NOT THE SOUTH! The "South" cannot be blamed for every ill in society just because situations can be made to fit stereotypes! Freedom of speech is yours -- I just wanted to point out what IMHO is another slant on the south. I have no problems with you now or ever, I just wanted to call it to your attention that people are irrational -- not a region.

I stand corrected. People in the South can be sooo irrational. And in the North, and in the West, and in China! But I don't have much experience with that. All I know is that the irrationality of the people in the south seems to perpetuate itself into a regional attitude that seems ro permeate the air. I've lived in the south all my life. Born and raised here! I'm just going off what I know and have experienced.

I agree that I should have said that "some people in the south" rather than "the south." I humbly apologize to my fellow southerners.

Allie

[BABELSUSA]

Well, we have to face the fact..and we obviously all have, that "race factors" will probably never end. It will always be around. However, we can stand mature about something liket this, respect other people's opinions, and not try to preach to someone to make them change their minds..because sometimes no matter how hard you try to change someone's mind to what YOU think is better, we all have different views. I am hispanic, dark skinned...and when I wear my letters, I have to admit I do get some strange, confused looks. But that doesnt really bother me anymore because I know for a fact that a sorority is not made up of girl's looks. Its mostly about how they get along with each other, and how close we are to one another. Sometimes, I just wish everyone felt that way. But until then, good luck to everyone!!!! With school, uh,.....boyfriends..um..potential boyfriends....errr...and careers..etc.

[BABELSUSA]

Well, we have to face the fact..and we obviously all have, that "race factors" will probably never end. It will always be around. However, we can stand mature about something liket this, respect other people's opinions, and not try to preach to someone to make them change their minds..because sometimes no matter how hard you try to change someone's mind to what YOU think is better, we all have different views. I am hispanic, dark skinned...and when I wear my letters, I have to admit I do get some strange, confused looks. But that doesnt really bother me anymore because I know for a fact that a sorority is not made up of girl's looks. Its mostly about how they get along with each other, and how close we are to one another. Sometimes, I just wish everyone felt that way. But until then, good luck to everyone!!!! With school, uh,.....boyfriends.. um..potential boyfriends....errr...and careers..etc.

[prospectiverushee]

Originally posted by BABELSUSA:
Well, we have to face the fact..and we obviously all have, that "race factors" will probably never end. It will always be around. However, we can stand mature about something liket this, respect other people's opinions, and not try to preach to someone to make them change their minds..because sometimes no matter how hard you try to change someone's mind to what YOU think is better, we all have different views. I am hispanic, dark skinned...and when I wear my letters, I have to admit I do get some strange, confused looks. But that doesnt really bother me anymore because I know for a fact that a sorority is not made up of girl's looks. Its mostly about how they get along with each other, and how close we are to one another. Sometimes, I just wish everyone felt that way. But until then, good luck to everyone!!!! With school, uh,.....boyfriends.. um..potential boyfriends....errr...and careers..etc.

I sent you email

[prdlocal]

Wow! Can of worms was right! The whole issue can never be fully explained, and if everyone wants to just keep venting their frustrations through this forum, hey... I suppose more power to ya! But, just remember, actions speak louder than words. Invite someone different than you to rush, have an exchange/social event with a multicultural group like Black Student Union, or Latinos Unidos. Have mixers with the NPHC groups.

[BABELSUSA]

As a matter of fact, my sorority is trying to figure out when we will have an exchange/event/social with one of the black fraternities on campus....ANd just to add something, they look nice when they get all decked-out.... We were thinking about some event themes, but cant think of any good ones...anyone..advice???

[CarmelTreat]

I've talked to a lot of girls of all races regarding this topic. What I found is that a lot of girls like to be around people that are more like them. Rather they go by race, personality or interests, people want to have something in common with the sorority they belong to because it is a lifetime commitment. Also there is a lot of history involved in sororities and girls want to be able feel their "peoples" history within the sorority they join.

[This message has been edited by CarmelTreat (edited February 19, 2001).]

[prdlocal]

Well Duh! People might be more comfortable around people of their own race, but that is due to their own predjudices and stereotypes. Chapters with no variety, no diversity are breeding grounds for racism. We should chose NOT accept that, to encourage women to rush organizations that they wouldn't normally. I share something with all my sisters just in that we chose to become sisters for life.

[AOX81]

Whoever told you that only "caucasian" girls are allowed to rush is just flat out ignorant.

The motto of my sorority is "unity within diversity" and we would never not let someone in our sorority because of their skin color. I would say at the school that I went to African Americans chose to join the historically BGLO over the NPC organziations. Some of my friends are members of BGLO and they say that those groups offer things that NPC organziations don't. It's kind of like rush, why would you want to join an organization that you don't fit into or won't get anything out of?

Just a reminded to all...diversity doesn't just revolve around skin color, it also means different personalities and their ability to interact and get along with one another.