Handshakes?

[SIUAGD]

I know in my chapter, we use our handshake at every formal meeting. You have to know it to even be allowed in the meeting, unless we have a special speaker, but even then, we do our ritual first while the speaker waits outside. ALL of our (active)chapter members know it, but we don't use it in public. Manders, maybe a good thing for your chapter would be to have a ritual program, reminding members of the importance of ritual, and such things that are included. We have programs on it once a semester. We consider ritual the tie that binds us all together. It's so special to us, especially during tough times, like rush and competitions. It reminds us why we love each other, and helps us focus on the reason why there is AGD in the first place. Just a suggestion...hope it helps!

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"Keep your face towards the sun, but don't forget to keep your feet firmly planted ont he ground."

[Corbin Dallas]

I see no need to use the grip/handshake every day. These are brothers I live with. If I ever had a question as to if a guy was initiated or not, or even affiliated with LCA, I would use the grip, or "password" or whatever. I'm almost 100% sure that the only meeting/ceremony we have that is closed is ritual. There's no need to use it for chapter. Anything involving ritual is closed. To the NPHC members out there, don't think the comments of one person represents the dozens of NPC/NIC fraternities out there. I don't know how you couldn't know your grip. Even if you don't use it often, I would think it would come back to you when you used it.

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

[IotaNet]

To the Group:

This is one of those areas that the cultural differences between WGLO and BGLO organizations are “front and center.” I happen to be a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity as well as Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and I have lived the differences. (Although I pledged KKY at an HBCU, the attitude regarding this particular issue is consistent with the larger organization.)

WGLO’s seem to use the “grip” as more of a ceremonial thing. Reserved for special occasions and ritualistic activities. In BGLO’s however, the grip is something that is used on a very, very, VERY regular basis. Its not unusual to grip a Brother 2-3 times a day when you see him on campus. As a Graduate member, its also not unusual for me to grip Brothers that I run across in my daily travels – even if we happen to be wearing business suits in the middle of downtown Chicago. I will say that the BGLO grips also have ceremonial meaning but we use them on a FAR more regular basis.

All orgs have grips – they are just utilized in different ways!

Hope this helps!

[NUPE4LIFE]

I'M LMAO! THERE'S IS NOTHING LEFT TO SAY ON THIS MATTER. NUPE, I'M LAUGHING!

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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

[Corbin Dallas]

Originally posted by IotaNet:
This is one of those areas that the cultural differences between WGLO and BGLO organizations are “front and center.”

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a prick, but I don't appreciate the term WGLO. I understand if those in BGLO's want to use BGLO, since those frats/sors were founded to uplift the black community, but NIC/NPC frats/sors, as far as I know weren't founded to help whites, even though they may be historically white. I hope ya'll understand where I'm coming from with this.



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

I am offended by WGLO term as well...we are not walking on the streets saying we are in a white sorority nor fraternity...I have MANY asian, latino, african-american sisters and they too were offended...

[12dn94dst]

How about "non-BGLO"? Is that better? Or "PWGLO"? Does that work for you?? What would you like to be called when we're comparing and contrasting?? We can't use the umbrella organizations as a point of reference because then the locals and non-affiliated national organizations would be left out. We can't say "greek" either because it would get confusing.

Can we be a little less politically correct and a little more realistic?? Your organizations are HISTORICALLY white and the MAJORITY of the membership is white, just like our orgainzations are HISTORICALLY Black and the MAJORITY of the membership is Black. Guess what else? There are organizations that are HISTORICALLY Asian whose membership is MAJORITY Asian and there are HISTORICALLY Latina/o organizations whose membership is MAJORITY Latina/o. Then there are those who aren't historically or majority one race/ethnicity or another, they're called MULTI-CULTURAL and that's WONDERFUL. We're DIFFERENT. ACKNOWLEDGE, RESPECT and APPRECIATE the differences. Face them, deal with them, grow up and move on.

[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited August 13, 2000).]

[IotaNet]

Originally posted by Corbin Dallas:
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a prick, but I don't appreciate the term WGLO.

In the spirit of respecting the feelings of all the members of this forum, I will refrain from using the term "WGLO" in the future. I meant no disrespect.

Having said that, I feel that a bit of realism is in order here. We're all adults and we're all Americans. As such we understand the history of America and some of its "less than savory" aspects.

While it may be true that non-NPHC groups "weren't founded to help whites", it certainly is no accident that they are "historically white." The Seven Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha addressed this issue and out of that were born the Black Greek Lettered Organizations that we know today.

I don't want to get into a long diatribe about racism here but we know that, as in the larger society, it played a fundamental role in the Greek world. What we have today (in America and in Greekdom) are the results of that racism.

Just as I expect my opinions to be recognized and respected, I will do the same for others. On the other hand, I would ask that we not get offended when someone recognizes the world for what it is ... and for what some of our predecessors intended it to be.

I invite all comments and replies.

[This message has been edited by IotaNet (edited August 13, 2000).]

[ZChi4Life]

Well said 12dn94dst! I agree. I understand where Corbin is coming from, but on the real, it's all about what your org really is and the principles it was founded upon. So Corbin, what would you like us to call orgs that are predominantly white? Should we just stick to calling a pre-dom. white greek org a GLO and then when we need to specify should we say BGLO, LGLO, MCGLO, AGLO, etc?
How can we solve this cuz it's getting to the point of craziness!!

Originally posted by 12dn94dst:
How about "non-BGLO"? Is that better? Or "PWGLO"? Does that work for you?? What would you like to be called when we're comparing and contrasting?? We can't use the umbrella organizations as a point of reference because then the locals and non-affiliated national organizations would be left out. We can't say "greek" either because it would get confusing.

Can we be a little less politically correct and a little more realistic?? Your organizations are HISTORICALLY white and the MAJORITY of the membership is white, just like our orgainzations are HISTORICALLY Black and the MAJORITY of the membership is Black. Guess what else? There are organizations that are HISTORICALLY Asian whose membership is MAJORITY Asian and there are HISTORICALLY Latina/o organizations whose membership is MAJORITY Latina/o. Then there are those who aren't historically or majority one race/ethnicity or another, they're called MULTI-CULTURAL and that's WONDERFUL. We're DIFFERENT. ACKNOWLEDGE, RESPECT and APPRECIATE the differences. Face them, deal with them, grow up and move on.

[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited August 13, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by ZChi4Life (edited August 13, 2000).]

[mwedzi]

Laughing your @ss off, eh? Really, I'm glad you find it so amusing. Really, we're getting to the point of childishness. Why don't we just all run around pointing and saying "neiner, neiner, neiner, the way my org does thigs is better than the way your org does things"?

As thexgirl said, orgs use their handshakes in different ways. Because one sees theirs as some common everday thing and one sees theirs as only for ritual or special occassions doesn't make one way of using better than the other nor does it make one way laughable.

Seriously, some forms of ignorance are beat down on these boards mercilessly, while other forms manage to pass without a whimper. I just don't get it.

I feel the hate mail coming, but it needed to be said.

[AXPAlum]

What the f***? Did I miss something, I thought this was just a topic on handshakes? When did a course on race relations in the greek community jump in? Everyone, just chill alright. Call yourself whatever you want, but don't forget you are all GLO's. Damn, so much tension these days...must be the weather!

AXPAlum

Ok, becuase I am the one who brought it up, I will appolagize if anyone took offense for my remark (although I think I said it was not ment to be an offense against anyone). There are certain differences between BGLOs and OTHER fraternities and sorrorities (still trying not to offend and use WGLO).

As for the person who asked whether BGLOS have grips or handshakes, yes we do. I use mine quite often, although I restrict it to someone who I know and can verify is a member of my organization. If I don't know you, I don't grip you (Period).

But seriously, I know that I have come down hard on some folks for things that they have said, so I like everyone else, should just step away from the keyboard, take a moment to breath, go get a glass of water,a bear, shot of vodka, gasoline, whatever your you chose, and just chill. IT WASN"T THAT SERIOUS. Dang.

Peace and Luv

ManndingoNUPE

P.S. I'm still laughing my azzzz offf.

[blu_theatrics]

Originally posted by mwedzi:
Laughing your @ss off, eh? Really, I'm glad you find it so amusing. Really, we're getting to the point of childishness. Why don't we just all run around pointing and saying "neiner, neiner, neiner, the way my org does thigs is better than the way your org does things"?

I've read this topic, but knowI had to jump in no one said anyone was better than anyone else. The fact of the matter is that in BGLO's (especially the fraternities) grips are used everyday, it is as common as saying hello to a member of your org, so therefore it is really strange to read that 2 out of 80 know the grip.

[Corbin Dallas]

Originally posted by ZChi4Life:
Well said 12dn94dst! I agree. I understand where Corbin is coming from, but on the real, it's all about what your org really is and the principles it was founded upon. So Corbin, what would you like us to call orgs that are predominantly white? Should we just stick to calling a pre-dom. white greek org a GLO and then when we need to specify should we say BGLO, LGLO, MCGLO, AGLO, etc?
How can we solve this cuz it's getting to the point of craziness!!

Thanks for everyone who understood what I was saying and didn't get mad about it. Personally, I think GLO should be used to refer to all orgs, and when referring to a certain type, NIC, NPHC, NPC, local, etc. should be used. However, I don't really have a problem using the terms BGLO, LGLO, AGLO, as these orgs were formed to better the black, latino/a, asian, etc. communities. I'm not trying to be overly PC, in fact, if you know me, you'd know I'm not very PC at all, but I do respect those of different races, religions, etc. as long as they respect me. I just don't really like WGLO because regardless if people were/are racist, they weren't founded to help the "white community". This is my last post on the topic, as it's probably going to get out of hand, and I've tried to refrain from posting on the racial issues.

Back on the original topic. I understand if someone wants to use the grip on a daily basis, but I still see no need to when you KNOW someone is your brother. Maybe the grips you talk about are just that, a grip, and not a handshake with a series of steps. Enlighten us on that, if you want to/can. If it IS just a grip, like the Boy Scout grip, I can understand, as when I was an active Boy Scout, I did use it whenever I met someone else who was in the BSA.



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

[Manders]

of course my simple question got turned into a racial debate...I'm not surprised in this forum. Thank you to those who respectfully answered my question. To those who felt the need to criticize the way my chapter does things just because it's not like yours in our rituals/practices, need to get over yourselves. I'm sorry but it's not fair to say that just because we do things differently we are a bad chapter. So what if we're different than you're chapter....NOT better or worse...just different. And it's not just my chapter. It's all the chapters of all the GLO's on campus. And I didn't mean literally 2 out of 80. My point was just that a lot of people don't really know or use it. I was just curious about other chapters and I never asked if it was right or wrong to not be using it.

[This message has been edited by Manders (edited August 14, 2000).]