Whites in Black Greek Orgs. - Page 2

EspeRHO · #16 09-13-2000, 12:48 AM

Blue1922 I feel what you are saying, personally if a black woman wants to marry outside her race that is her business, and like you i an critical of all those who want to join my org, because like you said some just want the letters, when i know that it burns me up. It is our job to try to filter out the ones who are like that. No matter what race they may be. There is nothing wrong of being critical eithet, cause i am critical about some those already in the org too, cause a lot of them forget that this is a business and together we must run it.

[This message has been edited by EspeRHO (edited September 12, 2000).]

SoloRHO · #17 09-13-2000, 08:53 AM

And Simga Luv to you too EspeRHO, and all my sorors!

MIDWESTDIVA · #18 09-14-2000, 06:28 PM

I am also an aspiring member of this sisterhood who happens to read the posts from time to time. I hope I am not out of line by responding. Anyway, I am very disappointed with Interested Lady's post. I am not trying to be disrespectful to her at all by mentioning this, so please don't take it as such. However, it disturbs me that anyone would think that solving the problems in the Black community should only be done by Black people.

Historically, non-Blacks have fought with us in our struggle for equality. I'll start with the Underground Railroad. Many of the stops on the Underground Railroad were the homes of Quakers (who did not believe in slavery). If it were not for them, many of our people would not have escaped the South. Several of the founding members of the NAACP were white. Some of the students that participated in the sit ins at segregated lunch counters, various marches and the Freedom Rides were white.

One does not need to be Black in order to see that our community is plagued with problems. Nor does one need to be Black in order to take action to correct these problems. In the same manner, I don't need to be a Jew to relate to the pain and suffering that was caused by the Holocaust.

On my final note, there are non-Black people out there who were born, raised and educated in Black neighborhoods. I know plenty of people who fit into this category. The majority of their friends are Black and their relationships/marriages are often with someone who is Black. They feel comfortable being around us, as they have been around us all of their lives. My best friend is a White girl who happens to be the first White female to make it in the Marching 100 at FAMU. The fact that she is White should not be an obstacle in attending an HBCU or joining a NPHC sorority, if she so chooses.

How can we expect anyone to change their racist mindsets if we are not willing to do the same?

Sorry about the book ladies. I am very passionate about reverse discrimination.

Peace and Blessings everyone!

lil_sunshine · #19 11-27-2001, 02:02 PM

I remember reading about this in Ebony magazine and at first I was upset, but I then relaxed myself and realized that they (students of other races) probably work as hard as or harder than any African- American that joins a BGLO. I read that some of the African- American members would be skeptical of their interest in a BGLO, but once they (African- American students) saw how hard the other students worked, they decided to let them join. And MIDWESTDIVA, you mentioned one of my exact thoughts: the NAACP was founded by a few White people.

That's my ray of sunshine for now! Until next time, laides!!!

SoTrue1920 · #20 11-27-2001, 04:23 PM

I'm a Zeta in the Pacific Northwest -- a region where there aren't that many folks of African descent to begin with. To further complicate matters, I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - a city that has a less than 1% black population. It's my dream to start a chapter in Vancouver, but I know that in order for the chapter to thrive and survive here, I'll have to open the doors to women of other ethnicities.

I don't have a problem with relating to folks of different backgrounds. I've always had friends of all races, and my husband is a different race than I am. I do wonder, though, how an organization that was founded as a traditionally African American organization plays to non African-American members. I'd personally love to hear the opinions of NPHC women of other races as to why they were drawn to the organization.

I don't think it's (always) a matter of 'being comfortable' with Black people. Personally, I find that a little insulting, because it implies that people should automatically be uncomfortable with us. I'd like to think that the reason these people joined our organizations are similar to the reasons why we chose the organizations we did: because they saw something in us that they didn't see in the others. I saw something in Zeta that spoke to me far and above other NPHC sororities. I have nothing against Sigma, Delta, or AKA, on the contrary, I have nothing but the greatest respect for my Sisterfriends. But I know which one felt true to me. Why can't it be the same for non-Black members of NPHC organizations?

TRSimon · #21 11-27-2001, 04:53 PM

Interesting topic...

I live in the Pacific Northwest, near the Washington/Portland border, and while we are becoming more integrated as time goes on, we are nowhere near true diversity (five percent black maybe). As far as I am concerned, if women are willing to work for the community, with a special focus on our African-American youth, and honor their obligation to the sorority, then so be it.

If they are not willing to ever work for Sigma once the party, stepshow or graduation is over, then I don't want them no matter what color they are.

I mean it...
TRSimon

DOVE1920 · #22 11-27-2001, 05:56 PM

The first SGRho I met when I went away to college was of Phillipino and White descent. She represented SGRho well and became one of my best friends.

(If any of you are in Ohio you may know who I'm talking about.) The chapter I joined has a White Soror and her ethnicity was never an issue. I could care less what color someone is as long as they work to uphold the light of Zeta.

Tenacious1922 · #23 02-03-2002, 11:00 AM

Through my chapter we have had one white soror. And recently we had a hispanic soror...who I LOVE!!

I do not think it is about color. I think it is more about the woman. Truthfully, my hispanic soror has more love in her heart for Sigma then some of our black sorors. I think it is a matter of who you feel comfortable with. Like if I see a black woman wearing a Phi Mu shirt...I do not get upset, because that was her choice, not mine. What does anger me is my hispanic soror, came to visit me last year. She was down at the Underground in Atlanta, and she stopped by the para cart. She was trying on a SGRho hat. And the woman manning the cart
was so rude to her. First she told her, to put the hat down. Not bothering to ask if she was even a member. And once she told her she was..she replied "That is so cute"!! Now...I was fuming when she told me this. And the fact that the woman was a greek
herself..she should have known better. (I will not shame her sorors by saying which sorority she was from). So once people let go of the color issue, maybe we can then just concentrate on the woman's character. I understand that it is VERY IMPORTANT to have STRONG BLACK WOMEN within Sigma...but I think that it is equally important to have strong, positive women period!

SeriousSigma22 · #24 02-05-2002, 08:03 PM

Soror Tenacious1922,

Well stated! That woman should've minded her own business and she ought to be glad that the young soror didn't tell her so. Folks whether you like it or not people of other races are joining our sister and brotherhoods. What really matters is that our sisters and brothers are uplift the human race!

Serioussigma22