Why do LGLO/MCGLOs follow NPHC practices?

[breathesgelatin]

On the handsign tip:

I think it's possible that some NPC members don't realize they're "imitating" NPHCs. I'm just being blatantly honest here, because some NPC members know little to nothing about NPHCs. We had no NPHC orgs on my campus until I was a senior. Basically the only reason from my relatively competent knowledge of NPHC is my involvement in Greekchat. I am almost positive that that's often the case for other NPC members, even on campuses with active NPHC groups. Unless, as DSTCHAOS mentioned, there is a good Greek Life office that encourages interaction between various councils and provides PR information on the activities of one to the members of the other.

I've often seen images of NPC groups making signs (ADPi making a diamond, KD using two women to make a KD, Tri-Delt making a Delta or triangle). It's not entirely clear to me that these women thought "Hey, NPHCs have really cool signs, we should do it too" which certainly would preclude them thinking "Hey, I should consider how this hand sign will look to NPHC, which treasures hand signs as part of their institutional identity." They might not even realize that NPHC does signs. If they do, they might not realize the important role NPHC handsigns play and just assume that it would be viewed as a tribute or "that's cool" type of thing by NPHC. I mean I could especially see this in the case of Tri-Delt making a Delta, for obvious reasons. I just don't think the majority of NPC members would make the connection... which is a sad testament to NPC members' lack of knowledge about NPHC... but in my experience, that's the way it works.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Blacks in Germany do have things in common with African Americans.

But what we have in common (and African American culture) can not be reduced to "rap" and "popular ghetto culture." There have always been African diasporic and international racial activism efforts that have connected us on much more meaningful fronts.

Other than those points of clarification, you are misapplying concepts.

I just saw your comment but yes, yes, yes. When will people get it?! When they educate themselves maybe?!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I just saw your comment but yes, yes, yes. When will people get it?! When they educate themselves maybe?!

They don't have to educate themselves because it ultimately doesn't matter if they get it. They just need to stop inserting their false expertise.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

In Germany, the black people (which have noooothing in common with African-Americans in America except they're usually only 2nd generation immigrants instead of 10th from Africa)...dress exactly the same as the stereotyped "rap" popular "ghetto" culture. They wear long black t-shirts, saggy jeans, etc. They see the ethnic minorities in America and tend to reflect that culture...even if it has nothing to do with their own. So, perhaps, the other LGLO/MCGLO's, do with NPHC. It's only a theory, I guess, but an interesting one.

Many Blacks in Germany did not immigrate there. They were born there after WWII and continue to live there.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

In Germany, the black people (which have noooothing in common with African-Americans in America except they're usually only 2nd generation immigrants instead of 10th from Africa)...dress exactly the same as the stereotyped "rap" popular "ghetto" culture. They wear long black t-shirts, saggy jeans, etc. They see the ethnic minorities in America and tend to reflect that culture...even if it has nothing to do with their own. So, perhaps, the other LGLO/MCGLO's, do with NPHC. It's only a theory, I guess, but an interesting one.

I disagree with the above statements. Although Bob Johnson, Founder of "Black Entertainment Television" or BET, is African American, he has allowed for the annihilation of the self-esteems of numerous people of darker skin and African diaspora with the types of videos shown on the channel. That is probably because BET's parent company is Viacom and the satellite signal sits with Paramount and Dreamworks or one of huge news corporations...

Now, with that said, BET is shown in Germany. It would be easy to get a completely inaccurate view of the totality of African American history. Before the signal was accepted, the culture of Africans in Europe are probably similar to that in Britain, France, Holland and elsewhere.

The word on the street is that "Europe" wanted to "pacify" its kneegrows, and the easiest way is through the destruction of self-esteem and all out neutralization. It takes 20+ years. But, you are seeing its effects. The only thing "Europe" did NOT count on is globalization, media images and communications with others...

It's a new day...

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

They wear long black t-shirts, saggy jeans, etc.

Funny, I see that with White teens all of the time. And I live in Minnesota.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Funny, I see that with White teens all of the time. And I live in Minnesota.

That's because...

you live in Minnesota.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Funny, I see that with White teens all of the time. And I live in Minnesota.

I see this all the time where I am also and I live in Philly. People need to stop making remarks based on stereotypes, assumptions, and plain untruths.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I'll go with a more...sociological look.

Sociologists call it "cross-ghettoization" (I believe it's the term), but it's not the word I would use, nor the word which aptly describes it. Simply put, ethnic minorities tend to reflect other ethnic minorities. The term "cross-ghettoization"(I think) is a somewhat harsher word towards hispanics and other ethnic groups.

In Germany, the black people (which have noooothing in common with African-Americans in America except they're usually only 2nd generation immigrants instead of 10th from Africa)...dress exactly the same as the stereotyped "rap" popular "ghetto" culture. They wear long black t-shirts, saggy jeans, etc. They see the ethnic minorities in America and tend to reflect that culture...even if it has nothing to do with their own. So, perhaps, the other LGLO/MCGLO's, do with NPHC. It's only a theory, I guess, but an interesting one.

You obviously know nothing about this topic and should just stop with these kind of remarks. People of African descent all over the world have a great deal in common so just stop please. I've been to Germany 3 times now courtesy of my workplace which is global and based out of Germany. I have met and socialized with Black people there (some of which are my colleagues) and I can tell you that you are so WRONG WRONG WRONG! Just like other ethnic groups, we embrace our heritage wherever we reside.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

You obviously know nothing about this topic and should just stop with these kind of remarks. People of African descent all over the world have a great deal in common so just stop please. I've been to Germany 3 times now courtesy of my workplace which is global and based out of Germany. I have met and socialized with Black people there (some of which are my colleagues) and I can tell you that you are so WRONG WRONG WRONG! Just like other ethnic groups, we embrace our heritage wherever we reside.

I've lived there for over a half a year.

I have good black German friends.

They are completely different than Black Americans in nearly every aspect except for how they dress.

There is no "pan-African" similarities. To believe otherwise is simply retarded. Yes, there are commonalities. Because they're humans and humans, believe it or not, have a lot in common with other humans. The fact that black Americans pretend like they have any connection to Africa is absolutely absurd.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

The fact that black Americans pretend like they have any connection to Africa is absolutely absurd.

So Italian-Americans, X-generations removed from Italy, for example, absolutely do not (and should not) have any connection to Italy. Or anyone who has been in America for many a generations yet their ancestors originating from another country?

There are differences, sure, but sometimes were more alike than we want to believe.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by tld221

So Italian-Americans, X-generations removed from Italy, for example, absolutely do not (and should not) have any connection to Italy. Or anyone who has been in America for many a generations yet their ancestors originating from another country?

Soror don't even bother. Elephant Walk knows more than any of us could possibly know about Black culture around the world and our connection to eachother and to our heritage, because he has Black friends and has obviously done his research. He is here to enlighten us all and we should be greatful.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I've lived there for over a half a year

I have good black German friends.

They are completely different than Black Americans in nearly every aspect except for how they dress.

"Some of my best friends are black Germans. SO I KNOW!!!"

You're incorrect about your assertions. Period.

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

There is no "pan-African" similarities.

You're wrong.

You went from being an expert on every Greek system to being the expert on German blacks and Pan-African relations just because you spent almost a year in Germany? Your selective observations don't matter to the issue at hand. Give it a rest.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

"Some of my best friends are black Germans. SO I KNOW!!!"

You're incorrect about your assertions. Period.

Prove it.

At this point you'll generally sulk off and call me an idiot with no way to back it up. For you to believe that black Americans with absolutely no connection to Africa (...how long's it been...7 generations?) has commonalities in terms of personality or otherwise (besides being human) you would have to believe in nature over nurture. That you are born with innate tendencies that span cultural lines. If you believe that, then you're laughable to begin with. I have absolutely no connections with my German/English/French/Dutch relatives and many of my ancestors came to this country long after yours likely did.

You're wrong.

You went from being an expert on every Greek system to being the expert on German blacks and Pan-African relations just because you spent almost a year in Germany? Your selective observations don't matter to the issue at hand. Give it a rest.

Your ability to manipulate what I said is mindboggling. It's a selective observation which provides an example to a much grander observation.

So Italian-Americans, X-generations removed from Italy, for example, absolutely do not (and should not) have any connection to Italy. Or anyone who has been in America for many a generations yet their ancestors originating from another country?

*smack*

To begin with, many if not most "African"-Americans have no idea what country they came from. Even further, it wouldn't matter because the country was not important because it only reflected colonial boundaries and not tribal boundaries. Tribal boundaries are a far more important way of discovering your ancestors histories because it would lead you to what sort of foods they ate and the religions they practiced. Furthermore, Italian-Americans who are proud of their heritage tend to be recent immigrants (early 1900's), just a few generations removed from their homeland. Whereas "African"-Americans are what...seven generations removed? More? My Grandma regularly spoke German in the house. Of what connection do I have to Germany? I've never lived there. My German is terrible.

[Little32]

^^That is a typically negative and rather simplistic spin, right down to the language, on what can be a positive phenomenon in these communities. It does not seem to engage the question of why at all. There is a reason why aspects of African American culture resonate with other ethnic groups both here and abroad, and that notion that you defined does not begin to question why.