Lack of Ethnic Diversity in Bama's sororities worry future rushee

[agzg]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Senusret: I also think it is cool and part of that has to do with how rare it is.

This is a random thought, but does anyone else think daily of the unique opportunities GC allows for by lumping NPHC, NIC, NPC, and other multicultural groups together?

I've had an interest on how BGLOs work, because although my campus had access to AKA and also Delta (later in my undergrad), "white" fraternities and sororities (who, as I mentioned before, did have African-American actives) had a much more visible presence on campus. I obviously learned a little about them through my new member period, but just names. I didn't have anything to put a picture to.

It wasn't until I was in grad school and lived next to a Pitt undergrad that I learned more about NPHC fraternities. She called me after she crossed, said thanks for answering her questions about NPC sororities as it further solidified in her mind that she should join (or be an interest for?) one of the Divine 9. I told her I was happy to help.

I just thought it was neat that initially she questioned which way she should go, so obviously both were options to her.

I don't know where I'm going with this, yet again.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

This is a random thought, but does anyone else think daily of the unique opportunities GC allows for by lumping NPHC, NIC, NPC, and other multicultural groups together?

Yes, it is extremely unrealistic. As are internet interactions, in general.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

These qualifiers could've gone without saying. Unintentionally, this is classic "token language."

Ooh... I can see how demeaning that unintentionally came out.

The way I intended, but poorly articulated, was that even by our chapter standards she was a standout. She was our chapter's homecoming court nominee, her grades were stellar at a time when the rest of our chapter's grades were average, and those of us who were younger just thought she was the coolest thing ever.

I was attempting to point out that she wasn't taken by our chapter simply for the sake of diversity.. that she was an awesome member that *we* were truly lucky to pledge. Those qualifiers were to emphasize that this was someone who made our chapter better.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I don't know if this is the proper place to say so, but I think it's cool that the OP is an African American NPC legacy. I don't see that too much where I am.

I have three little Black legacies (sisters) in my house! You should come by.

[sigtau305]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I don't know if this is the proper place to say so, but I think it's cool that the OP is an African American NPC legacy. I don't see that too much where I am.

That's very cool.

[GAgalBamabound]

aww I'm happy to have so much support

[KSUViolet06]

If you're a high school senior, I would really suggest contacting your local Alumnae Panhellenic for assistance in obtaining recs. Those are important to have at Bama.

[GAgalBamabound]

ksuviolet I did that. I have 13 out of the 15 sorority recs, im just waiting on a response from the last two alum groups

[20PearlGirl]

Wow, I truly can't imagine being in an NPC Sorority, then again, I can't imagine being in ANY OTHER Sorority!

[ellebud]

When I was in college, in the early/mid 70s, we too had a African American member. Since this was the time of Black Power SHE had a difficult time. When she was with her African American friends she would ignore us when she saw us on campus. She explained that it would be "too difficult" to explain membership in a predominately Jewish sorority. She remained a member and graduated as an AEPhi though, so her daughters are legacies.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ellebud

When I was in college, in the early/mid 70s, we too had a African American member. Since this was the time of Black Power SHE had a difficult time. When she was with her African American friends she would ignore us when she saw us on campus. She explained that it would be "too difficult" to explain membership in a predominately Jewish sorority. She remained a member and graduated as an AEPhi though, so her daughters are legacies.

..Wow. I would probably vote for disaffiliation on that one. That's ridiculous. I can't believe you put up with that!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by ellebud

When I was in college, in the early/mid 70s, we too had a African American member. Since this was the time of Black Power SHE had a difficult time. When she was with her African American friends she would ignore us when she saw us on campus. She explained that it would be "too difficult" to explain membership in a predominately Jewish sorority. She remained a member and graduated as an AEPhi though, so her daughters are legacies.

Originally Posted by fantASTic

..Wow. I would probably vote for disaffiliation on that one. That's ridiculous. I can't believe you put up with that!

This just bothers me, but I can't put it into words. Basically I'd want my sister to be proud and open about her membership, but I am white and upper class so I'm not even going to try and articulate what this woman's experience and viewpoint may have been at this time. Just having a conversation yesterday with a friend of a different ethnicity and religion reminded me of how privileged I really am that I am not the recipient of this type of scrutiny of my actions.

[ellebud]

Did it bother me that my sister wouldn't/couldn't acknowledge me on campus? Yes. In historical context and in the context of being 18 and trying to grow up, it was a fact of life then. Please notice that I said THEN. But it was such a different world then. There was so much social segregation (note: social) and she caved into the pressure that she felt.

[DrPhil]

Despite the historical context, she was silly for joining a sorority that she had to hide her affiliation with. The historical context did not just sneak up on her. Maybe she overestimated her ability to handle it and underestimated how much social conditions impact our organizations (you all were 18-19, afterall). Also, if her chapter sisters were more or less oblivious to the racial conditions of the 70s under the bubble of "sisterhood knows no color" then I can see why she'd feel conflicted.

Does anyone know if she's still financial with the sorority?

FTR, society is still very segregated by social class and race. It is manifested in the darndest places like most of our social, service, political, and professional organizations.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Despite the historical context, she was silly for joining a sorority that she had to hide her affiliation with. The historical context did not just sneak up on her.

It could have been that she came to college from growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood and honestly didn't think it would be a problem. Hell, that STILL goes on.