Advice for blacks considering NOT joining a BGLO

[tragic2k]

This is a warning for brothers and sisters doing research on joining a GLO. DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE OF GLO's!

Before pledging my house, I looked deeply into the 9 and into the house I was interested in. I did several weeks of research into the WGLO and saw that nationally, it had many black members. In the end, it was a difficult decision so I decided to give the GLO a try, thinking that I would just depledge if it wasnt for me. I should have known better.

During rush everyone told me the whole bullcrap about how they "strive for diversity" or how "we treat brothers all the same". However this is not the case.

How can an organization treat everyone the same when it was created in a society that subconconsciously teaches us to place a value on someone because of the color of their skin?

I thought that alumni support as well as life commitment were important in joining a fraternity. "We have the greatest Alumni support", said the rush chair, "We also believe that members of this fraternity are members for life, not just up until you graduate".

These of course were lies too. The local chapter had TERRIBLE alumni support (so much that nationals recently had to step in) and many of the current members intend on doing NOTHING for the group after graduation.

During pledgeship, many people were "supportive" of my decision not to join a BGLO. It must have been so that I could give them rent money for the next year.

I am treated differently. Not blatently, but in little noticeable ways that most people who werent in my situation would not notice.

I feel like an "asset" (as in diversity percentile) more then I feel like a respected brother. People who hid their ignorant views came out in full force AFTER initiation.

Yes I sound like a whiney brat who was impatient but I tell you, that is not the case. I did LOTS of research into this and I thought I made the most educated decision. However, I didnt use common sense. Its a well known fact that white fraternities LIE during the rush process in order attract NUMBERS rather then brothers.

BGLO's may not be upfront about their entire "process" to non-members, but they certainly wont ever lie to you what they're about and what their purpose is.

The house is also becoming increasingly superficial. Diversity? After my pledge class was initiated, they decided they wanted to become more popular by only admitting cookie cutter, preppy, fratboys. I hardly fit into this group. When I come back in 5 years, what am I going to look forward to? I doubt that I'll see people like me.

Dont get me wrong, I love some of the gusy in the house, but overall, this bond was not for me.

Unfortunately, there's no way out because I too believe that a bond is for life.

If I had two wishes though...

Why am I writing this annoying post? In case some naieve freshmen are going through rush and wanted to know the experience of someone who had a similar situation.