Cultural "Greeks" - Page 3

sigmadiva · #31 01-24-2003, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by starang21

and off top, who really cares when the orgs were founded. it really doesn't matter. what matters is what they do for the community.

Sadly, it does matter when a particular org was founded. The founding members incorporated their ideology of the time into the org; and this same ideology is perpetuated by some of the members. Yes, I do agree that most NPC/IFC and NPHC orgs have non-discriminatory statements but, that does not mean each member will adhere to it. Also, there are still 25 yr and 50 yr members of these orgs (with lots-o-cash) who can 'influence' policy. It is easy to point to the non-majority member of the org and say, 'See, we don't discriminate.', but it is what is in the hearts of the other members that truly count.

showstopper_1908 · #32 01-25-2003, 02:14 AM

Look for the answers in many of the peoples posts. IFC = regular frats. Predominately white organizations = regular. So does this make the others irregular? Why would someone who doesn't fit that mold want to be considered irregular? I know I would want to feel at home and normal. I don't want to be a token. I don't want to be the girl everyone points to and says, "see she is one of us, you can be too". It may be for some but it's not for me. My school had a lot of these "multicultural" orgs and they are all cool people. Most greeks on my campus get along. If you are mad that the other orgs are getting all of those "irregular people" so you have no one to make an example of to attract other "irregulars", I don't know what to tell you. I sometimes wonder why there are so many multicultural greeks at my campus, but they chose one and noth the other, so there must be some difference that I don't see.

lovelyivy84 · #33 01-25-2003, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by showstopper_1908
Look for the answers in many of the peoples posts. IFC = regular frats. Predominately white organizations = regular. So does this make the others irregular? Why would someone who doesn't fit that mold want to be considered irregular? I know I would want to feel at home and normal. I don't want to be a token. I don't want to be the girl everyone points to and says, "see she is one of us, you can be too". It may be for some but it's not for me. My school had a lot of these "multicultural" orgs and they are all cool people. Most greeks on my campus get along. If you are mad that the other orgs are getting all of those "irregular people" so you have no one to make an example of to attract other "irregulars", I don't know what to tell you. I sometimes wonder why there are so many multicultural greeks at my campus, but they chose one and noth the other, so there must be some difference that I don't see.

Tell it Soror!

Optimist Prime · #34 01-25-2003, 12:11 PM

I HAVE AN IDEA!!! But, in order for it to work, it will take cooperation from everyone in order to work. Here is what you do. Go look in the mirror. Realize that you are individual, and complety unique. Now, look at some one else. They are individual and uique too. Realize that, while we have many similairties, and are drawn to others with such simialar charecteristics, we are all individuals, and deseriving of such respect that you would have for the person you saw in the mirror.

NOW ON TO A RELEVENT TOPIC:

SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP FLAME WARS STARTED BY RANDOM ASS PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP AND ONLY MAKE TWO POSTS OR SO. GUESS WHAT. RANDALL IS LAUGHING AT YOU.

Optimist Prime · #35 01-25-2003, 12:12 PM

ONE OTHER THING.

Everyone is a cultural Greek. Why? Because they are predomintaly North American Orgs. Their very existance hinges on OUR culture.

DHgirl · #36 01-25-2003, 12:49 PM

Forgive me for being insensibly naive, but I'm amazed that this is such an issue. I'm in a local which is very mixed and we absolutely do not consider ourselves multi-cultural. Despite this, we still do "cultural" stuff. A number of us always do the South Asia Society dance for the school's culture show--and it's an "ethnic mix" of girls. We hit up the San Genaro festival and dinner in Chinatown as fall rush events. We don't do this because we're promoting culture or trying to incorporate ethnic histories into our organization, but because it's fun. We avoid holding major ceremonies and events on friday nights because we don't want our two members who keep the sabbath to miss things.
We do that not because we're trying to play a cultural awareness game, as such, but because it matter's to us that all of us have the chance to be at important events. It's funny. When we talk about targeting specific "groups" during rush, we mean convincing more artists and architects to give being greek a chance (our school is only art, architecture and engineering, and sometimes its like pulling teeth to convince artists and architects here that this could be fun and enriching.) Strange thing was--I thougt we were "regular." Our two NIC fraternities on campus are "mixed" too. It's not like we're not aware what race each of us is--it just doesn't make a difference to whether or not you fit it. I guess I would have to say that multi-culturals are necessary until it is "normal." And now I'm going to go back to my bubble where my sisters and I can enjoy every part of American culture without having thinking about it.

aopinthesky · #37 01-25-2003, 01:17 PM

>>>SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!<<<

Optimist Prime,
I don't think "Randall" did start a flame war, whether or not that was what he was going for. There have been some excellent points raised in this thread and an informative discussion has occurred about the diversity of all GLO's. I haven't noticed anyone getting upset over this exchange of ideas other than you, and you haven't really expressed any.
If it is not your thing, then certainly you don't have to read it, but it seems that you have the biggest problem with the subject, and no real opinion to express other than you don't like the thread.

Munchkin03 · #38 01-25-2003, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by starang21

that's happened to me before, but i didn't just laugh and play it off. i set them straight at that moment.

And that is why there will always be a need for "cultural" Greek Letter Organizations. Not everyone is about "laughing and playing it off", and feeling as if having to be a representative for their specific culture is part of being a brother or sister.

I think a lot of people get hot and bothered when a topic about race or culture is brought up, and they would rather not discuss it. As far as this thread is concerned, everyone seems to be discussing things rather maturely, so it's hardly a "flame war".

starang21 · #39 01-25-2003, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sigmadiva

Sadly, it does matter when a particular org was founded. The founding members incorporated their ideology of the time into the org; and this same ideology is perpetuated by some of the members. Yes, I do agree that most NPC/IFC and NPHC orgs have non-discriminatory statements but, that does not mean each member will adhere to it. Also, there are still 25 yr and 50 yr members of these orgs (with lots-o-cash) who can 'influence' policy. It is easy to point to the non-majority member of the org and say, 'See, we don't discriminate.', but it is what is in the hearts of the other members that truly count.

i understand all that, but some people seem to focus on a founding date vs. service or the social aspect.

MSSTCY1 · #40 01-26-2003, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sigmadiva

Sadly, it does matter when a particular org was founded. The founding members incorporated their ideology of the time into the org; and this same ideology is perpetuated by some of the members.

I agree.

GLO's are formed based on the common interests and bonds of their founding members. If the common tie that binds a group of people together is their culture then who are any of you to judge them for that?

I know of some newer social fraternities that have been founded on what some would view as much looser bonds than those held by members of cultural organizations.

People join cultural organizations for many of the same reasons that all of you joined your organization; they felt a sence of belonging and felt at home with the brothers/sisters of the GLO that they met.

Optimist Prime · #41 01-26-2003, 02:46 AM

Just because a flame didn't war didn't start....so what.

How many threads like this have their been that some random person has posted one post just to rile people up?? And we all respond. I'm not saying that good points haven't been raised, I'm just saying, instead of waiting for some one whose intent is less than honorable start this discussion, we should already be thinking about this ourselves.

aopinthesky · #42 01-26-2003, 10:09 AM

>>>I'm just saying, instead of waiting for some one whose intent is less than honorable start this discussion, we should already be thinking about this ourselves.<<<

But that is NOT what you said to begin with. You said "STOP FLAME WARS". Nothing I have read in this thread looks flamable, Optimist, except your apparant uncomfortableness with the subject matter. And besides, who are you to judge whether the poster's intent was honorable or not? How many posts does one have to make before their opinions are valid and valuable in your book?
I have seen some good discussion come out of that original post. You are the only one who has expressed ANY dissatisfaction with it. Why don't you just simply quit reading the thread if it is so painful to you?

texas*princess · #43 01-26-2003, 01:32 PM

I have to agree w/ Optimist on this one. There are countless threads on the topic.. and even though some of those threads did not ask specifically 'why are cultural greeks neccessary' it all pretty much waters down to the whole race & segregation issues like everyone has been discussing.

--texas*princess

Quote:

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
Just because a flame didn't war didn't start....so what.

How many threads like this have their been that some random person has posted one post just to rile people up?? And we all respond. I'm not saying that good points haven't been raised, I'm just saying, instead of waiting for some one whose intent is less than honorable start this discussion, we should already be thinking about this ourselves.