Controversy

[sugar and spice]

Also, in many of the articles about Melody Twilley (the girl who wanted to "integrate" NPC sororities at Bama), there were mentions of a biracial girl who had rushed earlier ("passing" for white the entire time) and she said that girls in her house used the n-word all the time and made some disparaging comments towards blacks. No matter how competitive rush at UGA and Bama is, you've got to assume that race played some sort of role at some if not all of the sororities, especially when articles about these sororities include quotes from members like "No fraternity would mix with us if we had a black girl!" Any house who doesn't chastise a sister for using the n-word has some issues with race, period.

I think the issue of black women not feeling comfortable going through NPC rush is a much more common one -- I know that is an issue here. I remember seeing ONE black woman throughout all of my rush. We have quite a few girls of Asian descent in the NPC sororities, but almost no Hispanics or African-Americans. I think part of this is just playing off the campus atmosphere -- it is very divided racially. I'm not sure how we can encourage more Latinas and black women to rush when the reason they aren't has just as much to do with the way campus is than the way the sororities are.

[WhirlwindTNX]

Originally posted by sugar and spice
Also, in many of the articles about Melody Twilley (the girl who wanted to "integrate" NPC sororities at Bama), there were mentions of a biracial girl who had rushed earlier ("passing" for white the entire time) and she said that girls in her house used the n-word all the time and made some disparaging comments towards blacks. No matter how competitive rush at UGA and Bama is, you've got to assume that race played some sort of role at some if not all of the sororities, especially when articles about these sororities include quotes from members like "No fraternity would mix with us if we had a black girl!" Any house who doesn't chastise a sister for using the n-word has some issues with race, period.

I think the issue of black women not feeling comfortable going through NPC rush is a much more common one -- I know that is an issue here. I remember seeing ONE black woman throughout all of my rush. We have quite a few girls of Asian descent in the NPC sororities, but almost no Hispanics or African-Americans. I think part of this is just playing off the campus atmosphere -- it is very divided racially. I'm not sure how we can encourage more Latinas and black women to rush when the reason they aren't has just as much to do with the way campus is than the way the sororities are.

Since most of us recognize that something is wrong the next step is to change what was done in the past. Like if you haven't seen any minorities at rush or very little, take the time and think about why. Maybe they aren't being reached.

It will also take more than encouragment. The first thing some minorities will see is the lack of any color besides white, so they are going to feel uncomfortable. And there is always the fear of being hurt. I know I felt that way when I thought about going NPC during my sophmore year. But. . .

THANK GOD I found TNX!!!! I'm lucky. . .I found my place at college, not what was expected of me as a black woman, but MY place.

[aopirose]

There are exceptions to everything. I have known white members of NPHC groups at LSU.

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
Not at all schools - they do things differently down south.

OK, this is definitely another topic for another day.

aopirose's biggest pet peeve - ("passing" for white) - I really, really, really hate this phrase and the context that it implies. If a person is of mixed race (for example: caucasian and african-american) and is on the fairer end of the spectrum, what are they supposed to say, "Hi, my name is Maggie and although I look like a "full-blooded" white person with my straight natural blonde hair and blue eyes, my great-grandmother is black. What do you all do for philanthropy projects?"

ETA: I am going out of town and I won't be back until next Tuesday.

[WhirlwindTNX]

Originally posted by aopirose
There are exceptions to everything. I have known white members of NPHC groups at LSU.



OK, this is definitely another topic for another day.

aopirose's biggest pet peeve - ("passing" for white) - I really, really, really hate this phrase and the context that it implies. If a person is of mixed race (for example: caucasian and african-american) and is on the fairer end of the spectrum, what are they supposed to say, "Hi, my name is Maggie and although I look like a "full-blooded" white person with my straight natural blonde hair and blue eyes, my great-grandmother is black. What do you all do for philanthropy projects?"

ETA: I am going out of town and I won't be back until next Tuesday.

Oh so right. . . .

[sugar and spice]

I agree with you to some extent and that's why I put the phrase in quotes (because I'm not sure if her intent was to "pass" or not). Nevertheless, from the articles I read, it sounded like her house didn't know she was biracial until the Melody Twilley controversy (a year after she rushed) and that is plenty of time for her house to learn that she was biracial . . . but they never did. Clearly that means that they never met her parents, that she never spoke of her background (there are plenty of chances for it to come up -- a sister says, "Oh, you're so tan!" when in reality you're half black, you'd probably mention that to her, right?), she never corrected them on their use of the n-word (I can't imagine having a black parent or grandparent, being considered black by some people, and still being okay with the fact that some of my sisters were calling people n*****s in front of me). All of that leads me to believe that she was trying to hide that part of her for at least a little while, or at least in front of some of her sisters.

I can see not mentioning your heritage during rush if it doesn't come up, but to not mention it during an entire YEAR sounds quite a bit more sketchy to me.

Links to articles and threads about the UGA incident. Not being biased but there was more to it then just race (even though yes, a few girls (not the entire house) were concerned about accepting a black member). I believe we have more threads about it too, but I couldnt find those.


Thread One

Thread Two

Tme Article

[justamom]

Maybe someone can confirm or refute this. I have been told that there are 2 NPC sororities at LSU who have a sister that is black.
I did not hear if the young ladies are from a mixed marriage or not.

aopirose says there have been whites in the NPHC groups.

Maybe LSU is becoming more progressive...IF this is true.
edited here-I am refering to MY first statement, NOT what aopirose said. I am certain she would know.

Please, no one ask me WHICH sororities-I could not possibly give out information based on OTHER information that could be incorrect.

[2blue]

In the year 2525.... (remember that song....)

People will still be dissecting what happened at UGA in 2000.

[justamom]

Originally posted by 2blue
In the year 2525.... (remember that song....)

People will still be dissecting what happened at UGA in 2000.

"...kind of wonderin' if man will still be alive!"

If I were a gambler, I'd bet with you!

[WhirlwindTNX]

Yeah, the issue is kind of exhausted now. . . oh well

[Canadian AOII]

I'm definitely glad to say at my university, discrimination isn't really a factor at all. Throughout the entire greek system at Western there are ppl of all different backgrounds, religions, ethnicities and of different proportions. There aren't any black GLOs in Canada (that I'm aware of) but I'm definitely to proud to be a black sister of AOII!

[Sistermadly]

The thing that gets me through threads like this is to remember the following:

There is a world of difference between discrimination and bigotry.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by WhirlwindTNX
Since most of us recognize that something is wrong the next step is to change what was done in the past. Like if you haven't seen any minorities at rush or very little, take the time and think about why. Maybe they aren't being reached.

It will also take more than encouragment. The first thing some minorities will see is the lack of any color besides white, so they are going to feel uncomfortable. And there is always the fear of being hurt. I know I felt that way when I thought about going NPC during my sophmore year. But. . .

I had to jump in on this comment (but not on you Whirlwind, cause I think you made some excellent points...)

But *sigh* I'm going to say this and put on my asbestos suit. It has to be said.

The NPC is NOT the only thing that needs to change in this scenario.

What also needs to change is the mindset of young black women. Young black women need to understand that in this day and age that no LEGALLY mandated system of segregation exists. This is 2003, not 1953.

Young black women need to understand that they can find a place for themselves within the legacies of Alpha Phi, AOII, Chi Omega and the rest of the NPC, every bit as much as they can among Zeta Phi Beta, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, or Alpha Kappa Alpha.

They need to see that there are some of us who have found places for ourselves here, and are thriving within this conference.

It's not about being "black" enough. It's not about being "white" enough. It's about being YOU enough, and secure in YOURSELF, your IDENTITY, and your integrity. It's about realizing that as a person who grew up in (North) America, you have more in common with those who look different than you than surface realities might lead you to believe.

People keep saying that the NPC needs to reach out more. And you know - we do. But at some point, that "reaching out" starts to sound like "pander to" or "bend over backwards and make them feel special" - and that makes me uncomfortable. I don't need to have Alpha Phi donate a check to the United Negro College Fund to make me feel more welcome. I don't want my sisters to feel like they have to be on eggshells whenever I'm around just because "I'm different". I've felt like a token more than once or twice in my life, and let me tell you - it's a sh*tty way to feel. Any forced attempts at integration will backfire - because the non-black members of that chapter will come to resent the black member, and the black member will come to resent her sisters for keeping her outside of and apart from the rest of the chapter.

This kind of bonding has to happen organically. And that starts when some "sister" at some university decides to sign up for NPC recruitment. Shake the haters and the detractors -- on both sides. Eff all those people who tell you that you're "selling out" by signing up. Even if at some point you decide that the NPC isn't for you - GO THROUGH IT ANYWAY. Don't stand on the outside, rolling your eyes and saying "they don't want me" - give them the chance to want you. And if the b*tches in that particular chapter decide to act a fool, then don't let that one incident of discrimination define the rest of your life. You are more than that - you are worth more than that - and trust - you will rise above it.

Okay, I'm tired now.

[Jill1228]

As always, Sistermadly, very eloquent and a lot of food for thought!

[UA_GammaPhiBeta]

Nevertheless, from the articles I read, it sounded like her house didn't know she was biracial until the Melody Twilley controversy (a year after she rushed) and that is plenty of time for her house to learn that she was biracial . . . but they never did. Clearly that means that they never met her parents, that she never spoke of her background (there are plenty of chances for it to come up -- a sister says, "Oh, you're so tan!" when in reality you're half black, you'd probably mention that to her, right?), she never corrected them on their use of the n-word (I can't imagine having a black parent or grandparent, being considered black by some people, and still being okay with the fact that some of my sisters were calling people n*****s in front of me).

I would like to set this straight...

The biracial girl you are referring to is Christina Houston and she was one of the sisters in the chapter I advise at the University of Alabama. It was fully known by everyone in the chapter and, I am certain, everyone in every NPC chapter at UA before Christina even set foot inside her first house during Ice Water Teas, that she was biracial. We didn't think it was such a big deal that we would need to run to the press and say "WE PLEDGED A BIRACIAL WOMAN." Also, we were NOT the first sorority on the UA campus to have a biracial member. This publicity for Christina came about AFTER the Melody Twilley scandal. Someone at the University newspaper pressured Christina to do an interview in response to Melody's insistance that she was dropped from the NPC sororities because of the color of her skin. (I can also assure you that THAT is not true, but that's another story entirely.)

In that student-written newspaper article, Christina was misquoted as saying that the "n-word flew like bullets" and it sounded like she meant this happened in the sorority house or among her sisters. She was VERY upset about this after the article was printed, because she was NOT talking about the sorority, but some boys at a party she attended. This would NEVER have occurred in the sorority...the idea of that is absolutely ridiculous.


Christina later resigned from the sorority due to financial problems. I feel that the publicity that surrounded her membership may have been another reason that she felt it necessary to resign. The sisters tried everything they could to keep her as a member and were very disappointed with her resignation.

Please do not accept these rumors as fact.