Re-inventing the D9 sororities?

[reddawn18]

Originally posted by allsmiles_22


It's bad enough many people don't take us seriously when the word sorority comes out of our mouths. It does us all an injustice when you have these cracker jack box orgs saying they recruit only fine people, what size their shoe is or how many babies they have especially since we are working hard in our communities to achieve our targets.

I also have the same feelings towards new graduate chapters being formed in areas where there are already a good number of them. Members say I don't like this chapter or any of the other chapters within this 20-mile radius, so I'll just charter another one. IMO we are diluting our resources and or org when we do this. Different topic though.

I PROBABLY shouldn't say this but once upon a time (when I was stupid) I joined two different GLOs. My reason for joining the first org, a sorority, was because I thought I would never get into a BGLO to save my life. The stories got to me about the "requirements" and I was, as I said before, stupid.

I left the first one becuase the founder, who was significantly younger than me, started doing some CRAZY stuff. She was not taking care of business so to speak.

The second one, Multicultural Frasority, I was there from the beginning. The conception and all. I left them as well. The Frasority was really a joke in my eyes because what the men wanted was to be the leaders and have the women as some sort of "sweethearts." And if I wanted to be a sweetheart, I would have became one YEARS ago!

I say all this because many people who start organizations like the idea of forming an sorority or a frat or frasority. They often split from other groups, in case of the second group I joined. They want to foster some kind of kinship amongst each other. But in my experience, they don't. Its a clique that wanted to be like the big dogs, whether its the group they left, LGLO, BGLO, etc.

Not that they are copying the molds that are set forth, many feel that they can enhance the image of what at GLO is in general. Not that one GLO is perfect and not that these new heads are perfect either.

When I was young and stupid (I have been out of the Greek scene as a member of a GLO for over two years), I thought I could make a difference in the world. To make that difference I was well aware that one person can not do it alone. That being part of a group make things happen. Now, I don't know these other groups or their mindset, but that is my opinion on what is the creation of these type of groups.

ETA: I have been asked would I join another GLO on different non-affliated occasions. I said yes. And only to an organization that is established with some kind of morals that I am trying to achieve in my life.

my two cents...

[Eclipse]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
What are they doing that makes them a sorority?
I honestly could care less what they call themselves.

But imagine if all orgs started calling themselves a sorority:
MADD Sorority
Girl Scouts Sorority
NOW Sorority
NCNW Sorority
Junior League Sorority

I

I think you make an interesting point. What makes a sorority? What unique qualities should be in place for an organization to consider themselves a sorority?

My guess is that because they wanted a sisterhood. They wanted to say that we are more than just members of the same organization, but we are sisters. I was a Girl Scout. Even worked for them for a while, but when I meet another former Girl Scout I don't really feel any particular connection to her. Same thing with the NAACP. But I have a strong sisterhood in Spelman. When I meet another Spelman woman I feel an immediate kinship with her because of our shared sisterhood.

[TheEpitome1920]

Well 2 big things that seperate a sorority from any other organization are ritual and the detailed requirements to achieve and maintain membership.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by BirthaBlue4
All of this happens everyday. I think that what Rain Man was trying to get at (IMO) is it seems as if since there is the NPHC group of sororities and fraternities geared for African Americans, and anyone that chooses to go Greek and does so outside of these ranks are looked at by NPHC members as "copycats", "traitors", and "unnecessary". Yes these groups have colors, symbols, mascots, calls, etc, but maybe they feel this is the protocol for a sorority. Most prominent non-white organizations have these things, so maybe they thought, "Hey, this is how its supposed to go". And that's ok. Do you feel the same way when you see a Latino organization or an MC organization do the same thing? Or are we all too protective of our people and what EVERYONE to fit in the same 9 molds? Again, most of us wouldn't even be here if people felt this way. Look at it as our Founders and our organizations blazed the trail for other African American organizations to rise up as well. Look at it as progress and freedom of choice, not as something to be offended by or to resent. It's counterproductive; it really does waste energy and time. But, to each her own, you are right you can feelhow you want.

HEL-LO!!!

BirthaBlue, you spoke my thoughts to a T, cause we are right ==========>HERE!!<==========

Yeah, Ideal08, you're right, you can resent whatever you want to resent, but I would think that as Greeks representing our present and future leaders, we would have the wisdom to discern what is and isn't worth fussing about. And all this contention about something as trivial as another Black GLO in existence is a waste of time and energy, as BB4 indicated.

Again, Greeks, PICK YOUR BATTLES!!

ETA: 33girl, yes you are correct about the 9 founding NPC groups aren't the oldest, as the oldest 2, Phi Mu and Alpha Delta Pi weren't initially in the fold. By the same token, as far as the contemporary sorority goes as we know it , if anyone should be b[el]ching and complaining about replication of sorority life, those two orgs are most qualified to do it

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Rain Man
I would think that as Greeks representing our present and future leaders, we would have the wisdom to discern what is and isn't worth fussing about. And all this contention about something as trivial as another Black GLO in existence is a waste of time and energy, as BB4 indicated.

Again, Greeks, PICK YOUR BATTLES!!

Does your posting in this thread constitute hypocrisy?

[abaici]

Originally posted by Rain Man
[B]Again, Greeks, PICK YOUR BATTLES!!

Is this a battle??

The point is that we can agree and disagree with these people all we want. Are they going to cease to exist? um, no. There's nothing wrong with someone having an opinion on a matter. Just because you have an OPINION, does not mean you are the leader of a CRUSADE.

Personally, I am only concerned with the actions of the organization I made a pledge to. Still, I can have an opinion about these new organizations. I agree with CT4 and the rest when they ask, WHY does it have to be a sorority? Why do they have to start yet ANOTHER organization? This is a valid question. Before starting a nonprofit consultants suggest that you should ask yourself, "Are we needed? ARE we providing a service that is not being filled by another organization?" It's wonderful that they are volunteering with other organizations. But, they did not need to start an organization in order to do that. I agree with the person who mentioned Founder-itis. It's all about ego.

[Boom_Quack13]

I was at least understanding, even if I don't agree, with this post until I read this:

Originally posted by Rain Man

ETA: As far as "lack of originality" goes, I think our (Black) culture tends to bite off of others in some way, shape, form, or fashion to begin with and put our own original "twist" on it. So to be fair, the lack of originality argument, while I see where you are coming from, is rather weak. [/B]

Black culture is the most bitten off, reproduced, remixed culture around. This statement should read:

As far as lack of originality goes, I think other cultures tend to bite off of Black culture in some way, shape, form, or fashion...

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally posted by BirthaBlue4
I was in no way saying that we copied ANYONE, what I was saying was that if people want to have the attitude of saying why join/create other orgs to mimic us when there's already 4 orgs, that would be the same thing as saying that every org after AKA copied them, every orf after DST copied them, etc. My point was that to each her own. Like you said yourself, "We all have things in common, but that in no way implies 'copying'". So why all the drama over these girls that are doing their own thing, just like the founders of ALL of our organizations. Why crush their dream, when we fought to have ours realized? Afford them the same opportunity.

Okay. Point taken. But the major uproar is over the artwork. Also, I remember seeing other "new" orgs with hand signs like upside down pyramids, standing in the ivy stance, and even saw an org duck walking once. That is where the problem comes in. I also agree with Soror CT4. Why do they have to call themselves a sorority? Other than the fact tat they are a group of women, what about them makes them a sorority? And originality is desperately needed. The whole Fab4 remix can be tedious. Bring something new to the mix. That's all.

[Senusret I]

Why shouldn't they be a sorority if that's what they want to be? If they want to be selective in their membership, that makes them a sorority. If they want to have values that are codified through a ritual, that makes them a sorority. Lots of factors contribute to what an organization is, not just the superficial elements. There are things about being an Alpha that I could never explain to someone who wasn't an Alpha themselves -- I am sure the same is true of organizations founded well after mine.

If it was just about service, none of our orgs have to be fraternal or sororal, either. But it's not just about service or programming or social action -- it's about having a brotherhood/sisterhood and being in close association with people who have the same values.

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by Senusret I
Why shouldn't they be a sorority if that's what they want to be? If they want to be selective in their membership, that makes them a sorority. If they want to have values that are codified through a ritual, that makes them a sorority. Lots of factors contribute to what an organization is, not just the superficial elements. There are things about being an Alpha that I could never explain to someone who wasn't an Alpha themselves -- I am sure the same is true of organizations founded well after mine.

If it was just about service, none of our orgs have to be fraternal or sororal, either. But it's not just about service or programming or social action -- it's about having a brotherhood/sisterhood and being in close association with people who have the same values.

Hijack

why you quoting two different prince songs in you sig, why am i dying cause i noticed, why you all right with me (in my best erykah badu from mama's gun impersonation)

end Hijack

[TonyB06]

There's an old saying, "if you want to know how something will end, look at how it began."

I think elements of that apply here. I agree w/ CT4, Ideal08 and others on what seems like "copying" to me, but whatever. Camaradarie, tenacity and impact are the D9 marks of success. We'll see about these new groups.

If these "pop-up" orgs last and do the work which honors their founding commitment/s, then great. That's one less community problem the rest of us have to tackle. If, as I suspect usually happens, they fall by the wayside relatively soon after formation, what truly has been lost except, perhaps the disillusionment of a few of their members?

For all of our shortcomings, the D9 has made qualitative differences in the lives of members and our community for 90+ plus years now, a fact no reasonable person can argue. That tradition, whether folks acknowledge it or not, is what leads them to form their own groups. Hey, if kicking it down at Krispy Kreme with their "founders" is tradition for them, I'm glad for 'em.

As for me, the time invested and the lives the D9 has helped to change on behalf of the Creator, is the real answer to this question.

peace.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by Ideal08
Does your posting in this thread constitute hypocrisy?

No more so than BirthaBlue posting here, and she expressed my thoughts perfectly.

But I guess she (or anyone who has a similar opinion) isn't a hypocrite b/c she's NPHC

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Rain Man
No more so than BirthaBlue posting here, and she expressed my thoughts perfectly.

But I guess she (or anyone who has a similar opinion) isn't a hypocrite b/c she's NPHC

Your issues with the NPHC are so apparent in your posts. If you would take a step back, it wasn't personal and/or anti-nonNPHC. If BirthaBlue had posted about picking your battles and so forth, then my question applies to her as well. However, you posted that in BOLD letters, so I directed my question to you. Anyone, MY SORORS included, who would say that to discuss this is a waste of energy while they are discussing it, yes, that would make them just as hypocritical as you are.

Happy?

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally posted by reddawn18
My reason for joining the first org, a sorority, was because I thought I would never get into a BGLO to save my life.

I'm glad that the came out about why people found these organizations! If a BGLO member had said this, the "copycats" would deny it vehemently. These folks couldn't make the cut in BGLO's so they made up their own. Bottom Line.
Is there anything wrong with it. I guess not. I don't think that it is anything to get miffed about. These orgs never last long anyway, because people see them for what they are.

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
I'm glad that the came out about why people found these organizations! If a BGLO member had said this, the "copycats" would deny it vehemently. These folks couldn't make the cut in BGLO's so they made up their own. Bottom Line.
Is there anything wrong with it. I guess not. I don't think that it is anything to get miffed about. These orgs never last long anyway, because people see them for what they are.

It would be a shame if you were generaling based on one person's experience.