Women of Color in NPCs?

[bluethunder]

As a Black woman who attended the University of Florida, a predominantly and historically white institution, I had lots of friends and acquaintances of all races and ethnicities...and yes, I had several Caucasian friends invite me to events at their respective houses and encouraged me to consider their sororities as viable options...however, i always seemed to note that if i was not the ONLY non-Caucasian person at a given event, I was one of maybe two, at most. and of course, it was not because of any kind of discrimination, that was just the way greek life on campus was. there were a handful of minorities that pledged PC or IFC orgs, and there were quite a few non-minorities that pledged historically Black orgs. i encourage everyone to do what they deem is best and most suitable for themselves. i pledged a historically black organization primarily because of the difference i percieved-- when you pledge a historically black greek letter organization, it is expected that you are active and financial for LIFE, because it is a lifelong commitment; furthermore, NPHC organizations were founded at a time when blacks were systematically excluded from higher education and beyond just being about brotherhood and sisterhood, the DIVINE NINE organizations were founded to capitalize on those who were fortunate enough to obtain higher education and then use it to better serve our own disenfranchised communities(since American society wasn't showing us any love politically, socially, or enconomically--a to some degree, this persists even today), as well as mankind in general. i know for my own organization, SIGMA GAMMA RHO, my founders founded our organization on the predominantly white campus of Butler University as a means of insulation and encouragement, as well as for community service and high educational attainment--keeping in mind that they were in the heart of KKK territory at the height of the depression AND the university did not support a black organization--but they made it happen nonetheless. and i know all NPHC organizations encountered similar scenarios in founding or in expansion. that is why i chose to pledge a historically black organization-- the purpose is different(to me) and the commitment is different (to me). while NPHC is definitely social , we have a social obligation to the uplift of our people, and society in general--that's why i chose a historically black organization over, say, a PC organization. also, i wanted to be around women who could understand my experience and identify with me culturally. i wanted sorors who could feel my pride--and my pain--as a strong african american woman; i could only get that from a black organization, so i joined one. i have since graduated, i am still active in my sorority in grad chapter and i serve as the undergraduate advisor for the Omicron Theta chapter at FL International Univ-- and i don't regret my decision one bit. And while I encourage everyone to do what is best for them, I definitely encourage African American women to look into historically black sororities--the experience, I believe, is one that is second to none and is unique to the black experience.

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally posted by sageofages
I have a curiosity question....

We are talking about Women of Color with membership in NPC, how prevalent is it to have Women of "limited" Color in a NPHC group? (caucasian member in a BGLO?)

LOL @ limited color.

I've met women and men of all races/ethnicities in all of the NPHC groups. I just think the difference is that we don't brag about them all the time to show we've met our diversity quota,lol. They are our Brothers and Sisters, point blank.

Ebony magazine did a story a few years back on White people in NPHC organizations. Verrry interesting.

[Sistermadly]

Talk about "can't win for losing"... If we point out the diversity in NPC organizations, we're bragging. If we don't point out the diversity, some folks still want to call us "white" sororities.

[TheEpitome1920]

How did I know my remark would be taken the wrong way. NPC organizations are historically/traditionally White organizations. Can't deny that. Of course now the membership is diverse. What's the problem?

[Munchkin03]

One black, Asian, or Latina member in an NPC chapter does not diversity make.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by bluethunder
... when you pledge a historically black greek letter organization, it is expected that you are active and financial for LIFE, because it is a lifelong commitment...

I have to adress this comment. I've noticed that some members of NPHC groups on this board continually say that a big difference between NPHC and NPC/NIC groups is that their's is a life long commitment. This really bothers me when I hear this/see this because ours is a life long commitment too. NPC/NIC members take their commitment to their org, seriously. If we didn't we wouldn't still be around. Yes, we have members flake out on their commitment as I'm sure NPHC orgs have members flake out on their commitments. In a perfect world we'd be able to retain 100% of our membership. But the world isn't perfect.

[texas*princess]

well said Lady Pi Phi!

[sageofages]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
One black, Asian, or Latina member in an NPC chapter does not diversity make.

It helps when your chapter is only 18 members at the time...(not quite half my chapter was non-caucasian, I thought of us as a great place to be)

[astroAPhi]

Originally posted by Sistermadly
Talk about "can't win for losing"... If we point out the diversity in NPC organizations, we're bragging. If we don't point out the diversity, some folks still want to call us "white" sororities.

THANK YOU!

I have a feeling this thread is about to get messy.

[TheEpitome1920]

Why would it get messy??

[Hpnotiq-Deepher]

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
Why would it get messy??

i was gonna ask the same question. Its a fair discussion and fair points have been made.
I'm a woman of color in an NPC and i read all posts and havent been offended.
discussion should continue..

[astroAPhi]

It's just starting to look like the beginning of the end of several threads that I've seen. So far it has been pretty civil, but I'm starting to see a few things that are gonna get nit-picked to hell.

ETA: I'm not saying discussion shouldn't continue. I'm just saying don't be surprised if this thread goes to hell in a handbasket.

[Taualumna]

NPC/NIC orgs try to represent the make up of the campus. IF a school has very few minorities, then the orgs will be overwhelmingly white. If a school is diverse, then the GLOs will be more diverse. You have to also take into account foreign students and new immigrants who may not be familiar or even interested in being in a GLO (which could be why GLOs on some more diverse campus have less diverse representation).

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

I think it's insulting to imply the NPHC has the corner on "lifelong membership". The NPC certainly strives for the same goal and, arguably, is quite successful at it.

... While NPHC is definitely social , we have a social obligation to the uplift of our people, and society in general.... -- bluethunder

I take issue with this too. Look at examples from just a few NPC creeds:

"... To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand. To be unto others what we would they would be to us." FM

".... To place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances; to be, in the best sense, democratic rather than 'exclusive'..." CW

"...I promise temperance and insight and courage, To crusade for justice, To seek the truth and defend it always ...." DZ

"I believe in its high ideals which lift me up beyond myself. I believe in its earnest drive for good scholarship, moral character, and genuine culture..." AF



My arguement is, if you want to say joining the NPHC is a "uniquely black experience," that's fine, go for it. But it's not only untrue but also unfair to imply that the NPC doesn't strive to uplift its members and the community OR to imply the NPC doesn't require membership for life from its members.

I don't understand how, especially in a forum like this, we strive for equality and try to avoid stereotypes... somehow the NPC is left out EVERY TIME, and the sterotype of a bunch of giggling, immature, white, blonde, former high school cheerleader girls who're just in it to meet fraternity boys and get drunks continues.

Look at all the advances NPC women have made in the last 20, 50, 100 years. We are not the organization(s) we were when we started -- and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure we were ever organizations that fit the stereotype.

I'm just saying, if we're going to leave the sterotypes at the door, let's leave the stereotypes at the door.

[kddani]

Originally posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu
I think it's insulting to imply the NPHC has the corner on "lifelong membership". The NPC certainly strives for the same goal and, arguably, is quite successful at it.


I'm just saying, if we're going to leave the sterotypes at the door, let's leave the stereotypes at the door.

applause!