Re-inventing the D9 sororities?

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by PhDiva
I don't profess to know everything (or really anything that isn't public knowledge) about BGLO's. I am a young college professor who is also non-greek. But because I teach Black and Women's Studies, I am often bombarded with questions about BGLO's from my students. For this, I usually direct students to the Office of Greek Life and to individual members of BGLOs.

What I'm interested in however is the nature of this conversation and how dismissive many of you were to RainMan's comments.

Perhaps if you re-read the thread you'll see that it had several examples of D9 orgs working with other orgs. I don't recall anyone saying a non-D9 group did not have right to form/exist.

Perhaps from your perspective, you share RM's idea that we are elitist. Surely, it will not surprise you to find that many D9 members, particularly those who regularly visit Greekchat, would disagree.

...it really is all about the perspective you bring to it.

peace to you.

[PhDiva]

Tony,

It is a matter of perspective but I hope that my post did not come across with the insinuation that I thought D9 orgs. as elitist. What I was trying to do was to say that there is a place for all organizations and sometimes individuals and/or groups that are older tend to be dismissive of the utility of newer groups. If I implied that I thought these organizations were elitist that certainly was not my intent. I have family members in D9 organizations and they provide useful service to the community and to the members who are part of these organizations. My concern is about opening our arms to embrace other organizations to fulfill different people's needs. There isn't a singular Black Greek experience and one organization can't meet the needs for everyone and shouldn't even try in my opinion.

And there were some comments about the utility of these newer organizations which to me implies questioning their right to exist. I could be wrong...I don't have all the answers but I am hopeful that Black people in BGLO's or not will come to understand that we all have something useful to offer and to not tear someone down simply because the idea is new.

PhDiva

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by PhDiva

What I'm interested in however is the nature of this conversation and how dismissive many of you were to RainMan's comments. Granted, his dislike of the Divine Nine is most apparent (so you have to get past the sarcasm and angst to get to the meat of his argument) but his initial question about who has a monopoly on what is considered a legitimate GLO does have merit. Essentially, as I see it, he is asking what Cornell West asked of Black people as a whole in his book Race Matters...what does it mean to be Black in America? Who has the right to define Blackness and on what terms? If my hair is relaxed am I less Black than the sista who wears dreads? Does the NPHC have the monopoly on Black Greekdom?

HEL-LO!!

PhDiva, you have hit the nail on the head!

Your above paragraph has been my Black Greek political platform ever since I joined GreekChat (It will be 5 years in January). I have made numerous posts on this subject (read my post history and topics I initiated). But most folk here dismiss it until some 40-50something Greek comes up on here and practically repeats everything I say verbatim and (s)he gets applause, praise, and acolades. But no big deal; I tell it like it is, stroke no egos, and pull no punches. OTOH, not too many people here want to get into a debate with me b/c contrary to popular opinion, I DO know what I am talking about.




I can recall from my high school years being teased by my Black friends when I was placed in Honors classes. Then years later, I was leading a panel discussion on being black versus being smart...b/c Black students who were also smart were being asked to choose one identity over the other. What became apparent is this type of "crabs in a barrel" mentality of sorts and regretfully, being closed off to the idea of other BGLO's is about as simpleminded as white folks thinking Black people are inferior and less intelligent than whites.



WAYLE!
UMMMMMMMMMMM-HMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!! *fanning herself*



We have real issues in the community that needs addressing and the F4 or D9 members can't address all of them so why not allow other organizations to peacefully co-exist? Likewise, if someone chooses to join a non-D9 organization, this is not to say AKA's are elitist or she got rejected from SGRho or that hazing is part and parcel of the F4 intake process. This means that person made a choice based on their personal beliefs, values and desires. You can have an opinion about it certainly but sometimes you just need to know when your comments are akin to tearing someone down. It's not always productive for yourself or the community as another person stated earlier.



GO 'HEAD, PHDIVA! SCHOOL 'EM ON THAT KNOWLEDGE!!



Our strength as a race has always been our diversity and willingness to adapt to a variety of seemingly endless obstacles placed in our way. Please stop allowing your own egocentrism about the organizations you're apart of keep you from recognizing the strength that is Black America

PhDiva

P.S. I do agree with you all about the artwork. These images are synomous with particular organizations and folks should refrain from using them as their own.

BTW, I also agree with that P.S. remark.



NOW CAN THE CHURCH GET AN AMEN??




AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!

[sunflower02]

Originally posted by Ms.Thang319
Those other organizations are just 2 funny. I guess if you can't get invited into one you can just create your own.
Ms. Thang

It may not be that. Those people who decided to start their own legacy are no different from the women who started DST, Zeta, SGRho or even AKA; they all wanted to start something new and different.

[TheEpitome1920]

I am tired of people thinking that the ONLY options for Black women are the 4 NPHC sororities. There are hundreds of organizations out there, do you. At the end of the day it's your commitment, time AND money, not mine,lol.

[MeezDiscreet]

Originally posted by MeezDiscreet
i mean, really, why do you need to create a sorority for women with children? it's not as if they are excluded from other sororities. and to create a sorority where it doesn't matter what your g.p.a. is?? huh? if you can't even get a 2.5 in college, being in a sorority shouldn't be your main concern.

if you want to have an unwed mothers group, does it have to be a sorority? that's my thing. WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A SORORITY?? i don't think that these groups are forming out of necessity but rather interest or even issue. when we, the "fabulous four" as i heard us referred to recently, formed, it was because the racial and community climate of the time necessitated it. and, might i add, we haven't lost our relevance. now you got groups, clubs, and cliques (which is what they are) forming and all they are trying to do is re-invent the wheel.

aww eff it. take it how you want. i don't really care anymore because...well, whatever. let me just say that if you have true pride in your organization and your founding tenets and principles, you won't feel the need to justify your existence

as an aside and as a statement meant with the smallest amount of sarcasm intended, maybe the references to old 70's game shows and other non-sensical addendums are the reasons people are dismissive of r.m.'s comments.

[msn4med1975]

Why has this thread been resurrected? I thought we had all resolved to just let things roll and enjoy whatever organizations we were in. And folks ignore RainMain cause it's fun, he's on the list of folks that are just amusing.

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by PhDiva
Tony,

It is a matter of perspective but I hope that my post did not come across with the insinuation that I thought D9 orgs. as elitist. What I was trying to do was to say that there is a place for all organizations and sometimes individuals and/or groups that are older tend to be dismissive of the utility of newer groups. If I implied that I thought these organizations were elitist that certainly was not my intent. I have family members in D9 organizations and they provide useful service to the community and to the members who are part of these organizations. My concern is about opening our arms to embrace other organizations to fulfill different people's needs. There isn't a singular Black Greek experience and one organization can't meet the needs for everyone and shouldn't even try in my opinion.

And there were some comments about the utility of these newer organizations which to me implies questioning their right to exist. I could be wrong...I don't have all the answers but I am hopeful that Black people in BGLO's or not will come to understand that we all have something useful to offer and to not tear someone down simply because the idea is new.

PhDiva

PhDiva,

No offense taken here. Welcome to GC (I shoulda said that yesterday), kick off your shoes and stay awhile. While I hear your contention that "sometimes individuals and/or groups that are older tend to be dismissive of the utility of newer groups" there is simply an equally valid contention that some who may bring such charges have personal agendas stemming from personal situations. It's an ever-moving target. To some we will just never do "enough." No earthly person can do "enough." But I've yet to hear any D9 org, or D9 member here, say we have or that others can't help.

The 120 or so D9ers who regularly post (and a lot of non-affilliated friends who post here and put lots of community work) here talk often about things our chapters and orgs do, but none of us can really speak accurately to the D9's collective impact nationally or internationally. By that same token, those who stand outside and criticize, surely speak from even a less informed point of view. Sure, they have a right to suggest we're dismissive, and some D9ers may agree. But those of us who don't agree, and who do the work, equally have the right to set the record straight against such criticism. I think that's what you're reading, rather vigorously I'll admit, in this thread.

again, welcome to GC.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by MeezDiscreet

as an aside and as a statement meant with the smallest amount of sarcasm intended, maybe the references to old 70's game shows and other non-sensical addendums are the reasons people are dismissive of r.m.'s comments.

MeezDiscreet, that is bulljive! I will not allow you or anyone else to use that as a easy (and weak) excuse regarding the numerous legitimate issues I have made regarding NPHC politics and policies here on GC through the years.

I would say no more than 3% of all posts that I have made since I have logged on GC has had any game show references on them. And yes, they are all in fun and are supposed to be amusing (thanx msn4med) b/c it is a visual extension of my true personality.

If we were to be perfectly honest with ourselves, the dismissive remarks are primarily due to no one wanting to own up to their org's shortcomings and inadequacies. NO org is infallible, and when an "outsider" objectively tells it like it is, folk get defensive. That is probably the biggest reason why I haven't joined an NPHC org, I don't want to wear rose-colored glasses.

BTW, PHDiva, I also give you a hearty welcome to GC and thank you so much for your insightful and well-thought out points.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Rain Man
.

If we were to be perfectly honest with ourselves, the dismissive remarks are primarily due to no one wanting to own up to their org's shortcomings and inadequacies. NO org is infallible, and when an "outsider" objectively tells it like it is, folk get defensive. That is probably the biggest reason why I haven't joined an NPHC org, I don't want to wear rose-colored glasses.

Who are we to own up to?

The only person I will 'own up to about' Alpha Kappa Alpha is another Alpha Kappa Alpha woman.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Who are we to own up to?

The only person I will 'own up to about' Alpha Kappa Alpha is another Alpha Kappa Alpha woman.

CO to the SIGN

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally posted by Rain Man
That is probably the biggest reason why I haven't joined an NPHC org, I don't want to wear rose-colored glasses.

Biggest reason, huh?

I find this hard to believe

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Who are we to own up to?

The only person I will 'own up to about' Alpha Kappa Alpha is another Alpha Kappa Alpha woman.

Precisely. I'm not owning up to my sorority to outsiders. We can handle our own business.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
Biggest reason, huh?

I find this hard to believe

Believe it, Skee! If I had wanted to join an org, that would've been done a long time ago.

There is nothing, and I do mean NOTHING external that is keeping me from joining. The only thing that is keeping me from joining an NPHC org is me and me only. And yes, not joining keeps my views objective.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Who are we to own up to?

The only person I will 'own up to about' Alpha Kappa Alpha is another Alpha Kappa Alpha woman.

I am not saying to air all your dirty laundry, just to humbly admit to us that your org is not perfect and that there are infrastructure issues to overcome, rather than blow smoke in everyone's face (read: dismiss criticism) and create this illusion that these orgs are akin to heaven on earth.