BGLO and GLO

[PhrozenGod01]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Don't take what's in this thread as the norm at every school. If DZ & AKA did that back in your day at your campus, chances are they probably still do.

Yeah, every campus is way different. I always hear about chapters all over where bruhs will do a function or mingle with an IFC/NPC org, whether it is an awareness campaign, or a mixer. At my school, we didn't do it too much, but some of the time commitments and priorities were factors in the lack of participation. I don't want to generalize(I always say that), but spending hours working on stuffing tissue paper into chicken wire for a homecoming float, for example, didn't seem as important as putting in work for a charity event, community service project, or fundraising step show. It's not that the NPHC orgs would refuse stuff, it was just hard to get motivated for some things that were IFC/NPC staples on campus (serenades, lip sync competitions). Now, I know that members of different councils would attend each other's functions, but it would be because those people had friends in a specific organization to support, not because it was expected as a chapter or anything. I hope that makes some sort of sense.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by alpha1906

Why don't we invert your theory? Why not eliminate white GLOs? Then you could participate in BGLOs and we wouldn't have two different systems. That seems like a fine solution.

Lawrence Ross

This statement really makes me sad. Although a lot of sororities and fraternities were founded by caucasion individuals, that doesn't make them "white" GLOs. I think everyone should just join whatever GLO they feel comfortable in. I guess I am just a bit naive though.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

This statement really makes me sad. Although a lot of sororities and fraternities were founded by caucasion individuals, that doesn't make them "white" GLOs. I think everyone should just join whatever GLO they feel comfortable in. I guess I am just a bit naive though.

No, You are not naive at all.

It just seems the small mindedness of a few people is underwhelming!

Men and Women join a GLO for one thing and reason, to feel comfortable about the people around them.

Those that say any different, well, it just points out ------?

The ones who promote this way of thinking are the ones who have problems.

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

This statement really makes me sad. Although a lot of sororities and fraternities were founded by caucasion individuals, that doesn't make them "white" GLOs. I think everyone should just join whatever GLO they feel comfortable in. I guess I am just a bit naive though.

While it doesn't "make them white GLOs," these GLOs do have a history of being predominantly white. Whether they have a history of excluding members of other colors and races or not (and I believe that most of them did, at one time), all of the NPC and NIC GLO's have historically catered to a vast majority of caucasian men and women and continue to do so. Similarly, the D9 have historically catered to a majority of black men and women. If we are going to call NPHC organizations "black GLO's" it only makes sense to call the NPC and NIC organizations "white GLO's."

FTR, I agree that everyone should join whichever GLO they feel comfortable in and we shouldn't force segregation, but the historical origins are important to the continuing identities of the organizations as well.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by GDIfly

While it doesn't "make them white GLOs," these GLOs do have a history of being predominantly white. Whether they have a history of excluding members of other colors and races or not (and I believe that most of them did, at one time), all of the NPC and NIC GLO's have historically catered to a vast majority of caucasian men and women and continue to do so.
Similarly, the D9 have historically catered to a majority of black men and women. If we are going to call NPHC organizations "black GLO's" it only makes sense to call the NPC and NIC organizations "white GLO's."

FTR, I agree that everyone should join whichever GLO they feel comfortable in and we shouldn't force segregation, but the historical origins are also important to the continuing identities of the organizations as well.

While history's implications are definitely important, I was always baffled when individuals I knew and was friends with wouldn't join a Greek organization on campus because it wasn't a traditionally African American sorority. We also had several women decline bids ONLY because KD was not a traditionally "black" GLO. I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

While history's implications are definitely important, I was always baffled when individuals I knew and was friends with wouldn't join a Greek organization on campus because it wasn't a traditionally African American sorority. We also had several women decline bids ONLY because KD was not a traditionally "black" GLO. I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

What you (and many others who are not African-American) do not realize is the significance that NPHC orgs play in the African-American community. Most Black freshman have a least a familiarity with NPHC orgs because they've seen them in the community, they have family members or family friends who are members, they've been in someone's youth auxillary or cotillion, or maybe a teacher/mentor/coach is Greek. They've seen these orgs do things for and in the community (both the African-American community and the geographical community) and realize the significance that these orgs play. For the majority of folks who join NPHC orgs, its about helping our community on a regular basis for the rest of your life, not just having fun for your collegiate experience.

*cue someone who comes in and says NPC/NIC is for life too*

[Furious Styles]

Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity was founded as a direct result of black students in early 20th century Indiana being denied access to college organizations. All of the organizations that are predominantly black choose/chose to allow anyone regardless or race or creed to join the org. Does it mean that each organization gets it right 100% of the time. Of course not however it should be highlighted why so called BGLO's are more likely to assimilate into their own culture due to the historical context of having to fend for themselves on predominantly white campuses. Some of our generation of white students are just getting their first crack at interacting with black people.

Poor souls have been fed more negative images than positives. Most blacks have recieved mixed reviews as well but are taught to "deal" with in leiu of a piss poor explanation of it being the way things are and have always been. So that in a nutshell explains the natural explanation of why so called WGLO's and BGLO's don't work together. There is very little history. We have a more open society than other generations and we still miss the mark in social advancement. So this is a reflection on all of us highlighting our inabilities to communicate and work together which is the common theme for all of our orgs being in existence in the first place.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

What you (and many others who are not African-American) do not realize is the significance that NPHC orgs play in the African-American community. Most Black freshman have a least a familiarity with NPHC orgs because they've seen them in the community, they have family members or family friends who are members, they've been in someone's youth auxillary or cotillion, or maybe a teacher/mentor/coach is Greek. They've seen these orgs do things for and in the community (both the African-American community and the geographical community) and realize the significance that these orgs play. For the majority of folks who join NPHC orgs, its about helping our community on a regular basis for the rest of your life, not just having fun for your collegiate experience.

*cue someone who comes in and says NPC/NIC is for life too*

I find this EXTREMELY offensive, because I feel the same way about MY Greek letter organization, although some people might say that it is a "WHITE" GLO. I work in the community with my organization, and consider myself a lifetime member--it was NOT just a sorority for my college years, or a place to party at. For your information, the GLO I am in has FOUR national philanthropies, and numerous links to the community. I served as overall philanthropy chair as well as chair of our annual philanthropy event, and I have to tell you, we worked in the community EVERY weekend. Our members range from former Miss America winners to three star generals to current governors of states. Also, you shouldn't make assumptions about the color of my skin--just so you know, I'm from NY, and work in the Bronx. You have NO IDEA what color my skin could be.

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

We also had several women decline bids ONLY because KD was not a traditionally "black" GLO.

Strange. If they didn't want to join a GLO that wasn't a traditionally "black" one, why were they rushing in the first place? Did NPHC sororities at your campus recruit/intake with the NPC sororities?

I don't think ANY GLOs should be designated "Black" or "White." It implies racism from either side.

This is beautifully idealistic, and I would love to agree, but there are always going to be people who are more "comfortable" with others of the same color.

That sounds terribly racist, I know, but the fact is that, in this country, people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds often identify culturally better with people of the same background as them. Whether this is because they are perceived similarly by American society, because they often fall into the same socio-economic background, because they have shared cultural experiences, or for a multitude of other reasons, groups of people tend to gravitate towards those of the same race or ethnicity.
That is not to say that they necessarily have a problem with people of other colors (though they might), just that they feel more comfortable with those who have more shared life experiences with them, and race/ethnicity provides a huge shared experience.

That being said, for a caucasian person in the United States today, they are the majority. With exceptions, they will generally be surrounded mostly by other white people and thus not feel as though they are a representative for their group. For black people, asians, hispanics, or any other group to which BGLO's and MGLO's cater, they are not provided that comfort in everyday life, but the ability to go to an HBCU or join a BGLO (for example) allows them that cushion of comfort that white people so often take for granted.
So, while we shouldn't force segregation, equalling out the balance of whites and blacks (and asians, and hispanics) in all GLO's would be counterproductive to one of the main functions of the BGLO.

[kathykd2005]

[QUOTE=GDIfly;1328028]Strange. If they didn't want to join a GLO that wasn't a traditionally "black" one, why were they rushing in the first place? Did NPHC sororities at your campus recruit/intake with the NPC sororities?

At the school where I went, the only African American sorority that was there left in the mid-90s, and never tried to recolonize. A lot of my friends went through recruitment for the experience, but when it came to joining, some said they didn't want to join because they didn't want to be in a sorority that was not a traditional "Black" GLO. After that, some of the ladies I knew tried to start a chapter of AKA, but were not able to get the appropriate backing.

Thanks for explaining your opinion in such a positive manner, I truly appreciate it!

[starang21]

Originally Posted by Deltazeta4ever

I know this is a little off topic, but I'm shocked to find out that NPC and NPHC sororities don't "mingle" anymore. Back when I was an active, Delta Zeta and Alpha Kappa Alpha cosponsored a lecture series on women's health every year. (The slogan was cute... "Two sisterhoods sharing two colors and one goal: Educating women"). All GLO's participated in Greek Week, regardless of their ethnic status, and every fraternity participated in our Greek God contest.

Wow... times have changed

i prefer to mingle with pretty girls

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

I try not to respond in these threads that touch on race because at the end of the day no one is going to change their minds here anyway...but what alot of the folks on GC that are members of NPC/IFC orgs don't seem to fully grasp is that its a COMPLETELY different experience for us...I knew what sorority I wanted to pledge in middle school....I also knew that you don't "change teams" so to speak....if I had not been chosen by Delta in Spr 02, I would have tried for DELTA in Spr 03, then a graduate chapter for as long as it took until I got DELTA....if the good Lord never made it happen for me, I would have died with no letters...the greeks in my family taught me this among other lessons about the BGLO experience early on....my favorite teacher was a Delta..like someone said we see the D9 orgs doing work in our communities as we grow up...we admire and respect these people and want to join the same orgs...or the orgs that our family members belong to....I attended a school with no NPHC representation for 1 year...I would never participate in a NPC rush, thats just me...the idea of not knowing where I was going to end up baffles me....but I'm not knocking it....why can't it be ok for the BGLOs and the "predominantly" WGLOs (yeah I said it) to be different and therefore needed?

[Tom Earp]

There is nothing saying you are not right.

But why isnt there more HBGLOs on Camupuses?

With the presence there, would it not give the chance to join a HBGLO? If it or they isn't there, then it doesn't does it?

My School has one only HBGLO, while I was there, it had four, two Male and two Female, now, only one Fraternity.

So, I want to know why is that?

Whose fault is it?

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

what alot of the folks on GC that are members of NPC/IFC orgs don't seem to fully grasp is that its a COMPLETELY different experience for us...

Well, there is a lot about each person's individual experience that could potentially make two COMPLETELY different experiences for two girls who are even in the same chapter. So to generalize and say "us" and "them" isn't really productive.

Is what you described typical of a white girl rushing an NPC sorority? No. But I'm sure there have been girls who are legacies to some NPC sorority 3 or 4 times over and feel the same way you do about dying without letters rather than joining a different sorority. Likewise, I'm sure there have also been black girls who would join any of the four NPHC sororities, though they might have their favorite, but will take life as any greek over their favorite sorority.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by GDIfly

Well, there is a lot about each person's individual experience that could potentially make two COMPLETELY different experiences for two girls who are even in the same chapter. So to generalize and say "us" and "them" isn't really productive.

Is what you described typical of a white girl rushing an NPC sorority? No. But I'm sure there have been girls who are legacies to some NPC sorority 3 or 4 times over and feel the same way you do about dying without letters rather than joining a different sorority. Likewise, I'm sure there have also been black girls who would join any of the four NPHC sororities, though they might have their favorite, but will take life as any greek over their favorite sorority.

More excellent points, GDIfly! Piggybacking on this topic, sometimes any PM can feel pressured by family members to only join a certain organization. For instance, my brother later told me he didn't want me to join KD because once upon a time, when he was in Florida, the KDs he met wouldn't "party with him and his brothers, and seemed snotty." Although I like to think I wouldn't, I would most likely want my daughter to join Kappa Delta, although I respect and admire many other GLOs. Back to the topic though--we once rushed a girl who loved our GLO, loved everyone in it, but whose mother wouldn't let her join because it was not a traditionally African American sorority. That just makes me sad, because I know she would really have loved being a part of our chapter, and our national organization, for the rest of her life. Sometimes outside influence is not a positive effect on people with respect to joining a GLO. What is best for you might not be what was best for your brother, cousin, best friend, or even--child.