Pan-Hellenic

[rhochi2002]

I really don't understand ...I am american... yes I my skin is white with reddish undertones... I have blue eyes.... I have reddish blonde hair... I am short.... I have Irish, English, Polish, and Native American ancestors. I am female.
These are just ways to identify oneself based on phsyical characteristics.
In history people have done horrible things to each other, People today do horrible things to each other. Genocide, ethnocism, rape... all in the name of religion, racial issues, money etc. In the future I have no doubt that people will continue to be awful to each. But may one day we will have a civilization where everyone is fairly treated, but I doubt it.
I am not responsible for anything that has happened in the past, its a matter of fact. Of course the facts are always colored by who won the battle/war, but that is another topic.
Do I have white pride? No not really... it's just the color of my skin. It's not something that I control, but I do understand that it my influence how people interact in the world.

[AXO Alum]

Originally posted by irishpipes
I'm not trying to be difficult, but I don't know when to use the term "African-American" or when to use the term "black." Most of my friends who have black skin are not African Americans, and do not like being called that. They describe themselves as "black." I guess other people must take offense to the description "black" - I don't know - just an observation.

Sorry - I wasn't stating that in my post about HOW to classify a person, group, etc. as being White/Black/Caucasian/African American... I was simply saying that IF you (general you - not specific you) are saying something about White/Black/Caucasian/African American, that it is incorrect to use White in one part of the sentence and African American in another part of the sentence or Black in one part of the sentence and Caucasian in another part of the sentence.

For example - you should not say:

"The white girl chose to join a sorority that had African American members." or "The sorority has Caucasian as well as black members."

But rather... "The sorority has Caucasian and African American members." or "The sorority has black & white members."

(Just reminding people that you need agreement of clarification of a group in your sentence - a throw back to the good 'ol grad school days )

[AlphaFrog]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
Don't be sorry. This is the first time I've ever seen a thread turn into a racial discussion.... without any name-calling! People are representing their ideas and opinions and no one has come in (yet) with name-calling. (ok besides the knocking heads in the beginning of the thread but maybe some of you will get what I mean)

No, the Name Calling started BEFORE we got into the racism for a change.

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by AlphaFrog
No, the Name Calling started BEFORE we got into the racism for a change.

LOL! Good gracious

[AlphaFrog]

Ok, we've had name calling and racism...now all we need is a standard newbie question nad a Clique to form and this will be the epitome of GC Threads.

[33girl]

Originally posted by AlphaFrog
Ok, we've had name calling and racism...now all we need is a standard newbie question nad a Clique to form and this will be the epitome of GC Threads.

I'm going to rush at DePauw. What are each of the sororities like and which has the best reputation?

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by 33girl
I'm going to rush at DePauw. What are each of the sororities like and which has the best reputation?

Do you mean NPC or NPHC?

[sigmadiva]

Originally posted by GtownGirl98
I am so sorry... I will write more, but I am so sorry.

Don't be. You asked a sincere question and got sincere answers.

I don't think anyone is angry.

On another note, I do know that just because you are White, it may mean that you may be of different European heritage - Irish, German, English, French. The issue is that in America, there are usually no boxes to indicate the difference. Boxes to indicate ethnicity are usually White, Black, Hispanic, Hispanic of African decent, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American.

Central Texas (around Austin) was populated by Germans and Czechoslavakians (I know I spelled that wrong!!) and to this day, they still have festivals that reflect their heritage - and no one has a problem with it. How many people do you know who would turn down a good time at a beer fest!!!! Down in Galveston this time of year, they have 'Dickens (as in Charles) on the Strand', which is very English and everyone goes down there to have a good time. I myself particiapted in the Cinco de Mayo play in the 7th grade. I was a Mexican rebel!!

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
Don't be sorry. This is the first time I've ever seen a thread turn into a racial discussion.... without any name-calling! People are representing their ideas and opinions and no one has come in (yet) with name-calling. (ok besides the knocking heads in the beginning of the thread but maybe some of you will get what I mean)

****TANGENT****

Hi all...

I'm going to basically write a book here, but I have a lot to ask and I have been wanting to talk about this for awhile, and now seems like the perfect opportunity!

I am Caucasian, 100% Irish-Catholic and I have recently become very interested (through my studies) in issues involving race and gender. As a child, I lived in a very racially diverse city area, and I remember never looking at another child as "African-American", "Asian", "Hispanic" or whatever. It didn't occur to me that there were any differences between us at all -- we all were just kids, got along well, and totally unaware of racism or even that there may be cultural differences between us.

I moved to a predominatly Caucasian area in 5th grade, and until I got to college, I totally ignored the issue of race and racism. I was always shocked when anyone would use a racial slur because I honestly thought everyone was the same. We're all humans, right? That was good, I suppose, in one way -- the idea that everyone should be treated with the respect that you would accord to a friend -- but I definitely was ignorant as to the *very* important aspects of others' cultures. I had an Indian friend in HS who was quite hurt when I mentioned how I didn't see her as "Indian".

"I understand your sentiment and we're all brothers and sisters in our humanity," she said to me, "but in saying that, you remain closed off to a huge part of my history and culture that is solely based on my race. That history is very different from all of your history, so it's very important that I see myself as Indian. I am a human being, first and foremost, but I am an Indian woman second. It is a huge part of my identity, and I need you to see that in me." That opened a HUGE discussion between us, which turned out very positively in that I recieved a good education that day.

Basically, I very much want to have that sort of education continue. I'm quite interested in ethnic studies at my school, but I go through a lot of emotions about it: I still feel guilty about trying to homogenize everyone in my mind for so long, I'm wary of asking a question that could potentially hurt someone's feelings, I'm not sure if I even have a right to discuss someone else's racial identity, and I'm really worried about appearing naieve. I'd really like to see this dialouge continue without name calling. Let me pose a few questions to everyone, then, keeping in mind that I ask these things with the utmost sincerity and honest desire to learn about others' experiences that were different than mine:

- How can we all, as Greeks, help promote understanding, unity, and friendship between NPC and NPHC sororities? This is actually a question on a personal level as well, as Alpha Kappa Alpha is currently starting a chapter here -- the first NPHC sorority on our campus -- and the Greeks are quite excited for another chapter to get involved in Greek week, mixers, philanthropy events, etc. Welcome, AKA!

- Can someone in an NPHC, multicultural, or other culturally-specific sorority tell me, either on the board or in a PM, some of their experiences with NPC or predominantly white LGLOs? Did you feel like you were all part of the Greek system together, or were there divides? If there were divides, how could these be/have been recitified?

- Are we even willing to discuss these issues? Are they too "taboo?" Would you be willing to sit down with a person of another race and talk about these experiences?

I can't wait to hear from you all. You can PM me if you want to if you'd rather talk in private. Thanks for reading through this, I know it's long.

Sincerely,
Emily

Originally posted by AXO Alum


OTW - we need avatars so you can post a picture of your FEMALE NON-WHITE self beside every post!!

Yay for being yellow and brown!

[OPhiARen3]

Originally posted by sigmadiva
Don't be. You asked a sincere question and got sincere answers.

I don't think anyone is angry.

On another note, I do know that just because you are White, it may mean that you may be of different European heritage - Irish, German, English, French. The issue is that in America, there are usually no boxes to indicate the difference. Boxes to indicate ethnicity are usually White, Black, Hispanic, Hispanic of African decent, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American.

Central Texas (around Austin) was populated by Germans and Czechoslavakians (I know I spelled that wrong!!) and to this day, they still have festivals that reflect their heritage - and no one has a problem with it. How many people do you know who would turn down a good time at a beer fest!!!! Down in Galveston this time of year, they have 'Dickens (as in Charles) on the Strand', which is very English and everyone goes down there to have a good time. I myself particiapted in the Cinco de Mayo play in the 7th grade. I was a Mexican rebel!!

I'm all about celebrating different heritages/nationalities/etc. - I like parties I just don't think it's okay to celebrate whiteness itself.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by DST4A00
I had to stop you there.
IT SAYS NEGRO ON YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE

It says it on mine as well. I'd venture to guess that it says that on most birth certificates of African Americans who were born from about 1900 - 1978, depending on the region you were born in.

[sigmadiva]

Originally posted by OPhiARen3
I just don't think it's okay to celebrate whiteness itself.

Well, as soon as I hear about a 'Whiteness Festival' I'll post the info.

[OPhiARen3]

Originally posted by sigmadiva
Well, as soon as I hear about a 'Whiteness Festival' I'll post the info.

They have those.

www.natvan.com
http://www.resistance.com/
http://www.kkk.bz/index1.htm

Just a few samples of places you can find out about such activities ...

[sigmadiva]

Originally posted by OPhiARen3
They have those.

www.natvan.com
http://www.resistance.com/
http://www.kkk.bz/index1.htm

Just a few samples of places you can find out about such activities ...

Thanks!!