The Journey
49 replies
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17185 views
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Started by PrimaDonna_1908
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Jul 2005
PrimaDonna_1908
Winston-Salem, NC
Greek Family,
I was having a conversation with a sistergreek the other day when the topic of greek life came up. She made an interesting comparison between helping people in their quest for greekdom and affirmative action. Her main point was that many greeks are hypocritical in that many of us believe in the institution of affirmative action as a means of getting us to places that our efforts alone would not take us. In her opinion, the hypocrisy lies in that we don’t adopt that same attitude as it pertains to greek life. Many greeks maintain the mantra “I got mine the hard way…you need to get yours the same way” instead of wanting to make things easier for those who come behind us. I know what you are going to say: “They will appreciate my organization better if they have to work for it.” While this may be true, African-American doctors, lawyers, and educators who went through the Aff. Act. System are viewed no less than those who made it the hard way. What do you think? Is her comparison legitimate?
I’m interested in hearing your thoughts. Since this post is so long, I will give my opinion at a later time.
Additionally, while this post is intended for greeks, substantial responses from non-greeks are welcome.
#13—Prima Donna
#31
Reply
PrimaDonna_1908 wrote:laidbackfella wrote:What other reasoning would we use to turn people away?PrimaDonna_1908 wrote:but more than that, I don't believe that a person should be turned away due to personal prejudice.
PrimaDonna_1908 wrote:You are 100% correct. Of course, when you have 200 at the interest meeting and 100+ that are qualified, it is going to be difficult to decide from that pool. But when you overlook a qualified candidate and choose someone who is significantly less qualified just because she is your friend or something like that, I don't think it is in the best interest of the chapter or the org at large.Quote:Decisions have to be made on people we feel that will best serve the chapter in the long run.
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I think it is important to remember that not everything applies to every situation. Yeah, folkz have read the books, seen the movies, and heard the stories...but don't be naive enough to think u understand or know for certain what someone goes through in a process. If someone was silly enough to disclose that information to outsiders, then that's their issue. However, that doesn't mean that every greek experiences the same thing. Pledging is not synonimous with hazing. A process is not just about ensuring "love & devotion". Those are things u should have before u even fill out the application. It's a learning process. One which no person can truly understand unless they have actually gone through one themselves.
As for how white GLOs conduct themselves...that is their bizniz. But don't be so quick to categorize. EVERY white GLO does not welcome prospects with smiling faces and open arms. And every BGLO does not do the opposite. I'd be the first to say that the members of my org were friendly and open to me when i was a prospect. I never experienced any animosity or attitudes when i went to interest meetings or spoke to them around campus. So like i said, everything does not apply to every situation.
White GLOs have their bond. We have our bond. And we don't need a mansion of a sorority/fraternity house to be proof of that. I'm sorry, i'm too busy donating the little money that i do have to the March of Dimes (funding for the reaseach of birth defects), the **** Walk, **** Cancer Awareness, or the Young Ladies of Tommorrow program that we mentor with. And perhaps our older sorors (who are working women...not millionaires) are busy doing similar things within their grad chapters as well, instead of focusing on purchasing a new sorority house for people to witness how much we "support" one another.
