"Sorority System In No Rush to Integrate"

I found this article in the LA Times  http://articles.latimes.com/2001/sep/10/news/mn-44105/4  


Despite this article being over 10 years old, I still find it relevant and thought-provoking. The article is basically about the fact that a well-qualified black woman kept getting rejected from the rush program for the all-white sororities on campus. I cannot imagine why this girl would not be accepted into any of the 15 sororities she rushed. Considering the fact that no black man or woman has ever gotten into a white sorority of fraternity at the University of Alabama (2001) , I guess this is not odd. There are of course historically black fraternities and sororities on the campus (that in fact have white members), but I don't think a person's skin color should limit what type or the number of sororities he or she can join.


Being in Alpha Chi Omega I am one of very few black of mixed raced women in my sorority. PHA is overwhelmingly dominated by white women. However I reject the term "white sorority", a term that has been mentioned to me multiple times. People often ask me why i decided to join a PHA sorority and not a NPHC sorority, as if I have to justify my decision. I have nothing against any NPHC but chose to rush a council that had a more structured and open rush program that made me more comfortable with the entire process. 

I am almost always a person who intervenes when I see something that is out of control. It seems like whenever I go out with friends I always end up babysitting some sick person who couldn't get themselves home. Or if I stay in, I get a call from someone who needs to be picked up from somewhere or who wants someone to cry to. This is not a role that I necessarily cherish, but someone has to do it. I would rather have an annoyance in my night than let a friend remain in an unsafe situation.


I went to New Orleans over spring break and got to spend a few nights on Bourbon Street. A friend was visibly drunk and stumbling around. I repeatedly took drinks from her and urged the others that we were with to not supply her with any alcohol. Everyone saw her stumbling and generally embarrassing herself. I decided that the situation could get dangerous (or she could get into legal trouble) so I made the decision to take her back to the hotel. I had to deal with resistance from her (which i expected) but also the rest of our group, who told me that she was fine to stay. I felt really uncomfortable with the idea of her staying, so we left. Of course, the night could have turned out fine, but I was not willing to risk any negative consequences on something that could be easily avoided.


I think the bystander effect has huge implications in the greek community at large. This goes beyond telling your sister when their behavior is bad. As a greek community, we need to help other chapters and foster a sense of caring and unity on an inter-chapter level. We often see chapters that are not as involved as they could be or chapters that get fines or are put on probation. And instead of working as a community to raise our standards and to be more congruent in our values, we make fun of/ostracize chapters that are in trouble. We need to get beyond the gossip and stereotypes that dominates much of the way we discuss other chapters. encouraging and looking out for each other is the only way to create a community where trust and honesty is instinctive. But of course, this behavior must start somewhere and in our own chapters is the place for it to begin.

oath

I took an oath to hold myself to a higher standard, NOT to be perfect. I did not promise that I would never make another mistake, or that I would automatically become immune to the pressures of college life. But I feel this is what some people expect of me. The vast majority of the stereotypes about greek life are completely unfounded and totally undeserved. Of course, a few of them are rooted in some truth but these are largely problems that affect all college-aged adults. Parties, hookups, and underaged drinking are not issues that only those in fraternities and sororities experience. And while I did take an oath, i'm only human. With that said I would like to point out the fact that I party much less than I did before I joined my sorority. Not that there aren't many opportunities, I just know I am accountable to more than just myself. I know that my behavior can affect the perception of my entire sorority. 

There was a comment in class about not only holding yourself accountable to your oath, but also holding your brothers/sisters accountable also. This is something I definitely do not do enough. I do not criticize people, especially when I make mistakes myself. However, this is something that is extremely important. We are all human and sometimes lose sight of some of our values, so obviously we can all lose sight of what out membership in our organization truly means. Along with keeping sisters accountable, I want to recognize those who exemplify our symphony. Positive reinforcement along with constructive criticism can go a long way to improve a chapter.

citizenship

I personally try to show up to other chapter's events and offer my support. Even though stopping by and buying food is not a big deal, it shows other chapters that they have the support of the greek community. I always make sure i'm not bashing other chapters or perpetuating stereotypes about other chapters. saying something positive about a chapter you don't belong to can go a long way to unite us. I also try to make friends with greeks outside my chapter and council. Doing things like taking this class, hanging out with friends at their sorority houses and presenting myself as a positive example of who an alpha chi woman can be is just a few small steps i take to display my individual citizenship to the greek community. 

It is extremely difficult to rally 115 girls to a common purpose, but my chapter really tries. Of course there are the lazy ones who never go to any speakers and never attend other chapter's events, but they are greatly outnumbered by those who are excited to help out other chapters when we can. Attending philanthropies, and even talking to friends about events that other chapters put on is definitely encouraged among our chapter. We are not perfect, and could be doing a lot more but the effort is there.

As greeks, there is a tendency to be exclusive and view ourselves as separate from the rest of the student body, and this is one thing that bothers me a lot about greek life. Things like helping with move-in and doing council-wide events for the campus are a start, but not nearly enough! i would like to see greek life integrate itself into more campus events. A positive thing is that we can only get more involved from here. We all talk about unfair stereotypes and get pissed when we're labeled as slutty, or stupid, or elitist. these stereotypes do not just go away on their own. We have to actively combat the negativity surrounding greek life and displaying more citizenship within the campus community is the way to do it.

class feedback

It seems that many greek organizations (from the answers I received yesterday) share many similar values. This like scholarship, leadership, sisterhood, accountability came up a lot during conversation. I was not surprised by this. I was however surprised by the fact that many people couldn't name specific events that their chapter focused on. Some would say philanthropy and not get any more specific while I had some people tell me exact event.


I really liked the way in which people talked about ritual. One person who responded talked at length about it and I actually had to try and get her to speed up. Many people see it as more than just a ceremony or something that last a day. It is really something that bonds you to your brothers or sisters. 

An Organization with Values

I chose to talk about Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I chose Susan G Komen because they represent empowering women and  funding research to battle a disease that has personally affected my family. Since the 1980's, this organization has raised almost 2 billion dollars. More than that, this organization has raised awareness for the disease. Also, it has raised the hope of millions of women who have been diagnosed with or otherwise affected by breast cancer. I think this organization represents hope and never giving up. Events like the Race for the Cure, in which i have participated, effectively carry out this organizations goals of raising money, awareness, and the spirits of the men and women involved.

Core Values

Hmm...

What are my core values?

I'm not sure I've ever been asked that before..

But the question is extremely important

I guess family, friends, education, and compassion are some things that I truly value.

Obviously, most people value their friends, family, and education. These are three things that are essential to who I am. I have two younger siblings that I absolutely adore. They really are a source of strength in my life. A lot of what I do is to set an example for them. I hope that they see all the things that I plan to accomplish and decide to take their lives even further.

This kinda ties in with education for me. Education is a source of pride for my family. I definitely think that the key to a good and fulfilling life is learning. And I don't just mean going to college or reading books. We never stop learning. I think when a person stops learning, they stop living. I will be an eternal student. There is so much in this world that I don't understand and it's sorta my life mission to soak up as much knowledge and as many experiences as I can.

Friends, of course, are extremely important to me. I would do anything for my close friends. I guess I am the kind of person that always keeps friends dear. My best friends from home have been my best friends since 5th and 8th grade. I think being a friend and showing love for another person, especially one who is unrelated, is one of the marks of good character. I would never trade my friends.

Finally, I want to talk about compassion. I am probably one of the most compassionate people you'll ever meet. I truly feel for people (and animals, too :)). I love the people around me and the world I live in. It is impossible to trust, love, or even understand another human being if you lack compassion.