"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.