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
Her comparison is WAY offbase.
Greek Life is a privilege, plain and simple.
Affirmative Action provided the OPPORTUNITY for people to have equal access to employment and education.
No where near the same.
although i do see where the young lady is coming from...i don't think that it is very comparable to affirmative action. Affirmative action was designed to provide a fair opportunity, that would more than likely not be available otherwise. Just becuz someone got hired because of affirmative action, does not mean that they didn't "work for it".
I don't think there is anything wrong with assisting an interest (only to a certain extent) if they are truly sincere in their desires. True, we alwayz say "i am not just going to hand a GDI sumthin, if they have the ability to do it themselves". And some may be able to tie that into AA. But the key word there is "ability". Does someone have the "ability" to be hired at a company that is owned by a White executive and seeking out to help his own?
^^^those two posts are probably the most intelligent-sounding things you've said in your 200+ posts on the board...
(I realize that this was not a response, but I had to let ChangePlease know that I liked this "intellectual" version of him/her)
::runs to the corner to think of her opinion on this matter::
People we are comparing apples and oranges.
Greek Life is not anyone's right.
It's something that you should have to work for.
We don't have open enrollment nor do we have to accept every applicant.
Affirmative Actions was a set of government programs designed to overcome the effects of past societal discrimination by allocating jobs and resources to members of specific groups, such as minorities and women.
It has now been revamped in the late 1990s to encompass any person who was "socially disadvantaged."
I can't speak for anyone else's organization but my founders were selective.
Prominent Men of my GLO have written on numerous occasions about the need to discriminate, most notably in Members versus Men.
Members Versus Men
The Greek Letter Societies among our group appear to have entered into a period of mad competition for obtaining members. Scarcely a student on the college campus but wears a pledge pin or a fraternity pin. Are the fraternities forgetting their original high standards? Can it be said that every man who enters college is of Fraternity material? If in any place, Omega has entered this mad race for members, pause and consider.
The value of our Fraternity is not in numbers, but in men, in real brotherhood. Eight men thoroughly immersed in the true Omega spirit are far greater assets than eighty with lukewarm enthusiasm. If any chapter has reached the maximum in numbers for efficient work and brotherly cooperation, let it initiate each year only a number of men equal to those leaving the chapter by way of graduation or otherwise.
Men, real men of Omega calibre, strive for that which is most difficult of attainment. Keep Omega the most difficult Greek Letter Society in which to obtain membership and be assured that Omega material will never be found lacking.Walter Herbert Mazyck (Alpha Chapter 1913), the Oracle, 1925
I do see where the opposition is coming from. I will be the first to agree that sometimes we as Blacks like to test out the whole "crabs in barrel" theory. But it's a lil different when it comes to greekdom. It's not about trying to be on a powertrip. It's about acknowledging that being a member is a priviledge, not a right. If these orgs so easily offered membership to everyone that felt deserving, then it would lower the caliber at which they hold themselves.
Becuz of people who paved the way before me...i have the opportunity to be a TV personality. I have the right to at least have the opportunity, however, it is not my right to get offered the job of my dreams. My ancestors paved the way to at least have the door opened for me, but it's up to me to work hard & do all that i need to do to ensure that i get what it is i am after. The same goes for greekdom.
IBecuz of people who paved the way before me...i have the opportunity to be a TV personality. I have the right to at least have the opportunity, however, it is not my right to get offered the job of my dreams. My ancestors paved the way to at least have the door opened for me, but it's up to me to work hard & do all that i need to do to ensure that i get what it is i am after. The same goes for greekdom.
laidback you DON'T have to pledge everyone though
it's disgsuting and definitely turns people away
all this "you aren't a man unless you're an omega" really does NOTHING for the positive image you're tyna put out there
nothing wrong with being selective but don't be so militant and cut throat
you only put yourself on a pedestel and we all know it only makes it easier for folks to throw rocks and eventually bring ya **** right back down to earth with the rest of us
or in other words does more harm than good
if your founders have your same attitude then no wonder your greek org hasn't really strived and did anything groundbreaking
there is a specific way to limit yourself and go about doing so
and you failed and have yet to learn how to do this
@halo
yes they paved the way to give you the oppurtunities they DIDN'T have
and yes it is up to you to work hard to get that but you don't have to do all of what they had to do
and THAT'S what I'm saying
they made it easier by doing what they had to do and as a result made it easier for those coming after them which is US and we do what we need to do to make it easier for those coming after us which is NOT as much as work as our ancestors had to do
you make it EASIER for the next generation, not HARDER
