Jack and Jill is a mother's organization and the children are also a part of it. It ranges from PreK-12th grade. We do like social, cultural, and community activities. At first I didn't like it because people always thought we were stuck up, but I want my children to be in Jack and Jill when they become of age.
You can't help but think that the Organization is for Bougie Black folx, considerin' that you have to be "invited" by other Jack and Jill parents to even be involved.
I mean, heck, I don't need an Invite to join INROADS or the YMCA.
I was in the Inglewood CA chapter of it. In a way, it definitey can seem boughie. Many chapters do have that air to em, and I can see where the many stereotypes come from.
However, not everybody in it is stuck up, boughie, or rich. It really depends on the chapter and region. In the west coast, you will find people of all kinds in Jack and Jill, especially in L.A. I know one dude who was from Rollin 60 Crip who was in it, and it's a couple borderline gangstas who were in it, who just happened to have mother's who were involved in their life but couldn't stop everything. In the Inglewood chapter, there were a few people who definitely had money...Jaleel White was in mine, and a lot of the kids parents are judges, doctors, etc. etc. But most of us were just regular middle class who lived in L.A./Inglewood.
For the dudes....there were definitely some fine **** females in it. We had a teen conference every summer, and 27 chapters from the west would meet up. Damn, they had so many females that you would actually wife...well except for the few boughie flipps.
I agree.. it definitely depends on the chapter to assess the level of bourgie-ness. I was in it, and in retrospect I am thankful for it. The teen conferences were better than the INROADs conferences.. shoot... 200+ teenagers in a hotel. It was fun, and to this day at my HBCU I know people who I first met at these conferences. It is really good for black families who live in areas where their children do not come into contact too many other black folk on the regular.. helps the children to identify with their African heritage.
and as a side note, no you don't have to be invited to get into INROADs but you gotta apply and interview just the same.
I hate that there is such a stereotype for the Jack and Jill Organization, hmm kind of familiar of the hate greek organizations get
and as a side note, no you don't have to be invited to get into INROADs but you gotta apply and interview just the same.
I hate that there is such a stereotype for the Jack and Jill Organization, hmm kind of familiar of the hate greek organizations get
When you apply for INROADS, you know that your addmission into the organization depends on how well you *perform* during those interviews and applications. You never have to wait for an INROADS INTERN invites you to join. Plus, you know that if you don't get a job during the first try, INROADS will take care of you until you finally do get a job. Will Jack and Jill send me to Joan and Bob if I don't make it?
and as a side note, no you don't have to be invited to get into INROADs but you gotta apply and interview just the same.
I hate that there is such a stereotype for the Jack and Jill Organization, hmm kind of familiar of the hate greek organizations get
When you apply for INROADS, you know that your addmission into the organization depends on how well you *perform* during those interviews and applications. You never have to wait for an INROADS INTERN invites you to join. Plus, you know that if you don't get a job during the first try, INROADS will take care of you until you finally do get a job. Will Jack and Jill send me to Joan and Bob if I don't make it?
Well being in it, I'll say that I doubt the organization would be as efficient if they allowed anyone to be in it. True, it may seem very cliqueish that you have to know somebody to be in it, but that is what keeps it strong. Many organizations similar to this crumble because their structure allows anyone who looks as if they will be a good member to join. If you don't understand what I'm saying, it may be hard to explain because I knew how things operated in it. This is a org where the mothers put in a LOT of work, especially those who are part of the E-Board, and you wouldn't want this kind of org to just accept anybody who applied and had good credentials, because they may not perform as well as they are expected. With the system the way it is, the mothers who are involved will be able to vouch for the person getting in, compared to them just hoping that the mother and children will turn out to be good contributors.
Well being in it, I'll say that I doubt the organization would be as efficient if they allowed anyone to be in it. True, it may seem very cliqueish that you have to know somebody to be in it, but that is what keeps it strong. Many organizations similar to this crumble because their structure allows anyone who looks as if they will be a good member to join. If you don't understand what I'm saying, it may be hard to explain because I knew how things operated in it. This is a org where the mothers put in a LOT of work, especially those who are part of the E-Board, and you wouldn't want this kind of org to just accept anybody who applied and had good credentials, because they may not perform as well as they are expected. With the system the way it is, the mothers who are involved will be able to vouch for the person getting in, compared to them just hoping that the mother and children will turn out to be good contributors.
So then you might see how messed up that is tho, right? It makes folx feel excluded because they aren't in the "in crowd". What if somebody doesn't know somebody's momma and therefore doesn't get the personal invite. That person is denied, not becuse of their merits, but because they don't know the right person. Its about Who ya know, not What you know.
Hell, now that I think about it, thats very similar to real life. Hell, I guess Jack and Jill does prepare you for the Real World.
So then you might see how messed up that is tho, right? It makes folx feel excluded because they aren't in the "in crowd". What if somebody doesn't know somebody's momma and therefore doesn't get the personal invite. That person is denied, not becuse of their merits, but because they don't know the right person. Its about Who ya know, not What you know.
Hell, now that I think about it, thats very similar to real life. Hell, I guess Jack and Jill does prepare you for the Real World.
LOL, I mean that is pretty much true. I never said I agree with the system. I definitely don't like the politics involved with it...I never knew black mothers could actually have beef with each other because of affiliations, side taking, and runnin for positions in the org. But when you deal with people who have money, especially the few that think they are elite, that's what you get.
So then you might see how messed up that is tho, right? It makes folx feel excluded because they aren't in the "in crowd". What if somebody doesn't know somebody's momma and therefore doesn't get the personal invite. That person is denied, not becuse of their merits, but because they don't know the right person. Its about Who ya know, not What you know.
Hell, now that I think about it, thats very similar to real life. Hell, I guess Jack and Jill does prepare you for the Real World.
LOL, I mean that is pretty much true. I never said I agree with the system. I definitely don't like the politics involved with it...I never knew black mothers could actually have beef with each other because of affiliations, side taking, and runnin for positions in the org. But when you deal with people who have money, especially the few that think they are elite, that's what you get.
So basically Jack and Jill is detrimental to the uplifting of the Black Family?
:lol:
