As incoming freshman coming from all walks of life and now being centralized in a totally new environment. We young adults are beyond excited about this new "COLLEGE LIFE" we have been hearing about since we were kids. Before we can even lay our big toe on the dorm lot pavement, we are bombarded by slues of complete strangers offering to help move into our dormitories. Coming from a small town like Boise, Idaho all I see is a group of friendly people who decided they wanted to have twin day. They move me in, promise my parents they will look our for me... One of them gives me their phone number and says, "hit me up if you need anything. I know how it is as an incoming freshman."
The next day comes around and the school has all of these fun-filled events planned for us. I see my friend that helped me move in. Im so excited to finally see someone I know. They are on stage talking in the microphone and appears to be very well liked. At the end of the event I wanted to go and say hi but before I could get to them, the DJ played this song my grandma used to always listen to, and my friend and a bunch of people start doing this weird dance. I don't know what it is but it looks kind of cool.
I see my friend afterwards, they invite me to come hang with them and i'm surrounded by what appears to be another class color day or something? Everyone is wearing those colors again with ABC's across their chest.
As the year goes by I'm finally meeting some new friends. Classes are going good and I seem to be settling in quite well. One of my friends tells me what those ABC's mean and apparently it's some sort of Fraternity/Sorority. All I know is all of my friends are geeked up about them and get awkwardly excited every time they come around. I don't see whats so exciting...
The next time I see my friend who helped me move In... I ask them "whats your organization mean?" They said, scholarship and some other stuff. IT went in one ear and out the other. It just looked cool to me so I just said I wanted to be in it... Thats one of my favorite colors anyway.
I told my group of friends what I did and all of a sudden they started looking at me different. By the time christmas break came.. We weren't even friends......
NOW THAT STORY TIME IS OVER LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. AFTER MY OWN OBSERVATIONS AND HEARING A LOT OF DIFFERENT STAND POINTS ON THE ISSUE. BEFORE I PUT MY TWO CENTS IN... I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS WELL INFORMED BEFORE I JUST MEDDLED AROUND ON SUCH A TOUCHY TOPIC. I LOOKED UP THE BOOK TITLED, "THE DIVINE NINE: THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES," AND IT SAID:
The achievements of the nine national Pan-Hellenic organizations and their individual members are astounding when you consider the total history of oppressed Africans in America. To have created the African American organizations that stressed education, philanthropy, self-improvement, and excellence, and to have them successfully strive to this date, is a testament not only to the members of their organizations, but also to their respective founders."
"There is a reason that the Divine Nine organizations and their members are successful. They consistently step up into the arena in order to make the best effort for their community. The fraternity or sorority is more than the wearing of letters, or singing the hymns. IT is the collective realization that the unit is stronger than the individual, but that the achievements of the individual greatly enriches the unit. In this way, scholarship funds may be raised, mentorship programs implemented, and lives affected favorably. This is the overall purpose of the Divine Nine," Ross, Jr., "
I do realize the subject is a sensitive one.. However, year after year I've seen upperclassmen, my own classmates, and now underclassmen doing the same thing year after year. It is a cycle that is unfortunate but doesn't have to be.
THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE GREEK BASHING ARTICLES. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THE "PURPOSE" OF THE DIVINE NINE ORGANIZATIONS. The question that arises in my mind though is.... in some form or fashion have they strayed away from their purpose. According to the book it said,"The fraternity or sorority is more than the wearing of letters, or singing the hymns. IT is the collective realization that the unit is stronger than the individual, but that the achievements of the individual greatly enriches the unit. I'm not sure if that unit is referring to the sub-units of each individual organization. But I believe it's talking about them collectively as a whole.
With everything going on in the world: THE WAR ON TERROR, THE AIDS EPIDEMIC, POVERTY STRICKEN COMMUNITIES, VIOLENCE, INADEQUATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, DECREASING GRADUATION RATES...ETC. Arguing with someone else because they have a different color or letters than you is miniscule.
Turning a back to someone that was once offered a helping hand because they no longer want to be in your organization.. or subjecting someone to humiliation because they expressed to multiple organizations might not be their fault...
After all who can deny the exciting sites, sounds and even smells of Greek life... Their first day being 2,000 miles from home, under-educated on the topic. Maybe had that same student from Idaho been presented with information or advice to research at the same time as basking in the "oo0Ohhh's" and" aaaAAaaahhh's"/ Glits and glam. They might not have : lost their childhood friend, had to transfer from humiliation, sacrificed studies/grades or taken 6 years to complete a 4-year-degree.
All I'm saying is... The Whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. These incoming freshman look up to leadership/greek life and will mock our every move. So let's all lead them in a positive direction.
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