I'd like to start of to say that I'd like to keep this post within the confines of our classroom if possible. Yes- I realize im using a blogspot and a url with my name in it... but heres hoping. Although this is a very personal issue they are thoughts I'd like to share...
When we were on the alternate tour of campus the other day- I had the thought that we should stop by sorority row to see how far we still have to come.Yet, I'm thankful that this did not happen because this would have been sufficiently awkward for me. However, it only would have been awkward because the stop has validity.
When discussing this with friends the first response I always receive is " Well we couldn't go join AKA (a traditionally all black female sorority) if we wanted to" and the consensus is that many black students join black fraternities and sororities, which white Greek leaders agree are even more selective than their own.
Whether this is true or not, this does not negate the fact that an African American would not be accepted (both literally, and socially) into a white greek organization on this campus. This counterargument does not make this fact suddenly sit well with my conscience.
The segregation is intentional. Another argument is that organizations where members may in fact want to accept African Americans into their group cannot because they will lose alumni funding, social status, and standing on campus (because the larger group supposedly controls honor societies, SGA, and campus politics.) Also, this would hurt recruitment and ultimately be the result of the demise of the chapter. It would make the chapter a controversial one, and recruitment numbers would drop. Then if recruitment numbers were lower- we would have to drop our standards and offer bids to girls with lower GPAs to meet the quota set by Panhellenic. Then this would cause the house's GPA as a whole to drop, nationals to take notice, and the chapter would most likely be punished with probation and their charter being revoked. If the charter was not revoked the negative cycle with recruitment would continue.
Apparently one sorority on a campus gave a bid to an black woman. She did not end up being initiated into the sorority but everyone claims that the sorority was "never the same." People are afraid, and I think with good reason. However, nothing incredible would ever be accomplished if people did not force change despite fear. I know that their are members of these Greek organizations that want change, but don't know how to initiate it.
The only solution that I think of that would force change and save sororities on campus would be for the National Panhellenic Counsel (the national level panel of all sororities) would have to force integration. This would not alienate one house, and would force members who want to be greek at all to join. This would be incredibly difficult. Chapters would lose money, members would drop, alumni would decrease funding, threats would be thrown, and there is always the possibility of terrible/dangerous/life threatening hazing, and it would be chaotic... but the question is- is it worth it?
I also hear that "it will simply NEVER happen on Alabama's campus." I hope that this is not true. I know that we are most definitely not the only school whose greek system is segregated, but I also know there are "southern" schools like Washington and Lee University that do give all students an opportunity. I refuse to accept this as an impossibility for the future on Alabama's campus. So maybe for Alabama this is a time game of catching up with 21st century and the christian values many claim to represent. I would bargain to say that most greek organizations ritual is founded on christian values and scripture is often used. We can say that we stand by these values all we want but if they are not backed by action they mean nothing. But what is a one member supposed to do?
I am hesitant to post this blog because I personally have had friends who were forced through harassment to transfer from the university . I also want to add that my beliefs/observations are not a reflection of the views of my chapter or the greek community .
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