University of Alabama sororities are racist against blacks

[CreekDog]

Tuscaloosa - Following multiple sororities' rejection of a "perfect candidate" because she is black, University of Alabama President Judy Bonner acknowledged that the school's Greek system remains racially segregated and promised to take steps to address the issue.

...

"Today the eyes of the nation are once again on the University of Alabama," Bonner said. "This time, it's because our Greek system remains segregated, and chapter members admit that during the recruitment process that ended a few weeks ago, decisions were made based on race."

...

One of those decisions, which made national headlines, involved the blanket rejection by all 16 Greek sororities of what the UA student newspaper, the Crimson White, called "the perfect sorority pledge on paper." The young woman, who wishes to remain anonymous out of fear for her personal safety, had impeccable credentials.

According to the White:
This candidate was what most universities would consider a prime recruit for any organization, sorority or otherwise. She had a 4.3 GPA in high school, was salutatorian of her graduating class and comes from a family with deep roots in local and state public service and a direct link to the University of Alabama.

There was just one problem: the young woman is black.

When Melanie Gotz, a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority-- one of the Greek letter organizations the rejected black woman sought to join, asked her sorority sisters if they really weren't going to "talk about the black girl," she was met with silence.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/358611#ixzz2fROSXtV5

[MineralMan]

1. Interesting. Apparently, it was the alums who

blackballed this young woman, not the current sorority members. Ugly stuff, but not really all that surprising, I think.

[gopiscrap]

31. Then if you're in the Greek system there, get out otherwise

you perpetuate the problem.

[MineralMan]

36. That would be my call, too.

I was never tempted to join any fraternity. It all smacked too much of elitism to me, even at that young age.

[gopiscrap]

40. Thank you, when I first got to college I looked at the

Fraternities and immediately thought, what a bunch of self centered, snobby, elitist, self entitled fuckers. Also most of the trouble on our campus was caused by the Greeks. And the second most was caused by the Greeks arguing with some one. Not every often was the trouble dormie vs dormie or independent vs dormie or independent vs independent.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. It's not the students

It's not the little pups - it's the Alumni.

"The entire house wanted this girl to be in Alpha Gam," Gotz told the White. "We were just powerless over the alums."

Indeed, members of other sororities which snubbed the potential recruit repeatedly blamed alumni for the racist rejection of the super-qualified black candidate.

"If we had been able to pledge her, it would've been an honor," an active sister in the Delta Delta Delta sorority told the White. "However, our alumnae stepped in and went over us and had her dropped."

The Tri Delt insists that there would have been "a dog fight between all the sororities if she were white."

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/358611#ixzz2fRThhLiI


These young, white women are going to get this changed. They could have remained silent - but they didn't. They spoke up - they are speaking out . . . and I suspect Ms. Gotz is a bit of hero amongst her peers for putting her neck on the line not only for them: But for the absolute BEST candidate that they ALL wanted in their sorority.


We've got to get off their backs. Seriously - we've got to. We've got to get off their backs.

[jberryhill]

3. So what?

Would you intentionally remain in an organization which barred membership on account of race?

Oh shucks, golly, it was the alums... oh well, we'll just have to stay white.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. So what?

So . . . As a black woman - I say this is one of the smaller issues we have to contend with in America.

Why is that so . .. :confused: "*so what* offensive to you?"


I just love how folks at DU like to panty bunch over this shit - but when it comes to bread and butter issues for black Americans - 'racism doesn't exist and white folks have it just as bad'.


Would you quit a high paying job JUST because black and latina and asian women didn't even make the 78 cents on the dollar white women make in America at your company? We don't. That's a fact. You know that don't you?

Save the outrage for pay inequality.

[CreekDog]

7. I am outraged at pay inequality, so are most here

can we not disapprove of multiple things at once?

i'm incredulous at your posts on this topic.

[JustAnotherGen]

15. I'm incredulous

That you will post this as an op - get pissed off because I'm not lock stepping and goose stepping with you on this . . .

Yet never found a need to respond to this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11874292

Let's talk about a real issue that impacts black women in this country - and not one for spoiled entitled children of the 1%.

[CreekDog]

18. I just K and R'd your post.

I didn't see it.

as for not caring about racism and inequality towards blacks, you are right. i'm totally uncaring about racism against blacks. you caught me guilty and uncaring.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=526765

[CreekDog]

22. "Goose stepping". Really?

so we're Nazis now for pointing out that the students are racist.

[jberryhill]

19. First of all...

Other than myself, the only employees at my company are very well paid women. So, I have utterly no idea what on earth you think I pay my employees or how you have come to the conclusion you have about my company. I can't "quit my job". I own this company.

Secondly, my response is to THIS story in THIS thread, and the excuse you posted that "it's not the students".

If you would like to discuss pay inequity, that's fine. Start a thread about it.

However, most of these "not the students" have been in this sorority and in this college for several years. The officers are typically seniors, who have known darn well FOR YEARS that their organization - which leads, yes, to the types of social networks which men leverage to GET higher pay than women - does not accept black people.

[gopiscrap]

34. Exactly

In fact, I personally think the Greek System should be abolished.

[CreekDog]

6. i completely agree

scary.

[gopiscrap]

33. I agree

[CreekDog]

5. it's a problem among students too, don't kid yourself

just because the alums seem to be worse on this. there is lots of reporting that the students are part of the problem, including rejecting black students out of fear of losing funding from above.

it seems the students have a role to play to actually enforce the segregation and apparently are doing it quite willingly --the girl quoted is the exception. if they aren't racist themselves, why is she the exception?

[gopiscrap]

35. yup you're exactly right

[Sissyk]

8. +1000

Times; they are a changing. Not fast enough, but we will get there.

[CreekDog]

10. that poster is wrong though. it is the students to some extent.

remember, the thing blew up because a couple of students made it public.

their fellow students enabled the racist process and helped keep it silent.

so, no, the students are not blameless. a few are, but quite a few more did their part to prop the racism up.

[Sissyk]

14. The poster is not wrong. It's her opinion.

My opinion is that 20 years ago, 10 years ago even, the students would not have even selected the "best" candidate if they were black for the alum to have to "speak out" and stop it. They definitely would not have went public with it.

So, yes. I think we are making progress even if it's baby steps.

[CreekDog]

16. an opinion can be wrong and hers saying that the students aren't racist is wrong

yes, opinions don't make one "not wrong".

[jberryhill]

23. What?

Are you questioning the sincerity of these young women who have been members of an all-white organization?

Why, they probably had no idea that their organization did not admit anyone other than white people. I'm sure that, till now, they just thought it was an amazing coincidence.

I am sure they are all shocked!

[Sissyk]

24. Can I ask you an honest question?

Do you not think it's a good thing for some, or even one, to speak up and out? Isn't that how things start to change?

Yes, it's been an all white sorority for ever and ever. But, that will not change if someone doesn't take the first step.

And, this is Alabama. They are way behind the times on everything! lol!

[jberryhill]

25. I was responding to the person saying "It's not the students"

That's bullshit.

And, yes, I'm all in favor of people speaking up. The person to whom I was responding seems to believe that nobody should bother with it, because there are more important things to discuss. That person then made some sort of cryptic and uninformed statement about how I run my business.

Again, it most certainly is the students. The story itself says that one member who spoke to the other members was met with silence. So don't tell me that none of these airheads were aware that everyone in their organization was white.

[Sissyk]

27. Thanks for answering me!

[pintobean]

32. We don't know who is right or wrong.

I'm more inclined to side with someone who has lived as the victim of institutionalized racism. It boils down to whether one believes these girls. We can't go into their hearts and minds to find out. I guess Jen's less likely than you to accuse someone of racism and lying. Maybe she gives them the benefit of the doubt because they're actually trying to do something about the problem. Something more than whining about it anonymously on an internet message board and claiming a superior opinion.

[CreekDog]

41. wait, are you saying i accused the students who have tried to change this of racism?

well that's a pretty nasty thing which is also wrong.

[jberryhill]

21. We don't know how the students voted, btw

Those votes are not recorded.

These kids all joined an all-white organization, have been in it for years, and are now furiously back-pedaling because this story became public via the *candidate*, not via the members of the sorority.

The students pretending to be shocked, shocked, that their all-white organization doesn't admit blacks, requires a huge degree of gullibility to believe.

[gopiscrap]

37. Yup

these students are adults....they should know better

[tularetom]

9. Why in the name of all that's sacred would a bright young person of ANY race

want to join one of these anachronistic elitist snob societies?

[JustAnotherGen]

12. Plus 10000000

[ProdigalJunkMail]

13. if you want a good job right out of college

then the Greek system can be very good for you. the connections you build last a lifetime (in most cases) and can benefit you for years and years to come.

i didn't go Greek... but some friends who did have never been unemployed.

sP

[tularetom]

26. Well you know the Groucho Marx theory of joining clubs

"I wouldn't want to join any club that would have me as a member"

Times have changed I guess. In college, I had a wife and daughter, two jobs and the GI bill. I didn't have a lot of time to party.

And I never had any trouble getting a good job right after graduation. Of course this was 1966.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

43. times very much have changed

and people with good degrees are having a very hard time finding jobs in some cases. the Greek system has major flaws and some major assholes in it... but the connections you make while there can be invaluable (if climbing the corp/social ladder is your thing). i have known some people in the the Greek system who would probably have never been even called for an interview if it were not for those connections/networking.

sP

[gopiscrap]

38. OMG Yes, thank you

in fact, I personally think the entire Greek system should be abolished

[CreekDog]

49. Try to look at it as an 18 year old would, just out from their parents...

These groups offer family, support and fun or it would seem so.

[HappyMe]

11. Good grief!

It's the alums, but I would be willing to bet it's the current 'sisterhood' (or whatever the fuck it's called) too.
I'm not surprised.


I personally wouldn't join one of those things.
edit to add - My cousin's wife used to call the sororities -The Barbies.

[Sissyk]

17. The Barbies! ha! I like.

I don't know. I'm just happy that things are changing, however small it is. Change has to start with one, or a small group.

ps: I never even considered being a part of their "sisterhood". Sure they wouldn't of had me anyway.

[HappyMe]

20. Rosa Parks is a good example of one person stepping up.

They wouldn't have wanted me either. I'm kind of happy about that. I can't imagine having to conform to what 'they' want.

[gopiscrap]

39. good for your wife's cousin

I used to call them snobby fucking assholes

[oldhippie]

28. I was in an all white fraternity house...

But it was probably because there were only four black students in my class in the small engineering school in update NY in the 60's. One was from an old Boston family and was my roommate in the dorm sophomore year. The other three were all foreign students from Africa. They all belonged to different fraternity houses, and one became the president of Sigma Delta, the oldest and most traditional house on our campus. (Quazi also went on to become a high official in his home country and still shows up at the old school for reunions.)

Just thought I would share that story from the late 60's.

[GeorgeGist]

29. Interestingly the number 1 ranked Alabama football team ...

would be nothing without black men.

?1363372581

[Blue_Tires]

42. Bear Bryant's "backdoor" method of eroding the public resistance to black players

is the stuff of legend...

[gopiscrap]

30. Fucking racist assholes

if you remain in a sorority then you become part of the problem. I have never had much use for the Greek system to begin with. My experience in college (Washington State University) was that the Greek system became one of snobbery and gave an outlet to folks in it to marginalize those not a part of the Greek system.

[malaise]

44. And

water is wet

[lumberjack_jeff]

45. A 4.3 GPA?

She must be from Lake Woebegone.

[CreekDog]

50. Advanced placement and honors classes get a grade point bonus

Not sure where you've been since they did this when i was in HS.

[NYC_SKP]

51. Usually awarded to kids from wealthy households. I strongly disapprove of the system.

Call me a cranky old man but when I was in high school and college all you could get was a 4.0.

While we had a few advanced courses, they didn't allow you to leapfrog over other students getting straight A's, that wouldn't have been fair.

I know a few families who have kids with 4+ GPAs from HS and they're the same kids that get to go to science camp and math camp and play on sports teams and do other things that cost money.

I just don't think it's right.

[CreekDog]

52. got some statistics to back that up?

few of the kids at my school were wealthy and we got those extra points.

[NYC_SKP]

53. There are no statistics. YMMV.

Statistics aren't gathered nationwide, certainly not widely enough to satisfy a challenge to provide statistics.

How those points are given is not a highly controlled matter.

If few of the kids in a school are wealthy then the competition from financially well-supported students is going to be lower.

[CreekDog]

54. competition for what?

[NYC_SKP]

55. Competition for attention, for support, and sometimes for those extra grade points.

Usually, though not always, schools chose to or are forced to "ration" resources. There may be a finite number of scholarships, for example. Certain field trips or internships might only be available to the highest scoring students.

All other things being equal, greater household income can provide greater resources that in turn provide an advantage.

Such resources may include direct support, such as tutors or only one working parent, or funds for science camp and better tools, laptops, Internet, and also include indirect but invaluable resources, like better nutrition, health care, and less stress in the home and neighborhood.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

46. His Holiness, Pope Francis 1st, rumoured to be Catholic. N.T.

[treestar]

47. Holy crap!

This is still going on?

[alarimer]

48. I hate sororities/fraternities.

They should not be allowed to exist.

They are all about perpetuating the reign of the 1%.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

56. You could not pay me to join a sorority.

When I was going to a large state university, I saw a bunch of girls lined up in identical outfits, singing a song, and marching into the dorm elevator.

I thought, "Why would anybody want to be exactly like a group of people, down to clothing, nail polish and hairstyle?" I did not need to belong to a group for my self-esteem.

Sorority pledges did stupid stuff. I wanted no part of it. I went to one rush party during my freshman year. Some Muffy gushed, "You meet the NICEST people here!"

I said nothing. I thought, "No intelligent life here and no boys. Certainly no smart boys. I'm outta here."

The college I attended my freshman year did not have national sororities and fraternities, but they were apparently just as stupid as the national ones.