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Volume 16, Spring 2004 |
Lifestyles
The Multicultural Greek
Layout/Production Manager
Whatever your idea of a typical Greek might be, invariably they all have at least one thing in common: he and she are both white.
Picture a typical fraternity guy or sorority girl. He probably has perfectly combed hair; while her clothing style is chic, hip, and right from the Gap or Abercrombie & Fitch. He probably has a nice smile with perfect, pearly white teeth; she probably has just enough make-up to look stylish, but not enough to look overdone. His look may be one of casual intelligence; hers of dignified elegance. He might exude cool from every pore; she could be dripping with girl-next-door cuteness. Whatever your idea of a typical Greek might be, invariably they all have at least one thing in common: he and she are both white.
Contrary to popular belief, though, non-white fraternities have existed since 1906.
Much like every other major institution that has become a staple of our society, Greek life has remained typically an all-white affair ever since 1776, when Phi Beta Kappa was founded at the College of William and Mary as the first Greek letter organization. Over time, Greek letter organizations became scholarly fraternities and eventually evolved into what they are perceived to be today: large groups of white kids who like to party. Contrary to popular belief, though, non-white fraternities have existed since 1906 when Alpha Kappa Alpha formed at Cornell University as the first intercollegiate Greek letter fraternity for black students. So why is there still virtually no knowledge of any of these multicultural Greek organizations?
“The biggest obstacle is overcoming the misconception that that we are just legalized gangs,” says Ikenna Anyanwu of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated at The College of New Jersey. As chapter vice president of the historically African-American fraternity, Anyanwu explains how these types of attitudes go directly against the goals of his organization and others like it. “Comments like this sadden me when I think about all the work we put in to be directly involved in society's progress. We are an organization based on inclusion rather than exclusion, and we pride ourselves on helping the community and its members.”
By placing a greater emphasis on community service, multicultural Greek organizations' members put themselves into a position to be viewed as positive role models for the surrounding community.
By placing a greater emphasis on community service, multicultural Greek organizations' members put themselves into a position to be viewed as positive role models for the surrounding community. Naturally, minority Greek organizations are asked to meet the same community service requirements as the “mainstream” fraternities (a.k.a. predominantly white fraternities). Although it only seems fair to expect the same from each organization regardless of its cultural background, consider that most of these organizations sometimes have a handful of active members.
“It's really amazing what we're able to accomplish with just four or five members,” says Edgar Rodriguez, president of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. at TCNJ. “The mainstream organizations have such large groups of brothers, so they have no problems getting people to help out. We've actually been able to do even more than what we're required to do, and that's just amazing to me.”
Getting enough brothers to help at events is one thing, but some organizations struggle just to find enough members to survive at all. Explains Manny Santana, Rush chair of Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity Incorporated (Diamante Chapter), it is all about adaptation.
“There's definitely a stigma on minority organizations,” says Santana. “Most people see the word ‘Latino' and think that's all we are, but that's not who we are at all. We're open to everyone, and we promote cultural awareness for all cultures, not just of Latino culture. We allow anyone into our organization, no matter who you are, because that's what we're all about and that's what it takes to survive.”
Minority sororities have been around since 1908 when nine women at Howard University in Washington , D.C. founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as America's first Greek-letter organization established by and for black women.
Minority fraternities are not the only Greek organizations facing an uphill battle for survival. Minority sororities have been around since 1908 when nine women at Howard University in Washington, D.C. founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as America's first Greek letter organization established by and for black women. Just as minority fraternities have struggled to stay alive, minority sororities face the same challenges and work toward the same goals.
“Like other minority Greeks on campus, we face the issue of both having other Greeks attend our events and learn more about us and our process. When the Abrianeme Chapter of MSU was founded at TCNJ, we received much praise for all of our work and dedication that we had put into becoming recognized on campus. Gaining the respect of other Greeks, specifically minority Greeks, was important to us and well appreciated,” explains Amani Mohsen, president of the Abrianeme Chapter of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. at TCNJ.
Unlike most minority organizations, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Inc. does not have historical ties to a specific race or culture and takes great pride in its multicultural heritage.
Unlike most minority organizations, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Inc. does not have historical ties to a specific race or culture and takes great pride in its multicultural heritage. Accepting all races, cultures, religions and ethnicities into the organization is an important part of the sisterhood, Mohsen explains, because it leads to a greater understanding of each other.
“We make sure to separate ourselves as the first multicultural organization in the nation. Our acceptance of all ethnicities places us in a different category from those organizations that are strictly geared towards one ethnicity. Although those organizations also accept other ethnicities in addition to the one they are noted for, the difference is MSU puts diversity forefront,” she says.
In addition to diversity and cultural awareness, multicultural sororities also place a strong emphasis on community service.
In addition to diversity and cultural awareness, multicultural sororities also place a strong emphasis on community service. Most sisters have active roles in other campus organizations or help out the community in other ways. According to Nadine Eliya, vice president and academic chair of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority, Inc. at TCNJ, her sisters strive to create a reputation of professionalism and academic excellence.
“We work hard to maintain our reputation as professional young women who are involved not only in the sorority, but in other organizations on campus as well. Some of our sisters hold positions such as homecoming queen, senior class president, focus group leader, and vice president of multicultural affairs for the InterGreek Council,” Eliya explains. “We also do at least one community service event every month, two or three academic programs per semester, and we've also done various fundraisers for AIDS and breast-cancer awareness.”
While each organization can boast of an impressive community-service record, each could also draw rave reviews based on character and principles alone. Janelle Williams of Zeta Phi Beta, Inc., a historically black sorority, explains that being in a sorority is about more than just wearing letters.
“Our primary goal is to uplift African-American females to make sure they're educated and financially stable, but we also have the goal of being a family,” she says. “Anywhere I go in the U.S. I will find someone in my organization, and they're always so friendly and I feel so loved. The bond is wonderful, we all hug and kiss because we're family, you know? Once a Zeta, always a Zeta. It's beautiful.”
There you have it. By building strong familial bonds, these supportive and loving groups of people all work together to help raise cultural awareness and bring hope to people who need it. And although it may seem like all work and no play for these motivated students, you can rest assured knowing that they won't be spending all their time at fundraisers and educational events.
“Of course we go out and party,” Rodriguez says of his Lambda Theta Phi brothers. “We don't have a house or sponsor parties or anything, but we sometimes rent out a club and have some fun. We're careful not to do it too much though because the stereotype is so strong, and sometimes we are put in the same category as everybody else. You just have to look at our purpose and our goals to see that we really are different.”
If it is differentiation you are after, look no further than the accomplishments of Lambda Sigma Upsilon.
If it is differentiation you are after, look no further than the accomplishments of Lambda Sigma Upsilon. According to Santana, in the past year alone he and his Diamante Chapter brothers were recipients of the 2002/2003 Lambda Sigma Upsilon Chapter of the Year Award, 2003 Alberto Rivera Award, 2003 TCNJ Outstanding Greek Chapter of the Year Award, 2003 Community Service Award and 2003 Public Relations Award; all this despite having just five active members.
“The College loves us because we include everyone. We work with minority organizations, mainstream organizations, and non-Greek organizations. We have an Italian brother, a white brother, and a Dominican brother. We sponsor an event every week that helps the community in some way. We do so much and our hard work definitely pays off,” Santana explains.
Brotherhood also pays off in other ways, says Anyanwu, especially when your organization can boast members like Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Morris Chestnut, Karl Malone, Nelson Mandela, George Washington Carter, and past presidents of Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria.
“When you have an organization these great people are a part of, you are almost certain it is a working fraternity. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is the only Greek-letter organization that not only participated in the Million Man March, but sponsored it. It is truly an organization that works for society,” Anyanwu explains.
By focusing on cultural awareness and community involvement, these organizations are able to rise above the stereotypes and stigmas that are so often placed upon them.
No matter how you look at it, these organizations are helping minorities to level the playing field in higher education and beyond. By focusing on cultural awareness and community involvement, these organizations are able to rise above the stereotypes and stigmas that are so often placed upon them. Mohsen sums it up when she says, “Diversity is the key to unity. We can only hope that others will be open minded and respect our differences, and realize how much we are really alike rather than different.”
It may not be the typical approach, but maybe it is the right one.
C. Matthew MacDonald is a senior statistics major and professional writing minor at The College of New Jersey. He is a grassroots political activist, amateur consumer advocate, world-renowned hip-hop artist and compulsive liar. He also took the staff by surprise this semester by proving that he actually can read and write, not just make webpages.