Greek Black History

The establishment of Black Greek-lettered organizations is an important cornerstone for the solidarity of black people. As many others are concerned, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was the first Black fraternal group, but on the contrary there were several other attempts to begin like organizations. Unfortunately, it was so that the due to the overwhelming stress of racism that these organizations were not allowed to thrive. In particular, the chapter goes in to semi-significant depth about the infrastructure of the Masons secret society.

Viral videos of fraternity and sorority members partying and getting drunk off of beer might be the first images of Greek Life that pop into your mind, but that’s only a stereotype. There are nine historically black Greek letter organizations across the country that present an entirely different image of Greek life. Focusing on their multiple involvement on campus, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) members are proactive in the community and on USCA’s campus.

The first Greek organization to assemble was in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. Fraternities were built to provide friendship and recreation. It has been 239 years since the first fraternity was established and now in 2015, there are 123 fraternities and sororities. There are nine million college students involved in Greek organizations (Glass, Nicole). These members are looking to make friends, to build their resumes, to go to social events, or to learn leadership skills. Each member when joining has the incentive to change some aspect of his or her life (Glass, Nicole). If one has the opportunity to join a Greek life organization he or she should for the reasons of giving back to the community, the higher academic standards, the

Currently, at Howard University there are a total of nine African-American Greek organizations entitled “The Divine Nine.” The first fraternity of the divine nine is Alpha Phi Alpha which was founded in 1906 and the first sorority of the divine nine is Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated which was founded on the campus of Howard University in 1908. The Divine Nine is very big part of Howard University because most of these organizations like AKA, were founded on the historic Howard University campus.

Between family legacies, traditions, and an abundance of college themed movies, books, and television shows, it would be difficult to find a prospective college student who is not familiar with the idea of “Greek life.” For the purpose of this essay, “Greek life” refers to the system employed by many colleges and universities to establish and maintain fraternities and sororities (primarily dominated by caucasian and economically advantages students). It is important to note the existence of fraternities and organizations outside of this stereotypical “Greek” realm, such as coeducational honor and service based fraternities, though even these are not fully exempt from detrimental practices. Fraternities and sororities are often looked down upon with a negative light for a number of reasons, some of which include dangerous hazing habits and unsavory social scenes. While there certainly are undeniable benefits and negatives within these systems, the biggest effect they have is on gender. “Greek life” in college is unhealthy due to its impact on post-college gender expectations by promoting party culture, encouraging misogyny through ingrained tradition, and indoctrinating women into subservience at an impressionable age.

In S.Rogers, C. Rogers, T Anderson’s 2012, article EXAMINING THE LINK BETWEEN PLEDGING, HAZING, AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AMONG MEMBERS OF A BLACK GREEK FATERNITY. Gives the reader an insight on the stereotypes and misconception that are placed on African American Greek organizations. Even though there are hazing rituals that are conducted to build a better relationship between the pledgees and the organization. The “hazing” or as most know it by the initiation rituals are to weed out those who seem unfit to be a part of a 100 + year organization. Though some of the initiation rituals have resulted in physical, psychological and even death. The initiation rituals build not only character nonetheless members for life.

I quickly came to realize as I joined this organization that when you signed up for Greek Life you become it and the stereotypes of a “frat boy” follow you. It offended me and still does when I get looked at as if I don't respect girls and before people know anything about me they see letters on my shirt and assume all I do is drink. You could raise as much money as you want

On December 5, 1776 the first collegiate fraternal greek letter organization in the United States, Phi Beta Kappa was founded at Yale, the College of William and Mary.Building from the example of literary organizations, which were based on literary debates, and election, Phi Beta Kappa set many standards for collegiate greek letter organizations in the realm of rituals/traditions, selective admittance, faculty and community support. It was not until one hundred and thirty years that the first black greek letter organization, Alpha Phi Alpha was founded. The need of this organization emerged from a lack of admittance and representation in social clubs and greek organizations established on college

Everyone knows about the stroll offs, roll calls, and step shows when an African American Greek sorority or fraternity is the topic. But is that all African American Greeks do is step and stroll? Believe it or not the image of African American Greeks has been tainted and miscued by their entertaining performances. Better known as the Divine Nine, the African American Greeks their hand signs and colors. The Divine Nine is a brotherhood and sisterhood organizations that are called to help the community and give back. These organizations also give women a chance to make a difference. After all, each and every one of the Dive Nine was founded because differences.

When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.

This definition Ross provides and informs one with the true and deep meanings of what the “sisterhood” may define sorority. A sister may tell one that a sorority may appear as a partying thing, but in reality a sorority is a group that gives back to the community while having fun at the same time. Many resources do not talk about sororities in general. The resources mentioned a special group called the Divine Nine. Together these nine societies make up what is known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) (Barker 17). The NPHC contributes abundantly to the community from: improving health care, raising scholarship funds, and promoting literacy to working for women’s rights, aiding the NAACP, and organizing social justice and civil rights, … (Fine 2). There are only four societies in the Divine Nine that are sororities. These were the first sororities formed on college campuses and have successfully made a massive impact in every community.

One of the biggest stereotypes about being in a fraternity or sorority is that you party and drink a lot. Drinking alcohol is not a focal point of Greek life, although alcohol is at almost every social occasion in Greek life. In Blake’s article it is said that no matter what Greek organization you are a part of underage

About 1,200 students are Greek at Costal Carolina which makes up about 15% of the undergraduate population. We understand

Over several decades, Greek life has been an integral part of colleges and universities throughout the United States. There is a high demand of “fitting in” in today’s society and a question that students, parents, and teachers alike often ask themselves is, “Does Greek life provide a more safe or harmful environment?” With strong evidence, it is absolutely absurd to believe that fraternities and sororities do more good than they do harm. Various statistics provide factual evidence as to why Greek life is a toxic and dangerous environment for many young adults. Between the rape culture, hazing, and delinquency linked to the students associated with Greek life, it is time that it comes to an end for good so that students may have a more safe and enjoyable college experience. Fraternities and Sororities should be banned off of college and university campuses due to the danger and drama associated with them.

As a freshman who just entered the Panhellenic community this year, I am amazed by the recent progress in the Greek community enacted by both my sisters and the members of other Panhellenic chapters. While our community is far from perfect, it has great potential, and I see a strong sentiment to make this community more welcoming across all of our chapters. Through the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, I hope learn how to turn these visions into a reality. I hope to gain new leadership skills that help me enact change in Northwestern’s Greek life so that every member can find a place where they feel supported