White sororities admit black students at U. of Ala

[Shampoobra]

Source: CBS News (AP)

Black women are joining traditionally white sororities at the University of Alabama amid efforts to end racial segregation within Greek-letter social groups, the head of the school said Friday.

University President Judy Bonner said 11 black students and three students from other minority groups received bids, or invitations, to join a historically white sorority. Of that group, four black students and two students from other minority backgrounds have accepted those invitations. Bonner said. She expected the numbers to rise as the academic year continues.

...

The university's Greek organizations have been segregated by race since the first black students enrolled and created social organizations. One oversight organization has been composed of white sororities and the other composed of minority sororities. Only a handful of blacks attempted to join the historically white Greek groups at Alabama, where there are also historically black fraternities and sororities.

But that system came under scrutiny when the campus newspaper, The Crimson White, reported allegations this month that two prospective black members were passed over by all-white sororities because of pressure from alumnae, and in one case, an adviser. The coverage caused a wide-ranging debate, even prompting Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, an alumnus, to say that fraternal organizations should choose members based on their qualifications, not their race.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57604001/white-sororities-admit-black-students-at-u-of-ala/

[Cryptoad]

1. I sure am glad

that racism has been wiped out at UofA.!

geez,,,,,,, this is 2013 isn't it?

Starting to think i slipped into a time warp or something!

[babylonsister]

2. Rec'd. Long time coming, but this is progress. nt

[d_r]

3. headline not correct

the head line says "white sororities" implying that it is more than one, or possibly the complete set of all. The text says "a...sorority" meaning the reality is that it one sorority that opened up their membership, not all or even some.

ETA but that was careless reporting also, it was at least two. The Alpha Gams were the one in the original crimson and white article, so I'm glad to see this.

Halle Lindsay announced on Twitter that she is to join Alpha Gamma Delta, and Cami McCant, a senior, accepted a bid to Kappa Alpha Theta. Both students were widely congratulated on social media.

[Oldfolkie]

4. Excuse me, but,,,,

,,,why does the "Greek" frat/sorority system still exist?

[warrant46]

5. It's mostly so the 1% can frolick

with their own kind.

The 1% say "You know how some of those universities are---they allow a lot of unwashed people in who can mislead our children"
</sarcasm>

[adirondacker]

10. Exactly! You got to know who your "friends" are in high society. That way you can break the law

and shit on everyone else with reckless abandonment knowing your club has your back.

[warrant46]

11. It's that way at any University

That perpetuates this system.

We called it "Social Climbing" when I was young.

[adirondacker]

12. "Ladder climbing" seems to be the new rage. Make sure you kick out a few rungs underneath so you

have some safe distance.

[warrant46]

13. Well Put !!

[yurbud]

15. they are more like the 1.1-2% who THINK they are 1%

The real one percent are in the Ivies and their creepy secret societies, where the initiations can get a little rougher than beating each others asses with cricket bats and drinking contests.

[warrant46]

18. Also true !!

[telclaven]

9. That pesky First Amendment thingy

Freedom of association and all that.

[rexcat]

21. Are you saying...

you support racism on college campuses?

[telclaven]

22. Yes, yes I am

Private organization means private. If they're not school sponsored (and I don't know of any frat/sorority that was on my campus, YMMV) then it really isn't anybody's concern who is admitted or not. Point fingers at them and laugh, but taking action against a private organzation because you don't like their policies seems...I dunno, authoritarian?

[rexcat]

23. Since those organizations are usually on campus they also...

must comply with school rules. If they don't comply with the rules they can be disbanded. Argue that point.

Nice to see you using Rand Paul's arguments!

[telclaven]

25. My experience is that colleges don't have any sponsorship of

these groups. No frats/sororities on the campus, it was all off campus on private land. Like I said, YMMV.

I suppose you support mandatory minimums, seeing as how Rand Paul is against them.

[rexcat]

28. I did not say that colleges "spnosored" the Greek systems...

My only comment concerning Rand Paul his is acceptance of racism in which you stated you agreed with him. Any other issues with Rand Paul you would like to bring up in specific to this conversation not related to the OP is a canard and intellectually dishonest.

Colleges and universities across the US have decertified Greek letter organizations on their campuses. It essentially kills that organization because they can't do anything on campus but I am sure you are less than well read and missed those issues in the local and national news. There are also negative consequences to the frat/sorority house from the national organization when they are punished or reprimanded by a college or university.

If Greek letter parent organizations support racists ideology they should be called out on it. My guess is they don't officially support racists policies. The University of Alabama sorority has changed its position and is now allowing black women into the sorority in question. I wonder why the change came about so quickly?

[BlueJazz]

6. I'm rather shocked at all this. I just assumed that this ...ah...arrangment had been solved...

...30 years ago.

I need to get out more.

[Redford]

7. Actually a total of 11 AA girls received bids to tradionally white sororities

When the president of the U of A reopened recruitment in the form of continuous open bidding.

Actually, these girls were not the first. Back in 2003, Gamma Phi Beta at U of A extended a bid to a black girl who went on to be initiated. The "machine" at Alabama relegated G Phi B as the loser fat girl sorority after that where it has pretty much stayed as the house no one wants. However, they always make quota and have lovely girls.

Hopefully, that stigma will be eradicated now. I hope Greeks at Alabama continue to extend bids to all girls, regardless of the tint of their skin. I hope this was not just done to satisfy angry mobs but because it is the right thing to do.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

8. I'm glad that sororities are no longer excluding anyone

Wait....what?

[Uncle Joe]

14. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Shampoobra.

[yurbud]

16. why would someone want to join a frat or sorority that wanted to keep them out?

This isn't like getting into a job or house or even college itself--these are the people you wake up with every morning, party with, and supposedly, your closest friends for life.

If I was black, I'm not sure if I'd want to spend every waking hour with the preppy branch of the Klan.

But I would be glad to hear why someone else would want to.

[Nikia]

17. I know that our sorority has a non discrimination clause

I assumed that all reputable National sororities all had that. The national organizations should be putting their chapters on probation if they had been discriminating against minority women.

[PD Turk]

19. that's nice

but they still don't want no freaks

[GalaxyHunter]

20. the Tides are turning!!!

[Enrique]

24. are they not merciful

by the way, the most recent incident was hopeful in that the students wanted to admit the black candidates, but the older generation nixed it. Plus, apparently the younger generation ratted out the older racists to the press. I haven't read a ton about it but that's what it looks like.

[ZombieHorde]

26. Alabama is starting to end racial segregation in sororities in 2013.

They are truly trailblazers in equality.

/sarcasm

Trying...to resist...developing...Southern...stereotypes...

[cyberswede]

29. "Claims" ?

It would be nice the actual racism would stop.