To be a woman is something that men just don’t understand, but to be a black woman—well that’s just something that you can’t understand unless you are a simply a black woman. It comes with many labels that society places on us and skin that needs to be thicker than most. To be both woman and black is the beginning of a journey that can only be written in glitter.
When it comes to sorority life, many women of color become interested in different sororities that are a part of the non-PanHellenic Council, better known as “The Divine Nine.” These organizations were formed in the early 1900s to serve as a voice for the black community and a positive representation of what educated African Americans could achieve in society. However, there are many black women who decide a PanHellenic Fraternity/Sorority is more of their style.
PanHellenic Fraternities began in the mid to late 1800s. Whether it was for women or men, the organization was recognized as a fraternity because the word sorority wasn’t even a word yet. There are 26 organizations in the non-PanHellenic Conference. The women fraternities were a secret society for educated women who had the desire to form a deeper connection with other educated women during a time period when women were seen as subordinate to men.
The main difference that many pay attention to when it comes to non-PanHellenic and PanHellenic organizations is that one has white founders and one has black founders. However, both were formed during times of oppression towards people of color and women. Many of us question what is it really like to be a black woman in a white sorority.
Carla is a Junior Health Education and Behavior Major from Miami, FL. She is also one of three women of color in her sorority Zeta Tau Alpha at The University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. “The thing that interested me the most about my sorority were first and foremost the amazing people that I met; they were all so nice and friendly. Another thing that interested me about my sorority was their philanthropy which is breast cancer awareness and research,” said Carla.
PanHellenic Sororities and Fraternities are a new world to me, so I did some research on Zeta Tau Alpha. It was founded October 15, 1898, at Virginia State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Virginia. The ZTA foundation in which they do their philanthropy on breast cancer awareness and research was founded in 1954. ZTA has nine founders and more than 231,000 women have been initiated into the sorority.
“I decided to join because the friends that I had met in college were all rushing a sorority and I thought it would be a great experience for me to do the same; to meet more people and become more involved on campus through service opportunities. The connection that I feel I have to my sorority is all of the people that I have met through my sorority; from current Zetas to alumni, knowing that we share the bonds from sisterhood is extremely gratifying,” said Carla.
While doing my research on the history of Zeta Tau Alpha on their website, I found out that one of the founders was the daughter of a confederate officer. Reading that fact raised my eyebrows, I wanted to know more about what she thought of that connection. Carla says, “No, I was not aware about the parents of our founders because that is trivial to here and now. I personally don’t really think anything of it because I’m not going to hold someone accountable for their parents' actions, especially when this occurred decades ago. The founders of this great country owned slaves and now we have an African-American president, this just goes to show that progress is being made.”
Many would find the decision difficult to be apart of an organization that had such ties, but the amount of boldness it takes to be a part of an organization that you are underrepresented in can also be a difficult thing to overcome. “I’m not sure if I would consider my decision bold or about making a message or impact. But if it does, I hope it would just be to do your own thing and whatever makes you happy because at the end of the day it is your experiences and your own life; not anyone else’s” said Carla.
I also asked her about situations where predominately white sororities have discriminated against black women who want to join their sororities, like the incident at Southern Methodist University. Carla says, “No, I have not heard about the situation at Southern Methodist University. It is not my duty or my obligation to speak up about situations that I am unaware of. However, I can only speak for myself and if a situation like this were to happen in front of me, of course, I’d speak up. It is not just a race thing but a human-being thing, I believe in human beings and all human beings should be respected as such.”
When situations like the one above occur, it makes it even more difficult for people of color to want to join similar organizations. Lets not get this wrong, the shoe may fit similar on the other foot. There are many misconceptions about NPHC organizations as well, like the brown paper bag theory or a low percentage of initiated members that are not of color. Both organizations have many taboos they fight against. However, the situation that happened at Southern Methodist University and other situations similar that may happen at other universities is completely unacceptable.
When I asked if she ever considered joining an NPHC sorority or if she considered them while deciding on Greek life she said, “Nope, I never researched any sororities. I just wanted to go in with a blank slate and fresh perspective. It was never really much of a thought to me to not join an NPHC sorority. At the time, it was just what my friends were doing and I went with it. I wasn’t going to not join a non-NPHC because I’m black. Being Haitian-American, my parents have always taught me that I could do anything I wanted to regardless of the color of my skin. I do not regret my decision at all, I’ve met so many wonderful people and have had amazing experiences with the choices I have made.”
Despite Carla’s humbled viewpoint, I think it is a very bold and impactful move to join a sorority that is not necessarily based on your own race. It can send a message to other people of color who many want to join an NPC organization that they can do it too, despite their race. It can also send the message that despite what others may think, it is okay to do your own thing and follow your own path. It does not make you any less of a beautiful black woman or man. Whether we decide to join NPHC or NPC, one thing for sure is that the service you can provide to the community is more important than what others may think. Hopefully, one day the discrimination against black women and men who want to join a NPC organization will be a thing of the past and people of color will find it more acceptable to step out of the box and join a non-NPHC organization if they wish to do something different instead.
