Blackfraternities - Blog Posts

The History of Greek organizations in Black HBCU's.

NO. 1

Black Greek sororities: black fraternities and sororities have a significant impact on students and faculty, providing them with the tools to success and a good development/enhancement towards good leadership skills. These ‘organizations’, placed on many contemporary cases in the U.S produce hundreds of college future leaders. And though both fraternities and sororities produce academic success, lower dropout rates, and leadership opportunities for those members, one of the critiques is that it also excludes others from similar opportunities.

N0. 2

‘‘Among African American students, two student collegiate groups—Black student organizations and historically Black Greek-letter organizations (BGO’s)—have been found to be the benefactors of leadership experiences unique to their culture and to create unique leadership opportunities for their members. Despite these plaudits, fraternities and sororities have received increased negative publicity in recent years, causing many in society, and in higher education specifically, to question the rights of these organizations to exist, due to recent serious and widely publicized pledging (or hazing) cases.’’

N0.3

Hazing as a ritual is seen as no more than bullying and brings extensive problems to the life of a college student trying to fit in, as she/he is subject to peer pressure by other students. Many of these concerns of BGO’s were up to question and remained unresolved, like the legitimacy of ‘Greek life’ as it relates to the academic vision of higher education. ‘‘Between 1906 and 1920, eight of the most prominent Black Greek-letter organizations were established. The creation of the Black fraternity had a dual purpose.

No. 4

First, these organizations were established for the greater purpose of pooling the resources of African Americans in the hopes of acquiring an education. Second, these organizations were formed as an attempt by Black students to gain acceptance into American society. Despite the great influence and vast membership that these organizations possess, the activities of the Black Greek letter organization have included secret meetings, selective membership, and a preference for lighter-complexed members. Moreover, the failure and shortcomings of the Black Greek-letter organization have allowed Black elites to create a separate privileged society based on snobbery and arrogance and have thus enabled these organizations to perpetuate the vicious cycle of racial prejudice and White Supremacy.