0 0 a 0 0 p Why Black and white greeks difficulty finding common gro Differing values and traditions work to keep the two greek systems on this campus from coming together The greek system's rituals and functions are often viewed through a cloud of mystery by non-greeks and in many cases by greeks themselves. Therefore, it is not surprising that this smoke screen would blur the perceptions that white and Black greeks have of each other - perceptions that are often misconstrued and in some cases false. The roots of these "false assumptions" are recognizable when one compares the values and traditions of Black and white greek organizations on campus and examines how the differing aspects of each group are viewed by the other. For example, many white greek and non-greek students believe Black greeks "segregate them- selves." Members of the Black greek organizations on campus - Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta - say that they are not segregating themselves, but rather observ- ing different traditions. "Many whites feel that Blacks just don't want to be involved," said Regeana Myrick, LSA senior and president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. LSA junior and President of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority Au- drey Wright agrees. "Our rules, regulations, objectives, and goals are different," she said. Margrette Taylor, LSA senior and treasurer of Zeta Phi Beta sorority said that much of the misunderstanding about Black greeks stems from a general lack of understanding and knowledge about the history of the Black greek system. "They question why there are two systems when they don't know the background or history of the two systems," Taylor said. She and other Black grecks feel that they know more about white greeks than white greeks know about them because, as Taylor said, the white greek system is "dominant on this campus.... Part of our pledge process is to learn not only about Black greeks, but white greeks as well because they created the greek system." During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Blacks began enrolling in predominantly white universities - such as Cornell and Indiana Universities - thinking they were more liberal and able to handle the inevitable shock waves that new Black students would bring. But the white fraternities and sororities at these institutions, in their original documents, set down "similar social and ethnic back- grounds" as membership requirements. This excluded Black students from joining. Since there were so few Black students at these institutions, Black students felt a need for support and "for social involvement, dating companions, and relief from the extremes of rigid social exclusion," according to a report on the. origins of the Black greek system. Hence in 1906 at Cornell University, the first Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, was founded. George B. Kelly, one of the seven founders of Alpha Phi Alpha, said, "The negro at Cornell, the same as at any other large university, was set aside, and we couldn't do some of the . things that the others were doing." Black exclusion from the white greek systems continued even through the 1960s. "Twenty years ago, Black greeks and Black people weren't even allowed to participate in white organizations," Taylor said. This history of exclusion led Blacks to form their own fraternal organizations, and during their 88-year history, they have It's not like we don't like them and they don't like us - we each just do our own thing. It's reflective of the institution and society we live in, in particular, the environment of Ann Arbor and U of M.' - Margrette Taylor, LSA senior and member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority established strong traditions and customs which tend to distinguish them from other organizations. "Now, everybody just expects us to join the white greek system and forget that we have our own belief systems just as they have theirs," Taylor said. There are white organizations that are predominantly service ori- ented, but overall, Black greek groups tend to be more so and con- centrate on issues that affect Black people - i.e., community, education, and social life. "We do socialize, but we're more com- munity service - giving back to the Black community," Myrick said. Charles Heckstall, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity agreed. "Yes, we're social, but our emphasis is on the Black com- munity," he said: Almost all Greek parties involve alcohol, but many Black greeks on campus think white greek organizations drink too much. There may be alcohol at Black greek parties, but dancing and socializing are primary. "We don't have drinking parties. We don't say just come on in and drink and that's the party," Myrick said. Jeff Hoekman, an engineering sophomore and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity admitted that not all, but many white greek parties revolve "solely around drinking. That's how it is." John Koktostin, LSA senior and also a member of Sigma Chi, described the drinking in his house as moderate. "You don't have to drink to have a good time," he said. Every year Sigma Chi organizes Derby Days - a series.of games played to raise money for charity - and invites Black sororities to participate. During this fall's games, however, the controversy over alcohol was further fueled as members of two Black sororities accused Sigma Chi of being unfair. The sororities said that many of the games - like the "dizzy re- lay" and the "charity chug" - involved consuming larger quantities of alcohol than they desired. When the sororities saw a white sorority drinking Kool-Aid as a substitute for alcohol, they ap- proached Derby Days organizers and asked if they could refrain from drinking alcohol. They were tol drink the substitute. Hoekman said the other sororil because their national branch pu forbade them from drinking alc pants weren't obligated to drink drinking punch. Why can't we?"' Hockman said that the Black notice. "When they told me that [i the spot, I wasn't ready for that,' couldn't make a concession becat rules to drink. He said that their groups." "It kinda got outa hand because We're not making anybody drink pate in that event," Hoekman s sent the participating sororities beverages would be provided. Bi ceive one. Myrick said the Black greek or to receive information about activ of the deadline, and I don't like b Some white greeks said they v greeks if Blacks were more acce hand, argue that they are visible claimed that they couldn't find n to MSS," Myrick said. She refer dent Services which has the phor nization and their leaders on camf "If Morton Downey can get r Myrick said. She said she had be( Morton Downey Jr. Show and as Detroit. Koktostin said he would be w greeks if he "knew where their greeks, due to the economic situa have houses whereas most whi somebody asks you about your : is, 'Do you have a house?"' said ing and a member of Phi Beta Sig Many houses of predominantly the national chapter of the organ yearly dues to help finance it's Minority Student Services' Black zations do not have the economr have. Robinson also said there parts of the country but "Black gr whole.... Our nationals aren't int more on [community] service wh Neither Black nor white discriminatory in terms of who that over the years, her sorority h "mixed" members. S By Sheala Durant Durant is a WEEKEND co-columnist. PAGE 8 WEEKEND/DECEMBER 2, 1988 WEEKEND/DECEMBER 2, 1988