The Conspiracy to Destroy Black Greeks
Soror Kiana Lynn
Zeta Delta Chapter/Jarvis Christian College

I believe there is a silent conspiracy to destroy the legacy of black greek letter organizations on college campuses, especially HBCU's. I myself attend a HBCU and as I write to you, there are only 4 active greek organizations on the yard. Two other greek organizations have only 1-3 members(and you would be shocked to know which ones) and one other group was recently reinstated this semester. My own organization is targeted every year when we conduct membership intake (my chapter has never been suspended or on probation), even though we go through the proper channels to take new members as stated in our handbook.

I believe that part of the problem with black greeks is that those who have the authority to discipline a fraternity or sorority are not greek themselves. Don't get me wrong- hazing is barbaric and against the law but this is not what I am speaking of. I, along with other greeks, have been asked to give information regarding ceremonies, rituals, etc. on many occassions by those in administration who are not greek. Let me elaborate: they want to know exactly how the ritual is conducted, the actual wording, and so on. However, if they were greek, there would be a certain level of respect and they would not think to ask in the first place.

If you take pride in the oaths you take such as I do, I immediately respond by saying, "I'm sorry, those items are constitutionally bound and I cannot give it to you." Of course, that only irritates them and the next thing you know, you under investigation. I don't know if this is happening just at my school, but it is happening. I've seen a greek organization with the highest G.P.A. on campus get suspended based on hearsay, not proof, so I know that everyone else is being scruntinized.

Secondly,non-greeks in administration believe every tradition in a fraternity or sorority constitutes as hazing. Speaking from personal experience,when I was involved in membership intake, the members were questioned as to why we (the candidates) were dressed in white dresses. A Greek would have looked at us and said,"Oh, they must be getting ready for a ceremony." Do you think that happened to us? We were immediately called into the office and questioned. When they (non-greek administrators) realized exactly what we were doing, instead of apologizing, they still placed us under investigation. It's funny because when you try to do right, those determined to see you fall will try to pin anything on you.

If you are going through the same thing on your campus, I know you are as puzzled as I am as how to change the way greeks are viewed and treated. Yes, some of it is our fault (hazing), but the situation seems hopeless. No matter how much community service you do or if you do everything by the book, you will always be suspected of wrongdoing. I didn't write this to offer a solution but I am hoping someone is reading this and offer me one.