Discrimination on Sorority Row
You’d think it was 1954 at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where stepping inside the secret chapter rooms of sorority rush reveals a pre-Civil Rights Movement mind-set. But last fall, a group of women—black and white—stood up to the backward traditions that have kept the nation’s largest Greek system segregated well into the 21st century.
Upon learning which sorority offered them a bid to join, pledges run from the University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium on August 17, 2013, to their new homes. As in years past, none of the pledges were African-American.
In August 2012, Chrystal Stallworth, of Lawton, Oklahoma, packed her bags and set off for sorority rush at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She was the total package: 4.3 grade point average, premed, student body president of her high school, a cheerleader, and a volunteer for an organization that raises money to fight cancer. “I tried to make myself the all-around college candidate,” she says. During the first round, Stallworth, now 20, visited the 16 Panhellenic sororities that participate in formal rush and loved every minute of touring the multimillion-dollar mansions and meeting the women who could be her sisters. “I was giving it my all,” she says. “Trying to meet these people and be like, ‘This is who I am.'”
But after the first round, she was invited back to only four houses. Other similarly qualified girls were asked back to nearly every house—more than the 12 maximum they were allowed to visit in the second round. In other words, sororities were fighting over them, while rejecting Stallworth. After the second round, she was invited back to only one house and decided to withdraw from rush. “I was really upset,” Stallworth recalls. “It was probably one of the worst weeks I’ve ever spent at Alabama. It made me feel like, ‘What am I doing here? Nobody wants me?’ I felt like I didn’t belong, which is hard, especially as an incoming freshman.”
Weeks later, after classes had begun, Stallworth figured out what set her apart from other candidates: She’s half black. “When I got on campus, I started noticing when I would see all the girls in sororities, there were no minorities, or if there were, maybe a few Asian women,” Stallworth says. “I probably wouldn’t have even noticed if I didn’t have a best friend who is in a sorority at the University of Oklahoma. Her sorority is so diverse. … That was the point I realized, Whoa, people still do see race here.”
THE LAST STAND
With more than 8,600 members, the Greek system at the University of Alabama is the nation’s largest. At some universities, the Greek system may be an insignificant part of life on campus, but at Alabama—where one out of every four students belongs to a Greek-letter organization—Greeks rule the school. The bonds students foster at these organizations continue long after graduation, influencing job placements and even government elections. At the time Stallworth went through rush—and since the first sorority opened at the university in 1904—only one woman who was identifiably black had ever been offered a bid, or invitation to join, during formal recruitment. Her name was Carla Ferguson, and she pledged Gamma Phi Beta in 2003. (Another woman, Christina Houston, rushed Gamma Phi Beta in 2000, but it wasn’t known that she was half black until after she was accepted.) When Ferguson was admitted, Alabama’s then Panhellenic Association president Heather Schacht told The Tuscaloosa News, “We’ve made a big step today, and hopefully it is something that we can build on.” But in the years that followed, none of the 16 traditionally white sororities extended a bid to an African-American, despite the fact that 90 percent of women who rush are offered a bid and at least a handful of black women rush each year. Perhaps more black women would give it a shot, but the Greek system’s all-white reputation precedes it. “During orientation, someone advised us against rushing,” says Halle Lindsay, 20, a junior from Dayton, Ohio, who attends Alabama with her twin sister. “Someone told my mom sororities don’t really take black girls. Everyone from around here knows that, but being from out of state, you wouldn’t really know. … It was really confusing, like, just because I’m black I can’t be a part of this?”
SOURCE:
http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/inspirational-women/revolution-on-sorority-row-september-2014
Be True To Your School
Discrimination on Sorority Row! While an undergraduate student at University, I pledged the Business Fraternity which was co-ed. I pledged mainly because all of the super hot and driven guys were in that particular Fraternity. They also had a reputation for throwing the best parties! However, discrimination of another kind existed! The girls had to be pretty, skinny, hot looking and mostly blonde! We all looked like clones of one another=skinny, tall, athletic and long straight hair! There were a completely different set of standards for the Guys as they were allowed to be overweight, not great looking and super smart. Thankfully, being super smart was not required of the women at that time which is probably why I was granted admission! The Hazing was somewhat normal with the usual events organized to humiliate new members, but nothing at all dangerous! I had to walk around wearing my underwear all over campus. We had to wear a bra or bikini top with our sweatpants and/or jeans. Nowadays, young girls wear that outfit as business attire! 🙂
The hazing was not dangerous at all but I went to a small private Jesuit University. Most large State Universities have a large Greek System that demands harsh hazing exercises. To the best of my knowledge, most of those practices are now illegal and not permitted by the Universities.
Sorority Row
Fordham? Fairfield? Boston? Holy Cross?
Are there any Jesuits at the Basilian Institution? No there aren’t. My family would only pay for a Jesuit School as they are very Catholic. They needed to be sure that a Jesuit was living right next to me so that they could get the full report on what I was or was not up to! As you can imagine, I had great fun but it would have been so much funner if I wasn’t watched like a hawk by the Resident Jesuits! After a while, I just gave up trying to give a good impression as my roommates would open the door in their underwear while putting out a joint and kicking out the previous night’s lover! Clearly they didn’t give a shit. My roommates were not Catholic and hardly intimidated at all! As a result of all of the Shenanigans that went on during my years at University, my family still acts like the IRS as they are constantly on my back! I feel sorry for any man who is brave enough to take them on! I’m still trying to make a run for it! LOL 🙂
Goody two Shoes
Notre Dame? Georgetown? Marquette University? Loyola University? Saint Louis University? University of San Francisco? Keep on guessing! Hint=I graduated from a highly competitive Top 10 Jesuit University! 🙂
Discrimination on Sorority Row! While an undergraduate student at University, I pledged the Business Fraternity which was co-ed. I pledged mainly because all of the super hot and driven guys were in that particular Fraternity. They also had a reputation for throwing the best parties! However, discrimination of another kind existed! The girls had to be pretty, skinny, hot looking and mostly blonde! We all looked like clones of one another=skinny, tall, athletic and long straight hair! There were a completely different set of standards for the Guys as they were allowed to be overweight, not great looking and super smart. Thankfully, being super smart was not required of the women at that time which is probably why I was granted admission! The Hazing was somewhat normal with the usual events organized to humiliate new members, but nothing at all dangerous! I had to walk around wearing my underwear all over campus. We had to wear a bra or bikini top with our sweatpants and/or jeans. Nowadays, young girls wear that outfit as business attire! 🙂
The hazing was not dangerous at all but I went to a small private Jesuit University. Most large State Universities have a large Greek System that demands harsh hazing exercises. To the best of my knowledge, most of those practices are now illegal and not permitted by the Universities.
Be True To Your School
Why not a Basilian Institution? Maybe you weren’t looking for Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge? Can you guess my “competitive” schooling? Haha. OK…it’s a draw and I acknowledge both you and I don’t practice anymore. But our exemplary education shines through.
Discrimination on Sorority Row! While an undergraduate student at University, I pledged the Business Fraternity which was co-ed. I pledged mainly because all of the super hot and driven guys were in that particular Fraternity. They also had a reputation for throwing the best parties! However, discrimination of another kind existed! The girls had to be pretty, skinny, hot looking and mostly blonde! We all looked like clones of one another=skinny, tall, athletic and long straight hair! There were a completely different set of standards for the Guys as they were allowed to be overweight, not great looking and super smart. Thankfully, being super smart was not required of the women at that time which is probably why I was granted admission! The Hazing was somewhat normal with the usual events organized to humiliate new members, but nothing at all dangerous! I had to walk around wearing my underwear all over campus. We had to wear a bra or bikini top with our sweatpants and/or jeans. Nowadays, young girls wear that outfit as business attire! 🙂
My roommates and I were very entrepreneurial at a young age! We started a business on campus where we would take orders from other students regarding items that didn’t belong to them but greatly desired and delivered it to them. We supported ourselves enough to go on Spring Break 3 years in a row! Bahamas, Jamaica and Cancun! Let’s say you had a crush on the Quarterback of the Football Team and wanted his Football Jersey? You would come to us and we would get it for you. Being a member of The Fraternity greatly helped as most of the Hot guys in demand were members. That gave us inside access to the items that they possessed! Pricing depended upon how valuable the item was and how hard it was to get it! I once met the guy whose T-shirt I stole in the elevator. He said, “You know I have a t-shirt exactly like that but I haven’t been able to find it.” So I said, what a remarkable coincidence. I think you should ask your brother to get you the orange Princeton Sweatshirt upon his next visit. I wanted the sweatshirt that went with my new t-shirt! We never took anything really expensive or monetarily desirable. Our business thrived on a group of desperate women with huge crushes on mostly hot but not too bright male athletes. 🙂
Since then, I have mended my ways and straightened myself out. Now, I focus on giving back to mankind by being the first to shine my Ray of Light on people, places and things that need change and major improvement! After all, changing the world for the better and helping to improve mankind is what it is all about! 🙂
Ray of Light
That’s it you useless little troll! I am divorcing you despite the fact that we never even dated!!! 🙁
Your sins are forgiven……well, a couple of them anyways
How many thumbtacks are on your wall?
Fair enough! I don’t blame you. Run for the hills and never look back! I don’t think I like being engaged anymore. I truly enjoy being a free agent! 🙂 The man in question will have to face up to my Family as well and that is no small feat. Susie Green is a wimp compared to them! As I stated before, I am still planning my great escape! LOL
The Great Escape
Too many! Why, are you brave enough to add to my collection?? With all of the “Gems” I met from my Madhattan days, I hardly have any left! As I never married any of these manboys, all I got for my troubles were 2 Tiffany Engagement Rings which I love but I let them off too easy! The third “Gem” started fighting with me about the ring so I threw it at his face and demanded that he never contact me again. The third one’s the charm isn’t always the case as he was the absolute worst one of all! I dislike confrontation and/or negative energy of any kind so I just disappeared! To this day all three of them are still trying to “connect” with me using Facebook and LinkedIn which I do not participate in at all! They are just narcissistic jerks and are not permitted back into my life in any way, shape or form! Narcissists will pursue forever in order to regain control. The more you avoid them the harder they try! I tell all young girls, avoid Madhattan as it attracts mostly narcissistic men who are about as deep as an onion peel! Money and Power is all that they care about and they very rarely have outside interests beyond spectator sports. This is true for not all but most of them. Also, too many of the men in Madmenhattan are very short, not very good-looking, drink too much and do not lead a healthy lifestyle yet they have tremendous egos! Leaving the land of the little men aka little napoleons was the best decision I ever made in my life! The men in Washington, DC are much more interesting, classy and intelligent and I am sure that is the case with many other areas as well! 🙂
I don’t understand why I was not swept off my feet yet by my “Knight In Shining Armor??” WHERE THE HELL IS HE ALREADY?? LOL
No, I am not brave enough to add to your collection…so let the world know you have an open thumbtack spot available on your wall. That should scare them away. Something about “the thrill of the hunt….” Haha
Discrimination on Sorority Row! While an undergraduate student at University, I pledged the Business Fraternity which was co-ed. I pledged mainly because all of the super hot and driven guys were in that particular Fraternity. They also had a reputation for throwing the best parties! However, discrimination of another kind existed! The girls had to be pretty, skinny, hot looking and mostly blonde! We all looked like clones of one another=skinny, tall, athletic and long straight hair! There were a completely different set of standards for the Guys as they were allowed to be overweight, not great looking and super smart. Thankfully, being super smart was not required of the women at that time which is probably why I was granted admission! The Hazing was somewhat normal with the usual events organized to humiliate new members, but nothing at all dangerous! I had to walk around wearing my underwear all over campus. We had to wear a bra or bikini top with our sweatpants and/or jeans. Nowadays, young girls wear that outfit as business attire! 🙂
My roommates and I were very entrepreneurial at a young age! We started a business on campus where we would take orders from other students regarding items that didn’t belong to them but greatly desired and delivered it to them. We supported ourselves enough to go on Spring Break 3 years in a row! Bahamas, Jamaica and Cancun! Let’s say you had a crush on the Quarterback of the Football Team and wanted his Football Jersey? You would come to us and we would get it for you. Being a member of The Fraternity greatly helped as most of the Hot guys in demand were members. That gave us inside access to the items that they possessed! Pricing depended upon how valuable the item was and how hard it was to get it! I once met the guy whose T-shirt I stole in the elevator. He said, “You know I have a t-shirt exactly like that but I haven’t been able to find it.” So I said, what a remarkable coincidence. I think you should ask your brother to get you the orange Princeton Sweatshirt upon his next visit. I wanted the sweatshirt that went with my new t-shirt! We never took anything really expensive or monetarily desirable. Our business thrived on a group of desperate women with huge crushes on mostly hot but not too bright male athletes. 🙂
Since then, I have mended my ways and straightened myself out. Now, I focus on giving back to mankind by being the first to shine my Ray of Light on people, places and things that need change and major improvement! After all, changing the world for the better and helping to improve mankind is what it is all about! 🙂
Ray of Light