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Anonymous

The National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) was established to unify the nine Black Greek Letter Organizations, formerly known as the Divine 9 as a union. Unlike Panhellenic organizations, there is no “rush” process or bids of any sort; instead, there is a membership intake process where you exclusively get to learn the ideals and history of your organization and chapter. Such NPHC organizations were created during the segregation era of America. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was founded in 1906 to shield and protect other black men and women from outside racism. Following them, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1908 to protect and shield our black women. Other organizations were able to follow suit with the commonality of serving and protecting the black community. Black men could not even sit next to white men on a bus, so we knew for a sure fact they were not letting black men into their sacred fraternal space to call them a brother.” Even so, these prominent organizations are not just exclusive to black people. Are we surprised, though? Has anything ever been exclusive to black people? Not our culture, for sure- barely our rights as citizens of America and human beings. Already being a sorority of black women, our intersectional aspects contribute to the fact that we are held to a higher standard. Notably, our race is the most prominent factor that does so. On this campus, my organization’s virtues and cultural notations have been abused and mocked. Our sacred symbols and callings represent our sorority’s tenants. There should be no reason why members of Panhellenic orgs are holding up our symbols and mocking our sorority’s calls. There should be no reason why the National Pan-hellenic Council has no representation on these campus-wide Greek councils. Not to mention that these same Panhellenic councils have been exposed through multiple news and social media sources for having full-blown out parties during the peak of a pandemic with no consequences. However, you turn around to see these NPHC organizations getting threatened with a possible fine for hosting street clean ups and service-oriented events. Imagine getting told that you will potentially be punished for trying to help as much as you can during a pandemic. The UGA Administration has been quick to suspend NPHC organizations due to minor misconduct. However, Panhellenic organizations such as TKE have suffered from very little to no consequences after publicly mocking the dehumanizing tactics of slavery. Something they can peacefully live with because they benefited from the long-term cause of the killing and brutalization of my ancestors, tradition, and culture. Greek life here at UGA has further brought to light the alarming experiences of white privilege. NPHC and its fore-founding organizations were established to protect and defend its black students on and off this campus. How can we do that when this campus undermines and sublimes our voices? To even be eligible for such NPHC organizations, you have to resemble more than exemplary characteristics and student qualities such as a high GPA and excess community service hours. Being the smartest and most-dedicated students on campus still is not the token to be privileged to walk around this campus with respect- just because of my skin color. Having the stories of other Greek members from various councils shared has justified the amount of privilege UGA grants so much access to because of color. By far, I am more than grateful to be a council member of the National Panhellenic Council here at the University of Georgia. I am grateful for the experiences and people I have met. I just wish this sense of gratitude was mutual between us and the community we serve: UGA. In all, black women are expected to enact a certain level of care, respect, nurturing, and protection for other people while not expecting any to the bare minimum back. This sums up what being a member of a black sorority here at UGA is like.

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