THE DECISION by Alpha Phi Alpha to join the Inter-Fraternity Council has been met with mixed emotion. I agree that race should not be the sole determinant when deciding what council is the best fit for an organization, but before we can call the opinions of those administrators, students and alumni who oppose the move as "misguided" and "outdated," we must understand the historical perspective that might lead to their opposition.
For some people race may be the issue. After all, the emergence of historically black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) and subsequently individual governing councils came about in the early 1900s as the interest in the concept of the collegiate fraternity grew, but the thoughts and ideals about race and culture stayed the same. Ultimately, black students (and white women) were essentially forced to found separate institutions of the same concept, thus continuing the sociology of there being equal standing or achievement but still inequality.
Furthermore, in the late 1980s and early 1990s the majority of historically BGLOs at predominantly white institutions across this country held membership in IFCs and the Pan-Hellenic Council, commonly known as the Inter-Sorority Council at the University. However, with the emergence of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which was founded in 1930 as the umbrella organization for the historically BGLOs, many BGLO members began to challenge their existing environment, ultimately leaving the IFC and Panhellenic Council to charter NPHC at their institution.
As BGLOs began to leave the perceived dominant power structures of the IFC and Panhellenic Council, they did so by citing such reasons as not having anything in common with predominantly white Greek letter organizations. For instance, operationally BGLO members felt that dialogue always focused on what was going on with "life at the house." Socially, BGLO members felt events focused too much on drinking.
It's obvious why race may play a role in people's opposition when we examine the fact that until the late 1950s some IFC organizations still had discrimination clauses in their constitutions limiting membership to white males. In this case, one might question why black men at U.Va. would want to join a system that locked them out of the fraternal movement for at least 60 years. Ironically, it was the founding and sustainability of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1906 that provided the concept of fraternity to black students, and subsequently established a white and black fraternal world.
The mission of the black fraternal movement was to establish organizations that would uplift and advance the black community. These organizations granted membership to those individuals who the great educator W.E.B. DuBois considered to be the "Talented Tenth." With college-educated men and women leading this movement, black people fully intended to achieve success and be granted those rights that had been denied to them. One must understand those who oppose this move because the mission of BGLOs has never changed! By making a move of this magnitude, the Iota Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has left questions and doubts in the minds of black community members.
Another reason this decision may be questioned is because structurally and operationally there are many things that do not fit. Although Alpha Phi Alpha has a house, which several members are renting, the organizational structure is not comparable to that of the IFC organizations. For example, policies regarding membership intake, risk management and house corporation boards differ between the IFC and Alpha Phi Alpha. Could the structure be changed? Perhaps it could, over a long time with consistent and major financial support from alumni. However, at this point, it's almost like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. IFC will have to make numerous special provisions and accommodations. From organizational size to organizational events, Alpha Phi Alpha, as it did in the early 1990s, continues to operate and be structured in a way that IFC organizations are not.
Being a part of the "Greek community" is not about what council you belong to. It's about having commitment to step outside of comfort zones and educate individuals and organizations which are different from you. It's about organizations from the various councils working together to celebrate their differences and also recognize the similarities in mission and values. So until there is evidence that the IFC is striving to create such an environment and the BFC is not, I would be careful in presenting the idea that joining the IFC means joining the "Greek community," because to many people it could seem like the Alphas are simply trading black Greek life for white Greek life!
If one understands the nature and the mission of BGLOs, then one understands that this decision not only impacts the community at U.Va. but also has much larger implications. It's hard to justify a move like this, however, as members have, saying, "the organization did what it felt like it had to do." It should be understood that those in opposition are also doing what they feel they have to do.
David D. Bynes is an associate dean of students.
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