Post by Bathroom Model on May 22, 2008 7:10:29 GMT -5
This is so true!
#24 The Ghetto Mentality
May 21, 2008 ¡¤ 12 Comments
Ghetto:
1. (n.) an impoverished, neglected, or otherwise disadvantaged residential area of a city, usually troubled by a disproportionately large amount of crime
2. (adj.) urban; of or relating to (inner) city life
3. (adj.) poor; of or relating to the poor life
4. (adj.) jury-rigged, improvised, or home-made (usually with extremely cheap or sub-standard components), yet still deserving of an odd sense of respect from ghetto dwellers and non-ghetto dwellers alike
Happy Wednesday folks! OK another interesting observation as I attended some Greek events this past weekend.
I don¡¯t really know why, but why is the Divine Nine going out in public looking more and more like ghetto children? I know many of us come from the ghetto to rise as college educated men and women, but we look more like the gold toothed, tatted up, bling-bling wearin, yuck mouthes that assault young viewers on BET and MTV nowadays. Aren¡¯t we the ¡°Talented Tenth¡± that is going to pull the race out of the shadows of slavery and poverty? I just don¡¯t get why some of us Black Greeks continue to perpetuate this behavior.
Let¡¯s see¡
1. Wider access to education at HBCUs and other Colleges and Universities
It is a wonderful thing that more Blacks than ever are able to attend college these days. With greater access to college comes with the reality that more urban youth from the ghetto are able to have the opportunity to join our fraternities and sororities, which were only open to the elite in the Black community. It is a fact that Blacks from wealthier families could afford to send their children to college. In other words, more of your bougie and middle to upper class folks who have some taste, home training and good sense for the most part, dominated the ranks of BGLOs.
Now SheQuanda Watkins and Leroy Jenkins and nem who took some of their ¡°tendencies¡± with them didn¡¯t learn to put away childish things as a lady or gentleman and leave that ghetto mentality in the ghetto. Where do you think these tendencies rear their ugly head?
Look I¡¯m from the ghetto too, and I know too well that you can take the person out the ghetto, but not the ghetto out of the person, but I wanted to be better than my circumstances, not revel in tackiness or a sub-standard way of living. WHO WANTS TO BE IN THE GHETTO? We all trying to pull our folks up out of there. Folks are now bringing their thuggish, pants saggin, chickenheaded, gold fronts wearin, blinged out ways into the organizations they choose and select other crazies to come in too with them. No wonder our organizations are going to hell in a hand basket.
2. The Gang Mentality.
One day I was showing some friends of mine from my hood of mine a tape of the Cal State Long Beach stepshow to show them a glimpse of sorority/fraternity life. One of my friends said, ¡°Ooh I like their set! Them dudes go hard.¡± I was like OK. So I asked him what he thought about the show afterward and he said, ¡°Y¡¯all all gangs man¡ high classed boogie gangs¡ y¡¯all got yo colors, yo calls, and yo gangster signs¡¡± He was of course referring to our orgs fixation on hand signs, and calls and colors. I can¡¯t say I disagree with him at times. To look at some the hazing we do as organizations, you might as well get jumped into the Crips or Bloods. At least I¡¯ll get some street cred and a gun to fight niggas off. I suspect the Kappas in the pic above took my advice.
3. Lower Membership Standards
Yes people she is REAL. is she an AKA? Quite possibly.
With the rising amount of students who are able to go to college, mixed in with the poor membership standards of our chapters within our organizations, why are we surprised when we get the campus freak hoe, the chronic weed smokers, the brawlers, alcoholics, rough looking men and women whose concept of a ¡°suit¡± involves the law, or super duper seniors as members who perpetuate the ghetto mentality? Who with half a brain can¡¯t maintain a 2.5 GPA? Anyone can look good on PAPER, but it is the quality of selection of members which is the key to keeping folks who don¡¯t know how to act OUT. We won¡¯t succeed all the time, but MOST of the time, we will get the desired result.
4. A Disrespectful Culture
Yuk!
With kids cursing out their parents and the total disregard for rules and authority, why are we as members of BGLOs surprised when we encounter a member who is careless with our precious traditions? Following protocol or being a good member of an organization is the last thing on these folks minds¡ these days, it is all about status, who has the best strolls and/or steps, who pledged the hardest, who runs the yard (in the superficial things) who can bag the most chicks, and throw the hottest parties. Sounds hood level to me. Our orgs are becoming increasingly preoccupied with the things that do not matter in the big scheme of things.
Another interesting observation¡. since when did Greeks ascribe to the ¡°Stop Snitching¡± mentality? Someone told me Greeks wear the shirts because of folks who can¡¯t keep their mouths shut about fraternity/sorority business, but why associate our orgs with a code has let many a criminal free to roam the street and do harm to our communities? Not snitching on your frat or soror for ANY reason is NOT the business, especially when they put the reputation of their organization, or someone¡¯s life on the line¡ what is more important here?
We Greeks have totally lost our heads and forgotten what is important, the uplift of our communities so they are not considered the ¡°ghetto¡± anymore. People are in pain and poverty, dejected, we had to live through almost 8 years of Curious George, and now we are in recession. PRIORITIES PEOPLE!
I wish I had four hands, so I could give that mess four thumbs down and a Rick James bitch slap!
I know I shall hear more about this subject¡ let¡¯s get our stuff together Greeks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Note to self:
Sexy Thugs Hit Ghetto Red Carpet
Ghetto Fabulous for $200 Alex
Categories: Uncategorized
12 responses so far ¡ý
DSTproud // May 21, 2008 at 11:17 am
I ¡®m first and I am ready.
DSTproud // May 21, 2008 at 11:27 am
I think you make so much sense. It has really gotten bad lately. The blinged out banana is a mess. The guy that said we are a high classed gangs made me look at ourselves in a different light. Too much BET I guess.
PrettyCEO08 // May 21, 2008 at 11:30 am
PREACH ON IT! Let the church say AMEN!
Ga_Nupe // May 21, 2008 at 11:33 am
I didn¡¯t know Plies was a Sigma¡LOL. This blog did touch on some important issues, although not as scathing as the last. But i agree you do see more of the ghetto mentality seeping into greeklife. Now ive only been in the bond for 2 months(spr. 08 in the house) but i have been observing greek life for years now and i see instances of the ghetto mentality manifest itself more and more with each year, each line within each org. I am not saying that we separate ourselves from the rest of the black community and adopt an elitist attitude, but we should hold ourselves to high standards and be a beacon of light and positivity for all to see. I have never been a fan of the large tees spray-painted or airbrush with BGLO images etc¡(the jewel encrusted banana is just coonery). There really needs to be workshops given on how to conduct yourself as greeks. Nothing wrong with showing your individuality but honestly how much of an individual are you really being mimicking your favorite rapper or any other thug/negative stereotypical image you see out there. Also, individuality should never represent your BGLO in a negative light..just my $19.11 cents. Yo-Y0
BGLO Observer // May 21, 2008 at 11:45 am
I¡¯m not always controversial. I do talk about serious stuff in these blogs too. I¡¯m pacing myself
Ga_Nupe // May 21, 2008 at 11:51 am
Controversy has become the crack of this blogsite and has people addicted. Humans love drama and us greeks are no different..u can¡¯t send people on an amazing high with last weeks post and then have them pace themselves¡people want to stay in the clouds¡lol. Either way keep em coming
Cl@ssyand_ALL // May 21, 2008 at 11:52 am
I turly agree, i¡¯m not yet apart of the greek system but as the lines come and go its worse and worse. You see girls and guys who you know have NO business at all in these orgs but yet and still rep it the hardest and totally in the wrong light. If greeks orgs wanted or needed to be rep in a tacky manor many pple would not need BGLO to do so becuz them alone was doing a perfect job w/o letters. I suggest the greek system tighten up and review all that has to rep u.
MAB-PHEA // May 21, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Once again another good article.
Just to clear the record, that first photo of my frats HQ was photoshopped. Although it does look like a bodega we don¡¯t really sell pigsfeet and beer out of there. lol
-Blue
BGLO Observer // May 21, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I know that¡ that was just a little funny I had to add
prtty1908 // May 21, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Excellent. Thoughtful, timely and truthful. It is that time of the year when ¡°ghetto¡± prom pictures are circulated. It is no surprise that some of these kids make it on to a college campus and into our organizations. All of our Founders, Jewels, Pearls, etc. would most certainly hang their head in shame. It is time to get back to business Sorors and Fraters, there is much work to be done.
Congratulations BGLO Observer! And for the record, my guess is that you are Pham. Peace.
downsouthsgrho // May 21, 2008 at 8:12 pm
well said!
Even though I am a neo I had noticed the trend way before. Even I was tempted to go run out and get somethign airbrushed ¡ I guess the ghetto was coming out lol. But I held myself back becauseI did not want to bootleg my own organization. There is some nice customized para out there but we need to leave the airbrush and bling for clothing other than para. Let¡¯s be responsible, shall we?
It¡¯s just a sign of the times and culture, hip-hop runs the world. I¡¯ve even seen non BGLO fraternities and sororities get things airbrushed and blinged, although not to the same extent. The same way the collegiate sweaters were the trademark of the fraternities back in the day. But it still doesn¡¯t make it right.
OSIRIS1906 // May 21, 2008 at 10:20 pm
As an undergraduate pledged Alumni brother, This is the one issue that has had me wiping my eyes in cold disbelief. How are undergrad brothers wearing the letters of the most esteemed orgs in the Black community and sagging !!!! WTF !!!!!!! I can tell you that the Jewels of Alpha are rolling in their graves over this bullshit. I am so tired of this shit. Fellow prophytes speak up !!! Undergrads have so much information at their disposal. It¡¯s time to go back to the original precepts of our respective organizations or perish.
¡®06 !
#24 The Ghetto Mentality
May 21, 2008 ¡¤ 12 Comments
Ghetto:
1. (n.) an impoverished, neglected, or otherwise disadvantaged residential area of a city, usually troubled by a disproportionately large amount of crime
2. (adj.) urban; of or relating to (inner) city life
3. (adj.) poor; of or relating to the poor life
4. (adj.) jury-rigged, improvised, or home-made (usually with extremely cheap or sub-standard components), yet still deserving of an odd sense of respect from ghetto dwellers and non-ghetto dwellers alike
Happy Wednesday folks! OK another interesting observation as I attended some Greek events this past weekend.
I don¡¯t really know why, but why is the Divine Nine going out in public looking more and more like ghetto children? I know many of us come from the ghetto to rise as college educated men and women, but we look more like the gold toothed, tatted up, bling-bling wearin, yuck mouthes that assault young viewers on BET and MTV nowadays. Aren¡¯t we the ¡°Talented Tenth¡± that is going to pull the race out of the shadows of slavery and poverty? I just don¡¯t get why some of us Black Greeks continue to perpetuate this behavior.
Let¡¯s see¡
1. Wider access to education at HBCUs and other Colleges and Universities
It is a wonderful thing that more Blacks than ever are able to attend college these days. With greater access to college comes with the reality that more urban youth from the ghetto are able to have the opportunity to join our fraternities and sororities, which were only open to the elite in the Black community. It is a fact that Blacks from wealthier families could afford to send their children to college. In other words, more of your bougie and middle to upper class folks who have some taste, home training and good sense for the most part, dominated the ranks of BGLOs.
Now SheQuanda Watkins and Leroy Jenkins and nem who took some of their ¡°tendencies¡± with them didn¡¯t learn to put away childish things as a lady or gentleman and leave that ghetto mentality in the ghetto. Where do you think these tendencies rear their ugly head?
Look I¡¯m from the ghetto too, and I know too well that you can take the person out the ghetto, but not the ghetto out of the person, but I wanted to be better than my circumstances, not revel in tackiness or a sub-standard way of living. WHO WANTS TO BE IN THE GHETTO? We all trying to pull our folks up out of there. Folks are now bringing their thuggish, pants saggin, chickenheaded, gold fronts wearin, blinged out ways into the organizations they choose and select other crazies to come in too with them. No wonder our organizations are going to hell in a hand basket.
2. The Gang Mentality.
One day I was showing some friends of mine from my hood of mine a tape of the Cal State Long Beach stepshow to show them a glimpse of sorority/fraternity life. One of my friends said, ¡°Ooh I like their set! Them dudes go hard.¡± I was like OK. So I asked him what he thought about the show afterward and he said, ¡°Y¡¯all all gangs man¡ high classed boogie gangs¡ y¡¯all got yo colors, yo calls, and yo gangster signs¡¡± He was of course referring to our orgs fixation on hand signs, and calls and colors. I can¡¯t say I disagree with him at times. To look at some the hazing we do as organizations, you might as well get jumped into the Crips or Bloods. At least I¡¯ll get some street cred and a gun to fight niggas off. I suspect the Kappas in the pic above took my advice.
3. Lower Membership Standards
Yes people she is REAL. is she an AKA? Quite possibly.
With the rising amount of students who are able to go to college, mixed in with the poor membership standards of our chapters within our organizations, why are we surprised when we get the campus freak hoe, the chronic weed smokers, the brawlers, alcoholics, rough looking men and women whose concept of a ¡°suit¡± involves the law, or super duper seniors as members who perpetuate the ghetto mentality? Who with half a brain can¡¯t maintain a 2.5 GPA? Anyone can look good on PAPER, but it is the quality of selection of members which is the key to keeping folks who don¡¯t know how to act OUT. We won¡¯t succeed all the time, but MOST of the time, we will get the desired result.
4. A Disrespectful Culture
Yuk!
With kids cursing out their parents and the total disregard for rules and authority, why are we as members of BGLOs surprised when we encounter a member who is careless with our precious traditions? Following protocol or being a good member of an organization is the last thing on these folks minds¡ these days, it is all about status, who has the best strolls and/or steps, who pledged the hardest, who runs the yard (in the superficial things) who can bag the most chicks, and throw the hottest parties. Sounds hood level to me. Our orgs are becoming increasingly preoccupied with the things that do not matter in the big scheme of things.
Another interesting observation¡. since when did Greeks ascribe to the ¡°Stop Snitching¡± mentality? Someone told me Greeks wear the shirts because of folks who can¡¯t keep their mouths shut about fraternity/sorority business, but why associate our orgs with a code has let many a criminal free to roam the street and do harm to our communities? Not snitching on your frat or soror for ANY reason is NOT the business, especially when they put the reputation of their organization, or someone¡¯s life on the line¡ what is more important here?
We Greeks have totally lost our heads and forgotten what is important, the uplift of our communities so they are not considered the ¡°ghetto¡± anymore. People are in pain and poverty, dejected, we had to live through almost 8 years of Curious George, and now we are in recession. PRIORITIES PEOPLE!
I wish I had four hands, so I could give that mess four thumbs down and a Rick James bitch slap!
I know I shall hear more about this subject¡ let¡¯s get our stuff together Greeks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Note to self:
Sexy Thugs Hit Ghetto Red Carpet
Ghetto Fabulous for $200 Alex
Categories: Uncategorized
12 responses so far ¡ý
DSTproud // May 21, 2008 at 11:17 am
I ¡®m first and I am ready.
DSTproud // May 21, 2008 at 11:27 am
I think you make so much sense. It has really gotten bad lately. The blinged out banana is a mess. The guy that said we are a high classed gangs made me look at ourselves in a different light. Too much BET I guess.
PrettyCEO08 // May 21, 2008 at 11:30 am
PREACH ON IT! Let the church say AMEN!
Ga_Nupe // May 21, 2008 at 11:33 am
I didn¡¯t know Plies was a Sigma¡LOL. This blog did touch on some important issues, although not as scathing as the last. But i agree you do see more of the ghetto mentality seeping into greeklife. Now ive only been in the bond for 2 months(spr. 08 in the house) but i have been observing greek life for years now and i see instances of the ghetto mentality manifest itself more and more with each year, each line within each org. I am not saying that we separate ourselves from the rest of the black community and adopt an elitist attitude, but we should hold ourselves to high standards and be a beacon of light and positivity for all to see. I have never been a fan of the large tees spray-painted or airbrush with BGLO images etc¡(the jewel encrusted banana is just coonery). There really needs to be workshops given on how to conduct yourself as greeks. Nothing wrong with showing your individuality but honestly how much of an individual are you really being mimicking your favorite rapper or any other thug/negative stereotypical image you see out there. Also, individuality should never represent your BGLO in a negative light..just my $19.11 cents. Yo-Y0
BGLO Observer // May 21, 2008 at 11:45 am
I¡¯m not always controversial. I do talk about serious stuff in these blogs too. I¡¯m pacing myself
Ga_Nupe // May 21, 2008 at 11:51 am
Controversy has become the crack of this blogsite and has people addicted. Humans love drama and us greeks are no different..u can¡¯t send people on an amazing high with last weeks post and then have them pace themselves¡people want to stay in the clouds¡lol. Either way keep em coming
Cl@ssyand_ALL // May 21, 2008 at 11:52 am
I turly agree, i¡¯m not yet apart of the greek system but as the lines come and go its worse and worse. You see girls and guys who you know have NO business at all in these orgs but yet and still rep it the hardest and totally in the wrong light. If greeks orgs wanted or needed to be rep in a tacky manor many pple would not need BGLO to do so becuz them alone was doing a perfect job w/o letters. I suggest the greek system tighten up and review all that has to rep u.
MAB-PHEA // May 21, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Once again another good article.
Just to clear the record, that first photo of my frats HQ was photoshopped. Although it does look like a bodega we don¡¯t really sell pigsfeet and beer out of there. lol
-Blue
BGLO Observer // May 21, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I know that¡ that was just a little funny I had to add
prtty1908 // May 21, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Excellent. Thoughtful, timely and truthful. It is that time of the year when ¡°ghetto¡± prom pictures are circulated. It is no surprise that some of these kids make it on to a college campus and into our organizations. All of our Founders, Jewels, Pearls, etc. would most certainly hang their head in shame. It is time to get back to business Sorors and Fraters, there is much work to be done.
Congratulations BGLO Observer! And for the record, my guess is that you are Pham. Peace.
downsouthsgrho // May 21, 2008 at 8:12 pm
well said!
Even though I am a neo I had noticed the trend way before. Even I was tempted to go run out and get somethign airbrushed ¡ I guess the ghetto was coming out lol. But I held myself back becauseI did not want to bootleg my own organization. There is some nice customized para out there but we need to leave the airbrush and bling for clothing other than para. Let¡¯s be responsible, shall we?
It¡¯s just a sign of the times and culture, hip-hop runs the world. I¡¯ve even seen non BGLO fraternities and sororities get things airbrushed and blinged, although not to the same extent. The same way the collegiate sweaters were the trademark of the fraternities back in the day. But it still doesn¡¯t make it right.
OSIRIS1906 // May 21, 2008 at 10:20 pm
As an undergraduate pledged Alumni brother, This is the one issue that has had me wiping my eyes in cold disbelief. How are undergrad brothers wearing the letters of the most esteemed orgs in the Black community and sagging !!!! WTF !!!!!!! I can tell you that the Jewels of Alpha are rolling in their graves over this bullshit. I am so tired of this shit. Fellow prophytes speak up !!! Undergrads have so much information at their disposal. It¡¯s time to go back to the original precepts of our respective organizations or perish.
¡®06 !
