The History Behind Segregation in Greek Life

It’s normal for college students to consider joining a Greek letter organization. My first year as an undergrad has been filled with intuitive conversations surrounding the different Greek councils and the pleasures and downsides of each association.

I go to a predominantly white institution (PWI), so most of what students know about Greek life are the Panhellenic (PHC) and Inter-fraternity Council (IFC). These are also known as the “traditionally housed” or “white” Greek letter organizations. Not too many people are familiar with the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC). NPHC, formed in 1930, caters to the Divine Nine—four historical African American sororities and five historical African American fraternities. Since blacks were excluded from joining PHC and IFC organizations in the past due to racial segregation, they created their own. This also means they were denied the finances and means to purchase a house similar to their white counterparts. If you’ve ever wondered why black sororities and fraternities don’t have recorded houses on your college campus, that’s why.

Black Greek life is not as heavily publicized in the media or on college campuses as PHC and IFC. This is partly dependent on your college institution. If you attend a historically black college or university (HBCU), black Greek life is much more prominent and visibly accessible. These establishments were founded in the very same way NPHC was founded—amidst segregation. It wasn’t because black people woke up one day and decided to form a school for blacks and no one else. PWI’s were not accepting of black students for a good chunk of time, so black educators chose to create multiple historically black schools with historically black Greek organizations. The key word here is historically, referring to the practice of admitting black students and faculty in time’s past.

Discussing black Greek letter organizations may ring an unfamiliar bell, due to the primary misconception that you “have to be black” to join. This is not true, as the NPHC organizations were created in response to racial discrimination. Historically black sororities and fraternities do not discriminate, just like traditionally white sororities and fraternities. Any member of any racial group is welcome to join, it’s just a matter of preference and comfort.

I signed up for rush the summer before my freshman year. I thought it was going to introduce me to every sorority on campus, including the black and multicultural ones. If only I knew prior to college PHC didn’t include those. For me, it was extremely uncomfortable being one of the very few minorities, let alone black girl, in a group of white girls. Even though I grew up in a town that is predominantly white, I wasn’t interested in being “the token black girl” again. I was interested in finding a group of girls I could feel comfortable around, knowing I would be supported and understood as a black woman on a white campus. I shrieked at the thought of myself being the only black girl in a pledge class picture with white girls in identical dresses. This is not to say black girls cannot and should not join a PHC organization. Do whatever you feel is right. It just isn’t right for me.

For those who still question why Greek life is so segregated, my only response is that it’s human tendency to stick with those like us. It’s a matter of tradition and culture, which is partly why the councils have yet to fully integrate. To fully integrate would mean removing years of practices and rituals known to the different councils and individual organizations. NPHC is heavily rooted in a culture identifiable with African Americans. For PHC, IFC, and NPHC to merge, it would require changes at the national and local level, regarding finances and management positions. There would need to be plausible agreements on how to implement new policies and accommodations at the corporate level too. Not to mention, executive members in each council may not be willing to give up their respectable roles. These are some of the innumerable settlements that would have to be considered if and when a unified Greek council resonated in the upcoming years. Merging would also foster a completely different intake process. PHC has recruitment weeks the beginning of each semester, whereas NPHC does not follow such a structured intake process. There is also no such thing as “bidding” or “rush week” in NPHC. You do not openly declare which Greek organization you are interested in. In NPHC, you “cross over” to an organization. Little practices and Greek vernacular like this would need to be addressed.

As much as I’d like for segregation in Greek life to end, I’m not sure people are willing to make the sacrifice. This is not to say there are no whites sprinkled in NPHC organizations and blacks apart PHC and IFC organizations—there are. I’m just waiting for the day Greek life will be truly integrated.