To Thee Only Sigma Gamma Rho.....or Delta Sigma Theta?
Black Greek life is so beautiful; founded in the face of adversity and a climate that resembles our society today, they brought so much to the lives of young and old Black Americans. While they are sororities and fraternities they are still businesses and run like such. Money is essential to our existence yes but the biggest piece of our continued existence is the tradition. Yes! Tradition is everything in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) some of our organizations are over one-hundred years old while some will be celebrated 55 years this September.
I was blessed to join THE best sorority in the NPHC, that's right! Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. We were founded November 12, 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven school teachers. We are the only sorority in the NPHC not founded on the campus of Howard University. We have over 600 chapters including Germany and Japan. I became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated (SGRho) in 2012 at the age of nineteen. Being apart of my organization the last six years has been everything and more, it has also been a way for Tatiyana and me to bond as we have two junior organizations that are made up of daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins, mentees, the list goes on. Recently, Tatiyana was inducted into the 'Rhosebuds'; they are ages 7-11 and when she is twelve she will transition in the 'Rhoers' our junior sorority that serves ages 12-18 where hopefully she will attend college and become a member of SGRho.
Our organizations are a way for us to instill pride, tradition, community, collegiate excellence, etc. to our children. We purchase them cute paraphernalia adorned with 'future *insert org* and take endless pictures and gush with tingly feelings as their little hands hold up our sign. Tradition is important to us, we see in the age of social media posts of new initiates posing alongside an old photo of their mom/dad that joined that same organization 25+ years before. There is great pride in watching an older soror help her daughter march to the probate area or watching as she pins her now soror. I watch that and say, "I hope I get to call my daughters 'SoRHOr' one day. Jamal talks about how he can't wait until our son goes to Bowie and joins Eta Zeta (Alpha Phi Alpha) like he did because he wants to have a son in his chapter like his two older bros have. (First off...nvm LOL)The question always comes up though, "What if Tatiyana and Jahara join Delta or Zeta?" I'm not going to lie I always tense up a bit, or when someone from another org asks Tatiyana to throw up their sign and she declines with, "That's not my organization." *Proceeds to hold up Sigma* (That's my girl!) I tell people, I'd rather her be the best AKA they have ever seen than to be the worst Sigma and tarnish our name." It's dramatic but its real, I want her happy. Even if that means we will not attend the legacy luncheons at Regional and boule. There have been many children who have decided on another organization and their greek parent(s) are okay with it and then there are some who cannot handle their child joining another organization.
When does it go from tradition to projection?
I am a firm believer in 'conscious parenting'; acknowledging your child as an individual versus an extension of you. Those who believe in conscious parenting refrain from things like "That's my mini-me." "you are a reflection of me." We take every opportunity we can to give space for our children to make choices and create their identity separate from ours. It is really a challenge; especially as a Black mother and one apart of an organization that thrives on tradition and legacy. It goes deeper than allowing for choice and creation of identity it is also a choice to be mindful of your interaction with your child(ren). How is your tone? what are your expectations? What is your self-regulation? So much of these things can truly improve the quality of the relationship with your child when you are mindful of your actions and remember they are human too.
In fact, I hope that my decision to raise them with consciousness will draw them to SGRho or something that aligns with what I have encouraged them to adopt as their own values. Either way, life will go on and tradition will still continue...
I choose conscious parenting because I want for my daughters and me to have meaningful interactions. I want them to know that they have a reflective mother that will always prioritize the quality of our interactions versus making them following in my footsteps in everything. They may not go to college and that's okay. They may not be into Lacrosse or cheerleading and they may not join Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated and that's okay as well... I will support them but I only pay for ONE sorority lol. That's my boundary and Tatiyana knows that is the furthest I dare go...
As for those mothers who are heartbroken when their daughter choose another organization, that's okay. They have every right to feel that way it's how they express it which can make it damaging. I'm certain that the mother and daughter have a tight relationship especially with her daughter defending her which I respect. I hope that her mother finds peace in her decision and finds joy in her daughter being happy as a Delta than miserable as a Zeta. After all, our children are not our canvas to paint.
Are you a member of a Greek organization? what do you feel about your daughter choosing an organization other than yours?