[View the story "Segregated sororities?" on Storify ]Segregated sororities? Student journalists at the University of Alabama expose charges of racial bias at the school's Greek organizations. Storified by AJAMStream · Thu, Sep 12 2013 14:43:35
“It was just so cool to see everyone willing to take this next step and be the sorority that took a black girl and not care,” Gotz said. “You know, I would say there were probably five people in the room that disagreed with everything that was being said. The entire house wanted this girl to be in Alpha Gam. We were just powerless over the alums.”cw.ua.edu
The story prompted online outrage.
Every sorority at the University of Alabama should have to change their name to Kappa Kappa Kappa.Erin Gloria Ryan
Reading on the Alabama Sorority events and it makes me sick to my stomach how a person was denied a bid by alumni based on skin colorThomas Bowen
Others expressed admiration for sorority members who spoke out against the decision to bar the black student, seeing it as a sign of coming change.
I am so proud to be a member of Alpha Gamma Delta at UNA. Moreover, I'm proud to wear the same letters as Melanie Gotz. #AGDAnna Goggans
@lizziebrubaker I know @AlphaChiOmegaHQ has a chapter at Alabama as well and feel the same. Proud of the young women who are speaking out.Kristen S. Anderson
We can't underestimate the number of Greeks who are disturbed by the situation. Their numbers are growing. Change is coming @TheCrimsonWhiteAbigail Alsip
The Crimson White 's website was
flooded with comments from current students, alumni and members of sororities at other universities. The comments placed blame for the situation with the "old guard" alumnae involved in the rush process.
I think, that as a member of one of the sororities who had a member step forward, that I can confidently say that we as a chapter are proud that all of our active members worked so hard and were so passionate about this issue that they stood up to make a change in the face of adversity from the alumni.cw.ua.edu
It's good to see the CW drop this at the feet of who is ultimately responsible: The alumni. Just as with suspended rush last year, the influx of out of state students will eventually break the stranglehold the old guard alumni have on this system.cw.ua.edu
As an alum of Alpha Gamma Delta at Alabama, I want to say three things. First, thank you Melanie Gotz, for having the guts to stand up both in the chapter room and beyond. Secondly, the alumni who stand in the way of any girl getting into a sorority because of her race does NOT reflect my values and I hope the values of many others. Thirdly, I hope that this is the watershed moment that changes the culture of sororities from this point forward.cw.ua.edu
Many also praised the piece as exemplary student journalism.
If I was running a newspaper/news organization, I'd be placing recruiting calls to entire @TheCrimsonWhite staff right about now.Seth Mnookin
Student journalism at its best: @TheCrimsonWhite explores racial segregation in Alabama's greek system http://cw.ua.edu/2013/09/11/the-final-barrier-50-years-later-segregation-still-exists/Joseph Diebold
The sororities mentioned in the article, Alpha Gamma Delta , Tri Delta , Chi Omega and Pi Beta Phi , deny the allegations. Several of the sororities'national chapters have promised to investigate. The Alabama chapter of Pi BetaPhi posted this statement from their national headquarters:
Please see below for a statement from Pi Bet Phi headquarters regarding the recent allegations of discrimination on our campus. The issues of cultural and racial insensitivity at the University of Alabama in recent days is both troubling and saddening. Pi Beta Phi proudly accepts women of diverse races and ethnicities into membership. We are hopeful, that in the weeks to come, our collegiate mem...bers and their advisors will lead the way in becoming a part of the solution to the problems at the University of Alabama. Pi Beta Phi leadership is taking this matter very seriously and has begun looking into the allegations cited in The Crimson White article. If any of those allegations are found to be true, those members, alumna or collegiate, will be held accountable for their actions. Pi Beta Phi Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection practices on the basis of race, religious affiliation, national origin, handicapped status or sexual orientation. Nor, will Pi Beta Phi tolerate such discrimination by its members.
The charges of sorority segregation come near the 50th anniversary of the University of Alabama's infamous "
stand in the schoolhouse door " battle over integration.
The Crimson White wrote the sorority story as part of the anniversary.
Stepping Through | Trailer #1uacrimsonwhite
Error
Sorry, your comment was not saved due to a technical problem. Please try again later or using a different browser.