So...What Are You?

"So...what are you?"

That's the first question whenever somebody realizes that I'm a Black man with definite plans for bettering the current state of the race. And then I have to answer, "You mean Greek affiliation? Oh, I'm not Greek." Then they give me the WTF face, as to say "Why would a Black man who is interested in bettering the race and who is supposedly motivated not join a Black Greek Letter Organization?" That shit is tiresome.

I mean, I guess I understand on some level, but it's still a question I'm tired of answering. Indeed it is the case that a great number of well-to-do Black men who have attended college tend to be Greek. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Both Michael Jordan and Shaq are members of Omega Psi Phi. Stokely Carmichael was a Sigma. Cedric the Entertainer is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Cornel West is an Alpha (tho he is technically an honorary member of Alpha Phi Alpha rather than a person who actively joined). So, yes, a lot of great, influential, and/or well-known Black men are Greek. Therefore I understand the assumption and surprise, but it just gets kind of annoying after the third or fourth person asks.

Since I started my new job, I've been asked that no less than 10 times by various staff and trainers, only 2 of which were Greek themselves. I think it's done now though. :-D