since I was in a white sorority. I have many friends and colleagues who are members of Black Fraternities and Sororities - and through them - and their continued engagement, I have often reflected on the differences. Indeed a local chapter of one national black fraternity used to hold their meetings in my place of business while they were busy planning a National convention which I believe was the Centennial of its founding. The engagement and participation seems much longer lasting - and broaching across chapters.

The white fraternity system is primarily local/chapter based. While some hospitality may be offered members from a different chapter when on campus at the local chapter - there is often some distance. That said, informally when entering the job market there are some networking opportunities across chapters - and years later some short-lived "oh, I am a ______, too" and maybe a fraternal handshake. The ties tend to be to those with whom one shared the experience at the same time.

While some officers, while in college, will participate in national conferences/conventions, very few continue to be engaged with the national organization after graduation.

My colleagues in Black Fraternities and sororities are still involved. There are strong social functions, and community service functions. There is a strong professional networking function that persists through their careers. I don't know about fraternities, but there are chapters of some black sororities that have avenues for joining, even if one didn't pledge in college. The fraternity seems more important than the individual chapter of the fraternity.

All that said - I could have a really skewed view and be off base.

could part of the reason for the continued engagement (of black members with black fraternities/sororities) be because of persistent racial discrimination? If blacks are actively discouraged from many of the social organizations that serve to link professionals with job opportunities and connections with other professionals in their field perhaps the fraternity fills that function.

Black Fraternities and Sororities serve a different function then other Greek-letter organizations.

No ... you are exactly correct.

With Black Fraternities and Sororities, the under-graduate experience is not about partying, though we did plenty of that; but rather, it is to teach (and test) its members in leadership skills, in order to prepare them for community service after leaving college.

Further, even after thirty years from graduation, I am still in touch with most of the members of my local chapter that preceded me, and to this day, I can go onto campus and the members will know my name and welcome me with open arms.

Two quick stories:

Right after my initiation ... way back in 1980 ... a friend and I went to Atlanta, GA. Neither of us had ever been there before. I went to the local college and ran into some members of my fraternity. We greeted each other ... and my friend and I had a place to stay for the weekend and did not have to spend a dime. And these Brothers took me in, without knowing me from Adam, and looked out for me.

Then, upon graduating from under-grad I had an interview. My resume contained mostly the Fraternal Offices I held and the activities that I performed because I was not interested in working in retail. The man I met with had three questions: "So you're a member of Kappa Alpha Psi? ... When and where did you Cross?", "Who made you?", and "What's the difference between a 'Kappa Man' and a 'Nupe'?" ... He is a member. He, then, told me I would start on Monday.

I have heard stories like that. I once went the local chapter at IU when I was in college. I got a tour. The were nice, but there wasn't a sense of belonging. It was more like a novelty.

who belong to Black Fraternities and Sororities.

I fully agree with you that they have different agendas, missions, and goals.

('70's), the black fraternity on my campus hazed much more openly than the predominantly white frats. Don't know if this is true today, but I doubt it's as open as it once was. The black sorority was pretty similar to the white sororities, although there were no whites in the black sorority and several, not all, of the white sororities did have black sisters. Things seem more segregated these days, so I don't know if this is still the case either.

The only evil I ever noticed in any Greek organization was hazing, which was practiced by all races and was and is heinous no matter who does it.

the hazing is a problem with both races from what I've read.

Hazing was, and in some instances - still is an issue, though Fraternities and Sororities are working hard to root that out.

It is all about getting and maintaining access to the system. I think of it like a country club, only national, where good old boys and girls help each other out and look down on everyone else. I fucking hate them, I think they serve no good purpose whatsoever.

I had no idea that there were Frats with women before! The racial makeup was about half African American and half a mixed bag of kids from Asian heritage- with family from Korea, India, Pakistan and China. Did not see a single kid of white- european ancestry. Mostly IT an PR people, all very well spoken and smart. They were still involved in community projects and working with students in professional development through their organization. It was a nice party, and while they played beer pong, not one was "forced" to drink for losing, and there were no sad ass out of control frat boys or sorority gals (which is a common thing around this town- especially during St Pats season). They were a really cool bunch, it was a nice surprise to stumble upon their party.