Mizzou has a really strong and long standing of Greek Life. Being the oldest and largest Greek system in the USA, we pride in having 28 IFC chapters, more than half of PHA with 14 chapters and that all Divine 9 chapters have chartered at MU as part of NPHC. Unfortunately, we only have 2 multicultural chapters as part of MGC.
To understand the stark difference in MGC size compared to the other Councils, we must first understand the diversity of MU and perhaps Missouri in general.
With close to 80% white/European American/non Hispanic students; MU is a predominantly white university with black/African American students coming in as the second largest racial group with a little over 6% of its students population. Combined, the Hispanic/Latino and Asian population make up less than 5% of the student population. Similar propotion can be projected for the entire population of Missouri; 81% white, 11.6% black,3.6% Hispanic/Latino and 1.6% Asian.
With that, it is no surprise that Alpha Phi Gamma is not only the sole Asian-interest sorority at MU but also the only Asian-interest Greek chapter at MU and the rest of Missouri. In other words, APhiG is the ONLY Asian representation in Greek Life at MU and perhaps the rest of Missouri.
As a sorority that is selectively small in size and relatively young at MU (re-chartered in 2006), it has been a challenge trying to be taken seriously by the MU community as an Asian/multicultural sorority. Needless to say, as one half of the Multicultural Greek Council aside SAEPi, the Jewish sorority; it has been difficult trying to gain a strong presence in Greek Life itself.
Seeing how small MGC is (and perhaps insignificant); is there still a need to have an MGC? Some may say it is a waste of resources. Some may say it is only name-worthy and nothing else. Well, you're wrong. The fact that MGC is so small, is exactly why we SHOULD continue to have it and continue to support it. MGC is a representation and a driving force for diversity at MU. I am so thankful that MU has a formidable representation from the AAA and HALO, and seeing how Greek Life is such an integrated part of student life at MU (nearly 22% of students are Greek & it is one of the longest MU tradition); I personally believe that MU Greek Life is an excellent platform to build on, along with the other Multicultural and Diversity initiatives to further encourage diversity awareness and multicultural dialogues on campus.
The key to breaking stereotypes, to create multicultural awareness and promote diversity understanding on campus; is to reach out to the homogenous black and white population on campus. While it has been such a fulfiling endeavour to be able to reach out the Asian population at MU, I personally think that in order live up to our goal of promoting cultural awareness, we should extend beyond preaching to the choir and establish ourselves among the non-Asian population. Seeing how established MU Greek Life is especially the other 3 councils, what better way to foster this cultural understanding than to tap into this Greek system? And to do this, we need all the support we can get from the University through MGC, FourFront, MCC, Greek Life and also from the student community. If Mizzou is commited to its mission - to enhance institutional diversity through collaborative partnerships and strategic efforts that promote inclusive excellence and a welcoming campus; let us take our Multicultural Greek Council seriously, allocate more resources, expand MGC and support them in whatever we can.
Alpha Phi Gamma Eta Chapter has passionately stood for Asian Awareness on campus, and over the years, we have understood and embraced the unique culture and mentality that Missouri's demographic characteristics has rendered; therefore we have expanded our purpose on campus to not only stand for Asian Awareness but also for cultural awareness in general. Though we are an Asian-interest sorority, we are NOT Asian-exclusive. We open our doors to ladies who are open-minded and has a passion for promoting cultural diversity and understanding. We are built on Sisters who have gained a lifetime Sisterhood and who has grown from it; who has learn to embrace and who continuously embodying what Alpha Phi Gamma stands for, our values, our passion. Personally, the values I've gained and try to continuosly uphold are loyalty, dedication, humility, passion, independence, sisterhood, love, understanding, integrity, leadership, academic excellence. And being among these wonderful, independent and loving ladies I call my Sisters, everyday is a learning experience for me towards better improving myself as an individual. I have come to love others and myself. And I am loved, understood, accepted and supported in return. We may stand for something bigger than ourselves; cultural awareness, fight against domestic violence, but at the end of the day, APhiG is something personal. It is about the intrinsic rewards we get from being in this family, it is the unique feeling, the pride from our continuous growth that will continue to fire each and every Sister's passion. It is because we have all, in one way or another, big or small, been affected positively by being a part of the APhiG family, that we continue our membership and strive to bring our sorority to greater heights.
To ladies who feel an inclination to what APhiG stands for; Sisterhood, cultural awareness, personal development and of course, the fight against domestic violence; I invite you to learn more about us - to Rush with APhiG. To give yourself and us a chance to know each other better and to share our experience, exchange opinions and maybe one day, to build a lifetime Sisterhood together.
To the ladies and gentlemen who perhaps are passionate about certain cultural interest awareness, or who are seeking what multicultural Greek Life has to offer or have a drive to begin something great on campus, to leave a legacy; I strongly encourage you to look into chartering a multicultural sorority or fraternity at MU. Perhaps to recharter the Latina sorority Sigma Lambda Gamma here at MU? What about an LGBT fraternity/sorority? And I personally propose a challenge for somebody to charter an Asian-interest Fraternity at MU, the first and only at MU and probably the only in the rest of Missouri.
I will be dishonest to say that it has been a smooth and easy journey to live up to our name here at MU, but the challenges and difficulties that we face do not deter us from our purpose, from our passion. The bond that we have created among each other is strengthened by the love and tribulations we face as Ladies of Alpha Phi Gamma.
Ladies of Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority Inc. - a label that carries a matrix of domination in terms of discrimination and struggle. One that proposes unique challenges :
Challenges as ladies.
Struggles as Asians.
Discrimination as Sorority girls.
But we believe in what we stand for and we are passionate in breaking these stereotypes that are imposed on us by society. We take it in great stride and pride, side by side as Sisters. This is not a struggle. This is a fight.
All opinions expressed are of the author only. They are personal and should not be deemed as a representation of Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority Inc.
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