The motivation of African-American females to cross historical racial boundaries in the Greek community at a predominantly white institution

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate what motivates African-American female students at a predominantly White four year comprehensive university in the Midwest to join a historically White social Greek organization. Participants were four women between the ages of 18 and 33. Using a semi-structured interview format and thematic analysis, the study intended to produce information relevant to the three guiding research questions: a) Why do African-American collegiate females choose to join social Greek organizations which are historically compromised of primarily White females?, b) What do African-American females who choose to join historically White social Greek organizations feel are the perceptions of their decisions by peers in the African-American collegiate community?, and c) How do African-American females who choose to cross the historical color barrier within the Greek community describe their experiences?

Findings from the study indicate that the participants were motivated to cross the historical racial barrier in the Greek community in order to find a feeling of belonging, desire for knowledge of the unknown, and to challenge assumptions. These motives were driven by afamiliarity with "typical" members of the organization and others who cross first. The study found a total of six major themes in participant responses; detailed analysis and representation are given for each.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Catherine L Polydore (Supervisor)