Hey guys oh my goodness it’s a really long time but curium netjet up Tolan that yet back out you guys um and I know that we have such a long list of videos to get done I promise they’re coming soon if you guys have me on snapchat I
Guess you’ve seen my school year so far a lot of you guys have been reaching out I know a lot of you guys are working on your college applications so keep up the good word and you’re to get through this keep in mind like you guys can always
Reach out to either me you can reach out to Tolu and we’re literally here to help you guys with any questions you may have during your college application process so it is like mid-november right now and um one time sensitive I guess topic that I want to talk about was something away
From the academics right so um a lot of you may have seen Olympics no chat or I don’t know if you I’ve talked about it before but this video is could you be all about Greek life sororities fraternities etc and what it’s like being black in these spaces that I’ll
Speak from my personal experience specifically being black in a sorority that’s mostly white for like non black yeah so a lot of people have different opinions about these types of things and like you guys some of you guys might think about Greek life when you get to
Penn or gets whatever college you go to and I just want to talk about a little bit of that just share my experience yeah I’m like I feel like you guys kind of know my personality by now and you know so I just want to talk about how I exist in my sorority [Applause] so what is it like to be black in a white sorority a lot of people have asked me that because I’m in actually an off campus organization so to not one of those nationally recognized sureties there’s a lot of those on campus I just wasn’t interested and I guess I’ll just
Go through and talk about why I wasn’t interested in like an on campus story why I did it off campus one and why I did a non Devine I’m sorry so yeah so um why is sorority in the first place so personally I came to Penn and I was
Like sir DS not for me y’all can have that that’s how you guys I’m not about to I’ve known of those girls right I’m not letting mystery girls like oh haha story stuff yeah I’m not my personality like I wasn’t with it so when I got to
Pat I literally was not worried about sororities I was not checking for any of that stuff my freshman year I had a great time my freshman year socially without being in any Greek life like I was flying or so I thought but like you know I had a great time my freshman year
Just going to parties and stuff with my friends no affiliations nothing right and I think I had a good time right but then sophomore year came around and I thought like I know it bored it wasn’t just bored but it was like a sense of length like what now like I’ve been here
For a year I’ve done a lot like I partied oh girl all the parties for like what else and like you know and that’s like a black freshman a lot of the parties I went to were like all black parties I liked a lot of those and I’m
Not gonna lie sometimes I’ll go to UM the doors of what the white parties and I would feel like oh like okay go and they’re like who do you know here and I’m not gonna lie I did not know a lot of little white boys or whoever that
We’re in the frat so they’re like sorry party’s full and you know like me a little black girls trying to go to these parties didn’t know anyone and you know so I was never really like I didn’t feel welcomed into one of those places so I
Just never wet right so that was my freshman year mostly black parties yeah sophomore year though like I said I started feeling like what else can I do like is this all there is to pan like I’m bored I feel like my social life like there’s nothing no social aspect I have
I feel like everything that I’m doing that pen is academic-related like all my clubs are pre-law I just feel stuck and like kind of bored and miserable almost I’m speaking from personal experience but I do have a few friends that felt the same way by software so I start
Looking around like what can I add to my social life like where can I have some more fun like you know just like you know enjoy school cuz I didn’t wanna be miserable here and I have a friend and I saw she was always off easy thanks like
Dressing up going to all these things and I was like oh like I didn’t even really know her that well but she’s this black girl and she was in something called Oaks like that’s what it’s called here it’s called oak so they’re almost like hmm so I messaged her one day and
I’m like what is that like what is that all about like this it cost a lot of money like like what do you do like how did you get in there are people races like you know as I’m looking at this were like considering it I don’t know
Like I need all the details and this girl when I messaged her was so happy so excited she’s like let’s meet up oh my gosh come to one of my events like you know sounds like okay what so her what’s one of their events this is another
Sophomore I was software at the time met her talked to her loved her I was like huh well if I like you like what are these other girls like and I ended up meeting a lot of her friends like some were white somewhere like Hispanic like
I met a lot of different types of girls and I was like what is this organization like and I was like these people are like nice like you know it was really like huh so I started doing a few of the events I’m like you know I really like
The girls and these were girls that were like me they didn’t seem like sorority girls so like I was like hmm so you know like long story short I ended up like rushing like just really kept going to the events and had a great time at a lot
Of the girls in the organization and I was like I freaking love you guys they ended up taking me they don’t really take sophomores so a lot of this realization is good to have by freshman year but yeah so as a sophomore they took me into other sophomores and like
You know literally literally best decision socially that I’ve made up n since I’ve gotten here personally I’m super blessed like oh my goodness like glowing is like having Oaks now like has been like the highlight of my social life like don’t get me wrong you can still have a great
Time without a sortie or something but for me personally literally like it lit up my social life I had you bench to go to every week I have these cool girls that I Corral rely on for anything like there was like 52 girls and Mike in my
Class so like literally I would send a text like to the group Charlie anyone have like a phone charger in the library like literally five people respond in two seconds just those little things are like you know oh my god I have physical therapy after class can someone really short someone literally
Meet up with me on campus bring shorts oh my gosh I’m hungry and I want to eat lunch literally any of these girls will come to eat with you literally you you’re having a hard time any of these girls would be down to come to speak
With you they just hang out with you lay in your bed watch movie with you and they’re so nice like you know so it was just nice to have it don’t get me wrong like I had a group of friends already like from freshman year but just having
This additionally was literally like it lit up my whole life like okay I don’t need to be dramatic but this is like honestly why I chose to join one of those and that’s why I joined a sorority I really needed something like social like that can add to my experience at
Penn and I found it in these girls I was really hesitant keep in mind I was like I’m not doing this like this is gonna be expensive life you got it I better not get hazed like all this crazy stuff and these girls are genuine and I freaking
Love them so much and this is me someone who is not into stories at all so that’s why I joined a sorority Yeah and a lot of people want to know like why I chose Oaks in particular why did an off-campus organization stead of an on-campus one and by the time I got to Penn Oaks was actually created in 2015 its Oaks are two stands for an old
Alfa guy so it used to be an on-campus organization they’d end up moving off campus and off campus there’s no regulation in us to like you don’t have to pay crazy amounts of money to a national chapter we basically govern ourselves and I feel like there’s our
Freedom and not like we could throw parties if we want to we can do whatever we want because we don’t have to follow those sororities only good if that body is like you know all those rules etc and I think that’s pretty great so yeah last
Watchers Oaks and Mike I feel like with the off campus becomes this like particular this specific personality like the girls are different I don’t know how else to explain that other than like if you actually meet them like that I don’t know down-to-earth they’re diverse in not just like race but in
Like interest in like skills like a lot of the girls who I don’t around like a comedy performing team a lot of girls on the soccer team like I don’t know like in the mix people like me whatever you want to call that so you guys like at a
Very different mix of people and that’s what I enjoy in Oaks in particular okay yeah and then I guess being in one of these organizations another thing a lot of people wonder is like what’s it like being a black person in one of these spaces because you know especially like
2018 like Trump is our freakin president like you know what it’s like being black or like a minority at all in one of these like predominantly white spaces I guess that goes for Penn in general and in something like Greek life so personally I was very hesitant I was
Like not going to do something it’s just all white because you know like my freshman year the way things went it was like all my friends were black it’s kind of just like how it naturally happened I don’t know that’s just how it happened I don’t have an explanation but that’s how
It was I guess you go where you’re comfortable and I was comfortable all the black kids that’s just the reality of it and then after being joining this organization and after like going to these events like I guess I was forced to step outside of just like the people
I originally talked to I started meeting all these other people and I was like huh like I actually like them like these people like they’re not problematic like I’ve met a good a lot of people you know because people like I feel like sometimes could get so caught up and
This is problematic that’s problematic this is racist as racist and that’s very true there’s a lot of that that goes on but not every person of another race that you meet is that is like that like not everyone so many races that you meet although it’s very easy to think that
That’s how it’s gonna be so of course I had my like you know like suspicions coming into this space and I was very cautious about it I was like I’m not tolerating anything so if I’m not comfortable like no but to my surprise like I think this might be oak
So I don’t get me wrong there’s problematic sororities out there of course problematic fraternities out there too but the one I’m in specifically like Oaks I guess it’s known for being the most diverse on campus and I’m all about diversity different types of people so
One of my biggest things was a lot of the girls that I met were like they were all the same I guess it wasn’t like all like white blonde girls like you know it was different people there was people of different races I was like okay interesting
And then like even though I people that I met like I thought myself like this is just an example I found that a lot of the times if something problematic happens I like a party or something with someone like that’s not in our story or someone
Like one of the white frat brothers or something like if anything problematic ever happens you know it’s like if you’re black or if you’re minority you know how tiring it gets to always be the person that has to be like don’t say that because don’t say that ever because
This one way you know I don’t do this because that’s offensive to my people like you know this stuff like that that gets tiring so why is that my job all the time when people should know better however I found like like that trying something
Would happen and I’d be ready to be like listen like literally someone else I was like yes white person in my sorority would be like listen this shouldn’t be my place to have to say this but you other white people is this not this is problematic because this is not and you
Should like you know like going off like preaching for me and like not just for me but like just preaching in general like preaching to other people as to why their behaviors problematic etc etc girls are my sorority like I was like and it’s crazy because I feel like when
You’re black at some at some points sometimes you’re like okay not everything is worth fighting about I’m just gonna like you know let this slide whatever not let this slide but I’m not gonna waste my energy to fight this you know and I found that you know um those
Times when I’m like I’m not I’m really just not gonna fight this because I don’t have the energy there’s one of those girls my sorority that know better and they’re fighting it for me like I never even had to open my mouth because someone’s already saying something like
You know whether is with each other or whether it’s with someone outside of the sorority etc like or whether they’re like an issue happens at the school these girls are fighting for me and like you know not fight you for me directly but just fighting for what’s right and
Like you know preaching about things like that and that’s already like I’m not gonna lie I’m not gonna lie when I first joined I was like oh like you know I’m gonna have to say no white people but I found that they were just I guess
I I guess it’s bad because I mean I didn’t expect this much but then these the type of girls that I’m assurity with are willing to go to that extent for me like without even me having to say anything that’s just the type of girls
They are so I guess I hate like you know those term Lok but these are like will grow I don’t know the whole organization is pretty much like that so that was a big selling factor to me so yeah that’s why I joined like I’m not about and be from
Freaking Southern California I’m in groups of like all types of people so like I hunt like most of my friends are black at home yeah but so I’m in California a lot like my best friend’s Mexican like literally I’ve been around all types of people my other best friend
Filipino like literally all types of people like my friend group was a very diverse low coming Japan I’m like okay how tall black French is very comfortable enough water Nigerians very comfortable and now it’s come to the point where I’m in a shorty with a lot
Of white girls Asia is what I was like like Hispanic girls that aren’t still like very comfortable so that’s why I was okay with you know my sorority yeah people might think these people are problematic etc etc but a lot of the times that’s just like a blanket
Statement and if you don’t take the time to see for yourself what these groups are about specifically and individually because some two different rooms are very different but mine in particular we’re known for being like the progressive like the the diverse one you know so I guess I’m not speaking for all
White Greek life etc but I’m speaking for Oaks in particular that’s why I was if he was doing it and what it came down to was netjet like but before I joined this I was miserable okay Penn was like kicking my butt and I just was I didn’t
Want I did not want to be here I did not want to be at this wall like you know just got to that point where I was like miserable almost socially I was miserable and I needed something like I talked about earlier like some type of purpose like some type of enjoyment in
My life and join your organization like I found that I was happy like I was happy again I was happy so I I hang out with these girls I was happy to go to events like they they do events where like will pair with the frats and will
Go like on a bus to the roll up to the skating rink at Saigon skating well so he does we’ve gone apple-picking together literally the cutest little things so I dressed up and what apple-picking we do like brunch in like let me take a bus and go to brunch
Things like that and it’s just cute oh my goodness informal formal we just super-fancy last year formal was like on the waterfront like literally like these are all expenses that I’ve been missing I’m mixed up on freshman year because I was still see like Sarah even for me um
Formal was really an RA so I’ll say something called pool party like black community we’re like what who’s going to pool part like we’re not about to pay money to go to some party downtown I was pool party last year had the time of my life that’s probably one of my
Best memories and I just feel like a lot of like the way I used to be like you know it’s like I’m not doing any of that stuff like black people don’t do that type of stuff etc that is so closed-minded so close-minded I mean yeah it was very close right in my
Freshman year and I will admit it until I looked at this sounds like let me go see what that’s about cuz it looks interesting and I loved it so I think it’s all about taking the time to learn about these different things if you think it might be interesting something asked about it
Twice come one if you want some that looks like you did something find some that looks like you know something you asked them about it like I’m so happy to talk to anyone that wants to be Oaks now and this year a lot of black little
Freshmen see me and Oaks know like that looks fun what are you doing can we talk about it and I’m like yes 100% yes because I’m enjoying myself and I don’t want people to be so close-minded that they can’t even pursue something or even look at something they
May be interested in because what they’re black so yeah that’s a big thing for me so with that being said I don’t know growing up like Greek life was never like we’re Nigerians like my parents was like you’re not about to join a black sorority like that’s
Worship that’s like Colts and stuff like that eccentric cetera like you’re not allowed to be nice so I did not come I came to like kinda like my mom says I can’t be even I can’t be whatever cuz like my mom said no so I was just like I
Never looked at it was never interested you know like I said I wasn’t interested in any Greek life black/white nothing I was not interested at all so um I just that’s not what I came to college looking for and yeah like I have friends that you can have friends that are
Deltas etc and like who are still friends like we still party together we still hang out we all just have different like social things now and that’s fine and like we’re all thriving in our own ways it’s all about the type of person that you are and what you
Think you would fit in like I just didn’t see like you guys my sophomore year like I was like okay I don’t think black Greek life is for me that’s a personal thing if you want to talk about that one-on-one we could talk about that and why I thought was it for
Me that’s a different conversation that’s all I can say like you have to figure out the type of Christian you are and know where you would fit in know what you’d be comfortable with et cetera it’s all about knowing yourself I think that’s really what it is seeing
Different things see different types of people and organizations and figuring out that’s for you or if it’s not if it’s for you perfect amazing if it’s not for you that’s okay to find something else that’s for you black Greek life was not for me who was
Likely glad for me I don’t really know but was Oaks for me yes because I will not make Oaks and cool white Greek life synonymous because they’re very they’re different okay of some of the other white organizations I don’t know they all have their own stereotypes but I
Know that organization like Oaks what’s for me man I’m so happy to be in it I wear all my freakin gear all the time because I freaking love those girls and I love the organization so you know it really just comes down to type of person you are okay I literally already filled
This video of my camera I’m literally editing and was watching and was like I cannot believe I left this out Oaks my sorority particular literally has a Diversity Committee which I’m on and we it’s like you know to help with diversity and not just diversity in like
Races but diversity in terms of like the different types of people you’re gonna meet whether that’s assist you I cannot background like learning about different types of people and their backgrounds or whether that’s race and last week we actually did gender and sexual and sexual identity so this is like really
Cool really progressive little did I know that going in I would have the diversity committee that I can be a part of and to teach other people in areas they might not be that knowledgeable about and so many people are involved and it’s great like I did not expect any
Of that so yeah that’s what I found coming in And then yeah a lot of people want to know what it was like like in the black community when I came out and did this Bank like you know all of a sudden our nation who had all black friends freshman year sophomore year joins up on
All white which is what they call it basically white people at first were like okay okay so yeah of course before looking at me playing like what the heck like that’s a what are you doing but of course it’s like of course like if if me
Freshman year if I saw a black I’m not gonna like you freshman your I saw a black person joined in a white organization I’d be like that’s interesting like why did you do that like did you forget your fly like you know that’s really how people coming to
This school until you really learn to think for yourself but no when I joined yeah people looked at me funny at first and then at the end of the day nobody cared anymore cuz guess what who was living that life who was in that working boat in the organization me was
It them know everyone who everyone does their own thing so they’re looking at me like oh wow Mitch isn’t Oaks okay interesting and I’m like out interesting and I’m having a great time so now those same parties that I was talking about freshman year like oh you walk to the
Door and they’re like oh who you know Hugh I know everybody cuz I’m here every week so yeah I don’t know there’s like there’s definitely social advantages that I have now in various spaces like now I’m like yeah I could go to all the black parties I could go to all the
White parties that I could have my formal I’m like good my date nights and it’s just cute like I’m having a great time I feel like it’s almost like I have the best of both worlds now people always talk whether you do a black learn the year in black recline for the year
Of my Greek life whether you’re not eating like people always have an opinion about it and end of the day I think the biggest thing is that whose life is it it’s your life at the end of the day who is in the organization me at
The end of the day I know what I’m doing I’m going living it and if it makes me happy then let’s believe I’m gonna freakin do it because I’m having a great time and my pen experience has been enhanced so um but then again like the
Other hand don’t feel like this is a video telling you have to join Greek life to have fun no like total is on the shoe team totally has date nights with the cheer team total has potluck took cetera with the cheer team she travels to games
Listen to your team you know things like that so she has her group like I’ve never been to Princeton and I’ve never been to Harvard until those been to all of that because she cheers at those games etc so literally no matter what could be joined you’re gonna have different
Experiences socially and I just think the biggest part is joining something to have a freaking great time in that thing that you do because at the end of the day you want to have fun in college as well um don’t be afraid to try to figure
Out where you fit in where you’ll have a good time because I feel as if my decision to join Oaks who particular has probably been like the highlight of my college career socially like I’ve had a frickin great time and there’s like a lot of these people especially at
Somewhere like Penn all these people are gonna be important don’t want these people have important parents etc and there’s a lot of connections that you can get like in Greek life in general whether it’s like black life Bike Week like just having a large network of people that you know and have good
Relationships with is great just like the social aspect of your college career matters a lot and in terms of enjoying myself in terms of getting to know people etc Greek life news has really like enhance that for me But yeah all in all that’s why I netjet joined a white sorority do I regret it nope have I had a great time yes look I recommend other people join Greek life yes cuz I’m biased only because I’m having a great time and it’s been I know
It’s been really fulfilling to me and literally it’s not all about the social it’s not all about partying also about like philanthropy so our organization actually raised $17,000 for an organization called movement against abuse last year and all money like the whole 17 something thousand dollars went
To the organization and we just had women from the organizing they should come and speak to us and talk about how important it and how thankful they are for organization and reason that money for them every year so there’s definitely giving back involved it’s so many things I just feel
Really good about joining and yeah so Greek life has done wonders for my social life I have a great time I know way more people in all different communities all different races now like I don’t feel like I’m so stuck I feel like I can do the black parties I can do
The white parties like I can do everything now and I’m welcomed in any space it’s all about really just making sure you try to experience those areas because it’s really easy to just be bundled up in your one space and be content with it so yeah um that’s all I
Got for you guys a lot of people have really been asking why don’t you make a video about Greek life why don’t you make a video about Greek life well here it is if you guys have any more questions I’m more than happy to answer it just letting you know make sure to
Follow me in Toulouse on Instagram make sure to follow me is totally on snapchat which we don’t really use anymore but a lot of you guys have messaged me on snapchat and I always message you back Instagram is really good for me and I love in sit-down followers so make sure
You guys follow us and yeah I don’t know where to Luis but this is Nessa signing off as nutshot up to bye guys
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