My Choice, My Fraternity, and My Engagement: Experiences of White Men in Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO)

This qualitative study grounded in the theoretical framework and research of Alexander Astin’s Student Engagement Theory, with support from Critical Race Theory and Terrell Strayhorn’s work on Sense of Student Belonging, utilizes a methodological case-study approach with multiple units of analysis. In an effort to understand the choice, ownership, and engagement of White men who hold membership in Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO), this study utilized the counter-narrative tenant presented and supported by Critical Race Theory to examine the racial identity and engagement of fraternity men from a pluralistic experience. Additionally, the researcher hypothesized that there is a special experience of White men who belong to the historical racially segregated fraternal organizations in America. What was learned was the sense of self-awareness participants had of their own racial identity, how it was portrayed as members of their respective fraternity. Additionally, this study highlighted the experiences of each man who from a point of privilege and majority as a White man and how that was translated when they became the minority population in and minority group. For all of the participants there was a sense of ownership and pride by each of their respective fraternity, a connection and commitment to the fraternity’s mission, purpose, values, and commitment to the community and members the fraternity supported