Chapter 11: Color Complex: The Line of Division Within Sorority and Fraternity Organizations

Hill’s (2002) research indicates the consequences of skin-tone prejudice are far-reaching in the African-American culture—influencing life prospects, appearance expectations, selection of friends, and self-efficacy. Within Black communities, the concept of skin tone bias is as historical as enslavement. This chapter examines colorism and racism in Greek-letter organizations, including its historical origins and how it is sustained in practice. Using Harris’ (1993) concept of “Whiteness as property” and anti-Blackness as frameworks for analyzing issues of color in sororities and fraternities, we argue that anti-Blackness has been perpetuated in Greek letter-organizations in the following ways: (a) “White clauses” and history of race in Greek-letter organization, (b) colorism and “brown paper bag tests,” and (c) contemporary racism and racial exclusion. Implications for student affairs practice and research are discussed.