People love to see black and white but hate to see grey, according to Darek Jackson.Jackson, political science senior, speaks from experience as the only white member of the University’s chapter of Iota Phi Theta.Iota Phi Theta became a fraternity in the National Panhellenic Council in 1963, according to the fraternity’s Web site. There are other chapters at Southern University, Dillard University, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Grambling State University and McNeese State University.Jackson became interested in Iota Phi Theta after meeting a member in an African-American history class in the spring of 2007 after he transferred to LSU from Northwestern University in fall 2006. He did research on the fraternity and contacted members.”I had a bad couple of run-ins with predominantly white Greek organizations at Northwestern,” he said.Iota Phi Theta seemed like the perfect fit, he said.”Iota is based on being yourself and being unique,” he said.Jackson said he pledged at Southern University, one of the largest historically black colleges in the nation, despite never attending the school.”It was a harder process [at Southern],” he said. “You’re going to get messed with, but that’s the process of becoming a member.”Jackson said he was shunned by the white community after becoming a member of the fraternity.”Stereotypes for people are a shorthand version of a way to live your life,” he said.But Jackson is treated no differently within his fraternity, he said.”If race is an issue, it’s definitely from outsiders of the fraternity looking in,” he said. “I’m just as much a brother as anybody else.”Jackson became the only member of his fraternity at LSU after his brothers graduated. There are only 20 Iotas in Baton Rouge, he said.Race is an issue when trying to promote his fraternity, Jackson said.”This is a historically black Greek organization that the only member at this school happens to be white,” he said.Jackson’s dedication to his fraternity can be seen by the brand of his fraternity letters on his calf.”[The brand shows] our level of intensity for our fraternity is that great,” he said. “I’m going to be that forever. I can’t regrow skin.”The letters were burned into his skin with a coat hanger after he was initiated.”It hurt 10 times less than a tattoo, but it was 10 times worse when it healed,” he said.Jackson isn’t the only fraternity member who doesn’t fit the mold. Fred Jones, theatre performance senior, is a black member of Phi Delta Theta, which is considered a white fraternity.”Phi Delta Theta is nationally mainly white,” Jones said. “But everybody in our fraternity is open to people of all kinds of races.”Jones said many fraternities on campus are racist.”I don’t know what fraternity, but they have an annual barbecue where they dress in confederate outfits,” he said. “There’s just racism in Louisiana, period.”Jones said Jackson’s color in his fraternity is a step toward diversity in Greek life.”Now that [Jackson] is in a black fraternity, there will be another white guy out there that wants to join,” he said. “A lot of people are scared to be the first.”Dexter Vaughn, communication disorders freshman, said Jackson’s place in Iota Phi Theta will help students accept racial differences.”I think it’s time that we break down the barriers,” Vaughn said. “It’s a diverse world, so we all have to deal.”James Dunegan, computer science freshman, said students should view fraternities as organizations and not as racial groups.”A Baptist doesn’t go to a Catholic church,” Dunegan said. “It’s groups of common interest not necessarily a racial battle.”But it will be difficult for Jackson to promote his fraternity because it will bring people out of their comfort zone, Dunegan said.”[Jackson] is making a big step for everybody,” Jones said.But Jackson has a pessimistic view of human nature when it comes to racism.”Iota is based on being yourself and being unique,” Jackson said. “I hope people realize that. If they don’t, I’ll hold it down until I graduate.”—-Contact Kristen M’lissa Rowlett at [email protected]