Anonymous wrote:

I always heard J&J was a light skinned brown paper bag preferred group, like some sororities and fraternities were back in the day. If you were too dark, you were not welcome. I hope that has at least changed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be fair, I actually googled J&J. Not much on the website as clearly it's as outdated and silly as I thought it was.

Tell me, who are your notable members? Obama? Michelle? Clarence Thomas? Ben Carson? Oprah?

Exactly!

Lol--I'll humor you hater.

Let's start with the basics: Oprah has never been a member of J&J because she doesn't have children. I'm not sure if Ben Carson or Clarence Thomas have been members, but I certainly hope not.

So, besides judges, lawyers, doctors, educators, entrepreneurs and politicians, specific past and present J&J members include, but are not limited to:

--Debra Lee (President and CEO of BET)
--Phylicia Rashad
--Debbie Allen
--The wives of many mayors, including David Dinkins and Andrew Young
--Alma Brown (wife of late Commerce Secretary Ron Brown--under Clinton)
--Lynn Whitfield
--U.S. Senator Cory Booker (J&J alum)
--Rachel Robinson (Jackie Robinson's widow)
--Betty Shabazz (Malcolm X's widow)
--Dr. Charles Drew (his great-grandchildren are current members). Dr. Drew invented the blood bank and blood plasma storage
--Randall Kennedy (noted Harvard Law professor)

Not every notable AA is a member of J&J (duh!), but we have done ok. It's clearly not the right organization for you, so just keep it moving.

Anonymous wrote:Since 1938 that's the best you could do? And your list proves once again how OUTDATED the organization is. No one on that list is under 60. And let's not pretend Oprah would be waiting on an invite if she had children. Ha! Interesting that the notables you list (ex: Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen etc) didn't put their children in the org. People who can provide real opportunities and networking for their children through the virtue of their own successful living don't have to!

That's a veeeeerrrry short list of alums compared to the many, many successful people the AA community has churned out over the decades. And to think, none of them needed to be extended an invite from J&J!

I'm sure Michelle's not sweating hoping that an invite is waiting for Sasha and Malia when they return from the travels. Some people just don't need the pretentiousness!

Anonymous wrote:To be fair, I actually googled J&J. Not much on the website as clearly it's as outdated and silly as I thought it was.

Tell me, who are your notable members? Obama? Michelle? Clarence Thomas? Ben Carson? Oprah?

Exactly!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a trailer for the show?

SN: I've always thought J&J was such a ridiculously pretension way for Blacks to once again try desperately to mimic Whites.

Really? What is the name of this white organization that Jack & Jill (founded in 1938) is trying to "mimic"? Please tell me all about the national organization, created by white mothers, to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for their white children. Oh, that's right--such an organization doesn't exist. And mimic doesn't mean what you think it means.

You seem to believe that anytime AA do something to improve their lives, they must be trying to imitate white people. In your mind, they cannot possibly just have high standards. Please raise YOUR standards and free YOUR mind.

Whites didn't have to start an exclusive organization. It was simply called being a part of high society. White high society is what J&J continues to try to duplicate. Why else would you be so proud of your exclusivity and need to be invited to join.

Nope! Not offended by your attempted insults. You know nothing of me nor my accomplishments. I promise you they, my material possessions, and lifestyle run circles around you. Therefore, I have no need to wish to be a part of a members only group to give my children opportunities.

Why do you care so much??? I can honestly say my participation in Jack and Jill was one of my best childhood/teen experiences. Their programming and opportunities are unparalleled. I have so many fond memories of the teen conferences I attended and all of the wonderful friends I met from around the country. Until you are a part of J&J, you really have no idea how the organization strengthens and prepares children for college and the work world. But more importantly, it helps build self esteem and confidence, a crucial cornerstone for individual success. Honestly, if you ever get the chance to join, then take it - your kids will thank you later. As a black child raised in a predominantly white suburb, I know I am eternally grateful my mom put forth the time, money and effort so I could participate.

The reason the organization is exclusive is because generally, people like to socialize with people who they have things in common with. So J&J members tend to extend invitations to their friends who are similarly situated, which is usually very highly educated and/or successful people who are financially comfortable. This type of like minded socializing is not really unusual. I am surprised you are so offended by it. I really don't see the benefit of just letting any person in. I like the fact that a person has to be invited in because that means her sponsor really knows the member and is vouching for her in many ways, including that she shares the same values as the members; that she is professional and poised in her interactions with others and that she is able to afford all of the activities offered.

I have heard people say that J&J should do activities with inner city children/families or for the poor. The thing is J&J does do lots of charity work for the poor and children/families in the inner city; however, it is not a charitable organization. It is a mother's organization dedicated to providing wonderful opportunities and socialization for our children.

I think you should be proud that an organization like this exists, even if you are not a part of it. Also try and gain a little more insight before you post. Everything you have said so far is untrue, which is odd when information about the organization's purpose and history is so readily available. It almost sounds like you wanted to get in but could not. I know you say this is not true but you seem unusually interested in this thread, yet are proclaiming you have no interest in the organization.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a trailer for the show?

SN: I've always thought J&J was such a ridiculously pretension way for Blacks to once again try desperately to mimic Whites.

Really? What is the name of this white organization that Jack & Jill (founded in 1938) is trying to "mimic"? Please tell me all about the national organization, created by white mothers, to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for their white children. Oh, that's right--such an organization doesn't exist. And mimic doesn't mean what you think it means.

You seem to believe that anytime AA do something to improve their lives, they must be trying to imitate white people. In your mind, they cannot possibly just have high standards. Please raise YOUR standards and free YOUR mind.

Whites didn't have to start an exclusive organization. It was simply called being a part of high society. White high society is what J&J continues to try to duplicate. Why else would you be so proud of your exclusivity and need to be invited to join.

Nope! Not offended by your attempted insults. You know nothing of me nor my accomplishments. I promise you they, my material possessions, and lifestyle run circles around you. Therefore, I have no need to wish to be a part of a members only group to give my children opportunities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a trailer for the show?

SN: I've always thought J&J was such a ridiculously pretension way for Blacks to once again try desperately to mimic Whites.

Really? What is the name of this white organization that Jack & Jill (founded in 1938) is trying to "mimic"? Please tell me all about the national organization, created by white mothers, to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for their white children. Oh, that's right--such an organization doesn't exist. And mimic doesn't mean what you think it means.

You seem to believe that anytime AA do something to improve their lives, they must be trying to imitate white people. In your mind, they cannot possibly just have high standards. Please raise YOUR standards and free YOUR mind.

Whites didn't have to start an exclusive organization. It was simply called being a part of high society. White high society is what J&J continues to try to duplicate. Why else would you be so proud of your exclusivity and need to be invited to join.

Nope! Not offended by your attempted insults. You know nothing of me nor my accomplishments. I promise you they, my material possessions, and lifestyle run circles around you. Therefore, I have no need to wish to be a part of a members only group to give my children opportunities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a trailer for the show?

SN: I've always thought J&J was such a ridiculously pretension way for Blacks to once again try desperately to mimic Whites.

Says the Jack and Jill reject who clearly knows nothing about the organization. Carry on.

I know enough to know that I'd never even want to apply to be a part of such a group of pretentious people who try way too hard. So no I'd never be a reject.

Try as you'd like, you'll never be a white debutante from old money.

Anonymous wrote:Omg why am I just hearing about this!!!! Lol

But Stacie turner from House wives of DC was a jack and Jill mom and she represented her self very well imo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a trailer for the show?

SN: I've always thought J&J was such a ridiculously pretension way for Blacks to once again try desperately to mimic Whites.

Really? What is the name of this white organization that Jack & Jill (founded in 1938) is trying to "mimic"? Please tell me all about the national organization, created by white mothers, to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for their white children. Oh, that's right--such an organization doesn't exist. And mimic doesn't mean what you think it means.

You seem to believe that anytime AA do something to improve their lives, they must be trying to imitate white people. In your mind, they cannot possibly just have high standards. Please raise YOUR standards and free YOUR mind.