I would like to take this topic from another perspective. Several years ago my cousin pledged Kappa Alpha Psi. He worked hard when he was pledged (back then they pledged). When my cousin finally went over, he was celebrating at a party with his frats. Some "old heads" didn't recognize him and tried to challenge him. When my cousin responded to their challenge (correctly, mind you) they kicked his butt so bad he couldn't walk the next day. They tried to say that because they didn't recognize him they felt they had the right to beat him down. Fortunately, his big bruhs told them what was going on and got the guys off of him. Sometimes you just don't know. The thing that amazed me was when the "old heads" found out my cousin was legitimate they picked him up and dusted him off like nothing happened. My cousin didn't even mind. He wore his bruises like a badge!!!! The moral here, look before you beat!

"Some "old heads" didn't recognize him and tried to challenge him. When my cousin responded to their challenge (correctly, mind you) they kicked his butt so bad he couldn't walk the next day."

Sounds like a problem that could have easily been avoided if he had just explained to those older guys that he was a recent initiate. If they didn't believe him, he could have given them the secret handshake, secret password, etc. That's a lot better than getting his ass kicked. Although then, like you say, he wouldn't have had any bruises to show off as a result of his encounter.

Yes you can get into legal trouble. I had some friends who went to school upstate NY, and I heard at one of those universities there had been some heads claiming to be Kappas (might have really thought they were but KAP nationals didnt think so) and from what I hear KAP nationals put up huge posters in the student center and in the student papers saying that if anyone saw these heads wearing Kappa letters or claiming to be Kappas call the national headquarters. It is copyright infringement. Fraternities and sororities own their symbols, you cant just wear AKA cause ya like pink and green. As far as saying youre a member when youre not, more than a beat down by the local chapters (depending on who youre dealing with) I figure these organizations can take legal action against you for misrepresentation. I mean people are card carrying members for a reason.

Actually, anybody are able to wear any letters they wan't. The only recourse a national can have is when a recognized organization claim they are a chapter when they are not. I could easily purchased anybody's letter. Or make my own. It's like anybody allowed to wear a boyscout uniform. Just go to e-bay and anybody could even purchased an organizations badge easily.

YOU ARE RIGHT, FROM A "HUMAN RIGHTS" STANDPOINT, ONE CAN GO OUT PURCHASE AND WHERE A FRAT/SOROR'S NALIA. HOWEVER I HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT PERPETRATING, THINK TWICE ABOUT THE LEGAL AND PHYSICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THEIR ACTIONS. I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG MEN WHO PERP MY FRAT AND THE WORD IS OUT ON THEM. WHEN PERPS GET CAUGHT THEY ARE DEALTY WITH. NOW I'M NOT ADVOCATING VIOLENCE ON ANY LEVEL, BUT THAT'S THE REALITY. I'M QUITE SURE SOROR'S/FRAT CAN TELL WHEN A PERP ROLLS UP ON THEIR YARD OR THEY ENCOUNTER THEM ELSEWHERE. WE VIEW IT AS AN INSULT AND TAKE IT PERSONALLY.

If you see a sorority that has a chapter that acts like that I suggest that you don't join unless you believe that you can somehow help them become united. However, there are many sororities where that is no were near true. In my sorority we will go out of our way to speak to sorors who we just saw ten minutes ago. Why? because they are my sisters and although we might have family squabbles, I will always love and stand by my sisters

There is nothing wrong with perping. If a frat or sorority wants to "sell" their letters to any individual who goes into a "para" store then anyone should be able to purchase them.

THIS IS FOR PINKBUNNYY 99 I LIKED HOW YOU SAID BAVK IN THE DAY WHEN THEY USED TO PLEDGE AS IF YALL DO NOT DO IT NOW LMAO!!!!!!! COME ON KEEP IT REAL! I KNOW THAT WAS OFF THE SUBJECT BUT IT WAS TOO FUNNY TO LET SLIDE.

you are slightly confused. let me help you out. it's not the purchasing of 'nalia (para) that is at issue. it is the wearing of it and/or claiming to be a member of something you're not....something that people have WORKED EXTREMELY HARD to achieve...

SigEpYoda, exactly. Why would anyone want to go around and act like something they're not. I suppose that happens every day. I mean look at the people that steal others medals or wear war medals/purple hearts acting like they earned them. How disrespectful. I mean when I was in school there were times someone had a hat or something with their letters lost and none of other greeks would wear it. I mean they could, but they didn't out of respect. I guess only greeks can really understand that. No offense to anyone reading this that isnt greek. Its just thats a slap in the face when someone wears your letters or anything affiliated with your organization that isnt a part of your organization. I could see though how people that wouldnt know better, like a bum, that wouldnt know any better.

Kevin Mullinix
Beta Theta Pi Alum
Epsilon Mu Chapter
George Mason University

[This message has been edited by kmullini (edited May 20, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by kmullini (edited May 20, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by kmullini (edited May 20, 2000).]

I don't mean to sound clueless but what is Nalia?

You don't sound clueless. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Nalia is short for Paraphernalia. Nalia is items that have the Sorority/Fraternity letters on them. Shirts, jackets, key chains, etc.

ZetaAce

I DON'T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO WEAR THE 'NALIA IF THEY HAVEN'T WORKED AS HARD, LEARNED ALL OF THE INFO, OR EVEN BE AS DEDICATED TO THE ORGANIZATION AS THE REAL MEMBERS (MOST OF THE TIME). IF THEY WANT TO BE A MEMBER THAT BAD, JUST GO THROUGH THE MEMBERSHIP INTAKE PROCESS. YOU WILL BE AMAZED OF ALL THE FUN YOU WILL HAVE. IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF A REAL CHALLENGE, THEN DON'T GO AROUND FRONTING THAT YOU ARE A MEMBER OF WHATEVER ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ARE NOT. THAT GIRL THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IS CRAZY. IN ALL OF THOSE YEAR SHE COULD HAVE PLEDGE SEVERAL TIMES OVER. SHE NEEDS A REALITY CHECK. IT JUST MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. BE THAT WOMAN OR MAN AND GO THROUGH THE REAL PROCESS AND ALL OF YOUR LETTERS THE RIGHT WAY.

If I catch you perping my Sorority, you will be dealt with! I have caught 3 perps on the net. I even caught this chick trying to perp my own daggone chapter! If you thinking about perping, u better think before you act, cause the Greek World is too small to let that madness slide for too long! You will suffer the consequences...but for some of you cyber perps, u just live to perp another day....NOT!

ZZZZZZZZ PHIIIIII !!!!!!!!!!!

12dn94dst- Thank you for your kind words http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I have much love for Zeta Phi Beta. I know that we handle business just like DST, SGRho, and AKA do. You are right, our organizations work hard in our communities and I am proud of that fact.

Don't worry about the post that LOL put up. S/he hasn't posted one positive thing on this board yet. LOL is probably just some pathetic person that has nothing better to do. Let him/her be ignorant, s/he seems to be good at it!

ZetaAce

[This message has been edited by ZetaAce (edited May 31, 2000).]