I have to agree with GP and Rudey on this one.

No. Wrong. I view ANYONE who is/was a member of a gang as being THE criminals of America. I don't care if you are red, purple, white, green, black, or striped!

yes i know they are. so where do they keep the official list of gang member initiates... i'd love to see that...

Once again, has anyone actually seen someone who is purple, green or striped??
j/k:p

Yep, I've someone turn purple, more of a violet color, but it wasn't cute.

And I have seen a man who has had himself tattoed to look like a tiger -- orange and black stripes.

I can't think of anyone green, but the point is, smarty pants, if they are/were in a gang, I don't give a flying squirrel what anybody looks like, where they come from, what degree(s) they may or not have, or what color they are, but I will not be in favor of them joining my sisterhood.

Well, obviously it wasn't their fault neither, so why blame them for their unfortunate situation???

Sistermadly - I give you a big 2 thumbs up for your last statement. I understand EXACTLY where you are coming from.
^5

that was not the point of my post. i didn't say anyone was arguing about it. you are always so quick to jump to conclusions.

i knew a lot of gang members and no, would not want them in my sorority. geez.

Re: Do you really know
 

Not all groups rely on only the "testimony" (for lack of a better word) of potential members on their worthiness to be a member. We have recs, a lot of alumnae with open eyes, etc. For someone to get away with somethng like this, a lot of people would have to be lying for them, and in a case where people may be being watched by those they don't even know are an alum, it would be hard to find a good reason for those "strangers" (to the PNM) to get them to lie.

Re: Re: Do you really know
 

How would those people know if they didn't ask the PNM or run a background check on them?

they can be teachers, family friends, parents of other students that they went to high school with, co-workers, you name it. You may never know who's an alum of a group that's in your life if they never mention it. Just look at some of the posts on "Southern Rush" (not to bring up that old horse), but alumnae often keep their eyes on local girls in order to make recommendations to their collegiate chapters.

Example: If the younger sister of a high school friend of mine decides to rush, and I know that she was doing all kinds of drugs, sleeping around, or even running with a gang (as is the subject of this thread), you can be sure I'd tell my group about it. This girl probably doesn't know I exist, but I know she exists. See where I'm going with this?

Ginger is making a lot of valid points.

I come from a very small chapter, where nearly everybody is from a suburb of the two major cities in Wisconsin, or another one of the suburbs. When I joined, three of the girls in my pledge class were from the same town as an active sister, another went to high school with an active sister, and the rest of the girls were from neighboring suburbs of Madison. We know where these girls are from and how they grew up, and we know they aren't/weren't part of gangs. Gangs did not exist in the towns where we grew up. You can spew all you want about how there are white gangs, and maybe there are, but not out here in BFE, Wisconsin.

If, for whatever reason, some girl had been a member of a gang, and lied to us about it, her membership would likely be terminated. I don't care if you made mistakes in our youth, I think that reflects poorly on you as a member. There are opportunities I will be denied in life because of poor choices I made, and that's something you have to deal with.

I don't think Epitome was being smart. She was just asking a question to lighten up the thread.

Ginger and GP's posts, although very valid, apply more to smaller, more insular Greek systems where most of the girls come from the same area, everyone knows their business, etc. Even a larger Greek system in the same state may have different issues.

At schools that attract a broader range of women, it's really hard to know their stories before they arrive on campus for Recruitment. We rarely had more than a few sisters from the same state--let alone the same small town! Very rarely do we receive recommendations, so we used the semester before Recruitment to gauge whether or not interested women were suitable for our sisterhood.

Basically, we let them start college with a clean slate.

So I guess the question is no longer would you let a gang member into your chapter?

This is just the thread where we talk about how gang members are going to get in because you can't stop them and well if you don't want them it doesn't matter.

I still haven't found a taker for the rapist, molestor, and the chick that shot a store clerk. They desperately want to join some of your forgiving chapters :) Anyone want some?

-Rudey

I've said YES I would take an ex gang member and NO I wouldn't take an active gang member. As far as the "rapist, molestor, and the chick that shot a store clerk," have these people been through therapy of some sort...for that matter, are they currently in prison? And, come to think of it, how many date rapes occur on college campuses and how many occur within the Greek system? So, it would seem that someone is taking rapists.

The difference between a date rapist and a rapist is usually that someone doesn't know and that's why it happens on the date. Again, it seems you had difficulty answering the question of would you take them and made it into one of how do you know so you should.

OK the rapist, molestor, and chick that shot the store clerk were all in gangs...gave it up around the prime age of say 19. Yeah they served a little time but not much since really it all happened when they were juveniles. So now they show up at your door and you'll take them?

-Rudey

Too bad YOUR view on this isn't the majority view. I applaud YOU, though.

If those people have been through therapy and cleared of any mental issues and if they have served their time and shown marked improvement, I'd consider them. I wouldn't just take them, but I'd consider them. I'm sure there are certain people on this forum who have a "past" but I would never ask them to divulge when they are representing their organizations. These people have made an obvious change in their lives and may or may not have mentioned that to their brothers/sisters. A LOT can happen as a juvenile offender than no one knows about.

How do you ask a question to lighten up a thread if you are not being smart?

I never said it was the view of the majority, and I know you never said I did either.

I've stated my opinion and that's that.

Because she started a thread the other day asking if anyone had seen purple people. It was joke.

I know a couple of young men who were in gangs. They changed their lives around, went off to college, pledged fraternities, and graduated from college. Both are wonderful people and assets to their organizations.

(Sidebar) To whomever made an indirect reference to my posts about what types of activities gangs involve themselves in: Right, spray painting signs is not a GOOD thing. But, (using the logic that some people in this thread have been using) I'd rather have a FORMER gang member in my chapter who spray painted some signs in her wayward days as a 13 year old THAN have a FORMER gang member who served prison time for shooting someone when they were 13.

Both are in someone's past and occurred during youth, but if we're talking about (what many people alluded to as) threats to safety and integrity, I think the latter COULD (not a definite) be a greater indicater than the former. If people are adamently against gangs, PERIOD, they should think about the wide variety of gangs and gang activities, out there. Most things in life aren't so cut and dry...but, it appears to be to most of you.

Right. I'm just commending you and wishing others could be as objective.


That is all.

So far this seems to have only happened to someone you know and not even you. I haven't even heard of it being an issue before. I guess the odds are just slightly over what would happen if Milosevic wanted to join your org. It's low but it can happen and some people might not care and some might. Great discussion.

-Rudey

It has happened to two people (these people are the actual former gang members) I'm close to. Something doesn't have to happen to MY CHAPTER for me to know how I feel about it.

If we're going based on likelihood: There are parts of this country where gang activity is more rampid than others. There are parts of this country where many of the Greeks ARE former gang members, because gang membership is a part of the local culture. So, likelihood isn't important b/c this thread didn't start off with the premise of likelihood. Just know that ANYTHING'S possible and that's ALL that matters.

Hey I didn't deny the possibility. Tomorrow we're initiating two guys from Mars. Nobody thought that would happen but we like to be groundbreakers.

-Rudey

Alright. Gotcha.

Exactly! Anything's possible. You managed to find two guys from your hometown, Mars. You're an asset to your organization.

People change. If there is a way to assure that they truly are EX gang members, I would have no problem with them.

Lol, there's actually a town not far from Pittsburgh called Mars, PA.

Bet there's a decent sized handful of GLO members from Mars. :D

That's exactly what I said when you quoted me. It's NOT their fault, but it isn't mine either. I'm spending upwards of $4,000- you can bet I'm going to live in the safest, best place possible with the best girls....and when I have input as to who is chosen to live with us and wear my letters, it's my perogative to choose someone who didn't make what I feel is a foolish decision.

Again, their reasons may have been totally valid....they had the right to join a gang, I have the right to not associate with that.

That's got "bad joke" potential. :D

Is that how much it costs for you to live in the house?

:o

I am very surprised in all of this dialog that no one has brought up Hells Angels or The KKK?:confused: Throw in The Aryan Nation for just seasoning!:rolleyes:

While "Gangs" and "Groups/Clubs" may seem similar in structure, maybe the Biggest difference is the purpose that they were started?

Protect a Turf problem, have a structure, as opposed to a Greek Letter Organization with different Ideal and Morals who also have a structure.

Is there a difference between the two with the hazing? Yes.

Do Greek Organizations Haze and do some very stupid things that people get hurt or killed, yes. Was that The intent, I dont think so! Stupid and damn dumb, Yes!

Is it possible that any Group/Organiztion could have someone with a background who had problems but had the will to change their life styles. Yes, and I find nothing wrong with that! Good for them!

Maybe Gangs run rampant in a structured society, while clubs run a structured society and screw up.

School year is 8 months long, approx., so that's only $500/month. not sure where AXJules lives, but that's not too bad.

And you're right... the town of Mars, PA has lots of jokes. Of course, the customs officials going into Canada didn't think it was a joke when several people I was with said they were from Mars when he asked them where they were from (true story) :p

:)

It's over $2000 a semester to live in house- this includes food monday-friday, electricity/cable/water etc., dues, marketing fee, facility fee, various t shirts and other crap, etc.
I think it's about 4300 for the year.

hbt

Actually if you would check what it cost to live in dorms or off campus, do the food plan of the School or eat off campus , dues, fees etc. you will find it is cheaper for people to live in The Greek Chapter Houses and over all for what you pay for cheaper!.:)

Reason being, is that Greeks try to be so competetive cost wise. We have to be some what.

I know my chapter Guys paid anywhere from $35 to $100 a month less!

Adds up quick with the rising cost of per Hour Credits since Federal Funds have been cut back!

$4000 is not too bad.
My alma mater can run upwards of $7K a year to live in the house.