Ex-Gang Members?
 

I've had the opportunity to meet Greeks who have admitted to being in gangs. Would you extend membership to someone who had such a past?

Good debate
 

It parallels the workplace issue of will you give a job to someone with a criminal record. A lot of people say they feel they can't be sure of the person. Others say it depends on the individual cirumstances.

In the situation you gave, the main point is whether the operative word is _past_. Have they since left the gang into which they entered through circumstance or overriding local culture; have they left behind the negative aspects it brought into their life, and now (and for the future) adamantly want to uphold the ideals of your organisation? !

I realise I haven't given my answer to your closed question yet. :)

eta: might fix the grammar later

This must be the reason that some Greeks want to beat someone down for "wearing their letters".

-Rudey
--We have enough of a risk to deal with without criminals, thugs, and the like.

Re: Ex-Gang Members?
 

Yes.

No.

But, the original post alluded to a PAST.

Many gangs don't participate in criminal activity (they participate in petty offenses, that would appear mostly on juvenile delinquency scales) and have very small incidents of violence.

There are fraternities and GDIs who are more violent and criminal than many of these gang members. So, you can't always hold someone accountable for their PAST, and assume what their PAST entails, unless you wish to constantly be held accountable for yours.

Rudy-
Generally I disagree with you, but that was funny. Lol!!!

Um, my first reaction is no. If the girls in my chapter find out that a PNM has done something morally repungent, they don't keep her long. For instance, a girl came through formal recruitment (which is formal! there is an ettiquite) and said told an active that she had purposely caused a car accident becasue she didn't like someone. I think it was a fender bender, but I don't want anyone with revenge skills like that around! out she went.

It's funny that some people are under the ASSumption that you can stop ex-gang members from joining. tehetehe....That's TOO funny.

As if there aren't some who are already Greek. I know a few.
And EX is the operative word. People change, and shouldn't be denied the right to wear some letters because of their past. If that was the case, a LOT of people would be sitting on the sidelines. No one says anything about darn near prostitutes being Greek, but deny someone because of EX gang membership? Some of the best contributors to Greek Life are those from tainted pasts. They serve the community because they care, and they know how it is. They don't do it to have a cute resume.

That Is All:)

Well what if they were still "involved" with their gang?

It's funny that some people are under the ASSumption that they are Greek.

-Rudey

Right your past means nothing. Your past determines what school you go to, what job you get, provides backing to what you can do in the present and future...but I guess your past really is nothing.

-Rudey

That's an entirely different situation.

I see that as a conflict of interest. Especially for those interested in NPHC groups, whose primary focus is community service.
Hpw can you be a member of one group, who does a disservice to their community while try to apply/hold membership in another group who strives to uplift the community. A bit hypocritical don't you think?

Yes I have letters and they mean something. You don't have what the letters mean, nor the letters. You act as if you're in a sorority...black, white, whatever. You are in nothing. Either do it or shutup.

This is a Greek website. Those that aren't Greek come on to ask questions, they don't come on to talk about what Greeks do as if they were Greek.

-Rudey

No one said your past "means nothing." You past determines alot, but most of the things in your life are determined by your social position (specifically race, class, and gender). But, we're talking about PAST gang members. Many gang members join in their pre-teens and middle teens. HINT: Juvenile delinquency records are sealed after a certain point...for a reason.

Someone being a PAST gang members does not dictate whether or not they should be in a fraternity or sorority (with the assumption that they have resembled the "membership criteria" and express that they are no longer gang affiliated).

You are correct!!!

There are FORMER gang members in NPHC orgs. I don't know of any CURRENT gang members. But, remember, many people joined gangs in their youth and did little to nothing more than spray paint some street signs and get into a couple of fights. I know nongang people who have done FAR worse.

tehetehe...Uhhhh, please go somewhere with that mess.
People kill me with this superiority complex, I'm a part of some groups too, Wooooo I know what Mu Alpha Theta means.

I will respond to whatever I choose, you could always ignore me. I ask questions, I respond to questions. I'm not on here seeking to soak up Greek knowledge, I have a different aim, but then again that is of no concern to you.

Anywhodolini, Deuika doesn't do arguments, that's for simple minds, have fun.

We don't run criminal checks on our members. But their past dictates their character. If you don't care, then don't care but for me it matters.

-Rudey

Agree. I didn't join a thug support group, I joined a sisterhood.

Deuika doesn't do thinking either. This isn't an argument. You are NOT Greek and know nothing about what Greeks do.

You can ask questions and people will answer. Anything more, and people like me will feel free to respond and remind you that you are nothing. That isn't an argument.

-Rudey
--I'm not Greek, but I'm in groups...hilarious.

I'm waiting until this turns into a racial thread.

-Rudey
--That would make my day

I'm sure you don't.

So, someone being in a gang is VOLUNTEERED information. Just like someone having warrants against them is VOLUNTEERED information. Ummmmm, what about potentials who have had a number of DUIs...or have been in jail for public disorder? Welllll, looks like there are quite a few things that happen in people's past. Matter of fact, some of these latter things happen in people's present. Who would've guessed your newest fraternity brother would just LOOOOVE to drink and drive...was there something in his PAST that told you that?

Hey, dude...don't get all sensitive with me :mad: I care that you care...we can all care and share together :mad: ;)

tehetehe...Dude, have you ever met me?
How do you know what I know about Greek Life, don't believe everything you read.

That Is All:)
You Be Good Now, Someone Loves You, Somewhere

Okay, just to make your day:

I think there's a difference in how people see whites in gangs versus minorities in gangs. More specifically, whites in gangs are more viewed as doing "wild and crazy things as part of their youth" versus minorities are viewed as the "future criminals of America." This extends to the behaviors of youth who are not in gangs, as well.

But, that's off topic. Just ignore me :)

All the white people I've seen in gangs have been in a "minority gang," I don't think there's a lot of white gang activity, unless you consider all the 13 y/o kids in their matching 'crombie outfits to be in a gang.

"Thug support group." Interesting. Your "sisters" could have a past (and a present) that would surprise you.

You're being silly and stating obvious things. Their past isn't one event. Everyone has made mistakes. But it's not just one mistake that determines everything. By the time someone gets to college they will have, on average, 18 years of a past. The more recent years will matter more. The bad things they've done depend on the severity. And it's not just the bad, but the good.

If I alone were making the decision on them, I would cut them hard if I even thought they'd present a risk to me because I don't want to see "Johnny McThug was caught snorting lines after beating up the dean because he didn't like the fact that he wore his former gang colors. Johnny McThug is also a member of...."

-Rudey

I only looked away for 2 seconds...wha happened, lol.

Of course, people would think there isn't a lot of "white gang activity." That fits well with the stereotypes of gangs that people have. Even Hollywood (as inaccurate is it tends to be) has reminded us that there are a lot of "white" gangs out there, in both the suburbs and the inner city. Hollywood is correct, but, again...these "white" gangs are virtually harmless. Eh?

:)

People are obviously confused on what gangs truly are. There are more gangs than the Bloods and the Crips, gangs have existed for hundreds of years. And there are plenty of "majorities" in gangs.

FYI...This has nothing to do with GREEK affiliation for all you Superior Greeks out there. My inferior GDI behind actually knows what a gang is.

What white gangs did you know? And who said they were harmless? You want gangs in your neighborhood fine, but white, black, native american...I don't care. I don't want gangs of any color or religious denomination in my neighborhood.

-Rudey

Not in my chapter, they don't. We know. It's how our "process" works.

Let me guess you also want to be in a gang on top of wanting to be greek so not only can you offer Greek advice but can offer gang advice? More power to you.

-Rudey

LMAO

I would be very intimidated to have an ex-gang member in my chapter or any other organizations i'm in. I think criminal checks should be ran on members, especially for DUI's, thefts, and rapes. We had a guy in our interest group days who was a klepto. He was suspended from our school for stealing $$$ from the university or someting, lol. This guy was never initiated nor pledged. There was one sorority who lost their charter like 10 years ago because the pres and treasurer went on spree with their members' dues money.

Yeah, you got me.
A member of Blood Phi Duece................

Actually, reading your replies made me think those things weren't so "obvious" to you. So, I see your post as saying the same thing you were saying earlier. So, just cut and paste my previous reply.

;)

George likes his chicken spicy.

You speakth the truth this day! Why would the media show White gangs, then folks wouldn't know who to be afraid of.:rolleyes: Living in Chicago I feel that the "White" gangs are definetly alive and kickin'. And by White I mean composed of individuals who are of European descent and identify as such.:p

We would all like to think that.

Cops are the biggest gang. They have all the guns, helicopters, infared b.s. that finds you at night time.....And they all back each other up when one of them f*cks up.

Well wouldn't that mean revamping the requirements for membership into your organization? Does any organization have as a requirement: "must not have been convicted of a felony/been in trouble with the law?

I agree w/ you. That "klepto" appeared to be a normal guy...had a job, republican (a very vocal one too), went to a nice high school, dressed decently, etc. In other words, he didn't fit the "profile". :rolleyes: We never would've known if he didn't open his mouth.