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.