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I'm glad to see that we've finally got some more Phi Psis on here! Dumas and Micha...good to see ya'll on here! It's been quite for the past few months. So Dumas...here's my discussion...
I think that this article brings up a very timely subject! My freshmen year (two years ago) at the University of Tennessee we had an incident with some members of Kappa Sigma dressing up as the Jackson Five and attending a party in Black Face. This ended up making national news, however the chapter was not shut down.
The article brings up the topic of Pi Kappa Alpha being a "historically white and racist fraternity." I find this an interesting statement. One thing that I have been trying to combat is the overwhelming stereotype that Greeks have...what I find as intersting is that perhaps this is a stereotype of this particular organization within the Greek system. At the University of Tennessee, PIKE actually is the anthesis of this stereotype. The Zeta chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha here at UT was the first chapter on campus to pledge an African American and was also the first chapter to have an African American as President.
When the author of this article writes...
"The winter 2005 edition of the Diamond Shield, Pi Kappa Alpha's quarterly publication, as well as the fraternity's emblem of excellence, encouraged all "brothers" to "demonstrate their commitment to those same sacred ideals that inspired our founding fathers in 1868."
Ironically, it is the encouragement of those same ideals that has some students questioning the intent and purpose of this organization on Howard's campus."
...he pretty much just pisses me off! I am sure that no where in Pike's founding ideals do they have a racism clause. However, this does bring up a very important fact...that our organizations are judged by the actions of its members. When someone does something that is incongruent with our organizational values people assume that "that's the way they are." Perhaps to the extent that they assume that we were founded that way.
I think that this article just reinforces the need for us, as members of our organizations, to do what we say we would do! When we act like racist assholes, or we abuse alcohol, or we haze our pledges, or we disrespect women, or we [insert stereotypical fraternity action here]...then that's how we'll be known. For we as Phi Psis, doing such things would not be the actions of a Man of Excellence, nor would we be worthy of wearing the Badge of Phi Kappa Psi!
I'd love to hear any responces! Let's keep this tread running...I like to have something to do when I'm bored at work! Hope to see everyone at GAC in New Orleans!
ITB,
Luke...
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