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Have I missed something crucial here? It seems to me that there are two main trends of thought going on in this discussion. One view is that a candidate for the privelege of lifelong brotherhood with those with which the candidate wishes to bond should have those priveleges conferred with little or no effort on that candidate's part via a path which is carefully constructed to offer no obsticles, no challenges, and no opportunities for the neophyte to find the strength of character to excel and merit the priveleges he desires. The other seems to fall in line with the position I feel most appropriate. That position accepts the simple truth that hazing is out of place but demands that a pledge meet the challenges placed before him and his pledge class so that his character can be tested and his dedication and worthyness proven. I do not suggest attempting to get round the law or find loopholes in the rules of fair play. I suggest that pledgeship is the golden opportunity for a candidate to see for himself if he really wants what he is attempting and how he can determine for himself whether he can rise to a goal that is not given easily. The so called "me generation" has been rightly criticised for wanting it all, wanting it now, and wanting it easy. I'd like to know that my brothers are made of better stuff. I'd also like to feel that they can be proud of me as well. I think pledgeship should be tough and demanding. I also believe that it must be well thought out and designed to forge the steel of true accomplishment and true brotherhood. No silly games, no room for some borderline sadistic bull, but real challenges building real brothers. Would you really want to be part of an outfit that gave you a pledge of lifelong brotherhood, true friendship, and everything that goes into the making of these just for the asking? If you go out for a team don't you expect to earn your place on that team and work for the privelege?
All of this seems so simple and so crucial to the whole concept of being Greek that I am a bit mystified that it seems so difficult to understand. In sum, no hazing but serious opportunities to excell and meet the challenges of excellence. No, I don't think that this is an outmoded or naive point of view.
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