Quote:
Originally Posted by BillS
Everyone is looking at the official version of the story. You have to read between the lines of the ATO history. First the fraternity was founded after the Civil War to bring young men together from both sides. Second the fraternity lost its way and started to only admit members from old southern families. Third the members were in a secret meeting dressed in white robes. Lets put all three together now. After the civil war southern members of ATO in white robes. Think of D. W. Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” and you have what was going on in the meeting. I don't think many people today can appreciate how different the South was many years ago.
Am I knocking ATO? No, I was an active member back in the late 60’s and still keep up with the few fraternity brothers still living. I believe fraternities can be a very positive experience. Fraternities, even those based on good moral principals can lose their way and that is what happened to a particular chapter of ATO many years ago.
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Interesting stuff Bill.
This kind of makes me wonder about the 'official' version of our history, i.e., that we were founded "against hazing." I'm beginning to come around to the fact that the anti-hazing thing might be a good message for undergrads to hear as it gives more impetus to the LEAD/anti-hazing movement, but I think it [the founding] is probably a much more complicated story than most of us really know.