Quote:
Originally posted by aephi alum
So just because I'm an AEPhi, I'm a JAP???
|
Well, if you had attended school across the river at BU instead of MIT, you'd have about a 90% chance of fitting that general stereotype . . .
. . . but is that bad? And is it related to being a sorority founded on Jewish principles, by Jewish women? I don't think that either of these are implicitly true. Meanwhile, having met a couple actives from your chapter at MIT, I can say that they didn't fit this stereotype at all . . .
I think this is another example of just how bizarrely different chapters can be from school to school - Rudey, I can completely understand the rationale you provide for your fraternity and its principles - very well-put, intelligent, and complete - and also appreciate the inclusion of the anecdote about the chapter at U. Mizzou-Rolla. However, for the very reasons you provide for desiring AEPi to exist as it does, you must be willing to accept that those who do NOT desire to live their lives according to Jewish idealogy must be respected for that choice, just as they must respect your decisions and beliefs.
While your particular chapter does not descriminate on the basis of faith, others may, and it is narrow-sighted to deny the experience of others while espousing your own, however positive it may be. You should NOT feel that you have to defend AEPi's choice to support and uphold traditionally Jewish values, however - people must accept this as your choice, your belief system, and your set of values.
I think we can all learn a lot from when discussions like this become slightly heated - it exhibits the dangers of stereotyping in general, and stereotyping by culture in specific. The "JAP" stereotype may fit in many cases - but sensitivities on both sides quickly become skewed, and thus it is improper to label this way.