[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by 33girl

These kids

Men

Originally Posted by MysticCat

and I know as well as anyone how the brain and judgment of a 19-year-old boy isn't fully developed.

Man

Originally Posted by Kevin

primarily composed of 18-20 year olds .

white men

***

Men existing in all male spaces, and especially white men existing in all-white or mainly white spaces, have a responsibility to not be racist, to not be sexist, to not rape, to not oppress. When one joins a fraternity, it is understood that those beliefs and actions are not more important than the values of the private organization that they join, not just because the values themselves are pretty much infallible, but there are tangible repercussions to not living up to those values.

I am growing increasingly concerned that the culture of mainly white fraternities and sororities is one that reinforces white supremacy, even in the presence of black members; that reinforces sexism and sexual violence; and fosters a sense of generational entitlement.

For years, going on decades, I used to question, and even be angered by Georgetown's position against recognizing fraternities and sororities. When I went to an administrator about it, he/she said "I understand, and I do think the black/Latino/multicultural sororities and fraternities do a lot of good. But if we recognize those, we have to recognize the white organizations, too. And we don't want to risk that. At least you have city-wide chapters."

From a university's perspective, I now understand. While I don't think Georgetown's decision was necessarily an eloquent one, they needed to take the path of the least liability. By deemed Greek life an off-campus decision in the hands of the students, they have created an environment that they can control through the traditional means of adjudication and grievance, without third party intervention.

Of course, people may still join organizations - you all are well aware that KKG and Theta have colonized in the past year and a half, and that AEPi, SAE, SigEp, and Delta Psi all have chapters on campus. The NPHC presence ebbs and flows, and several LGLOs also have a presence.

I am surprised that I agree with Georgetown's stance, now that I see the damaging effects of the culture of whiteness on the Greek system as a whole. I am not in favor of any institution that reinforces oppression at all, much less in an academic environment.

These are men making decisions. Let them make those decisions off campus. There is precedent, inside and outside of Greek life.

And maybe we can stop making the insurance brokers rich in the process.