I am not going to down any other organization that does not pledge or take wood, but I have to agree with Charle. I don't want anyone in my frat who didn't. Why is it important; because it builds strength and resolve to stick with something through all types of adverse situations. I can guarantee you that Dr. Martin Luther King jr. who was pledged knew he could handle anything thrown at him because of his experiences on line, as well as his faith. The ordeals of pledging that make you stronger and a strong faith can make you invincible. If pledging is done correctly, you finish with an attitude that you can conquer the world if need be or make serious social change no matter what the cost. That's why physical pledging is important. Yes anyone can take a beating for a day. That is not the hard part; the hard part is waking up the next morning and going through it again and again. Some of you may say that its senseless; I say it helps create brotherhood, and determination to see things through, to never quit in the face of adversity.
All of you who talked about how the SEALS were training for war and that's why they do those things and ya da ya da ya da da. Have you ever read a book on the Navy SEALS or actually talked to an instructor. The books interviews say some of the stuff instructors do to students is just to create unit cohesion, bonds, brotherhood. Is a fraternity mission similar to a SEALS? In the sense that each one is trying to build strong bonds amongst men yes. Now do fraternities recon beaches in surf that is 55 degrees of course not, but do fraternities create marches that could be potentially hazardous to the marchers, absolutely.
So all this to say that pledging as far as I'm concerned is necessary in my fraternity. I don't believe someone can truly be a brother if they didn't pledge my fraternity. Oh and yes the hard part is not pledging that's easy the hard part is after you finished, but you need to earn the right. If you would like to see more of my views you can check out the Alpha Phi Alpha postings.
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