Quote:
Originally posted by mgdzkm433 :
one word: media
The media has definatly helped in creating a bad name for greeks. They will show story after story about the different hazing incedents around the world. I believe that we all need to be made aware of these incedents of course, but the media is one sided. A story about a kid who is beat up and left naked on the side of the road by his fraternity brothers is pretty interesting and it boosts rating. BUT, you never see the story of the greeks who donated their time, money, and energy to build houses for the homeless. You never see the story of the greeks who give scholarships to underprivilidged studenst. You never see the stories about the greeks who help aid in national disaster relief, because that doesn't boost ratings. So the national and international attention that is given to greek systems is only for the bad things that happen, not for the good they do. I made a comment in a previous fourm, you can find 100, 200, 300 articals about hazing incedents, maybe more if you research. However, that is just 300 out of MILLIONS of greeks around the world. I'm not saying that what happened in those 300 incedents was right, I wish to God that nobody was hurt by ignorant people who happened to be greek. BUT, 300(i'm sure over history there are more) bad incedints occurred, but MILLIONS of good things have come from the greek system, but most people don't know that. The media has portrayed geeks as being drunks, whores(both male and female), violent people, selfish, cruel, dumb people. But you will never see them portray us as active in the community, selfless, nice people who give and give and give themselves to an organization.
That's just my opinion though 
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mgdzkm433, I agree with what your saying. I have posted stuff on this before under the Dartmouth issue and on "Duncans Greek Discussion Pages". The media does like to promote more negative stuff about greeks which does help with their ratings which leads to money in their pocket. They know that publicizing postive stories or getting the full picture out is too easy and dull to them. I guess the media does tend to stereo type alot of groups and harp on crises. It would be nice some day for one of the prominent greeks on the television networks or Newspapers to help boost the image/public opinion. At least for them to start trying to repair or bandaid what damage the media has done already. One more thing I have to add is that at least the Greek at public colleges and universities have constitutional protections unlike Dartmouth being a private institution. Meaning I guess Dartmouth likes to think that they can make their own law and eliminate the greek community.
Kevin Mullinix
Beta Theta Pi
Epsilon Mu Chapter
George Mason University
[This message has been edited by kmullini (edited April 06, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by kmullini (edited April 06, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by kmullini (edited April 06, 2000).]