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I dont see anything wrong with paddles used as tokens and gifts. As long as people dont actually USE them for paddeling I think its OK. I've seen a lot of chapters - good ones too - Grand High Alpha chapters - use paddles in a ceremonial way, as gifts. As long as a chapter doesnt get stupid about it and start USING them. Also you wouldnt recruit with paddles on your rush table becasue of the message it sends.
To me, its about the tradition of the item, not the use. Simply as a gift, given to me after initiation (an approperate time, from little brother to big brother) I proudly display my paddle on my wall and it was never used on me or anyone. HQ doesnt ban members posession of them. I understand the theoretical beleif that it is anthetical to the concept of AM programs, but if your chapter or colony runs a true fraternity education program, then I find them harmless. They transform from symbols of seperation to tokens of our heritage. Symbols are all about how we make use of them.
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