A "Different" Discussion: Greeks

AKA2D '91 · #1 12-30-2005, 12:29 AM

Greeks,

I received a PM recently from someone. The person had just read a book (Alexandra Robbins' Pledged) where the author had gone undercover in a PWI organization to get the "truth". Per the PM, our organization (AKA) is referenced.

My question, on the surface...
Is that really "wise" for someone to attempt to get the "truth" about our organizations this way? Supposedly, the PM mentioned that this was the purpose of going undercover.

The person sending the PM wondered if this would be successful within our organizations.

(loonnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg sigh) I'd suggest they not attempt this "at home". I'm sure there would be ramifications for doing so.

Any thoughts?

TheEpitome1920 · #2 12-30-2005, 12:32 PM

I have read Pledged and I don't think what she did would have worked with an NPHC organization.

33girl · #3 12-30-2005, 12:38 PM

Actually, it's questionable that she was successful with the NPC groups she supposedly "infiltrated."

Several of the conversations she records she could only have gotten if 1) the girls she was following were wearing wires or 2) she made it all up. The level of detail just doesn't wash.

Plus, she has never been "outed" which I find hard to believe - unless she's had full plastic surgery. I can't imagine how this woman could be hanging around a school all this time and no one has said since the book's publishing "hey, isn't that..."

I personally believe that the girls she shadowed are completely fictional and that she created their stories from emails she received while "researching."

Oh, and I highly doubt anyone could do anything like this in an NPHC group - they can't even do it on GC.

sigmadiva · #4 12-31-2005, 12:54 PM

Agreed. I don't think her method would work for NPHC. Since we tend to have interest meetings over a period of time before an invitation to join is extended, I'm sure she (Robbins) would be found out fairly easily and early in the process.

I also read parts of her book - I didn't buy it, I just read it in the bookstore. It did seem that some of the quotes she got were a little fishy. To me, her book was like 'Well, since I didn't join them I will try to beat them.' GLOs are so much more than what she tries to portray. I think that is why her book is seen as yellow journalism.

Lady of Pearl · #5 01-01-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
I have read Pledged and I don't think what she did would have worked with an NPHC organization.

I read the book too, just to see how other sororities that are not NPHC were depicted. She presents a one sided view of sorotities in my opinion.- I don't think she could have pulled that off in an NPHC organization either for obvious reasons

AlphaFrog · #6 01-01-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl
Actually, it's questionable that she was successful with the NPC groups she supposedly "infiltrated."

Also, I believe that from reading here and talking to other sorority women, I believe that the "secrets" that she put in her book were either a)dead wrong, b)only partially true, c)not really a "secret"-just info about the sorority.

MTSUGURL · #7 01-01-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
I have read Pledged and I don't think what she did would have worked with an NPHC organization.

The impression that I have gained over the past 5 years is that by the time that you are a member of an NPHC org, it is highly likely that the members know way too much about you for you to be able to "infiltrate" for purposes of "exposing" them. That seems to require a psychotic level of dedication for all the wrong reasons.