Why are we seeing this again? Wasn't last year enough?

DeltAlum · #1 10-03-2002, 08:27 PM

Didn't anyone learn anything last year?

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Some expressed remorse and others quietly
vented anger during a candlelight vigil that was organized after
racially insensitive photos taken during a fraternity party were
publicized.

"We're lighting a candle in the darkness of ignorance," OSU President
James Halligan said at Tuesday's event, which drew hundreds of
participants.

"This vigil reminds us of how devastating these things can be to the
community." Halligan called for the vigil after the revelation of an
off-campus costume party at which three Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity
members simulated a Ku Klux Klan lynching.

Internet photos from the party posted on a Web site depicted one
fraternity member dressed in a Klan outfit pretending to hang a
member who was painted in "black face" and wearing a prisoner's
uniform.

A third fraternity member held a bullwhip above the head of the
student in black face makeup, the photographs showed.

Before the ceremony began, 125 members of Alpha Gamma Rho walked out
onto the front of the lawn where the vigil was held. Members dressed
in suits and ties appeared somber and some hung their heads.

"An apology is merely words," said fraternity President Brad
Atkinson, pausing several times to choke back emotion. "We hope, in
the near future months and years to come, we can show how truly sorry
we are."

In 1987, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity members wore costumes and
black face at an annual festival and later apologized to black
students at OSU.

The Alpha Gamma Rho students featured in the photos were suspended
from the fraternity, but remain enrolled at OSU.

The fraternity also has elected to not participate in this year's
homecoming activities and apologized to the school's black students
and faculty. But some students at the vigil said those gestures
aren't enough.

"We seem to be doing prayer vigils for everything these days," said
Kandace Bell, the university's National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People student chapter president. "We do want
results."

(c) 2002 The Associated Press.

Unbelievable!

KappaKittyCat · #2 10-03-2002, 09:06 PM

Edited because if you don't know about what I was talking about before, then you don't need to.

LXAAlum · #3 10-03-2002, 10:13 PM

Delt, I think it has something to do with this:

"Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it"

When awareness of what your chapter means to the campus and community is ignored, and/or neglected, standards, morals, values, and ultimately COMMON SENSE decay at an alarming rate.

Kevin · #4 10-03-2002, 11:54 PM

The involved members are currently suspended. The AGR's have actually been very forthcoming and apologetic for their actions. I think there will be positive change from this.

This has been a very bad year for the OK State AGR's. I believe they've actually had 3 brothers die in seperate incedents already this semester.

DeltAlum · #5 10-04-2002, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
The involved members are currently suspended. The AGR's have actually been very forthcoming and apologetic for their actions. I think there will be positive change from this.

This has been a very bad year for the OK State AGR's. I believe they've actually had 3 brothers die in seperate incedents already this semester.

Snake,

Having brothers die in any instance is tragic.

As I read the article, it seemed to me that the fraternity was handling this latest situation in a straightforward fashion, and doing many of the right things. For their actions after the fact, I applaud them. For their apology and for their apparent emotional distress, I commend them.

The question, however, still remains, who in their right minds would think that this kind of thing is acceptable?

Last year, it happened in two or three places. Again, all I can say is unbelievable -- and hope that we don't hear of any more of this behavior ever again.

Kevin · #6 10-04-2002, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum

Snake,

The question, however, still remains, who in their right minds would think that this kind of thing is acceptable?

Last year, it happened in two or three places. Again, all I can say is unbelievable -- and hope that we don't hear of any more of this behavior ever again.

I agree that this was pretty dumb on the part of some of their members. I can only hope that the backlash (and there is a pretty big backlash) from the incedent can succeed in changing people and bringing them together more than tearing them apart.

As I said AGR has really stepped up to the plate in taking responibility and offering whatever they can to smooth tensions. There ARE differences in many of these cases as far as how these different groups have handled their public relations following the incedents.

LeslieAGD · #7 10-04-2002, 08:17 AM

I really find it appalling and disturbing that after all these years and all our history, people can't seem to understand that this not a joking matter and that it is not in the least bit funny.

justamom · #8 10-04-2002, 09:40 AM

The people who care and are abreast of the situation use this to
educate and promote awareness. The people (chapters) at risk don't. The ones who need reformation the most seem to avoid it.

I can't see chapters consistently operating within the guidelines having a freakish, hazing related, death incident. I would tend to think they had been over the top all along.

My question is- Are the chapters so independent that the alums and advisors are unaware?

DeltAlum · #9 10-04-2002, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by justamom
My question is- Are the chapters so independent that the alums and advisors are unaware?

JAM,

Good question. Unfortunately, I think that the answer is yes in many cases. Advisors don't attend every party. Many houses don't have house mothers or proctors. It's pretty tough for a volunteer advisor to stay on top of this stuff. In fact, it's pretty tough to find advisors for chapters at all sometimes.

Sad, but true.

33girl · #10 10-04-2002, 10:40 AM

On the other side of the coin, it could be that this chapter HAS advisors, and they are the type of jerks who find this perfectly acceptable.

And also, a prayer vigil sounds like a really lame-ass response to the whole thing. How about a campus wide fundraiser with money donated to a cause that would help the black community?

shadokat · #11 10-04-2002, 10:41 AM

I just don't understand how these groups don't learn from the national publicity that is placed on similar situations that have occurred recently. Pay attention folks!!! And this sort of behavior to me is absolutely revolting. I don't know why anyone would want to associate themselves with this group, or the other groups last year who did it.

justamom · #12 10-04-2002, 10:50 AM

Thanks Delt Alum! Edited 'cause I went off on a tangent-OT- etc... as USUAL!

IvySpice · #13 10-04-2002, 10:59 AM

KKC, please let me know if this question is out of line, but what is the "infamous Kappa bid day photo"? I've never heard of it.

Ivy

lovelyivy84 · #14 10-04-2002, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by IvySpice
KKC, please let me know if this question is out of line, but what is the "infamous Kappa bid day photo"? I've never heard of it.

Ivy

Me either

Optimist Prime · #15 10-04-2002, 12:06 PM

Why do people have to hate? Why not embrace all men as brothers and women as sisters. Isn't that why Fraternites and Sororites were founded? I joined because I was lonely and I wanted brothers!!! Focus on the essence not form.