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As I tied to comment upon earlier in two posts, this is a serious phenomenon, one which has the potential to erode the effectiveness of important institutions, esp. black institutions which tend to be less stable financially, and those whom they serve are more vulnerable and looking for these institutions for their aid, not only financially but emotionally and morally as role models as well. This is why these breaches of trust are an attack on the very values they preach and proclaim. Because strong leadership from "educated and trained" people who can articulate the vision for the uplift of the poor and downtrodden is valued so much, often more leeway is given them to do what they've been entrusted to do, often by passing certain conventions that are accepted in some quarters. Thus, it's a dastardly act to abuse this privilege for the sake of rapacious avarice.
Saturday, I was talking with a chapter brother who works as a development officer at an HBCU. He talked about trustee board members not asking tough questions when they see discrepensies in buget reports. There is a "pressure" to aver to those in authority or a well-worn malaise born of the feeling that 'this is just the way things work'. Even thought these things go on in orgs. of all kinds, there are, I feel, some dynamics that are culturally ingrained in the African American community that have to be addressed, whether they be Greek orgs., churches, HBCUs,etc. in terms of this issue.
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