Greek Discrimination....

[scoobis]

Originally Posted by 33girl

If this is the attitude you have about this man's business, it's pretty pricklike of you to expect him to donate money to your cause. Plus, I'm guessing he would have expected to have his name displayed as a benefactor in some way, either on a program or on a t-shirt or something, and then your fraternity's name would have been associated with his "horrible" business.

Pricklike? I went into his business because an alumnus gave me a list of businesses who've donated in the past. I didn't expect him to donate, I don't expect anyone to, i just hope people have the decency and means to be able to help.

But when you compare the the benefits to drawbacks in greeklife the good stuff really outweighs this minor crap like some guy not liking the letters on my chest. I just feel bad that they didn't get the experience we did

[33girl]

Originally Posted by scoobis

Pricklike? I went into his business because an alumnus gave me a list of businesses who've donated in the past. I didn't expect him to donate, I don't expect anyone to, i just hope people have the decency and means to be able to help.

You are really missing the point.

If you (either you personally or you as a group) find someone's business distasteful, you don't ask them to donate money. I hate Walmart, I don't care how much they've given in the past, I won't go in that store and ask them for money.

As you obviously find this man's business something repugnant, you shouldn't have gone in there to ask for money. Let another brother do it. If you as a group are against tobacco use, it's really hypocritical to ask a tobacco seller to help you in any way.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

You are really missing the point.

I don't know that he is the one missing the point. I didn't take his initial "you're selling cancer" remark as an indication that he found the business "repugnant," but rather just as a comment on the perceived irony of someone who sells tobacco worrying about having his business associated with alcohol. The man had given in the past, and the OP said he remained polite in asking this time, even when he was treated rudely. How is that pricklike?

BTW, I hate Walmart too, but I wouldn't hesitate to ask them for money if I thought they might give and it would benefit the community.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I don't know that he is the one missing the point. I didn't take his initial "you're selling cancer" remark as an indication that he found the business "repugnant," but rather just as a comment on the perceived irony of someone who sells tobacco worrying about having his business associated with alcohol. The man had given in the past, and the OP said he remained polite in asking this time, even when he was treated rudely. How is that pricklike?

BTW, I hate Walmart too, but I wouldn't hesitate to ask them for money if I thought they might give and it would benefit the community.

To characterize an entire business as "selling cancer" and then ask them for money is IMO extremely hypocritical, not an ironic comment. I would have the same reaction if he called Vera Bradley "those stupid ugly effing bags" and then went into a VB store to ask for donations. You don't criticize people and then turn around and ask them for money.

And like I said - more than likely, donors would have their names recognized somewhere. If I dislike the way someone does business, or what their business is, I don't want their money associated with my org in any way, shape or form.

As for Walmart, I would hardly be the first person to say "keep your money."

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

BTW, I hate Walmart too, but I wouldn't hesitate to ask them for money if I thought they might give and it would benefit the community.

Yeah let these businesses give back to the community somehow.

But that has more to do with what "hating" a business entails. If a business is unhumane, harmful, has discriminatory practices, and so forth, I can understand organizations not wanting to solicit or receive their "dirty money." It's almost like selling out because some businesses will donate if they know they will get free advertising or recognition for contributing.

[skylark]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I don't know that he is the one missing the point. I didn't take his initial "you're selling cancer" remark as an indication that he found the business "repugnant," but rather just as a comment on the perceived irony of someone who sells tobacco worrying about having his business associated with alcohol. The man had given in the past, and the OP said he remained polite in asking this time, even when he was treated rudely. How is that pricklike?

BTW, I hate Walmart too, but I wouldn't hesitate to ask them for money if I thought they might give and it would benefit the community.

I took his comment the same way. It's like the pot calling the kettle black sort of thing. I certainly don't have a problem with tobacco or cigar shops, but if a business owner of one of those shops tried to act all altruistic about not wanting to promote substance abuse by minors... I'd absolutely feel the need to call out a hypocrite.

ETA: On the OP's topic (trying to steer the thread back) ... I've often felt like the "sorority" label has raised eyebrows from others. For several years in college I enjoyed philosophy and gender studies classes by a certain feminist professor and at one point asked her to write a letter of recommendation for a sorority scholarship. Mind you, I'd gotten all As (not even an A-) in all 4 classes from her and in the two upper division classes I had the highest GPA in the class. We had a good working relationship, so I honestly hadn't hesitated at all about asking for the rec. When I asked, though, she was like "I'm not really sure I can be involved in this because I really don't like what sororities stand for." I couldn't help but think that if only she would open her eyes to the fact that being involved in my sorority was about one of the most feminist activities available on campus for women to do.

[scoobis]

Originally Posted by 33girl

You are really missing the point.

If you (either you personally or you as a group) find someone's business distasteful, you don't ask them to donate money. I hate Walmart, I don't care how much they've given in the past, I won't go in that store and ask them for money.

As you obviously find this man's business something repugnant, you shouldn't have gone in there to ask for money. Let another brother do it. If you as a group are against tobacco use, it's really hypocritical to ask a tobacco seller to help you in any way.

I'm sorry i did miss the point. Personally I don't find the man's business repugnant. I love cigars, he saw me put out a cigarette before i entered the store. I told him i did enjoy his business too i remember saying, "From one smoker to another..blah blah" but i was half kidding about it. I just found it funny that someone that sells deadly things like cigars and cigarettes, (and i do love both) was worried about a bad image because of a charity.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by scoobis

I'm sorry i did miss the point. Personally I don't find the man's business repugnant. I love cigars, he saw me put out a cigarette before i entered the store. I told him i did enjoy his business too i remember saying, "From one smoker to another..blah blah" but i was half kidding about it. I just found it funny that someone that sells deadly things like cigars and cigarettes, (and i do love both) was worried about a bad image because of a charity.

Let me get this straight. You smoke? Stop being a self-loathing smoker, dude. It's lame.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by scoobis

I'm a newly iniated member and even in the few months I've been active I've noticed that being greek can suck sometimes, I've had a few situations where I feel that I've been discriminated against because of sterotypes I can just list a few instances..

I was going around to local businesses in our town to get donations for our annual philanthropy event and I went into a local cigar shop who someone suggested helps with charity and I walk into the store dressed professionally with a sweater, collared shirt, clean cut, kakis etc. (somthing I might wear to an interview) and i introduce myself and say i'm with Alpha Tau Omega his first words were, "i'm sorry?" so i repeat myself and he says, "no i'm sorry to hear you're in a fraternity." i didn't end up recieving a donation from this owner because he said he didn't want his business associated with under-age drinking...YOU SELL CANCER!!! I'M HELPING HOMELESS PEOPLE!!! I was pretty pissed at that so I thanked him for his time and politely said, "Don't believe all the things you hear about fraternities some of us try and make a positive impact on the community." Also when I tried to reserve space for our event I was frustrated by the lack of attention they were giving me and at one point the secretary told me, "We have real charities to deal with." It was really REALLY hard not to freak out at this girl who was busy texting/helping me.

I was in class wearing my letters and I asked what seemed to be an intelligent question because i got stares from everyone in the classroom like they thought all frat boys had brain damage from crush beer cans to the scull. Even the prof seemed suprised when i spoke up. But in their defense there was a guy sitting next to me from another house passed out from the night before.

And that was just this week.

at a school with 3% greek population it's hard getting respect. do you guys have any experiences like this?

Greeks many times get no or little respect because of the stupid and ignorant things that they do and are hot topics on the local media.

Ergo, while not all the same, we are all lumped into one group.

With 3% of GLO of campus population you are in a tough situation as my Alma Mater is near those figures.

PM me if you feel the desire and we can compare notes.

[1908Revelations]

I had a class once where there were only about 18 people in the class and only 2 of us belonged to GLOs (myself and an Alpha Xi Delta). The teacher was pretty nice to everyone, but one day we both wore letters to class (all the GLOs had to go a service thing inthe student center) since we had somewhere to go after class and we both noticed that he looked at us differently. Maybe it was a fluke, but it happened. he was one of those really OLD professors and probably had certain ideas about GLOs.

[ΑΓΔSquirrel10]

I didn't pledge Alpha Gam until halfway through my freshman year (I was picked up during COB). I had been actively involved in a religious organization on campus, and continued to go after I joined AGD. Within the first week or so, some of my "friends" stopped talking to me, and most of the people in the religious organization started ignoring me whenever I would go to the weekly meetings. Things will change when you go Greek, but you also find out who your true friends are.

[GammaDelt]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrel10

I didn't pledge Alpha Gam until halfway through my freshman year (I was picked up during COB). I had been actively involved in a religious organization on campus, and continued to go after I joined AGD. Within the first week or so, some of my "friends" stopped talking to me, and most of the people in the religious organization started ignoring me whenever I would go to the weekly meetings. Things will change when you go Greek, but you also find out who your true friends are.

This really is the most horrible thing I have ever heard. It makes me so upset when people of religious organizations, of all people, judge others. Not that it's acceptable for anyone to judge anyone else, but my pet peeve is hypocritical religious people.

[littleowl33]

It's not a big thing, but in terms of discrimination...

I'm a student tour guide at my University. When families leave their info session, they're asked to divide themselves evenly amongst the 4 or 5 tour guides waiting outside. I've been doing this a few years, and without fail I get a MUCH smaller tour group when I wear my letters - usually about 1/2 the size of those of the other guides. It kind of ticks me off, because wouldn't you want to take a tour with someone who's obviously involved in student life? I think a lot of parents assume I don't take my academics seriously or am just here to party, Animal House-style. That's honestly not the case with me, but stereotypes are stereotypes.

Funny thing is, about 75% of the student tour guides are Greek (from a student body that's only about 20% Greek). A lot of us just don't wear our letters. So whichever guide they end up with, they probably still got a Greek!

[IlovemyAKA]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

It's not a big thing, but in terms of discrimination...

I'm a student tour guide at my University. When families leave their info session, they're asked to divide themselves evenly amongst the 4 or 5 tour guides waiting outside. I've been doing this a few years, and without fail I get a MUCH smaller tour group when I wear my letters - usually about 1/2 the size of those of the other guides. It kind of ticks me off, because wouldn't you want to take a tour with someone who's obviously involved in student life? I think a lot of parents assume I don't take my academics seriously or am just here to party, Animal House-style. That's honestly not the case with me, but stereotypes are stereotypes.

Funny thing is, about 75% of the student tour guides are Greek (from a student body that's only about 20% Greek). A lot of us just don't wear our letters. So whichever guide they end up with, they probably still got a Greek!

I was a student tour guide. We were advised not to wear letters during tours because some prospective students and their families were uninformed about greek life. We were called "Ambassadors" and wore shirts & jackets bearing that name in school colors when we gave tours.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

It's not a big thing, but in terms of discrimination...

I'm a student tour guide at my University. When families leave their info session, they're asked to divide themselves evenly amongst the 4 or 5 tour guides waiting outside. I've been doing this a few years, and without fail I get a MUCH smaller tour group when I wear my letters - usually about 1/2 the size of those of the other guides. It kind of ticks me off, because wouldn't you want to take a tour with someone who's obviously involved in student life? I think a lot of parents assume I don't take my academics seriously or am just here to party, Animal House-style. That's honestly not the case with me, but stereotypes are stereotypes.

Funny thing is, about 75% of the student tour guides are Greek (from a student body that's only about 20% Greek). A lot of us just don't wear our letters. So whichever guide they end up with, they probably still got a Greek!

You could be talking about my alma mater with the ratios. When I was a tour guide, though, we weren't permitted to wear t-shirts. Most of us did wear either our pins or lavaliers, though. It was a lot of fun when a parent would ask about it!