Biggest Rush Mistakes at any institution

[nate2512]

I'm sorry for implying something on groups on wide basis. I'm not trying to justify prejudices because I have none.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by nate2512

I'm sorry for implying something on groups on wide basis. I'm not trying to justify prejudices because I have none.

I firmly believe that how people's posts come off the first time is how they were intended. As humans we attempt to come back to correct ourselves so the viewpoints expressed can be in line with our nonprejudiced opinions of ourselves.

You said that antidiscriminatory claims for organizations are stupid, which is interesting in and of itself since this discussion wasn't just about denying membership to people who wore Izod versus Ralph Lauren (that stuff was mentioned but it wasn't the context of every post). You then said that an Obama supporter wouldn't fit in with your chapter, which was apparently a race correlation for you because you not-so-randomly inserted your tidbit about whites in BGLOs. And, btw, that was an intentionally broad comparison that you made.

Yeah...that post and the resulting discussion happened exactly as they were meant to happen. No backpedaling.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I firmly believe that how people's posts come off the first time is how they were intended.

Because you can read my mind and tell me exactly what I intended. And yes, I have certain prejudices, but race is not one of them. Don't even think about trying to me how I feel about certain things because you do not know me. You do not know how my organization is run. I do not tell you how to run yours, therefore you do not tell me how to run mine. I do not see what my chapter of my organization not taking an Obama supporter has to with race. An Obama supporter can white, black or any other color. And if being an obama supporter makes this race correlated then you would seem to be saying that only black people support obama and all black people support obama. The fact that I do not care for Obama has nothing to do with his race.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by nate2512

Because you can read my mind and tell me exactly what I intended.

I can read what your mind led you to type and deduce, accordingly.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by nate2512

Because you can read my mind and tell me exactly what I intended. And yes, I have certain prejudices, but race is not one of them.

You do tend to back pedal. Earlier you said you had no prejudices.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

You do tend to back pedal. Earlier you said you had no prejudices.

Or perhaps I made the statement I have no prejudices to get my point across that I was not racially prejudice but then realized that the statement was far more general than having to do with just race. Not back-pedaling, clarifying.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

If it helps, I knew what you were trying to say.


I think I'll feed the fire now.
By what everyone has been defining racism as, I am a racist:

I don't want most minorities in my chapter. Not because I think any less of other races, but because there are deep-rooted differences, and I joined a fraternity to find brothers I had things in common with. A lot in common.
I would never discriminate (and have not) in the workplace, in the classroom, or any other organization. I know I'm going to get reamed for this but understand- I honest to God am no sort of white supremecist. I just know that there are fundamental differences among races, and because there are plenty of other places to mix, I don't think my fraternity should be thought of as racist.

DSTChaos- we live in a "segregated" society because EVERYONE recognizes these differences.

I think what I have a bigger problem with is your missue of the term/construct of race. At least you're open with your biases and discrimation so people know what they're dealing with, and frankly I respect that a hell of a lot more than a closet bigot. A lot of what I believe you're referring to as "differences among races" are social constructs and have nothing to do with skin color, eye and nose shape, or even how one spells their last name. People grow up in all kinds of families and economic structures, and I know plenty of people who are not checking the white/caucasian box, but are interested in some activities you have mentioned. Race isn't defined by genetics or physical characteristics.

Of course I live in a completely different part of the country, but we have our history of hatred to the point in recent history a nearby city completely shut down operation to protest a KKK parade.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

I'm on the same page as you with the bold. Maybe not 100% with the social contructs, but for the most part, I think I agree. That's why I hate how the word racism is used now, because quite frankly, skin color means nothing to me- the cultures (I guess that's the right word) that color represents is where I have different opinions.

So in other words, what you're saying is you would have more in common (and probably bid) a black man who was raised in your town and whose parents were of the same social strata as yours before you'd bid some white guy from Pittsburgh.

I understand that - I think what people get upset about is what seems to be an assumption that there aren't any situations like that.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

I'm on the same page as you with the bold. Maybe not 100% with the social contructs, but for the most part, I think I agree. That's why I hate how the word racism is used now, because quite frankly, skin color means nothing to me- the cultures (I guess that's the right word) that color represents is where I have different opinions.

If you believe "race" is culture (which it is, along with other social and economic factors that impact some groups more than others) then you agree 100% with the social construct definition of race.

"Race" is not biological. Period. And 99% of the differences that people observe across racial groups aren't biological or inherent.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

DSTChaos- we live in a "segregated" society because EVERYONE recognizes these differences.

That's actually NOT why.

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

Being a racist and having prejudices are very different, just so everyone knows. And while I'm completely off topic, I think that there are probably many KAs that are not racist OR prejudice.


For example, my chapter currently has two minoritiy brothers and one pledge. For the next four years, at least, there will be no black pledges. At all.
Not because my chapter is racist, but because some of the guys won't let it happen. So, while I would be surprised to see a minority in a KA chapter, I'd also be surprised if there weren't a lot of guys that wanted one.

If there won't be a black pledge because it can't happen then that is systematic... and that is racism. I'm not trying to call you out because I believe that organizations should be allowed to take whoever they want, but that doesn't make it anything other than racism when you deny a black guy membership only because hes black.

[DSTCHAOS]

I am reminded why PhiGam is alright with me.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

No offense taken. I was trying to explain that my chapter is known as one that will not take blacks, but probably more than 50% would be willing to. The entire chapter is not racist, but enough of the members are to make it seem that way. Does that make sense?

Generally speaking, it may only take a limited number of members to vote "no" to deny a bid to a rushee. In some chapters, it might be just one no vote. And some chapters may require a vote (approval) on each pledge prior to initiation. Again, this number needed to "blackball" (vote no and deny membership) may be low here as well.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by nate2512

I'm not trying to justify prejudices because I have none.

That is impressive. I wish I could say the same. I do not have the power to turn them into an "ism", but I do have some prejudices.