What makes Greek life "hot" in the south?

[sasquatch]

I'm not sure what I said that was so offensive, but whatever.

[skylark]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

I'm not sure what I said that was so offensive, but whatever.

The fact that you don't see how offensive it is illustrates further that it was meant with the most sincerely offensive assumptions possible.

Ask yourself this... if you think your brotherhood should be exclusive to only the *right* types of men (i.e. men from a certain wealth bracket because you think this corrollates to class) then what more is your brotherhood then a country club? And why should anyone in your fraternity feel "chosen" based on them as individuals v. their parents money?

To me, the fraternity or sorority that ignores wealth (besides the ability to pay dues) is the FAR SUPERIOR organization because it judges people based on who they actually are, rather than how much of their parents money is coming along with them.

Perhaps you and some of the other southern fraternity men in this thread could learn an important lesson on brotherhood from your brothers up north. My guess is that they wouldn't hesitate to acknowledge you as their unconditional brother like you have with them.

[sasquatch]

I was answering in the context of the original question. I wasn't saying it's better or worse, just that people (greek or non greek) view Greek life entirely different in the South for that reason. Most people here in the South who have little to no knowledge of Greek life don't view members of fraternities and sororities as drunken slobs, but as huge SUV driving, trust fund having rich kids. I'm not saying it's always true and I'm not saying it makes it better, I'm just saying that in the minds of non-Greeks that's how it's viewed. Therefore it's more respected by the community as a whole, because these kids are viewed (and are) as the future of the community (the lawyers-turned-judges, local politicians, doctors, mayors). I was answering the question in regards to why it is viewed in an entirely different light for the most part, by the communities as a whole. Hope that clears some things up.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

I was answering in the context of the original question. I wasn't saying it's better or worse, just that people (greek or non greek) view Greek life entirely different in the South for that reason. Most people here in the South who have little to no knowledge of Greek life don't view members of fraternities and sororities as drunken slobs, but as huge SUV driving, trust fund having rich kids. I'm not saying it's always true and I'm not saying it makes it better, I'm just saying that in the minds of non-Greeks that's how it's viewed. Therefore it's more respected by the community as a whole, because these kids are viewed (and are) as the future of the community (the lawyers-turned-judges, local politicians, doctors, mayors). I was answering the question in regards to why it is viewed in an entirely different light for the most part, by the communities as a whole. Hope that clears some things up.

I think that the issue a lot of people have with that concept boils down to this: that if you don't have a trust fund or a family name, you're not going to get anywhere in the community.

I mean, what's the point of wasting money going to college (rather than a business school) if you're going to end up being president of the bank anyway?

Being from a small town, I do understand where you're coming from - if you say your last name (or in your case, Greek affiliation) is this or that, it immediately opens doors. You either find that nice and comforting and traditional, or you find it stifling and confining and kind of sickening.

I mean, I certainly didn't join my sorority to get ahead in my career - especially considering (at least when I pledged) the majority of the alumnae are teachers. I would rather stab my eyes out with a flaming stick than be a teacher. If someone HAD joined my chapter because she wanted to "network" among the teachers in the state, well, we'd have kind of looked at her funny and thought she was pretty shallow. People here tend to join a Greek group because they like the other members, not because it will help them "get ahead" in life.

If the main point of joining this fraternity or that is to further your social life and career, are you really close friends, or is it more like in Heathers "our job is being popular"? I'm not being rude, I'm honestly asking. I know guys and girls are different in the way they interact socially, but the whole thing is just 180 degrees from what I experienced.

[sasquatch]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think that the issue a lot of people have with that concept boils down to this: that if you don't have a trust fund or a family name, you're not going to get anywhere in the community.

I mean, what's the point of wasting money going to college (rather than a business school) if you're going to end up being president of the bank anyway?

Being from a small town, I do understand where you're coming from - if you say your last name (or in your case, Greek affiliation) is this or that, it immediately opens doors. You either find that nice and comforting and traditional, or you find it stifling and confining and kind of sickening.

I mean, I certainly didn't join my sorority to get ahead in my career - especially considering (at least when I pledged) the majority of the alumnae are teachers. I would rather stab my eyes out with a flaming stick than be a teacher. If someone HAD joined my chapter because she wanted to "network" among the teachers in the state, well, we'd have kind of looked at her funny and thought she was pretty shallow. People here tend to join a Greek group because they like the other members, not because it will help them "get ahead" in life.

If the main point of joining this fraternity or that is to further your social life and career, are you really close friends, or is it more like in Heathers "our job is being popular"? I'm not being rude, I'm honestly asking. I know guys and girls are different in the way they interact socially, but the whole thing is just 180 degrees from what I experienced.

No, it's more like, "this is the best fraternity/sorority and this is where you're gonna pledge...because it's the best". It's like people here say, "you'll end up where you belong". For those rushing who are from old line families they will end up at the top houses because that's who they have the most in common with and then networking is just kind of an extension of that. It's hard to explain.

[Elephant Walk]

For those who aren't in old-line families who happen to come upon an excellent fraternity, it could certainly create the connections to become an old-line family. In southern states that are small (Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and to a lesser extent Georgia and Louisiana) you're known by your family known. They don't need to ask how much your dad makes because they already know it.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think that the issue a lot of people have with that concept boils down to this: that if you don't have a trust fund or a family name, you're not going to get anywhere in the community.

It can't just be any type of trust fund and family name, though. "Class" and "status" have never just been about objective criteria. If it was, there wouldn't have needed to be a such thing as the black bourgeoisie. Blacks from educated and wealthy backgrounds still weren't seen as good enough by whites from the same education and background.

Just something else to think about that makes these "Southern" rants very offensive and discriminatory in outcome, if not intent.

Other than that: Using Greekdom as an additional social network is cool because that's one of its many purposes and uses. How that plays out will vary, of course.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I hope you're listening to my Marxist bullshit because it's important!

Yeah, except I've never met a wealthy African-American. You forget...the South is still poor. When there is wealth it's still in the hands of the whites. Which means we still co-mingle with the same. I think it's been said on here before that if an African-American were to have the same interests come from an old-line family and meet the standards applied to everyone else, we wouldn't hesitate at giving him a bid. This is not affirmative action. We don't give out bids to less qualified to meet some sort of race quota. Goddamn. However, since we only have one or two black guys come through rush every year, it's fairly unlikely to meet a quota if we were to have one.

Don't play the race card every time you get a chance, thanks. It gets old, especially when someone as poorly informed as you does it.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Please read my long ass post.

Karl Marx wasn't the first or the last person to talk about capitalism. Bless your heart.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I think it's been said on here before that if an African-American were to have the same interests come from an old-line family and meet the standards applied to everyone else, we wouldn't hesitate at giving him a bid. This is not affirmative action. We don't give out bids to less qualified to meet some sort of race quota. However, since we only have one or two black guys come through rush every year, it's fairly unlikely to meet a quota if we were to have one.

Did you finally affiliate with the Kappa Sigma chapter at Arkansas? By your own admission, you weren't affiliated with them last year; even saying that you refused to affiliate with them. So who are you voting on for bids?


///In before the lock.////