Kappa Alpha Order Policy Change RE: Uniforms

[exlurker]

Reportedly Kappa Alpha Order issued this policy change three months ago, approximately. I hope this doesn't duplicate some other post on GC(I didn't see / find one, but that doesn't mean much).

http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Nation...ty-Bans/23390/

See also:

http://www.kappaalphaorder.org/repos...DF/R16-113.pdf

Excerpts from Chronicle of Higher Education site:

April 22, 2010, 02:00 PM ET
The Kappa Alpha Order . . . has issued an order forbidding its members to wear Rebel uniforms at "Old South" parades and parties, the Associated Press reported.*The policy shift, which the fraternity's national office announced in an internal memorandum in January, follows years of complaints about the tradition . . . .

In the memo announcing the policy change, Larry Stanton Wiese, Kappa Alpha's executive director, wrote that "in today's climate, the Order can ill afford to offend our host institutions and fend off significant negative national press and remain effective at our core mission, which is to aid young men in becoming better community leaders and citizens."

The memo also stated that no Kappa Alpha chapter may "rent, own, or use an operable cannon" and specified that cannons used for decorative purposes must be filled with cement.

[Elephant Walk]

The Old Row boards are pretty worked up over this, as am I.

[Kevin]

Seems like KA is willing to trash their identity in order to please PC forces. I'm not saying whether this is a good or bad thing, it's up to them, but it's clearly the case that they believe their identity isn't as important as this perceived image problem.

And that might be right. Maybe they were having a tough time getting northern IFCs to agree to let them expand?

[DSTRen13]

Seems like the cannon thing could have been an insurance thing, too.

[DrPhil]

I agree with the cannon thing.

The uniform thing seems unfair but it also makes sense if they are trying to lean toward respecting their history but not being stuck in and defined by their history. All of our organizations have to think about their purposes and whether they are nationally, regionally/districtly, and locally doing things to undermine that image. Afterall, chapters are reprimanded for compliance issues beyond hazing and school regulations.

As an aside, I recall my first interaction and impression of Kappa Alpha Order many many years ago and it left be quite baffled. I'm not one who is offended by the Confederate flag itself but I get offended by the context. And people are generally well aware of the context in which they say and do things. Of course, I did not let that reflect on how I feel about the national organization, but decades of reputations begin to reflect on the national organization. KA Order is so much more than the "Rebel uniform and Confederate flag" fraternity. But, that's all they are for a lot of people.

[Elephant Walk]

I understand why their nationals did it.

But, that doesn't make it good. It's certainly a PC thing and likely something to do with trying to expand north and westward. While they wouldn't be as large as the other national fraternities by not going westward and northward, it keeps with their identity to stay south anyway.

There isn't a KA conclave until 2011 (I believe), but you may see it overturned then.

(oh and the cannon? that's different. probably a good idea)

[PeppyGPhiB]

I think the wording they used to describe the reasoning behind the policy change is interesting. Basically put the blame on others instead of "owning" and believing in the change. That makes it harder to accept (and for chapters to take seriously), in my opinion.

ETA: I, too, wonder if KA's image as a "southern fraternity" was leading to expansion issues. I mean, there are organizations that are known for being founded or being particularly strong in the south, west, mid-west and new england, but KA's "southerness" seems to be tied to much more of its identity and activities than other GLOs. It's not that that is offensive - it's not - but as someone on the west coast, for instance, it would be baffling and strange to join a fraternity that seems aligned with a region of the country that I wasn't.

[Low C Sharp]

Basically put the blame on others instead of "owning" and believing in the change.

You could make the argument that being a gracious gentleman is all about concern for the comfort of others.
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[BadCat25]

This thread made me rush to my sorority rule book and there is nothing in it about having a cannon so I guess I am ok with mine.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

You could make the argument that being a gracious gentleman is all about concern for the comfort of others.

But that's not really the way it's worded. They could have worded it more positively to embrace what they believe is best for all. Instead, it reads a little bit like, "Some people don't like what we do, and we can't afford to piss them off, so we need to bend to their wishes."

[whatupwitdat]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

The Old Row boards are pretty worked up over this, as am I.

Ahhh yes, the old row boards, where people use the N-word in every third post, describe their work encounters with black employees as interactions with illiterates and animals, post signatures that feature a black child mouthing "you're being racist" while animations of watermelon and fried chicken revolve around his head, and posting mocking photos of a boy with down syndrome receiving a boy scout trophy.

Ahhh yes, the classy southern gentleman.

[srmom]

I was with a number of KA's this past weekend, and they aren't really bitching about it, it's more of a "whatever" thing. One funny comment though was one of the guys is from the North, and he wondered if he could wear a Union uniform to Old South, since it's not outlawed.

As for the cannon, this group has a tradition of staying up all night after the Old South formal, then firing the cannon at dawn. I'm sure they love this tradition and will be sad to see it go, but I'm sure their neighbors will be happier that morning.