MTV and Sororities - Page 17

maggieaxid · #1 06-20-2002, 09:00 AM

As for hazing....this is on the MTV Website, the official home of "Sorority Life", Under Jordan' (a "pledge") in her interview:

What was the worst thing about pledging?
Having to relive childhood experiences - having to dig up old memories because you're reminded by their cruelty. You know how mean kids can be? It was like [it was] happening all over again - having to relive it. Therapeutic but painful.

Notice "...by their cruelty."....to me, thats hazing!

RockChalk · #2 06-20-2002, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aggiegirl04
Do you really think that all of your complaining about how bad all of this is going to make you look says good things about the greek system? I can't believe how incredibly immature some of the comments are. If all you are conserned with is PR and how it will have a negative effect on you maybe you should think about why. I'm not in, nor would I ever consider joining any part of the greek system, but I do have friends that are, and the complaining that ive seen here makes me not want any part of the greek system even more. Most people who watch are not part of the greek system, even if they did out some sort of disclaimer as was suggested most viewers would not know or care what was being said.
Yes it is mtv and mtv=drama, why? drama sells... its what people WANT to see. Watch the show before you start to assume how it is going to affect you.
I'm sure I'm inviting lots of negative reactions to these comments, but this is what outsiders about the whole situation, maybe I'm missing something, but I know I don't need to define myself by three or four letters...

Folks, you should take these words to heart. Complaining about the image the Sigmas project won't do any good if you yourself aren't showing a positive image of Greek life.

You don't have to be on national television to have someone watching you. Are they going to like what they see?

33girl · #3 06-20-2002, 10:30 AM

RUGreek,

Will you marry me?

Or, will you admit that you're my sarcasm sidekick from Clarion under an assumed sex/name?

As far as "not hazing" it really doesn't matter what NPC considers hazing, since they are not an NPC group. And I somehow doubt that they are swatting each other in underwear or leaving dead horses in the dean's office.

In the immortal words of Felix Unger "when we assume we make an ASS out of U and ME." So let's stop assuming till we see a couple episodes. If it turns out well, we'll feel pretty friggin stupid for worrying about it.

LexiKD · #4 06-20-2002, 11:37 AM

As for what I consider hazing: From the NPC website
1997, 1979, 1977, 1969--Hazing
Hazing is defined as any action or situation with or without consent which recklessly, intentionally or unintentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or creates risk of injury, or causes discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a chapter or colony of an NPC member fraternity. All member groups will affirm their policies denouncing hazing and inform their membership of this NPC position denouncing hazing through mailings and through their inter/national magazines.

33: I know they are not NPC, I didn't miss that. But for one chapter of one group to make a statement like a national show, they are impacting NPC groups everwhere. And they say there is nothing bad and so on, but what everyone considers bad and what NPC and all of our 26 groups do not allow are two different things. They will impact NPC groups, but what outsiders do not understand is that NPC and local groups are different.

As for not worring and making sure each of us are the best examples for our group...That's why I am upset. I strive everyday to be the best I can and to help our chapters. I am an Alum Association Pres and House Corp Pres and I hate to see women that work so hard to get a good name in the community and then take 10 steps back b/c of a local group on a national show. That goes for all the Locals that do not function the same as "sigma".

No matter if we wait four days or not, they show as a whole is a bad idea for Greeks everwhere b/c non-Greeks do ot understand this is how one group functions, they will generalize like every other bad PR show that comes out. The issue still remains it was this group's choice and their choice will effect more than there chapter, and that is unfortunate.

I will be at KD National Leadership Conf. this weekend and I am sure to bring this up and have a plan of attack to field questions from PNMs and Parents regarding the show during recruitment.

Have fun watching, I will be in Memphis and I assure you we will not be tuned in.

AePhi6782 · #5 06-20-2002, 11:59 AM

In response to some of your posts:

33 girl: I don't feel that I need to get a grip. I understand very well that the only time Ae Phi is mentioned is under their "history" section but that is exactly my point. Their "history" is where they originated from...when people see Ae Phi under that heading, they are going to assume that SAePi used to be Ae Phi. Since the names are similar..(to non-greek people), they may use Ae Phi's name instead, when speaking about this show. My opinion is that the sigmas should not have put our name on their now that they are attracting national attention. And though it may not be their fault that the DJ made a mistake, it very well could have been and if one person made that mistake, others will follow.

Zuma- It is easy for people who aren't educated about the greek system to confuse sororities. This is why I am upset about our name on your website. And yes, I am angry....and I have a right to be. I do not know you girls and the show hasn't been on yet....but knowing MTV, I know that the show will not be what you want it to be....they will portray you girls in a bad light...im sorry...but the truth hurts. Im not even going to respond to your McDonalds comparison because it has no relevance...you can not compare a fast food chain to a sorority.
Mc Donalds never said "Since Burger King closed down, we decided to open, because of the need for fast food." Whatever.

UCD boy- There wasn't a need to correct anything ....I know where we were mentioned....I read it...maybe the group part was misinterpreted. Anyway, when I said "all hell will break loose" ..i used it as an expression. Yes, we are mature women...but when people on radio programs start using our name in reference to this show...my sisters will be pissed...as any other sorority would be also. Call me hostile, whatever you'd like...but I am simply stating my opinion...and I have a right to do that.

Aephialum- Thanks so much for your support, Im glad you understand...it is very easy to be mislead reading their reference to our sorority...but some people don't want to be held accountable for anything or admit wrongdoing. I am surprised that you don't see anything wrong with it though...just think of how nationals will feel when this happens again....a DJ making fun of our chapters...stating which ones are ugly and which ones are not...that is not fair...and the sigmas indirectly put us in this position. Im sorry...but it just makes me mad. You know how people are, everyone (non-greeks) who heard that broadcast will now think of aephi as the girls on that show.

33girl · #6 06-20-2002, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LexiKD
I will be at KD National Leadership Conf. this weekend and I am sure to bring this up and have a plan of attack to field questions from PNMs and Parents regarding the show during recruitment.

Have fun watching, I will be in Memphis and I assure you we will not be tuned in.

Lexi -

Don't you think that you should at least watch the show so you can know exactly what it is that you're "attacking"?

LexiKD · #7 06-20-2002, 12:10 PM

33: I'm not "attacking" anything. But if you saw the new promo with the "Sigma house full of B's", then maybe you too would try to get a little ahead of the game. And with recruitment around the corner I will be proactive with this situation.

Parents and PNMs will have comments. It is my responsibility to answer questions about KD and how we are not like what will be portrayed. I feel that our women need to be educated inorder to know how to handle this situation. I am not saying that everything will be bad or that this groups is bad, but MTV will show the interesting/ratings parts to attract viewers and not the fun mushy stuff that make up that group.

AggieDZ · #8 06-20-2002, 12:30 PM

aggiegirl 04 ---"I'm not in, nor would I ever consider joining any part of the greek system...."

At the risk of seeming ultra-catty, here goes: It seems like you're spending an awful lot of time worrying about issues and people that you'll never have to deal with then...... Don't knock it till ya' try it. Till then, criticizing people who are "in" will only tick them off.

"...but I know I don't need to define myself by three letters...."

But you're willing to define yourself by 5? (your handle says it all) A-G-G-I-E. Have you seen the "Aggies are Hazing" thread yet? Don't know about you , but that one leaves a little pang in my heart. It hurts to see something you love tarnished even a little bit. Most of us have the utmost respect not only for our own orgs, but the system that allows them to exist, as a whole.
If you buy into the whole "Aggie" cult (you know exactly what I mean), then you're defining yourself by three letters argument doesn't have a LEG TO STAND ON. That same kind of pride is what exists in a "greek" social organization, just on a smaller level. The only people who worry about the supposed "status" that those 3 letter might or might not give a person are those not wearing them. I'm disappointed in ya' Ag.

Thanks, & Gig' Em!
(aggiedz takes a bow & ducks the ensuing mud slinging)

33girl · #9 06-20-2002, 12:47 PM

Lexi - I might have not worded it well but you completely missed my point. I was referring to your comment that you wouldn't be watching. I agree that you need to figure out in advance how to answer questions PNMs & parents might have, but don't you think WATCHING the show would help you answer those questions more accurately? I think that Roger Ebert actually goes and watches the movie before he reviews it. He'd write some pretty silly reviews if he didn't.

ThielGirlie · #10 06-20-2002, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aggiegirl04
I'm not in, nor would I ever consider joining any part of the greek system, but I do have friends that are, and the complaining that ive seen here makes me not want any part of the greek system even more.

Nor am I a part of the Greek system (yet)! Have you ever thought that the people on here are trying to defend the dignity and honor of their organizations? I don't know if you're in any clubs or organizations in your school, but how would you feel if MTV aired a special about how bad your org was? Like, "Real life college theatre" or something, where they would show how competitive and bitchy some of the people in plays can be? Try to think of it in that kind of light. I am personally offended by the MTV special commercials as a PNM. I finally got my parents and friends to the point that they agreed being in a Greek organziation would be benificial to me, then they see the MTV commercial... It's not just the view of greek life to PNMs or college students; it's everyone.

aggiegirl04 · #11 06-20-2002, 01:42 PM

aggiedz... i think you missed my point, i somehow stubled upon this site, not because i have any interest in the greek system, but to try to get some insight into the show since some people i know may be on it. my point was that people outside either already have an opinion about what sorority life is like or do not care at all. Thinking of it as just a PR nightmare, and blaming the one group who decided to do something that you may not have done is not really going to do anyone any good, honestly do you really want the type of person who is so easily effectd by a silly mtv show as part of your sorority?? As i stated before I have friends in sororities, I know what goes on. I am not worrying about any issues or people, I just think that the way some people ha
ve dealt with the situation gives off a worse image than the show will. I honestly don't care if i piss people off, sometimes the people who are "in" as you put it can't see outside reaction that clearly. I'm not trying to dig on the greek system, or defend the decision made by SAEPi, I know it is not something I want to be a part of, I wont go into why, because I'm sure it will piss people off.

And speaking of assumptions... there is more than one school wiht the nickname the aggies... I go to UCD, not TA&M, or any of the other 6 school with the same nickname. the purpose of the screenname was to show my affiliation with UCD without having to directly say "hey i go to Davis" as I guess I should have. The whole "aggie pride" thing that goes on at A&M i know nothing about, nor the meaning of "gig'em", again you missed my point, I do not define who I am, nor am I judged by where I go to school or what social orginizations I belong to, like many members of the greek system do. If you don't see this go back and read some of the signatures of some of the posters here, or just listen to how members of one greek org will talk about another, people outside know what goes on, even though there are attempts to conceal it, people know. Take a step outside of your situation and see what other "outsiders" see and you may understand what I was getting at. Thiel- the point was that the attempts at "defending dignity and honor" were not done correctly, in effect the attempts make the organization look worse because of the personal attacks on others. I would actually welcome a real life type program to things I am involved with, the truth is that nothing is perfect, all organizations have problems, everyone knows this, I think it would be more beneficial to show the problems that exist so people know what they are getting themselves into. If you want to make it seem like sorority life is perfect and there is no problems at all then you have an arguement, but the fact is that it is not perfect. I know that I would have approached situations in my org's differently if I had known what problems existed in the first place, but I didnt. The fact that you were worried about convincing your friends and family that greek life would benefit you is part of why I want no part of it, you have to be able to make your own decisions about your life without being overly conserned about what other people think.

AggieDZ · #12 06-20-2002, 02:19 PM

"I do not define who I am, nor am I judged by where I go to school or what social orginizations I belong to"

Except when you bother to list your University affiliation in your screenname, right?

"I'm not in, nor would I ever consider joining any part of the greek system"

And you're only defined by the social organizations that you DON'T belong to, right?

"I have friends in sororities, I know what goes on."

Ye, GADS! Please, someone...... A lilttle help here? Next, she's going to go on about how she doesn't wan't to be part of an org. that circle's their pledges fat!

"The whole "aggie pride" thing that goes on at A&M i know nothing about"

Good. Let's keep it that way. You had me worried for a minute there. The last thing I wanted to see on GC was a self righteous GDI with an agenda using an A&M affiliation as an identifiying mark.

"Take a step outside of your situation and see what other "outsiders" see and you may understand what I was getting at. "

Been there, done that! Truth is, I was a non-member for the first three years of my collegiate experience. Delta Zeta and A&M's AMAZING greek system have been in my heart since Day 1. And remember, ALL of us were non-members at one point.

"people outside know what goes on, even though there are attempts to conceal it, people know"

If you're really going to go there, you'd better start giving some HARD evidence. 'Cause right about now you sound like a jilted, UNINFORMED, ignorant person making vague allusions that refer to nothing in particular and MAKE NO DEFENDABLE POINT!

"the point was that the attempts at "defending dignity and honor" were not done correctly"

Well, fill us in will you? Oh ye bastion of moral integrity?

Once again, it seems like you're spending an awful lot of time worrying about issues and people that you'll never have to deal with. The only people who worry about the supposed "status" that those 2 or 3 letters might or might not give a person are those not wearing them.

SIGMA_INSIDER · #13 06-20-2002, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by maggieaxid
As for hazing....this is on the MTV Website, the official home of "Sorority Life", Under Jordan' (a "pledge") in her interview:

What was the worst thing about pledging?
Having to relive childhood experiences - having to dig up old memories because you're reminded by their cruelty. You know how mean kids can be? It was like [it was] happening all over again - having to relive it. Therapeutic but painful.

Notice "...by their cruelty."....to me, thats hazing!

I guess you have a pretty strange definition of hazing. I know you don't know the whole situation and I don't have time to explain it all, but trust me, no hazing went on. Who was cruel to Jordan? Does it say? Even if she was referring to sisters, heated arguments and personal issues are considered "hazing"? I think of hazing as humiliation, degradation or physical pain, and possibly associated with some sort of rite of passage. Another good way to define hazing would be by going with the definition from your military code/school/org./NPC. Ok, hypothetical situation, I join a frat/sorority and have some arguments and yelling matches with one or two of the members, maybe even get in a fight. I feel like that member or even the whole org. was cruel to me and I feel left out. The whole situation reminded me of some bad childhood memories. I was just hazed? I'm pretty sure that's just called having an argument, getting in a fight, not fitting in,drama, being mean, feeling left out and unwelcome, bad mojo(thanks Austin Powers), whatever you want to call it depending on which side you are on, but not hazing. I would be just a bit surprised if, in hypothetical land, that frat/sorority was booted off campus for hazing (insert sarcasm).

sorry lioness, it's my last one i promise hehe

maggieaxid · #14 06-20-2002, 04:09 PM

sigma-insider, i still don't know why you think you know so much about sigma if you aren't one. you can not say they hazed or did not haze if you are not a member, can you? are you some kind of phantom that watched these girls every second and know everything that goes on? do you know their ritual?

fine, you want to define hazing. i'll give you the definition used on my campus....in accordance to NPC, IFC and local government guidelines..."hazing can be defined as being emotionally, physically, and psychologically battered...." maybe only in north carolina, they would consider a "pledge" (which according to NPC guidelines is considered hazing because it is a derogatory name) or "new member" (which is the correct term) was hazed if that person said "Having to relive childhood experiences - having to dig up old memories because you're reminded by their cruelty. You know how mean kids can be? It was like [it was] happening all over again - having to relive it" ...no where did she say anything about a fight between other people, and i do believe the question was "what the worst thing about PLEDGING"

maggieaxid · #15 06-20-2002, 04:09 PM

oh, and sigma_insider, are you even greek?