Who is the real cause of all the problems?

[Tom Earp]

OKAY, We All Agree James is a Penis!

But you have to admit, He is a Loveable one tho!

James, Do I Hear an Amen from You!

Oh, Where is it by the way!

Umbridge, James, We are Greeks, We are Gods, well I guess if you mean in the Greek or Scandianvian Sense! WOW such a big diff!? Or Not!

[sugar and spice]

Yes, not everything on GC provides a one hundred percent positive representation of Greeks. Some of them even re-enforce Greek stereotypes. But you know what? Not all Greeks, even the ones on GC, are the complete opposite of every Greek stereotypes. Some of us like to party a lot, some of us like to have sex, some of us like to go tanning, some of us drive expensive cars. You can say, "Don't post threads about Barbie chapters because it promotes the stereotype that Greeks are superficial" but where do you draw the line? "Don't post threads about sex and alcohol because it promotes the idea that Greeks are only about sex and partying"? "Don't post threads about your favorite handbags and Lily dresses because it promotes the idea that all sorority girls are materialistic"?

Yes, the actions of all Greeks reflect on the rest of us. But you can't control what other people do. And there are certainly big enough problems within the Greek system that online message board posts about "Barbie chapters" and disagreements between GCers aren't going to do much more harm than is already done on many campuses on a day to day basis. I wouldn't worry that much about what goes on here when a new hazing case comes up every week.

[Glitter650]

Originally posted by sugar and spice
You can say, "Don't post threads about Barbie chapters because it promotes the stereotype that Greeks are superficial" but where do you draw the line? "Don't post threads about sex and alcohol because it promotes the idea that Greeks are only about sex and partying"? "Don't post threads about your favorite handbags and Lily dresses because it promotes the idea that all sorority girls are materialistic"?

Didn't say don't post them... just pointed out that they do promote some neg. stereotypes....

Originally posted by sugar and spice
Yes, the actions of all Greeks reflect on the rest of us. But you can't control what other people do. And there are certainly big enough problems within the Greek system that online message board posts about "Barbie chapters" and disagreements between GCers aren't going to do much more harm than is already done on many campuses on a day to day basis. I wouldn't worry that much about what goes on here when a new hazing case comes up every week.

I agree Sugar and Spice

[squirrely girl]

thank you sugar and spice for having the words that i didn't

marissa

[Silverblue]

PM Mama, the word you're looking for is "shallow."

[Rudey]

I agree with you 100%. Lately I've started to become much more sensitive every time I see someone trying to push their agenda and block a view. This isn't the same as saying something against it, but wholeheartedly saying it shouldn't exist or be seen.

The fact is that in the barbie thread I brought up that physical features are but one element. I said I would be willing to post on another thread about smart girls in sororities and whatnot. Did anyone create it? No.

Get real. If you think taking good looking people, people who work hard, people who think well, people who dress well is being elitist and solidifies some negative stereotype I'm proud to contribute to it. Here is one fraternity brother who tries hard to be the best that he can be and wants to associate with others who can compare.

As for insulting other orgs - I don't see anyone doing that but girls usually and the occasional fool who tries to attach black glos. You girls can do some internal reflection on why you're so mean.

-Rudey

Originally posted by sugar and spice
Yes, not everything on GC provides a one hundred percent positive representation of Greeks. Some of them even re-enforce Greek stereotypes. But you know what? Not all Greeks, even the ones on GC, are the complete opposite of every Greek stereotypes. Some of us like to party a lot, some of us like to have sex, some of us like to go tanning, some of us drive expensive cars. You can say, "Don't post threads about Barbie chapters because it promotes the stereotype that Greeks are superficial" but where do you draw the line? "Don't post threads about sex and alcohol because it promotes the idea that Greeks are only about sex and partying"? "Don't post threads about your favorite handbags and Lily dresses because it promotes the idea that all sorority girls are materialistic"?

Yes, the actions of all Greeks reflect on the rest of us. But you can't control what other people do. And there are certainly big enough problems within the Greek system that online message board posts about "Barbie chapters" and disagreements between GCers aren't going to do much more harm than is already done on many campuses on a day to day basis. I wouldn't worry that much about what goes on here when a new hazing case comes up every week.

[Kevin]

I think it's unrealistic to have a public message board and expect everyone here that claims they're a member of a GLO to constantly show themselves in a positive light.

While our respective HQ's do all they can to stop it, chapters within our own organizations fit the most liberal stereotypes perfectly. This board was created for them as well.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Rudey
The fact is that in the barbie thread I brought up that physical features are but one element. I said I would be willing to post on another thread about smart girls in sororities and whatnot. Did anyone create it? No.

Rudey's totally right. The reason the Barbie thread came about is I was annoyed with all the conference threads, so James jokingly posted a few satires of it, but the Barbie one was the only one that took off.

[deuika]

My observation of Greeks is this; "GREEKS ARE INDIVIDUALS" period. An organization is comprised of individuals, and no matter how much you all attempt to weed out the bad apples, there is an asshole in every group. There is someone there for the parties, or the step-shows, or just to have your organization listed as a "college activity." That's just how the cookie crumbles. One cannot seriously expect every member of their organization to behave a certain way, and why on Earth would you want to? What's the purpose of a bunch on drones running around with ABC on their chest?

However, I do think some of the negative thoughts about Greeks can be avoided, though you all are individuals some of the things you do are just, let's face it DUMB! That's the honest truth. For example, there is always a chapter searching for the "Good-Looking" members. Deny it if you want, it's the truth. I mean, what kind of elementary mess is that? Oh shucks, you're smart and all, but we prefer dumb blondes?

Also, WTH is up with some of the attitudes? I mean really. I respect all orgs; well let me rephrase that, most orgs. but halt the attitude seriously. We all know you earned your letters, that's fine and all but WANT A COOKIE? Just because you're Greek do you REALLY have to be an ass?

Also, Greeks are supposed to be the elite portions of our society, people of high caliber. People who became Greek 30 yrs ago would put some of these low-budget current members to shame. What happened to being selective?

That's just my opiNIon.

[kddani]

Just wondering what exactly constitutes "low-budget current members"

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by deuika
People who became Greek 30 yrs ago would put some of these low-budget current members to shame. What happened to being selective?

Where is your citation for this "fact?"

30 years ago, the national greek system was a mess. There was declining numbers, and very bad risk management issues. It was right before law suits began to rock the fraternal world. If "low-budget" means that a chapter no longer forces its members to the precipice of alcohol poisening, then so be it.

[DeltAlum]

Be just a little careful, Russ. You're heading for some thin ice.

The reasons for declining numbers thirty years ago were more societal than due to a weakness in the system. During and post Vietnam it was "cooler" to be a hippy than a Greek. And the litigious society wasn't totally caused by the Greek System -- it's the same in every walk of life and still building. Risk Management is not just a Greek problem, but is everywhere in business and industry as well.

We did know how to party back in the sixties, but at least in the region where I went to school, you didn't hear about nearly as many deaths, and I can't remember a chapter being closed on our campus in that era.

I'm certainly not saying that we were angels and had the right answers. Hazing was fairly rampant, but nobody had really defined it yet.

We made a lot of mistakes, but I'm not sure your generality would hold up under close scrutiny.

[PhiPsiRuss]

I don't have any hard evidence to back up what I wrote. I'm going by what I've been told by national officers, who were undergrads at that time. They seem to have a consensus, that those times also influenced a more care free attitude inside the chapters.

[moe.ron]

Originally posted by deuika

Also, Greeks are supposed to be the elite portions of our society, people of high caliber. People who became Greek 30 yrs ago would put some of these low-budget current members to shame. What happened to being selective?

I'm sorry that I have shame my fraternity by being a low-budget member.

[adpiucf]

I disagree that Greeks are viewed as individuals within our society. Like it or not, while we are individual beings with our own motivations for doing things, we have chosen to be associated with Greek Life, and we're going to be stamped with the elitist, aryan, partying, sex-crazed stereotype. For all the good the we do-- fundraising, community service, leadership training, sportsmanship, being good scholars-- it just take a couple of idiots doing something ridiculous to make news-- and make us all look stupid, too.

As a group, we must educate our members and reinforce what actions are inappropriate for Greeks. Bad PR is what the media adores, and it perpetuates the Animal House stereotype that so many of us are trying desperately to destroy.