GDI...does it bother anyone else? - Page 3

Shelacious · #31 06-24-2002, 01:08 PM

We always used the term GDI to stand for a "GD Individual" or a "Gosh Dang Individual" and it was simply used to describe a non-Greek person. An example: "There were two women passing out awards at the party last night: one was a ZPB and the other was a GDI."

Another term used to describe GDIs was saying they were a member of "Me Phi Me."

Neither term assigned any weight to whether they wanted to be Greek, whether they liked Greeks or not, whether they hung out with Greeks or whatever else--it only described that they were not Greek in context to describing other folks who were Greek.

dekeguy · #32 06-24-2002, 03:16 PM

I keep seeing the word "elitism" thrown into this discussion. Somebody please make me smart about this. Since the whole concept of "PC" has been reduced to the status of laughingstock in the real world what has this to do with anything? Greek houses, by the very fact that they are selective, are by definition elitist. Is this such a bad thing? I don't look down on independents or other Greeks, but I am damned proud of MY house. I am likewise proud to have graduated from a university that has somewhat tough admission standards and a good academic reputation. I am likewise proud to have served as an officer on active duty, to have earned an MA from a British University, to have been Master of my Masonic Lodge, and I am likewise proud to have gotten into law school and survived 1L, and I am 27 as of last birthday. I worked at summer jobs and part time jobs since I was in High School, I paid for my car, my spending money, and a good sized chunk of what I could not cover with scholarships. I am sure not going to apologise for this and while I think I have been very lucky I also think hard work had something to do with it. Does that make me elitist? If so, so be it. I honor those who strive and accomplish. I am less impressed by those who screw off for four years and accomplish little or nothing, are not selected for inclusion by their peers, and earn no honors. Sure, we all know some nice guys who fall through the cracks, and we know good guys who chose not to affiliate, but lets get real - elitism if meant to hurt and put down is just as out of place as hazing, but elitism as a sense of accomplishment brought by recognition of earned distinction can't be such a bad thing.

Tom Earp · #33 06-24-2002, 04:09 PM

DekeGuy, Huzzas to my interfatrernal Brother of Canada!

I do not and never did consider being in a Greek Organization as being elite!

I considerered being a Greek as a Can do and be involved person! If we do not do it on campus then who will?

GDI tend to be dormers or in apartment houses off of campus and do not socialize with any one group of people. They may have their small circle of friends but not a Brother/Sisterhood of many who have come before and after!

We are having Pierce Stock 7 an Alum who puts on a gathering of Brothers and wives and kids once a year! This is so we can get together and meet new and see old Members of the Fraternity!
Oh Our Chapter only.

If being Greek Is Elite, then it might come from having the higher Grade avg., participating more and getting better jobs after graduation because the companys are looking for people who interact. I am sure each and everyone of us have served in some form or another with the Organization. This too is learning process in college.

Truth being known, I guess I do look down the nose a little as they usually dont to commit to the world of people!

Why do they come back to see the old school? I come back to see and be with my Brothers and their Familys which have become mine and meet the New Brothers who will someday be in our shoes!

Optimist Prime · #34 06-25-2002, 05:35 PM

Okay...lets play word flip flop.
Premise: Elitism is bad(just go along, you'll see how it works out)
Given: Greeks select their own membership.
Given: Greeks are considered "conservative"
Given: Labor unions are conisdered "liberal"
Given: Labor unions select their own membership
Conclusion: Labor unions are elitist.

Labor unions aren't bad though. Why can't I join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Just because I'm not an electritian. DA!! Not everyone who wants to join something is right for that organisation. I'd be a horrible member of IBEW, because, I know jack zippo about electricity, execpt that if you put tweezers in a socket it makes a pretty blue color. Lets explore this further.
Given: Groups choose memebers who will be good members
Given: No group would want to harm themselves, or their reputation.
Given: Choosing memebers who do not share their values, groups would risk hurting themselves/their reputation.
Conclusion: Groups choose people whose ideals closely match their own.

And that is why using the term elitist is a bad thing. Even if your an Electrian. I support them even if they do strike!

P.S. Don't mistake me. I was making a point. Labor unions are good. They make sure people don't get ripped off. Without, some people YOU love probably wouldn't have houses, or be able to buy groceries.

FuzzieAlum · #35 06-25-2002, 06:52 PM

As much as I agree with your overall point, Optimist, I think your analogy isn't that great. ANY electrician can join the union - they can't pick and choose which electricians they like. It's more like, say, A Phi O, where ANY student can join - the brothers can't say no to someone who wants to pledge. Yes, there is a minimum standard enforced (being an electrician or being a student) but it is a very objective one. It's not like joining an NPC sorority, where we pick and choose the members we want, based on vague ideals and impressions. (I'm not knocking our system, just saying it's not exactly scientific.)

carnation · #36 06-25-2002, 07:25 PM

My dad said the term GDI was used in World War II, back when he was in college. I've always felt that the term could be used several ways, depending on how the speaker or GDI wanted to use it.

At my colleges in the seventies, it was mostly used humorously and affectionately, as Deltalum and dekeguy described. It was just a way for someone to say that they weren't Greek.

Occasionally, it would be used as an insult from the Greeks ("Those GDIs from the coed dorm just lobbed an M-80 into our living room!) or at other times, an insult towards the Greeks, usually from the hippies ("I'm proud to be a GDI who doesn't listen to the Establishment!")

SoExited@FSU · #37 06-25-2002, 10:40 PM

I love the term- and so do most of the GDi's I know. They use it on themselves and are almost proud of it!

southernelle25 · #38 10-07-2005, 10:47 AM

Optimist Prime, in what world are Greeks (often falsely associated with wild parties, alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, etc.) considered "conservative"?

sueali · #39 10-07-2005, 11:03 AM

Historically greeks are considered more conservative than the general population. This has nothing to do with parties or drinking it has to do with political views.

KSUViolet06 · #40 10-07-2005, 11:11 AM

I'm not bothered by the term now, and wasn't bothered by it before I was Greek. We don't really use that term here much. If someone's not Greek, they're usually referred to as "non Greeks."

PhoenixAzul · #41 10-07-2005, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Optimist Prime

Labor unions aren't bad though. Why can't I join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Just because I'm not an electritian. DA!! Not everyone who wants to join something is right for that organisation. I'd be a horrible member of IBEW, because, I know jack zippo about electricity, execpt that if you put tweezers in a socket it makes a pretty blue color. Lets explore this further.

Actually...my dad is an IBEW brother and he's not an electrician. One may join IBEW if one is employed by a company in the electrical/power business. My dad is a fleet mechanic for Duquesne Light...never touches the wires, just the cars.

Sorry for the hijack.

Incidentally, at Otterbein we usually use GDI to describe people who AREN'T greek and we wish they were. Example..."Oh man, Joe's Girlfriend is so cool, I wish she would not be a GDI anymore and join XYZ, she'd be a kick ass sister."

adpiucf · #42 10-07-2005, 01:09 PM

Most non members I know refer to themselves as this -- some even go so far as to call it "Gamma Delta Iota"

This nickname has been around a long time and it isn't going anywhere. If it makes you uncomfortable, don't use it. And if you think it is a big enough deal, if you hear others using it, tell them it offends you when people say it and why.

flirt5721 · #43 10-07-2005, 01:31 PM

I know a lot of people that are really proud to be GDI's. They have friends that are Greek but they are not.

I don't think there is anything wrong with using it.

southernelle25 · #44 10-07-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sueali
Historically greeks are considered more conservative than the general population. This has nothing to do with parties or drinking it has to do with political views.

It is my first time hearing of it. There is something wily and disingenuous about any stereotype in which a group or individual is viewed as both lewd and conservative at the same time.

valkyrie · #45 10-07-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by southernelle25
It is my first time hearing of it. There is something wily and disingenuous about any stereotype in which a group or individual is viewed as both lewd and conservative at the same time.

You know, I always thought that greeks might be considered conservative by some because there is a lot of tradition involved in greek life -- I don't mean the traditions of our organizations -- I mean the stuff about greek life that, in my opinion, conforms to very traditional ideas of, say, male and female roles in our society. Maybe people assume that those who choose to be involved with such things are conservative -- I'm not sure.

I could be totally wrong, but who knows. I think here on GC there's a pretty even split between people who are generally conservative and people who are generally liberal, but I haven't been keeping track.