Problematic Sorority Recruitment Video?

[Sistermadly]

And I didn't just say all of that because I'm an Alpha Phi, either.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Sistermadly

And I didn't just say all of that because I'm an Alpha Phi, either.

I did a double-take when I saw your username. Hope you're well!!!

[Sistermadly]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I did a double-take when I saw your username. Hope you're well!!!

I'm good! I stepped back from GC when I became a chapter adviser, and later a member of a Regional Team. But I may be back more often now! It's good to see a "face" I recognize!

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by Sistermadly

Coming out of semi-retirement to say bump her and bump her respectability politics.

I'm so tired of people using "feminism" - a concept that is near and dear to my misandrist heart - to shame women and to concern troll them about "their image" and "what this might do do their future". They're eighteen/nineteen. They can't think about the future because they haven't lived long enough yet, and they're entitled to make mistakes. People in this age bracket live their lives online, and despite all of the fooferaw around people being fired for what their (nosey, intrusive) employers found on their social media feeds, as more people in this age bracket move into the workplace, we'll see concerns about this begin to die down. Think about how scandalized people were about political candidates and drug use about 20 years ago (if you're old enough to remember that), and now our Commander In Chief not only admitted to inhaling, he also admitted to trying cocaine. And nobody blinked an eye!

Feminism isn't about choice, FWIW. It's a belief in the political, cultural, and social equality of women. So while I do think that this video didn't do anything to advance women's equality, I also don't think that it set the movement back 50 years. It isn't indicative of some great moral slide, nor is it cause for some great hand-wringing moment of concern. This is a media-created sh*tstorm, and I feel bad that we've all eaten it up -- myself included.

Having said that - I had the exact same reaction to seeing a black male football player in the video that others have mentioned in this thread. Black people are not your props.

Well said and welcome back.

[KerriMarie]

Originally Posted by jolene

On a lighter note, has anyone seen Arkansas State's AGD vid? It's made of win. Talk about sisters with a sense of humor. I'd join them just for that vid. LOL You know you'd be laughing all the time in that house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coXu3t5YQPI

That was awesome!

[BraveMaroon]

So, I finally watched the video yesterday. And sure, it was vapid and overblown, but I can see an aspirational quality to it that would appeal to a lot of young women.

Using a football player in it...well, yes, I agree - black people are not props.

But Alpha Phi is just continuing a tradition that has been perpetuated by the Athletic Department for ages.

Sure, the football players are getting a "free education" - but how many of them are using that to the best advantage? I had student athletes in several Freshman classes. They finished their finals in 30 minutes (ones that took me the whole exam period) and managed to play the next semester. Riddle me that.

SEC schools have been using and abusing their athletes like property for years. I'm not saying what Alpha Phi did was cool, or right, or smart - but it's not without precedent.

My two cents.

[Nanners52674]

Originally Posted by BraveMaroon

So, I finally watched the video yesterday. And sure, it was vapid and overblown, but I can see an aspirational quality to it that would appeal to a lot of young women.

Using a football player in it...well, yes, I agree - black people are not props.

But Alpha Phi is just continuing a tradition that has been perpetuated by the Athletic Department for ages.

Sure, the football players are getting a "free education" - but how many of them are using that to the best advantage? I had student athletes in several Freshman classes. They finished their finals in 30 minutes (ones that took me the whole exam period) and managed to play the next semester. Riddle me that.

SEC schools have been using and abusing their athletes like property for years. I'm not saying what Alpha Phi did was cool, or right, or smart - but it's not without precedent.

My two cents.

It's not just the SEC it's the NCAA overall. It's a sham because so many of the players for football and basketball leave before they get their degree. Which yes I understand the logic behind those decisions but I don't fully agree.

I will say though that the state schools tend to give more wiggle room academically than say a Notre Dame, USC, Stamford tend to.

[kitekat]

So what if they had used a white football player in the video instead?

I think football players in general, white OR black, should not be props in a sorority recruitment video, as they have NOTHING to do with the sisterhood and their ideals.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by kitekat

I think football players in general, white OR black, should not be props in a sorority recruitment video, as they have NOTHING to do with the sisterhood and their ideals.

Unless it's a local sorority whose raison d'etre is supporting the football team, I completely agree.

Turn it around - what if a fraternity had a rush video with the homecoming queen (who had no connection to them) in it? They wouldn't live that down for the next 10 years.

[Sistermadly]

Originally Posted by BraveMaroon

But Alpha Phi is just continuing a tradition that has been perpetuated by the Athletic Department for ages.

"Other people have done it/are doing it!" is an excuse that ceases to be acceptable past the age of 12. 13 max.