Biggest Rush Mistakes at any institution

[33girl]

PhiGam - Kappa Alpha Order is the founded by Robert E Lee one. Kappa Alpha Society was founded in Schnectady NY.

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by 33girl

PhiGam - Kappa Alpha Order is the founded by Robert E Lee one. Kappa Alpha Society was founded in Schnectady NY.

Right, thats what I meant.

[catiebug]

Well, bless his heart!

Originally Posted by PhiGam

.

[barbino]

Originally Posted by 33girl

PhiGam - Kappa Alpha Order is the founded by Robert E Lee one. Kappa Alpha Society was founded in Schnectady NY.

Thank You, 33girl for the correction, but I'm going to add to the distinct differences between:

1) Kappa Alpha Order, whose spiritual (not actual) founder is Robert E. Lee. Almost all of its chapters are in the South and it was founded after

2) Kappa Alpha Society, which only has a few chapters (I think that they are all out east), but it has the distinction of being one of the first fraternities ever founded.
I found out about KA Society by reading Baird's years ago.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

And KA Society is racist... plain and simple. I have no desire to be a part of that organization and that is the only reason. They wear CSA uniforms because they were founded by Robert E Lee. They have a southern cross on their house, re enact a civil war battle every year, and got in trouble for spreading cotton on a black fraternity's lawn a few years back. These guys ARE stuck in 1865. I'm pretty sure they are the same at every school too. Most southern fraternities aren't like this though.

They are obviously not people that I want to associate with but they still have a right to have their own private organization. Any claim by them of not being racist is a boldfaced lie though.

With all due respect, I take exception with the bolded statement. I happen to know more than a few gentleman of Kappa Alpha Order and I seriously doubt that anyone who has met them would ever consider them racists.

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by TSteven

With all due respect, I take exception with the bolded statement. I happen to know more than a few gentleman of Kappa Alpha Order and I seriously doubt that anyone who has met them would ever consider them racists.

Which chapters are you talking about here?

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Which chapters are you talking about here?

Naming specific chapters will just get people in - pardon my crassness - some sort of a pissing match. "Shut up." "No, you shut up." So suffice to say that all of the KAs *I* happen to know come from chapters that are located in the South. Including - but not limited to - more than a few Southeastern Conference (SEC) institutions of higher learning. And over different generations as well.

It is quite possible that they happen to be the only members of their chapters that are not racists. However, I find it hard to believe that is the case.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

And KA Society is racist... plain and simple. I have no desire to be a part of that organization and that is the only reason. They wear CSA uniforms because they were founded by Robert E Lee. They have a southern cross on their house, re enact a civil war battle every year, and got in trouble for spreading cotton on a black fraternity's lawn a few years back. These guys ARE stuck in 1865. I'm pretty sure they are the same at every school too. Most southern fraternities aren't like this though.
They are obviously not people that I want to associate with but they still have a right to have their own private organization. Any claim by them of not being racist is a boldfaced lie though.

Well, Kappa Alpha Order at Maryland definitely does not fit your description. Then again, Maryland is not the South. Of the first 3 KAs I met, one was African-American, one was Asian-American, and one was Jewish. I wonder what going to their convention is like...

[banditone]

That would be uncomfortable.

[sageofages]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

And KA [Order] Society is racist... plain and simple. I have no desire to be a part of that organization and that is the only reason. They wear CSA uniforms because they were founded by Robert E Lee. They have a southern cross on their house, re enact a civil war battle every year, and got in trouble for spreading cotton on a black fraternity's lawn a few years back. These guys ARE stuck in 1865. I'm pretty sure they are the same at every school too. Most southern fraternities aren't like this though.
They are obviously not people that I want to associate with but they still have a right to have their own private organization. Any claim by them of not being racist is a boldfaced lie though.

I take personal exception to your blanketed statement

My father is a Gentleman of the Kappa Alpha Order. He is most assuredly not racist or bigotted in any manner. His ability to see the greatness in all served him well during a decorated Air Force career.

He is however, prejudiced and quite intolerant against ignorance, laziness, deception and intrenched refusal to learn and appreciate intellegent discussion on all topics; no matter the demographics of the individual uttering such.

[SWTXBelle]

Some fall prey to the idea that southern = racist. Phigam, having your broad knowledge of American history to fall back on you know:
1.) Slavery existed in the U.S.A. throughout and after the WBTS.
2.) The Emancipation Proclaimation freed slaves in the C.S.A., NOT the U.S.A.
3.) After the War, many northern cities passed legislation barring freed slaves from living there.

. . . and so on, and so on. My point? That by celebrating southern heritage KA is most assuredly NOT celebrating racism. Racism, unfortunately, exists everywhere. I think it is dangerous for non-southerners to smugly assume it does not. It allows them to believe the issue doesn't affect them and isn't something they should consider and fight.
Are there racist KAs? Sure. Just as there are racist FIJIs, and every other GLO. Let me point out - the campus culture will have a great deal more to do with whether or not 1.) minorities even go through IFC rush and 2.) they are given bids. At some campuses, the BGLO are so strong that there is not much, if any, interest in minorities in pursuing membership in a traditionally white GLO. If you look at composites, they might be lily white, and you might assume they are racists.

I'm reminded of when cries of "Racism!" were leveled against the SMU Panhellenic. Turns out, no minorities(specifically, blacks) had gone through recruitment. (!!!) Once some did, some did indeed receive bids.

There are so many variables to why someone might not be given a bid. In fact, a very non-racist member might chose NOT to give a minority a bid if they felt their brothers would not be as accepting or positive about his pledgeship. Be very careful of making gross generalizations.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

At some campuses, the BGLO are so strong that there is not much, if any, interest in minorities in pursuing membership in a traditionally white GLO. If you look at composites, they might be lily white, and you might assume they are racists.

I don't think anyone should assume racism because a chapter is "lily white." The absence of something doesn't equal racism unless certain practices are found that attempt to deter nonwhites from participating in chapters' events or going through recruitment.

And, yes, every fraternity and sorority has chapters that go out of their way to keep certain people (whether that's based on race, social class, hair color, etc.) from programs or recruitment activities.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I'm reminded of when cries of "Racism!" were leveled against the SMU Panhellenic. Turns out, no minorities(specifically, blacks) had gone through recruitment. (!!!) Once some did, some did indeed receive bids.

Makes sense. But, keep in mind that this still goes back to the many factors that contribute to why some minorities do not go through recruitment.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

There are so many variables to why someone might not be given a bid. In fact, a very non-racist member might chose NOT to give a minority a bid if they felt their brothers would not be as accepting or positive about his pledgeship. Be very careful of making gross generalizations.

So instead of questioning the status quo, these people go right along with it.

That's actually STILL racism at the individual-level and reinforces the racist structure.

[SWTXBelle]

"So instead of questioning the status quo, these people go right along with it.

That's actually STILL racism at the individual-level and reinforces the racist structure. "
__________________


So, in my hypothetical situation what do you think is the proper response for a non-racist brother to one who is racist? Our hypothetical minority pnm is up for a vote. The non-racist knows that if he is given a bid, the pnm will not be treated equally. What do you think would be the best way to not reinforce the racist structure - to question the status quo?

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

In fact, a very non-racist member might chose NOT to give a minority a bid if they felt their brothers would not be as accepting or positive about his pledgeship. Be very careful of making gross generalizations.

Or HE might feel that the person's personality just does not fit the group. Nothing wrong with that.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

And KA Society is racist... plain and simple. I have no desire to be a part of that organization and that is the only reason. They wear CSA uniforms because they were founded by Robert E Lee. They have a southern cross on their house, re enact a civil war battle every year, and got in trouble for spreading cotton on a black fraternity's lawn a few years back. These guys ARE stuck in 1865. I'm pretty sure they are the same at every school too. Most southern fraternities aren't like this though.
They are obviously not people that I want to associate with but they still have a right to have their own private organization. Any claim by them of not being racist is a boldfaced lie though.

This is one of the most dumb fucking posts I have ever read on here.

Although I am not a KA......I have several friends that are at many different schools. In my experience, them and the other men in their respective chapters are nothing but stand up, respectful gentlemen.

KA "Order" was also not founded by Robert E. Lee. Good call though.

.....and how the hell does wearing a Civil War costume and going to a party with a date, who is dressed in an Antebellum style ball gown, a sign that you are a racist?