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Daily Bruin must be more open-minded toward greeks

By Daily Bruin Staff

Oct. 20, 1994 9:00 p.m.

Daily Bruin must be more open-minded toward greeks

By Princeton Kim

As a student and as a member of a fraternity, I find the actions
and continual hypocrisy displayed by the Daily Bruin to be
reprehensible. The Oct. 17 editorial, "Greek sponsorship merits
examination" was merely another example of the ignorance and
blatant narrow-mindedness which encompasses this school’s newspaper
staff. They claim to be free-minded, fair representatives of the
media and the student body.

Yet it is evident that the staff is simply an organization which
chooses to promote only the trendy forefront of liberal, feminist
or racial endeavors, which seem to conveniently concur with their
idea of liberal political correctness.

Don’t misunderstand my viewpoint, I neither condone nor find any
humor in the songbook incident of two years ago. However, in The
Bruin’s one-sided attempt to promote awareness and equality of
various races, genders, etc., they overlook their own hypocritical
activities. What I mean is simply that they encourage the student
body to condemn both fraternal and panhellenic organizations with
the gross stereotypes associated with such organizations.

The pompous editors overlook the countless philanthropic duties
and community services which are performed by most, if not all
greek members. The greek system contributes to the community in
more ways, and in greater frequency than probably a large number of
other "sponsored" student organizations. Greeks continually help
others by feeding the homeless, participating in environmental
clean up, and holding fundraisers for those who are less
fortunate.

But this newspaper would like to conveniently overlook those
facts and seemingly disavow their existence. Is this what we are to
expect from the nation’s supposedly top-rated student newspaper? If
it is, I say that rating is well overestimated. I would like to see
The Bruin write articles revealing the ugly truths about other
campus groups as well, if they are going to continuously overlook
the greek system’s contribution to this campus and the
community.

What about those fanatic religious groups which pressure
students to join or go to hell, and the racially biased
organizations which condemn non-members for not being culturally
aware or in touch with their heritage? I don’t mean to say that all
other student groups are fascist pigs or femi-nazis, but only that
there is a certain minority of groups which bias their membership
(perhaps not in writing, but in practice), by the color of your
skin, your choice of religion, and so forth.

So I call upon The Bruin’s staff to prove me wrong. Prove to me
and the other students on this campus that you do not promote the
stereotypes associated with fraternities and sororities by refusing
to acknowledge their worth and their contributions. For example,
the newspaper fought admirably against the stereotypes associated
with gays, bisexuals and lesbians by challenging people’s ideas and
broadening their views.

I only ask the same respect which I feel is due to me and the
other greek members for our efforts, our individuality and our
contributions to the school. I am telling the newspaper staff to
actually find out for themselves what the greek system is all
about. It isn’t just about drinking or socializing. I know of many
members who do not drink, use drugs, sing offensive songs or feel
that they are better than everyone else. I say broaden your own
minds and stop living in your own little universe. But until that
time, don’t insult me or the rest of the students by insinuating to
be fair, open-minded representatives of anything more than your own
egos.

If you would look at the number, the types, the colors, and the
quality of persons walking around with greek letters, you would
realize that the greek system does "promote the empowerment of
students of different race, gender, culture, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, disability and class." Perhaps it is because the truth
is not as controversial or trendy as you, the staff, would like it
to be, which leaves you to resort to the incessant bludgeoning of
those you are not associated with. Lastly, I simply say wake up,
look around, and get to know me and every other greek member before
you lump us all into one group of hell incarnate.

Kim is a sophomore political science student.

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