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I've never understood the attraction of the Greek lifestyle for college students.
I've heard all the reasons from my best friends, girlfriends and others why pledging Q-Dog, Kappa or Alpha would have been a smart move during my college days. They talk about the sense of brotherhood, the lifetime friendships and the community service that pledging a frat can spawn.
I can't argue with any of the that. I guess that for some students, especially those who feel alienated and alone on their campuses, the sense of belonging provided by a brotherhood or sisterhood is a wonderful thing.
But one question I have never had answered to my satisfaction by fraternity supporters is why do you have to go through a beat down to join. If it's all about unity, why do you show it with hostility?
It's likely a question that former San Jose State University student Courtney Howard is asking herself now since filing a lawsuit against four Sigma Gamma Rho sorority members who were convicted of hazing her in 2008 during the pledge process.
Howard said she and other pledges were warned that "snitches get stitches" while they were punched, kicked and paddled during their initiation.
Sigma Gamma Rho sisters Princess Odom, Monique Hughes, Joslyn Beard and Nicole Remble (pictured above, clockwise from top-left) pleaded no contest earlier this year to misdemeanor hazing and were sentenced to 90 days in jail, two years probation and banned from associating with the sorority.
Part of me wants to say that Howard should have known what she was getting into; no frat or sorority hides the fact that pledging will take some mental and physical endurance.
But there's a thin line between tough pledging and abuse - and I don't expect a 17-year-old "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" to always know where that line is drawn.
I will concede that the San Jose State University Sigma Gamma Rho mess is an aberration when it comes to black Greek organizations, which do far more good than harm overall.
But as long as any frat or sorority allows hazing to be a part of their practice, the door is open to abuse, lawsuits and imprisonment.
Comments: (48)
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By: Eric on 9/04/2010 8:33PM
This behavior is simply sad! And, here were talking about females, and sadly black females! I know the usual idiot will respond with..."well white girls do it too!" But, this isn't about white girls, and also this is black voices! Why do black people...especially black women always got there with the "white girls do it boo BS? Do they need white girls to validate who they are? Apparently, they must! I guess there's a correlation between what black females thin k about white girls, and why they bust their butts always trying to look like them, but can't! Looking at these photos of the students involved it's clear to see yet again why black people...even females are so violent! So, the next time you see an article about black males being violent ...remember that black women are the same, and always have been! This is just really stupid,a nd immature! But, that's black women for you!
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By: The truth on 9/06/2010 8:08AM
Eric, I seriously do not know where you think it is you're coming from and where it is you think you're going with the way you attempt to make this a racial issue. Is there any mention of race within the article?...(No). The deep seeded racism is within you. Your pathetic attempt at spreading it around can be seen as clear as that hole in your head.
Fraternities are a waste of time as all they really do is allow those refusing to grow up in high-school to continue their immature behavior while in college. Sounds like you Eric.
If seeing photos of blacks incites you to make ridiculous assertions, you may want to check on the validity of that on-line G.E.D. you worked so hard for.
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By: HoneyKone on 9/06/2010 8:50AM
Eric, how do black women "bust their butts trying to look like white girls?" Is it by injecting collagen in their lips, getting butt implants, and laying in the sun for hours getting tans??
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By: Kathy on 9/09/2010 10:53PM
Rejection can come from any race-they reject anybody who they think is different. Move on short,fat,bald and old men get women all the time. You have to be all you can be first and hateing a whole race of women because of your experiences in HIGH SCHOOL is crazy and a sign you are not mature. You probably have alot to give but not if you keep hateing. There is no future in your past.
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By: Corie on 9/06/2010 3:48PM
Eric is white. Sometimes he will comment as if he is black and other times white. He is usually first which means as a white person hanging out on BV all the time he is lonely and bitter. Eric blames black people for all his problems. In the morning, he will go to work and joke with his black co workers as if he is not the biggest racist.
I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Although there are unfortunate incidents of hazing among greeks, we do more good than evil.
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By: Michele on 9/06/2010 6:50PM
Eric you are a misinfromed fool!!! We as African-American women were born with beautiful wide round bottoms, thick legs,some of us have thicker lips than others and we love our curves. White girls have gotten to the point where they want to immulate what we look like. They want to have darker skin tones, braids, fuller lips and hips. We know that most white girls have flat butts and thin lips. Oh and they wrinkle quickly, especially if they hang out in the sun. That is something African-American women don't worry about at all. We don't start looking fifty at 30. Go get your facts right about what we are trying to look like and also if we are violent it's because of stupid people like you. These girls were a small number who are misguided. A sorority isn't really based on this type of behavior. I've heard of the mean white girls doing much worse where lives have been lost. Get your facts straight!!!!
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By: vdog on 9/06/2010 8:42PM
It's a SHAME to see these COLLEGE EDUCATED SISTAS taking this GHETTO MENTALITY to campus with them.
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By: Charles on 9/07/2010 12:12AM
You know Eric if you put some syrup on this it would go down easier I'm being sarcstic cause people dont always want the truth cause you said a mouthful. I would think as hard as it is to be accepted into society going into college would require some thought and beating the hell out of a class mate aint on the list of things to do . I would love to ask them what is the use , is it some primevil desire I'm not going to suggest some sexual deviance but it sure is suspicious. I feel you when you talk about a reluctance of belonging to a group I can do bad by myself .
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By: Charles on 9/07/2010 12:12AM
I just read some of these comments what the hell a big butt got to do with violence done on a child a child that could be yours we're talking about behavior here people try to stay focus please. I would not be surprise if apperiance did not come into how a particular young lady was treated . women be having some issues.Why is it black people dont like to be critique by other black people then they need to stop co-signing off on stupid s*it
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By: tyrone on 9/07/2010 11:50PM
You are speaking the truth!!!! I'm kinda losing my patience with dealing with the sistas ,and their petty ghetto drama.
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