[10011] in APO-L
Toast Song: Get a grip, folks!!
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Shawn BB Hillis)
Fri Nov 4 10:25:08 1994
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 1994 09:45:24 -0500
Reply-To: Shawn BB Hillis <ind00471@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu>
From: Shawn BB Hillis <ind00471@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L%PURCCVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
--Yes, I'm sorry, *another* posting on the Toast Song, but I couldn't
hold out any longer.
1. Not all Fraternities have male references beyond the word
Fraternity and Brotherhood. I know of some honorary and business
"Fraternities" that do not use other gender references.
2. Let's face it. The English language sucks. We just don't
have the words to properly express all that we want/feel without some other
hang-on connotations, I think we're rather stuck with Fraternity and
Brotherhood. I don't know of suitable replacements that also have the
necessary emphasis on the bonds that we have. But we *can* do something
with about other references.
3. New members(pledges) coming into AphiO cannot be expect to
have a lot of dedication and sincerity to an organization that they know
nothing about. And we may, and probably are, losing many potential
Brothers because of initial impressions of a predominantly male oriented
organization.
4. Tradition/history is neither a reason to keep nor trash an
idea. If something is still useful and meaningful, keep it. If it's
causing problems, change it. And I think that some statute of limitation
has past on a promise made almost 20 years ago. It's time to look at
things anew.
5. There *is* obviously a problem here. I don't personally have
a problem, nor have ever heard of anyone at my chapter having one, with
the gender issue. BUT apparently other Brothers do, and I believe it's a
growing percentage. And their feelings are as valid as mine or yours.
6. Now recognizing that there IS a problem, what harm would come
about in changing it? All I've heard is Brothers saying they don't see
or feel a need to change it; not that there's an actual problem in
changing it. And I most definitely haven't heard a problem with the
words to change to. Now I'm sorry, but when the only objection to a change
that others feel is necessary is just resistance to change, then I can't
abide by that. See #4 above.
7. Look into yourselves. Would you really have a problem with
the words "true to"? Or is it just the change itself? I really think
that the words "true to" would add more feeling and intensity to our
song. And some Brothers obviously have valid problems with the present
words "Men of".
8. *AND I DARE* anyone to repeat that when one enters an
organization, they join to be a part of it and not to change it to what
they want! Again, I'm sorry, but that's really, REALLY weak. Do you
really think our, or any, organization is so perfect that it can't be
improved?! Do you really think that *any* organization is so stable,
that change or updates are never necessary?!? Have some become so
calcified in their thinking that ideas, new or old, are simply rejected
outright without thought or consideration for others, our Brothers?!
9. Another Brother, Loren, put it rightly a few weeks back. To
not change now will perpetuate this problem and conflict that will just
grow. To change it now may be a bit painful and take a change in
perspective, but will save a lot of heart-ache in the long run.
Please, consider every Brother, not just yourself and your
Chapter, when you make your decision.
____________________________________________
--Shawn BB Hillis |"Thanks to the interstate highway system, |
University of |it is now possible to travel across the |
Central Florida |country from coast to coast without seeing|
|anything." -- Charles Kuralt, On the Road |
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