[11738] in APO-L
Diversity
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Time Bomb {Tom Backus})
Fri Mar 24 09:29:17 1995
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 1995 08:27:32 -0600
Reply-To: Time Bomb {Tom Backus} <timebomb@LANESBORO.POLARISTEL.NET>
From: Time Bomb {Tom Backus} <timebomb@LANESBORO.POLARISTEL.NET>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L%PURCCVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
I would like to thank, publicly, David E. Fitzgerald, Jr. for the following
contribution to our mailing list:
"I would like to add that many social fraternities have been attempting to
mimic Alpha Phi Omega's behavior for many many years, even before alts... I
can remember back in the early 1980's hearing comments from the socials.
Integration of race was not their only concern, but culture, sexuality,
etc... were also items they questioned us about."
He has hit the nail on the head (or shall I say the Horse on the Head) Many
dead horses have been beaten here (An A Phi O Member Beat a dead horse?
Never!) We have hashed over many a topic, yet when it all comes down to it,
we all kind of end up agreeing to disagree. Why? Because we are a diverse
group. In this mass diversity is Alpha Phi Omega's greatest strengths. As
a member of 10 years (Gulp, 10 years tomorrow, March 25), I have met other
members of all backgrounds and standings.
We are culturally diverse: From the international scope (APhiO Philippines -
Thanks Earle for bringing that to my attention.), to the different cultures
in our own country. I came from Mag 7 (Home of Wilfred K., Stan C.,
Theodore J., Bill K, Roger L., James H. Abe F., Neal F., and many other
greats), but now live in the frozen norths of MN. It is a totally different
culture and world up here. Yet when I ran into an Alumni from Luther in
Decorah, we had some common grounds to talk about. It was kind of Cool.
(Hi Luther People!)
We are diverse in our sexuality. Yes, we have, and continue to have,
members who are gay and lesbians.
We are socially diverse. I came from a lower-middle class family. Some of
my fellow members at Phi Gamma (Texas Lutheran, Seguin) were from
upper-middle to upper class, some from lower class families. Yet we were a
group. We worked together as a family.
We are religiously diverse. I am a Lutheran Christian. I know personally
at least two members who are Jewish (Hi Abe!), the other was from Alpha
Omicron at SMU (Hi Brian, I think) I know there must be more members who
are from other religious backgrounds.
We are racially diverse. Any explanation necessary?
We are just plain diverse. From the all-male chapters with Little Sister
programs to the nearly all-female chapters (Can't recall the name, but I
believe Trinity in San Antonio Texas was in the late 80's 99.99 percent
female. Pity the one male?) We have differing view points.
Those are the reasons I chose APhiO over a social. As I viewed them
(Please, no flood of pro socials, I promise this view is my own, not that of
the world in general) socials tried to take a group of otherwise individual
people and mold them into a unified group of people striving for the same
goal: membership. APhiO takes a group of people and unifies them for
L,F,&S. There is a difference. A unified group thinks alike. A group
unified works together, but thinks differently. Phi Gamma stressed our
individuality as an important part of our joining. They wanted our ideas,
our new blood, our freshness to keep from going stale.
So, A toast. As you read this, raise whatever it is you are drinking (Clink
- Click {those of you who feel the difference with the new plastic bottles
of Diet Coke}) To our diversity. May we stand united in our differences.
Enjoy are diversity while striving for the same goal, L,F,S.
[Tom, get off that soap box NOW! yes mom!]
Tom Backus AKA Time Bomb.
~~.
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T I MM MM E B B O O MM MM B B
T I M MM M EEE BBBB O O M MM M BBBB
T I M M E B B O O M M B B
T IIIII M M EEEEE BBBB OOO M M BBBB
Time Bomb
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Once upon a time was the backbeat |
| Once upon a time all the chords came to life |
| And the angels had guitars even before they had wings |
| If you hold onto a chours you can get through the night |
+-+-------------------------------------------------------+-+
| Your never alone, cause you can put on the phones |
| And let the drummer tell your heart what to do |
++-----------------------------------------------------++
| You gotta learn to dance before you learn to crawl |
+--+-----------------------------------------------+--+
| And I like my music like I like my life |
| Everything Louder then everything else |
+-+-------------------------------------------+-+
| MeatLoaf - Modern Day Rock-Philosopher |
| Penned by Jim Steinman |
+-------------------------------------------+
