[13440] in APO-L
Re: All of our Differences
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Liston Bias)
Mon Dec 18 10:00:57 1995
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 1995 17:44:28 -0600
Reply-To: bias@OSUUNX.UCC.OKSTATE.EDU
From: Liston Bias <bias@OSUUNX.UCC.OKSTATE.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199512162239.QAA24752@email.okstate.edu>
On Sat, 16 Dec 1995 Emerywow@aol.com wrote:
> With all of the talk on APO-L recently regarding diversity (cross dressing,
> gay people, different religions) I am just thankful that Alpha Phi Omega is
> generally a group where anyone who wishes to sincerely participate in our
> programs of Leadership, Friendship and Service, are welcome and can be
> comfortable being themselves!
The above statement sounds great to me, but I can't help but question its
validity. In a previous post to APO-L, it was stated that people who
aren't accepting of all difference should turn in their brotherhood pin
and hit the road. I just went through initiation again this past weekend
and clearly remember taking an oath that contradicts any type of bigotry.
If you are a brother, you surely took this same oath. The bigotry, in my
opinion, includes hating those because they have prejudices which you feel
are unjust. I have not had the opportunity to view the world from
everyone perspective, so I don't know what goes into building up these
prejudices... How could I? I do know that I can work with these people to
clear up or minimize many prejudices which are based on ignorance. And I
feel a duty to do so.
Also, I do not see stereotyping as a bigotry. If so, I am guilty - and
don't even think about taking my brotherhood. As long as you are willing
to mold your opinion of someone outside of an initial stereotype then I do
not see a problem with it. For examply, nearly all of the football
players I have known have done poorly in college, so I naturally built up
a stereotype that football players do poorly in school. I have, however,
become friends with football players who have done quite well.
I do not have a universal solution on how to deal with bigotry and hatred.
I think that objective pledge standards (like Theta Sigma) help. I do
know that education helps a lot and I believe all of us can aid with such
education. I urge all of you not to shun people because they are not as
"OPEN" to difference as you may me. Love them, Understand them, and
educate them....
============================================================================
-- Liston Bias The mark of a true professional
Oklahoma State University is giving more than you get.
Alumni of Florida State Univ
bias@cowboy.net
http://www.cowboy.net/~bias
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