[15516] in APO-L
When did "All Male" become one word?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Oz, the Great and Terrible,)
Tue Nov 12 18:25:17 1996
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 18:23:30 -0500
Reply-To: "Oz, the Great and Terrible," <gt6978b@PRISM.GATECH.EDU>
From: "Oz, the Great and Terrible," <gt6978b@PRISM.GATECH.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Dear Brothers,
For a time, I have been reading the debate on the possibility of requiring
all chapters to open their membership to women. I have made several
comments replying to posts by other brothers. Now, I feel that it is
important that I set out my position, in full, on the issue.
Since what I would like to see is a change in the status quo, my arguement
is based on the inadequacy of the status quo. Perhaps the most common
reason given for the continued support of single gender chapters on co-ed
campuses is a claim to tradition.
Traditions are important, they give a since of continuity in a seemingly
unstable world. Traditions should not be disposed of lightly. However,
when the tradition itself is built upon a foundation of discrimination,
then that tradition - like many of the beautiful traditions of the
antebellum South - must change.
A tradition raised up by discrimination is not only abhorrent to the laws
of this country, but it is anathema to spirit of equality to which this
country ascribes. And for a person who would otherwise be qualified to be
a brother to be denided such an earned privledge, solely because she
attends one of the thirty campuses of the hundreds upon which APO is
represented, makes a mockery of the efforts of thousands of people who
have struggled to see that the right to vote is open to all adult
Americans. Our fraternity seeks to make good citizens of its brethern.
As such, we should lead the country in demonstrating its ideals, not lag
behind.
I understand and accept that change must come incrementally. In 1976, it
was necessary that the National Convention pass a grandfather clause
resolution. Twenty years later, it is time for that resolution to be
rescinded.
It is neither practicable, nor desirable, to stand over each chapter to
ensure that recruitment of both genders is done in good faith. Were it
possible, that would create a National system which is oppressive.
Instead, we should extend the respect and trust that all Brothers deserve,
and have faith that if APO requires membership that does not discriminate
with respect to gender all chapters will do their best to comply.
-Charlie Smith
Pledge Trainer and Parlimentarian
Gamma Zeta
Georgia Institute of Technology
--
"[The] whole struggle in this country to give equal rights and equal
privileges to all citizens of the United States has been an unpopular one;
that we have been forced to struggle against passions and prejudices
engendered by generations of wrong and oppression."
Sen. Henry Wilson (R) c.1868
