Recently there was “article” featured in the Wall Street Journal, about a woman, who 27 years ago was raped by a fraternity man at the University of Virginia. The article is entitled ” Shutter Fraternities for Young Women’s Good” and it details this woman’s opinion of why she believes all fraternities should be shut down. She sites
“ The Greek system is dedicated to quelling young men’s anxiety about submitting themselves to four years of sissy-pants book learning by providing them with a variety of he-man activities: drinking, drugging, ESPN watching and the sexual mistreatment of women”.
I’m appalled by this. I’m appalled her lack of knowledge. She focuses on what she believes the Greek system, that she is not a part of, stands for. I acknowledge that this was a terrible incident, and the man involved deserved to be punished by the courts, but I do not acknowledge that this woman’s response is appropriate, based in fact, or legitimate. She downgrades the young men in fraternities stating that they basically come to college to get drunk and rape women. This to me is a blatant misuse of the power of journalism, as well is a slanderous report on Fraternity men.
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When the media gets a hold of a story that shows the sorority and fraternity community and bad context, they run with it. While they choose to ignore several thousand of hours of community service completed, the millions of dollars donated to philanthropy fundraising and leadership development that our students take part in. Why is this?
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Below is a link to the article, as well as a link to the response from Phi Delta Theta’s International President. He very eloquently says exactly what I am thinking, and what I’m sure many active and alumni members of fraternal organizations are thinking as well.
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Just a little something to think about.
