Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Letters to the Editor

Ignorance is a term used for someone who doesn't know any better about a certain topic or situation. When it comes to Greek sororities and fraternities, many everyday individuals are ignorant to the fact of what really goes on. This is not the movies, nor, do we as Greeks partake in cult-like rituals. Greeks on campus are part of a brotherhood and sisterhood. We also strive for success in the community by doing projects such as "Adopt-A-Highway", volunteer at various functions in towns, or even spread our popularity in town by having a brat fry. Does anybody ever look at that side of the Greeks? No. It's as if we as Greeks are looked at as the doormat for everyone to step on. If you are unsure of what goes on, then ask. I am sure any organization will be glad to explain to anyone the morals of their organization. The current perspective of the whole hazing issue from 'outsiders looking in' is absurd! The ruling has had the same guidelines for the last few years, yet, for some odd reason, The Mirror decides to cause controversy by publishing a story of propaganda. Nobody paddles in any Greek organization on campus these days. Sure, there may have been a time in each chapter's history where hazing guidelines were less stringent than they are now, but that was then and this is now. If you have a problem with that then call up one of the old alumni from each Greek organization and question them about it. In addition, aren't writers on the paper supposed to know facts about a topic before they publish it? Half of the 'Hazing' article from last issue is all information somebody can find on Google or Wikipedia; plus there is no support behind the topic. No interviews, no data, no eye-witness pictures. If an article is going to written about a topic in an opinion format, then it should put in the opinions section of the paper. The truth of the matter is if anybody in a Greek organization is caught paddling, causing bodily, or performing any other form of hazing harm to a pledge -under Wisconsin law- they will face felony charges from the authorities, as well, as possibly become expelled and have their chapter lose their charter on campus. There are the facts. I don't think that there are any Greeks out there that are willing to put all that on the line just to haze. So before anyone goes out and states that Greeks haze, paddle, or do any other humiliating actions to pledges, the facts from both sides need to be collected. Yes, I agree some organizations may start rumors about others partly due to the traditional rivalry some have with each other, but when it comes down to it, none of it is really true. All Greeks will stand together during a time like this when the press is attempting to tarnish the image of each fraternity and sorority.

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