Friday, October 11, 1996
‘Warriors’ analogy inaccurate
Let me preface this by saying I have no real axe to grind with
the Greek System. In fact, I agree with the authors, Lyall and
Strader, insofar as to say they were correct in their lack of any
positive mention of Greek efforts, such as philanthropy. This said,
let me continue.
I know that not all Greeks are homophobic, sexist or racist. I
also know that if you put 70 men or women into one group, bad seeds
will exist and will, unfortunately, serve as poster children for
the group as a whole.
I am, however, extremely unimpressed by the supposed defense
served by Lyall and Strader.
First, if putting down others is your idea of jest, you have
some serious issues or complexes to deal with.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, comparing song books to
rap artists is not a good idea. Using the argument they presented,
the "fellow warriors" of Greeks are minorities, women, and
homosexuals. I’m certain that any of the aforementioned would be
offended at the notion.
The comparison does not hold true. The only valid comparison
would be the respective lyrics offensive to women, in which case I
have yet to hear a rap song as violent and explicit as the
"chainsaw man" sung to the "candyman," which refers to mutilating a
woman with a chainsaw in her ass.
As the "Going Greek" neglected to mention the subject of
philanthropy, Lyall and Strader also neglected to undermine the
lyricism of rap artists.
These rap albums sell millions of copies because of their good
music and variety of songs. The songbooks, quite frankly, only
present offensive lyrics.
If nothing else, two wrongs don’t make a right. Offensive lyrics
are offensive. As UCLA students, I would hope that the Bruin Greeks
would know to rise above such filth.
And if you’re truly concerned with who wrote the pamphlet,
consider it the voice of the conscience you lost along the way. I
agree that the pamphlets were illegally distributed under a false
pretense, but just remember that you reap what you sow.
Don’t give Greeks a bad name by making poorly chosen arguments
and whiny articles that suggest you’re looking for retribution.
It’s one thing to undermine the offensive song books, humor and
jest, but quite another when it is at the expense of others …
pick on someone your own size. As the Norse would do  write
lyrics against your fellow Greeks (warriors), those who are playing
your game  not those offended by it.
"With all the problems in the world today, can’t you find a more
productive way to spend your time than hassling your fellow Bruins"
by making light of racism, sexism, and homophobia.
Amika Maran
Fifth-year
History/French.
Not ‘kenning’ – ‘Outlawry’ better
In their Oct 8, 1996 Viewpoint article, Adam Lyall and Patrick
Strader incorrectly referred to a formal aspect of medieval
Scandinavian poetry, the kenning. Lyall and Strader should have
referred to "nid", a stylized form of insult that centered on
accusations of "ergi." What Lyall and Strader fail to mention is
that these insults were not composed in jest and that the penalty
for composing unfounded "nid" was full outlawry, a sentence akin to
death.
Timothy Tangherlini
Assistant Adjunct Professor
Scandinavian Section