Fluet graduated from UCLA in 2000.
By Ned Fluet
I would like to challenge those from the Greek system who wrote
in rebuttal to Kirra Steel’s article (“Systematic
Sisterhood Promotes Intolerance,” Daily Bruin, Viewpoint,
Oct. 5). They claim to be compassionate to personalities and blind
to physical features and financial status during their selection
process.
Yet, these writers do not reveal how they do choose who receives
a bid (entrance into the Greek system) and who does not. If the
process does not include such criteria, then please explain what
criteria it does include.
How do you decide on someone’s “individuality”
in just a few meetings? I, and I am sure the rest of the campus,
would like to hear Kyla Ann Holcomb (“Steel’s negative
experience doesn’t represent entire Greek family, Daily
Bruin, Viewpoint, Oct. 9), Noah Bishoff (“Propaganda
reinforces stereotypes about fraternity, sorority life,”
Daily Bruin, Viewpoint, Oct. 10) and Kristen Stancik
(“Disgraceful Greek piece nowhere near the truth,”
Daily Bruin, Viewpoint, Oct. 12) explain exactly how their
compassionate selection process takes place.
I have listened to accounts very similar, if not identical, to
Steel’s from friends in other houses and am surprised to read
from these writers that she is simply spouting
“propaganda.”
Perhaps, the Greek system is more culturally diverse than she
claims. Yet, Steel’s article only briefly touched on issues
of race. Contrary to some beliefs, an organization can be divisive
and elitist without being racist. The two sorority members speak
for their own houses, but one must ask what about the numerous
other houses that are not refuting her article? Perhaps Holcomb and
Stancik’s houses are two of the truly compassionate
sororities but what about the numerous other houses that have not
responded and possibly engage in the same behavior?
While I cannot personally speak for the fraternities, I have
read in the Daily Bruin about more than one incident of alcohol
poisoning and severe abuse during initiations. I would challenge
them to explain exactly what occurs during their initiation
processes and allow the students to decide whether these are
institutions we want on this campus.
If Steel’s article is “no where near the
truth” please explain to the campus community how she is
wrong rather than simply stating she is wrong. Possibly her
comments only deal with a few houses, as Holcomb, Bishoff and
Stancik suggest. If this is the case then the entire Greek system
and the university are still guilty of these gross injustices, by
tacitly allowing them to take place. If this inhumane behavior
occurs in just one house then that is reason enough for people to
revise or get rid of the Greek system.
I challenge the women Bishoff writes of: “Just about every
sorority member you ask will tell you how much she wishes rush was
conducted differently. They simply do not have a choice in the
matter”(Tues., Oct 10). You are not helpless automatons
irreparably locked down to some omnipotent pan-Hellenic rulebook.
You do have a choice in the matter and it is time to change.