Yale fraternity chants about rape

Not all fraternities are bad, but some certainly are.

Last week, the Yale branch of the fraternity Delta Kappa Epsilon had its pledges march through the main section of campus (immediately adjacent to several all-female dorms) chanting what could easily be characterized as a pro-rape song that included the words, “No means yes, yes means anal,” repeated ad naseum.

Fraternities have gotten a bad reputation, and it’s a highly debatable subject as to whether this type of behavior — which is clearly repugnant — by a few fraternities should give all fraternities a bad name.

Two IDS columnist take up the argument and debate whether this type of fraternal inappropriateness is widespread enough to associate it with all fraternities.

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Fraternities deserve their reputation

What happened on Yale’s campus could just as easily have happened here.

No matter how prestigious Delta Kappa Epsilon might be at Yale University, the stereotypes are further perpetuated as fraternity men continue to show the decline these organizations face in modern academia.

It’s pointless to argue why this incident sheds a terrible light on these organizations because the greek community on campus will cry foul, saying the actions across the country are not reflected on this campus.

But we have no room to talk.

Since I’ve arrived at IU, a number of greek organizations have been kicked off, restructured or placed on social probation because of the numerous ragers they throw every week. 

Furthermore, the stereotypes of fraternity men have only plummeted as publications such as “The Odyssey” allow writers to publish anything they wish to write about, and that’s not a joke.

Between articles about rating women, putting freshmen in their place and throwing the epic tailgate, the publication makes the former “Booze News” look similar to the Washington Post.

Are there anomalies in the greek system? Of course. It’s a no-brainer that not all fraternity men act like this on a daily basis.

But here’s the fact: The stereotype will not be broken until one house shames the other ones for their behavior. To do this, a major contribution to the Bloomington community must be in order (and we’re not talking about the forced community service either).

Until then, these “lapses of judgment” will only continue to make you look like idiots.


-Drew Anderson
 
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Lapses of judgment shouldn't affect all fraternities' reputation

The Delta Kappa Epsilon incident is unfortunate, but I would be careful to condemn the greek system as a whole. It is important to consider that these comments stemmed from one chapter of one fraternity at one university. I would hardly consider this type of crude behavior to be endemic, and I don’t think it should reflect negatively on IU’s greek community.

Jordan Forney, the president of Delta Kappa Epsilon at Yale, is a Bloomington native. He was a standout athlete in multiple sports at Bloomington South High School and currently plays for the Yale football team.

I personally know a few of his friends from high school, and they have all attested to his exceptional character and good nature. Based on their recommendations, I find it hard to believe he needs “major reprogramming as a human being” as suggested by a recent article by Salon magazine’s Tracy Clark-Forey.

This is merely a case of groupthink taken too far without anyone intervening to say “Hey guys, maybe we shouldn’t force our pledges to chant about rape in the middle of campus.”

Based on my own fraternity experiences, I can attest that groupthink is very prevalent within the fraternity system. An ill-considered idea that might seem innocuous at first can result in disaster if it remains unchecked. That seems to be the case here.

All it takes is for one person to stand up to the rest of the group and voice his concerns. If someone had relied on his own good judgment and acted assertively, the mob mentality that landed the Dekes in such a mess could have been avoided.


-Henry Alderfer