2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
AKL alumnus responds to suspension of campus chapter
Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Opinion
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Dear Editor,
I graduated from college 40 years ago, remain a financial contributor to my fraternity and alma mater, and return to campus each year for homecoming.
My fraternity was suspended both by my alma mater, Central Missouri State University, and the national fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda for hosting a "racially insensitive" party in conjunction with Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
I am deeply embarrassed by the actions of my younger brothers involved. More than anything however, I am very saddened to think after everything our nation has suffered through in order to provide equality, racially incentive attitudes still exist.
When I attended college in the 1960s, segregation was a reality in America. I remember bathrooms at county courthouses labeled by race. I remember the absolute bravery of Rosa Parks to demand equal treatment and respect as a human being, and the courage and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. to lead people of all races in a non-violent protest that cost Dr. King his life.
To my knowledge, non of the fraternities on campus in the early 60s had African-American members. While I am unaware of any effort to keep fraternities segregated, I am also unaware of any effort to make fraternities inclusive. This passive attitude was not just in fraternities, it was prevalent nearly everywhere in American society at that time. This is not an excuse. There can be no acceptable excuse; but it was a sad fact of life at that time.
When I learned my fraternity brothers mocked African Americans at a fraternity function in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, my initial reaction was outrage.
After sleeping on it, I realized these are mostly kids just a little older than high school age living on their own for the first time. Mistakes in judgment (and just about everything else) happen at this time in life. Their youth and inexperience, however, does not excuse their behaviors. Such a racial statement is unacceptable in any time of life.
I graduated from college 40 years ago, remain a financial contributor to my fraternity and alma mater, and return to campus each year for homecoming.
My fraternity was suspended both by my alma mater, Central Missouri State University, and the national fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda for hosting a "racially insensitive" party in conjunction with Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
I am deeply embarrassed by the actions of my younger brothers involved. More than anything however, I am very saddened to think after everything our nation has suffered through in order to provide equality, racially incentive attitudes still exist.
When I attended college in the 1960s, segregation was a reality in America. I remember bathrooms at county courthouses labeled by race. I remember the absolute bravery of Rosa Parks to demand equal treatment and respect as a human being, and the courage and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. to lead people of all races in a non-violent protest that cost Dr. King his life.
To my knowledge, non of the fraternities on campus in the early 60s had African-American members. While I am unaware of any effort to keep fraternities segregated, I am also unaware of any effort to make fraternities inclusive. This passive attitude was not just in fraternities, it was prevalent nearly everywhere in American society at that time. This is not an excuse. There can be no acceptable excuse; but it was a sad fact of life at that time.
When I learned my fraternity brothers mocked African Americans at a fraternity function in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, my initial reaction was outrage.
After sleeping on it, I realized these are mostly kids just a little older than high school age living on their own for the first time. Mistakes in judgment (and just about everything else) happen at this time in life. Their youth and inexperience, however, does not excuse their behaviors. Such a racial statement is unacceptable in any time of life.