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Letters to the Editor: Policing Pledge Activities

Fraternities Can Monitor Their Own — and Must

Re: "From ‘School Daze’ to ‘Stomp the Yard:’ Why Black Greeks Must Go," by Ricky L. Jones in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education ("In Other Media"):

While I agree that the violence in pledging is "criminal" and must cease, getting rid of all Greek-letter fraternities and sororities is not the appropriate solution.

These organizations were founded for a noble purpose. Just read their histories. It would be a tragedy to throw that legacy away because of national headquarters' perceived inability to enforce the no-hazing mandates. I am a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. We have had "incidents" on various campuses. However, leadership addressed the problems and each member was charged with the responsibility to assist the frat in policing the undergrad chapters' pledge activities. Zero tolerance seems to be working well.

I am very familiar with Fisk University since I attended Meharry Medical College just across the street from Fisk. Our chapter members at Meharry were the Big Brother "overseers" of what the undergrad chapter was doing at all times. We attended their initiations and meetings on a regular basis. We reported to the grad chapter on the activities at Fisk. Our monitoring was very successful and the liaison program was extended to all of the undergrad chapters in the area. I graduated from Meharry in 1978 and to my knowledge, Alpha Phi Alpha has not had a hazing problem at Fisk.

If the graduate chapters in the cities would proactively monitor their undergrad chapters' activities, I believe some of this madness could be nipped in the bud. If not, tragedies and lawsuits will force Black fraternities and sororities out of existence. A few multi-million dollar judgments should be a deterrent.

Dr. Julius J. Larry III, DDS; JD
University of North Texas Health Science Center
School of Public Health
Fort Worth, Texas
Feb. 10, 2007

It's Hollywood's Money

To the editor:

It is Hollywood’s money ("Hollywood Says Only White People Can Save Us," Jan. 15). Hollywood can do whatever it wants to do with it.

Some Black people seem to be obsessed with what white people are doing.

Please, make your own movie.

George G. Wilson
Baltimore
Jan. 17, 2007

Plot Is Too Similar

To the editor:

When I saw the previews for "Freedom Writers," I also had some of the same thoughts regarding the movie. "Hollywood Says Only White People Can Save Us," Jan. 15). I do wish more people would question why a movie like this could even make it past the initial proposal, seeing as though the plot is SO SIMILAR to "Dangerous Minds." Thanks for publicly voicing your thoughts.

P. K. Green
Chicago
Jan. 31, 2007

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