WATCH SAE Racist Chanter Levi Pettit apologizes Publicly

Levi Pettit, one of two University of Oklahoma SAE members caught on camera singing racist chants, apologized in public. They made sure he had plenty of Black folks behind him... Anywho, watch

Stupid Frat Joke stirs up Homophobia and Racism at the University of Chicago

U.S. Postal carrier Iran Becton was a victim of a racist and homophobic joke involving the Phi Delta Theta frat at the University of Chicago.

Here's the story:

“About a week after Memorial Day, I had an order to bring 79 of the boxes. I came to the address and explained to the frat member that I would have a lot more supplies. I went back to the truck for the boxes about six or seven times,” Becton said. 

“After the last trip, one of the frat guys came out and said it was a practical joke. Another guy said that I should read the name backwards and I’ll get the joke.” 

The items — all 79 of them — were addressed to “Reggin Toggaf.” Written backward, the first name is a racial slur. The last name is a slur for gay men.

No one is taking responsibility for this mess at all, and folks are getting pissed off.

Mack Julion, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 11, said he paid a visit to the frat house last Saturday and spoke with the group’s former president. 

“Their contention was it was a practical joke, but we don’t think it was funny, the letter carrier doesn’t think it was funny, and it doesn’t reflect well on the university,” Julion told me. 

Julion said the fraternity told him the “joke” was being played on them and was not meant to offend Becton. 

“But if it was a practical joke from one frat to another and not to the letter carrier, it is still not funny. Is this the way you tease each other?” Julion said he asked. “Is this standard protocol in terms of practical jokes? Is this the way they go back and forth, because it is not acceptable.” 

The postal supply boxes were shipped from Victory Packaging, a shipping company in Aurora. The representative that handles the U.S. Postal Service account was appalled when I told him about the bogus shipment. 

“We are going to take this real seriously,” he said, promising to investigate and get back to me.

And what is the University of Chicago doing about this? The frat should be suspended until the truth comes out. Oh, and Becton should sue the university.

source

A Gay Frat sets up shop at IU

A Gay Fraternity will open its doors at Indiana University, taking in 15 members.

EDGE reports

Sigma Phi Beta, founded at Arizona State University, is poised to expand to Indiana University, where the fraternity’s first new members at another college will be inducted over the weekend. Indiana University "is home of the oldest and largest college fraternity
system," notes a Sigma Phi Beta press release from Nov. 10.

"Fifteen students at IU, which is home of the oldest and largest college fraternity system, will cross over into the Brotherhood of Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity Saturday if they successfully complete the organization’s initiation
ceremony," the release says.

"I look forward to welcoming the new members from the Indiana University
colony into our Brotherhood," Sigma Phi Beta national president Nathan Arrowsmith said. Arrowsmith will be present on the IU campus for the initiation of the new members on Nov. 13.

"The initiation of members at its first colony outside of Arizona is an important milestone for the fraternity, which prioritizes the core values of diversity, service, scholarship, leadership, and brotherhood," the release adds.

"Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity is organized for and by gay, straight, bisexual, and transgender men in college," text at the fraternity’s web site says. "We create a unique social and educational environment for our members within the traditional Greek fraternity system, while providing all open-minded men in college with career and character building opportunities." Adds the site’s text, "We embrace tradition while promoting positive change that moves us forward."

I hope they represent and truly be an open and accepting Frat. Our students need that.

Frat Guys vs Westboro Baptist Church?

Times are Changing

Gays, Frats and Drama on Campus

Here's a letter in the Daily Trojan about an incident that's slowly growing into something big on campus.

IFC demonstrates discrimination I would like to share my experiences participating in Spring Rush 2009. On my fifth and final day rushing Alpha Gamma Omega, two AGO brothers confronted me about my sexuality. That is, two AGO brothers confronted, questioned and attacked my sexuality. Although I was honest with them about my being gay, I was made to feel extremely uncomfortable. From these conversations, it became inescapably clear that AGO would not extend a bid to me because I am gay, an instance of blatant homophobia.

As a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at USC, I am appalled by the actions of these two AGO members, especially considering USC’s national recognition as an LGBT-friendly university. This experience has been an extremely painful one for me, leaving me with real feelings of inadequacy. I have still have not fully recovered from the shock of what I experienced.

Below is a brief description of the incident:

AGO Brother #1 and I were talking about how the bid process works. He asked me about my relationship with God. I told him I learn things every day, among other things. He further questioned me by asking what I learned. He said something about my involvement in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Assembly and how that wouldn’t work well with being in AGO. I told him I never was in GLBTA. He asked me if I was gay. I said yes. He asked me how that factored into my relationship with God. I explained how it used to be a struggle and how it isn’t anymore. He said that people base their relationship with God on their relationship with other people.

AGO Brother #2 came into the conversation and took me to his room. He closed the door and proceeded to tell me how he struggled with his sexuality since he was a child. He asked me about my relationship with God. I told him what I told AGO Brother #1. He told me that he entered the fraternity a “broken man” and how the fraternity has helped him to improve. He also said that the fraternity is not affirming of homosexuality, because they are Christians and follow the scripture. He also said that since tomorrow is bid night, they want to know how my relationship with God is. He asked me what my thoughts were. I said that I wanted to leave. He wanted to show me out the back door so no one could see me leave but I said no. I grabbed my umbrella from under the couch in the common room where people were “worshipping” and left.

From this incident, I hope the blatant homophobia is acknowledged. In trying to resolve my issue privately with the Interfraternity Council, I wrote to the IFC Judicial Board and met with them twice.

I asked them for assistance with the following three things:

- An IFC investigation of this incident coordinated by the IFC Judicial branch.

- AGO leadership must admit their two brothers acted wrongly in this situation, and the organization as a whole should take full responsibility for what happened. In addition, the two men involved must issue a written apology to me noting their discrimination.

- AGO should work with the IFC Judicial branch and Diversity Encouragement Council to institute an intervention strategy to prevent a situation like this from happening again.

After hearing both sides of the story, the executive vice president of Judicial Affairs notified me that they would not help me with my requests. No apology or admission of any wrongdoing was given to me from either the IFC or AGO. He told me that the IFC Judicial Board did not think any discriminatory actions occurred, although they thought the remarks were insensitive. He said I was unsure of how the rush process worked. The only ruling that IFC made was to require the two brothers who approached me to attend Diversity Encouragement Council meetings. He did not give me a formal decision on paper, instead choosing to tell me in person. To add insult to injury, I was told that my case would not be recorded, completely diminishing the gravity of my case.

The day after I received the decision from IFC, an AGO alumnus who is back at USC taking pre-med classes approached me. He waited for me at my workplace to tell me that I would not get the results that I want by going through the administration. He also felt the need to share a Bible verse about mercy and forgiveness with me. While I can’t say who sent him, I think it is safe to assume that he came to my workplace to stop me from pursuing my issue further.

With everything that has transpired, I still feel that I deserve the three items I originally requested from the IFC. As a council that regards itself as “one of the most diverse, exciting and well-respected systems in the country,” IFC needs to reconsider how homophobia fits into that definition. I am both frustrated and frightened by the ignorance and disrespect that was expressed in dealing with my situation.

With all the diversity that exists at USC, why is integration so hard? Bureaucratic systems such as the IFC certainly do not help, and are part of the problem. The IFC and AGO will both say that they are not homophobic and are accepting of the LGBT population on campus, but that could not be further from the truth. In fact, during the IFC hearing, an AGO leader told me they have several members who are “dealing” with their homosexuality. What does that even mean? My experience is only one of many homophobic incidents I’ve heard of in fraternities on campus. Despite what anyone might say, or any exceptions to the rule, there is a palpable anti-gay attitude within the IFC, evident especially in the fact that they condoned what happened to me.

My fellow Trojans, I shared my experience and anger to hopefully revitalize you to speak up whenever you see something discriminatory happen. I am currently working with USG Diversity Affairs to settle my issue, and I will not give up until I get what I deserve.

We, as the LGBT and ally population on campus, need to work together to ensure that no one is constrained in what they can achieve at USC.

I can't say much, yet (mostly because I know the student and a colleague is involved). But once more is revealed, I will be blogging.

Greek Life Gone Wrong

Try to Learn, Not Guzzle

American Youth

Apparently he's from the frat, Delta Iota Kappa, and he's going to Iraq. Maybe the war will knock some sense into him. I'm hopeful.

The Bad Boys Club

Since I'm on this Greek trip, I thought I would address this issue about the MIAKA's or Men Interested in Alpha Kappa Alpha.

What are MIAKA's? Well basically, they're gay black men who pledge and follow some of the rituals of the historic black sorority. It's like a their own greek system that gives them the opportunity to hang out and meet others like them.

Recently there were several articles about this guys pledging and posting pictures online. While some people were indifferent, a lot of folks were outraged. I found some of these articles and I want to share some of the pieces.

• We can only blame ourselves, Black Men. We got to take more responsibility and ownership of the lives of our youth, no matter if its our relatives or the kid next door. This Epidemic Plaguing Or Young Black Men Has Got To STOP!
• The media portrayed the group as a rogue “new” faction of gay men, dead set on infiltrating AKA, the nearly century-old sorority. AKA National stressed MIAKAs had “no official or unofficial standing with the sorority.” MIAKAs claimed foul play. Both parties threatened lawsuits.As the debate raged, one thing became clear: The controversy was less about the sanctity of AKA and more about homophobia. A self-proclaimed Omega Psi Phi member posted, “I can care less about being politically correct. Homosexuality is wrong and it is tolerated too much, especially on our Black campuses.” One AKA proclaimed, “God is not pleased with this.” Others called it “sick.”

Okay, so people were mad, but I don't it's that serious. Yes they copied the AKAs but was anyone hurt? And were the levees broken? No, but homophobia showed it ugly ass in this situation. After reading the articles I was appalled with notion that this is an "epidemic" and how black men has failed little black boys. Now on that note, I think black men has failed by not providing diversity in their roles. Thinking that black men should be this one type of male is ridiculous. Hell, you fail yourself for being so close minded.

And if this is an epidemic then put it all over me. I rather be gay than a thug, in jail, or angry for no apparent reason. An epidemic, child please, being gay is a miracle.

These guys are doing nothing dangerous. They are just having fun. But, I think they shouldn't copy AKAs. They should form their own group, and this group should empower them and keep everyone aware of their presence. I think it is great that they have a support network, a home, a family to turn to. Did anyone stop to think that the idea of MIAKAs is not only harmless, but encouraging to the young black gay males who are teased and hated on.

I guess they didn't, they can only think about the hellfire and brimstone song and dance. The MIAKA group is a step in good direction. Maybe these guys can move on to something else and inspire younger gay kids to get together, stay in school, and lead others.

Oh BTW, I used to be Emerald Knight, something very similar to the MIAKA group.

The Wire: The College Years

San Diego State University has suspended six fraternities after a sweeping drug investigation that landed members of three fraternities in jail on suspicion of openly dealing drugs on campus. These frats are:

Theta Chi

Lambda Chi Alpha

Phi Kappa Psi

Phi Kappa Theta

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sigma Alpha Mu.

The inquiry -- prompted by the cocaine overdose death last year of a freshman sorority member led to the arrests of 96 people, 75 of them San Diego State students. A second drug death occurred during the investigation.

29 people were arrested early Tuesday in raids at 9 locations including the Theta Chi fraternity, where agents found cocaine, Ecstasy and three guns. 18 of those arrested were wanted on warrants for selling to undercover agents.

Theta Chi and five other fraternities have been suspended pending a hearing on evidence gathered during the investigation, dubbed Operation Sudden Fall. Some drugs bought and sold by students were traced to gangs linked to Mexican cartels, according to the DEA. Agents collected about $100,000 worth of drugs that were being advertised in "resale quantities" between members of the fraternity and other students.

And I thought you could get lifetime brotherhood, maybe undercover closeted fun, and awkward tattoo. This is something else, I tell you.