Delta Dawn, What's That Frat Pin You Have On?

Forget scrotum slander— the Times has once again raised the puke-worthy bar of liberal disbelief by exposing a bitter new chapter of Animal House— Big Cat Division.

The story takes place in Indiana, at De Pauw University, a Greek mainstay. One of the nation's oldest sororities— Delta Zeta—  expelled virtually their entire chapter for not being fuckable enough.

"Fuckable" is the key word here, although it's been euphemistically described as an "image problem" defined by weight gain, brown skin, and inattention to fashion trends. Yeah, that's the "nice" way they're putting it! The studious math and science nerds of De Pauw's DZ house failed the "sorostitute" exam, and were sent their notices— evicted a week before finals.

The women who were canned were either fat— exact pounds not released!—  or "ugly," non-white, or some shocking combination of the three. But the main problem was that they didn't put out. The national DZ leadership sent down a team of slender good-to-go blonds to take over recruiting, and weed out the non-compliant.

My "fair and toothy" photo above is— or was, pre-meltdown— the main illustration from DZ's home page. I feel sorry for the models. They might all be perfectly nice dykes who've been sold to DZ's PR Team for Aryan Sisterhood.

The second photo are some of the expelled DZ crew who are thankfully not keeping their mouths shut, despite threats from the National Office that they will be stripped— stripped!— of their alumna status if they make a peep.

You can read what some of the expelled "sisters" have to say for themselves, what some of their adoring  boyfriends have added, plus plenty of indignant and disgusted alumni.

You can also read the campus newspaper, which seems determined to parse the insult by hairs. For instance, according to a recent survey, a slight majority of students say they "understand" why DZ's leaders had to do what they did. Students are already discussing who will be the most undesirable sorority, now that the "Delta Dogs" have been put to sleep.

The Greek system is founded on discriminations of race, class, and family— sugar-coated over the years as a "way to make friends." They prey on every freshman's fear of being lonely and miserable. But popularity contests on this scale are ingrained with their own special kind of misery. "A place to groom future bigots and desperate housewives" is one of the unhappy possibilities.

DZ, like every other traditional Greek, is notorious for closing "problem" chapters (one house was disowned after they recruited a Jewish girl), and keeping segregation alive long after George Wallace began to seem quaint. Putting De Pauw into receivership is just another pearl in their string game.

But there's another angle besides Greek-style eugenics. It's the heightened heterosexual regime of trophy wife assembly. These young women must learn to project the promise of Virgin WASP Money while getting sloshed and performing merit-based blow jobs on a calculated ladder of potential husbands, i.e., frat-brats. Plenty of the De Pauw "undesirables" had boyfriends and sex lives— they just weren't "partying" hard enough. Yep, their booze and tease stats were too low to qualify.

Sure, there's another view, too. It goes like this:

DZ's scandal in Indiana is an example is a sorority gone awry, a blemish on a farm system for the Wholesome Young Ladies of Tomorrow, doing good deeds (service!) and striving for outstanding leadership. Of course, a girl should try and look her best, but it's all about sisterhood and rolling up your charm bracelets to make it work.

This rationale is The Forgiveness Cupcake with Poor Excuse Frosting. Sorority-apologist puppy eyes mask the face of a truly ugly premise— that some people are better than others because of the manner born. Who wants to party down with that?

The media splash at De Pauw is rattling people's cages because of the fear it gnaws on: that we're pedaling backward into a 21st Century Dark Age:

Undergraduate education is no pursuit of knowledge— it's a Barbie Doll knuckle fight for a shrinking brass ring.

Fat is the new black.

"Old school" racism is cemented with tokens and grinding denial. 

Bourgeois obsession with the luxe-fetish of femme-objet dwarfs any student's sexual reality.

These are the bad beans that have everyone's stomach in knots. Is this what anyone imagined their little girl growing up to be? A ballerina, an astronaut— or a student locked in her bedroom by her "sisters" because they think she's too ugly to come downstairs? Even Cinderella wouldn't pass that gas.

Comments

[Michael]

I've seen a few comments in the blogosphere, but this is the first place I've been that has seriously talked about the "why" of the "It girl" DZ coup d'etat. That "why" is Marketing. The assumption is that every young guy with any real power, money and family connections has got to own his own real live Barbie Doll - for on demand blowjobs (for starters), as a clothing accessory at parties, and to show off to his friends and parents, that is if he's going to get anywhere in life. Whoever has the hottest babe at the party wins. Right? Just like in high school. Just like on the golf course. Just like in the board room. DZ is going after market share with a vengeance.

[Steve]

First of all, how the hell do you find this stuff? You ferret out some of the most interesting, if abominable, events!

Anyway, I've long thought all universities should cut ties with all fraternities and sororities, and discourage students from being involved in them. In fact, I think institutions of higher ed should actively seek to shut that system down, rather than create opportunities for them to flourish. The greek system does not serve higher ed, only the class system.

Now, other kinds of greek, I could live with.....

[Carol]

so are you saying that this is predicated on the idea that the DZ sisters will marry rich, and thus contribute more money to the sorority? That the women of DZ won't make enough money on their own to contribute?

I so don't get the sorority/fraternity thing - but then again, I went to UC Santa Cruz precisely to avoid those groups.

[LustyLioness]

This sort of thinking is exactly what I've always thought sororities embodied and it makes me sick! But then, I'd probably make them sick, too; what with my hippie clothes and my 200+ pounds *gettin' down wit my bad self* with pairs of bi boys who are probably their boyfriends.

Pardon me while I laaaaaaaugh my fat ass off!

[Richard T. Anderson]

Isn't it fairly well known that the Fraternity/Soriety system is disgusting? The greeks are known for cruelty to those that do not fit in, especially those that are 'pledging' to be a part of the system. What with all the hazing and such.

It's also well known that if you're in a Soriety then you're expected to be fucking Frat boys. It seems like the Frats consider the Sorieties to be their personal 'meat' market.

The whole system is demeaning not only to women (though especially to women) but to HUMANITY in general. I have no idea why anyone would want to be a part of that system. (I hestitate to say "Greeks" because it seems insulting to people from Greece).

I knew one Frat guy in film school. We called him the 'nice frat guy', I think he completely bought into the 'good way to make friends' bs. *shrug*

I know that not all 'Greeks' are evil (that would be just as prejudice a stand to take) but the system is definitly skewed towards evil behavior that's been socialized into the system since the beginning.

Peace,
Rich

[Anarcissie]

I was heartened by the report that half of the slim white girls who were not kicked out of the DePauw sorority quit in protest. It's not often that you see even a small group, half of whose members are willing to choose righteousness over self-interest and convenience. Sometimes there is a glimmer of hope.

[HotMovies]

Michael: They bring their barbies to the golf course and the board room? But one might open her mouth, and god forbid, say something intelligent.

[Susie Bright]

I also live in a counterculture dream world where I thought the Greek system had faded away, but they haven't--- and in some schools, they're the whole enchilada. This story slapped me awake, too.

I suppose it was so affecting because even on campuses, where you don't have frats, everyone can still relate to the cruelties of "popularity contests." That this is institutionalized and encouraged and funded is just the last straw.

I have no idea how DZ or sorority girls fare in life. By class background, they would seem to marry their peers, or "up." I'm sure a healthy number of them work professionally until marriage or kids.

They, of course, will largely earn less for the work that they do than men, like the rest of the population. They will find themselves in careers where simply because they are filled with women, salaries are depressed. More than half of them will get divorced, if they're anything like the rest of Americans. It will not be some 50s Donna Reed dream, that's for sure.

Of course there are all sorts of nice and intereresting people who have survived the frat/sorority system, and I found their comments among the most interesting in the research i did above... see the links!

Meh. One of the memories I carried away from college is that the Greek system is moronic, those who participate in it willingly are moronic, and nothing they say or do merits my attention.

[Danielle]

Great piece. As a successful deactivator from the “pretty girl” sorority at Lawrence University, I can relate. I went along with the whole process because I didn’t really have to participate in the recruiting game because I was a legacy; my Mom had been a Delta Gamma (the Delta Zeta of Lawrence University in the sense that it was known for having the hot girls).

But I quickly realized that I couldn’t “relate” to the whole sisterhood thing. I deactivated, not having any comprehension of the sacreligious nature of my actions: my Mom wrote my deactivation letter to get the vicarious pleasure that she never got to experience.

After I left, the top three leaders of the sorority came to me (individually) to express shock and awe in what I had done. They told me they never knew they could leave (most were 3rd or 4th or more generation DGs); they told me about suffering from eating disorders to maintain the image and how unhappy they were – and two of them (after our conversation) quit. 

I didn’t know them well (they were seniors and I was a freshman) but for my part I was so glad that I gave them the courage to make a stand for their feminism and image. The ability to help even a few women experience the liberation of self expression was one of the proudest events of my college career.

[Michael]

HotMovies: I know a number of beautiful women that are also intelligent, independent and talented. Very interesting things come out of their mouths. The majority of women covered on this blog have those characteristics. Then again, almost every woman I meet seems to have qualities that attract. None of the women in the second picture looks "fat" to me. What is up with "fat" anyway? Was Mae West fat? Was Marilyn Monroe fat? Kate Winslet? Rene Zellweger? I'm an artist. I like curves. On the other hand, I try never to hold it against a person if they are physically beautiful in a mass media kind of way. I just wish being attractive didn't seem to make some beautiful people lazy where the development of their other qualities are concerned.

[Melvin Moten Jr]

I went to a teeny tiny college that only had one frat [for media geeks that nobody would hang out with otherwise] and one sorority [for snotty Virgin Islands girls who thought they were too good to hang out with anybody], so this really is a bit new to me. I had a gf at the time who went to a big school and was probably referring to sorostitutes when she complained about the "little sisters" of this frat or other.

Man, dosen't anything ever change?

[Sandrino]

Far be it from me to defend the Greek system. But all sororities and fraternities are not the same. I belonged to a Fraternity in college and we were a pretty nice bunch of guys. We didn't engage in hazing of any kind and we mostly got together to socialize and have fun. We consisted mostly Latin members but we had members who were from other ethnic groups. We were not a big chapter and we didn't have a bunch of rich alumni telling us what to do, who to let in and who to throw out. We accepted people who we liked hanging out with.

On retrospect I find most of the fraternity experience to be silly and a waste of time. The one saving grace is that I met my wife through the fraternity, so it wasn't all bad.

I don't think the problem is the Greek system per se. The problem are the bigoted people who have been allowed to run some of these organizations. You have to be a special kind of idiot to judge people by the color of their skin, their sex, their weight or any other physical attribute in this day and age. Instead of throwing the fat and black girls out of the sorority, the administration of Delta Zeta should be looking at the people who work for them and firing the troglodytes that made this moronic decision.

Lastly, with the internet, MySpace and Facebook, who needs Greeks to socialize? The Greek system is an anachronism and I doubt it has long to live.

[Michael]

"Meh. One of the memories......willingly are moronic, and nothing they say or do merits my attention."

Interesting comment. Note that this same thing has been said about blacks, gays, jews, liberals (you fill-in the blank). "Meh's" remark is valuable for one thing; it reminds us of ignorance; and that there are sometimes mistakes among the "moronic" which are worth pointing out, both to Greeks and the Mehs of the world.

[Rowan]

What complete and total bullshit! I've read the public statements from DZ, calling the Times article inaccurate, the accusations false. They claim this is all about recruiting? Then why send the other members to their rooms? If they suck at recruiting, then let them watch the pros while being available to answer questions.

And I'm totally confused. Those girls are ugly? Are you kidding me?

[Anne]

When I taught at DePauw, I begrudgingly allowed (not quite accepted) that, in a world where 75% of the students is "Greek," it might be possible for sororities to be o.k.--I had many cool students who were in houses...

Still, one year DZ chose "visual impairment" as its charity and,t hat same year, blackballed a visually impaired student.

So, this doesn't surprise me--it just reconfirms my original sense that sororities prey on students in the worst ways. Sigh.

And that double-talking rep. from "national" I saw on CNN should be ashamed!!!

[nate cougill]

Hey Susie. Nice job here. There's an economic interest behind universities' involvement with Greek organizations, in addition to personal entanglements/conflicts of interest all throughout the administrations of these schools. And it's like that everywhere, public or private. Why is it that you can trace any sort of bullshit down a trail of dollar bills? Sickening.

[C.S. Lewiston]

Someone please tell me what is wrong with those women in that second group shot (not the blonde models). If I were still college age, I don't believe I'd turn down a date with any of them if offered.

"[Greek-letter sororities are] A place to groom future bigots and desperate housewives"...

...Or to establish the financial and social pecking order, as is the case with all schooling at all levels. Ivan Illich, where the fuck are you now that we *really* need you?
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Illich )

My father, who AFAIK was never a "party animal", actually started a non-Greek fraternity at the university that he attended in the late 40's. That particular frat's major principles were tolerance and openness - what some folks would now call "diversity". The fact that he and his family got the hell out of Nazi Germany only months before Kristallnacht could have been a major inspiration for him.

[Steve]

I think the key here is DePauw University. It's a very pricey, very "upper crust" snooty school. This event speaks to the classism that permeates these kinds of institutions. It's not the same kind of thing as the party frat at Iowa State University, for instance.

[ravaj]

dear susie
thanks for saying "fat is the new black"
i've thought that for a very long time
it seems to be the one prejudice that is not considered to be as such.
i am not out of control, or greedy, or lazy, or stupid, or smelly, or dirty or a pig.
i have the wide hips and low centre of gravity that i inherit from my grandmother's grandmother who picked potatoes from the ground in minsk :-)
it is so hard to love yourself when the world around you is telling you how ugly you are. i should be as ugly as ugly betty! it is so hard to enjoy anything - food and sex in particular, when all you can feel is scared and guilty
nu - how do we fight this prejudice?

[A. Nuran]

The university seems to have done the right thing. Their letters to the DZ home office/harpy aerie and on their website are measured, appropriate and tell the sorority to take a flying fuck at a rolling Coke bottle for screwing up the lives of De Pauw students.

An acquaintance of mine was accepted into a fraternity and told, by the national chapter, that he would have to leave because the other members might not be comfortable around him and he could hurt recruiting. Translated into English: "Nigger, don't let the sun set on you in this frat house. We are not going to have any Darkies in this organization." The choice was that or having the chapter decertified by the national body. The fraternity chose to stop sending its horrendous dues to the national headquarters.

Thing is, the acquaintance is my father in law, and this happened in 1956. What sort of time warp is Delta Zeta living in?

[B.]

From a biological point of view marrying up with people as different from you genetically as possible is a great idea for keeping the family DNA in good condition. It's an interesting testament to the inbreeding of our "upper crusties" that they think it's a bad idea. I hear banjo music played by men in powdered wigs....Hmmm, where's that coming from?

Trying desperately to have sex with people as much like yourself as possible is "creepy" and goes right along with that narcissim survey that's been in the news lately. They ought to bring back Miscengenation laws except with one change-They should make it mandatory rather than prohibited this time.

If anyone has notions of "Eugenics", this is the way to do it. Just wipe out those nasty little compounded recessive genes (which make for monkey lookin' presidents) with crosspollinatin' all over...Now that would make us friends in the world...everyone loves a good party, who'd need beer?

This way we might not get so many childrens that are dumb and rich at the same time. We've all see what that leads to.

B.

[des]

I am a Delta Zeta and I'm proud to be a member of my sorority. Before taking one NY Times article at face value, you should know what the media hasn't told you:

- In August 2006, the women of the DePauw University Chapter, not National, voted themselves to close the chapter at the end of the 2007 academic year. From Sept 2006 – Dec 2006 all 35 members of the DePauw Chapter were on Alumnae status, meaning they were not active DZ – not participating in Greek events, not paying dues to National, not participating in Philanthropic events for DZ. They were allowed to remain in the house, which is not owned by the individual chapter.
- In September 2006, DePauw University President/Administrative officials asked National chapter not to close and instead conduct a membership evaluation – again, this is not standard practice in Delta Zeta and what the University ASKED National to do.
- In November of 2006 the President of DePauw University met with National Reps to discuss the membership evaluation. He has since denied knowing any of this was going on.
- In December letters went out to all 35 members of the chapter. The letters that went out to the women did not read that they were kicked out. They read they were remaining on alumnae status, because after interviewing them, these were women were found not to want to actively participate in the recruitment process. The letter further went on to read that if National had misjudged their desire, the women could contact them.
- The letter did not “kick women out of the sorority” – it kept them on alumnae status – which these 23 women voted and chose to be on since August 2006 – 6 months before the letters went out. They are all still part of the sorority in good standing. The only change was that they had to move out of the house. AND DZ National was working with DePauw University to find them alternate house. DZ National was also paying the $300 difference it would cost for campus housing.
- After the letter went out, National wanted to send a rep out, but the Administrative official at DePauw said she would meet with the women. She did not meet with all 35, just 23. After the meeting is when NY Times was contacted by the Admin official, who had been aware of the process the whole time
- Of the 23 women, you should know that one said she did want to remain active, but was given a hard time by the other 22 women, she decided not to pursue it. Also, one woman who was part of the 23 was a former beauty queen.
I feel that DePauw University is lacking in their accountability throughout this entire situation. I think they are manipulating these women for the publicity factor. They have definitely gotten more hits on their website recently. This is an attack on the entire Greek system.
Did you ever know anyone in a sorority? Is this where you are getting information about “get sloshed” or “perform merit-based blow jobs”?? This was not encouraged in my sorority. It’s very irresponsible of you to promote an old movie stereotype, when your article’s tone is that stereotyping is wrong.
After joining Delta Zeta, I found a place I could be myself. Being around these women inspired me to do better. I saw a drastic improvement in my academics and university involvement. Most importantly made lifelong friends that I have to this day – of all races and sizes.
P.S. You should look not only at the DZ National websites for pictures. You need to look at every single DZ collegiate website. You'll see women of all sizes, hair colors and ethnicities. Look @ Cal State LA, Loyola Marymount, Northeastern, Ohio Wesleyan, Fairmont State, U of Rhode Island – just a few of over 160 diverse chapters.

[Susie Bright]

Des,

Okay, I'll bite. You don't realize this, but I NEVER take The Times at face value. An old habit.

The first thing I did when I read the story— admitedly a hit piece— was to write your national leadership, email by email.

I asked them, respectfully, if they disagreed with the facts or if they wanted to defend certain aspects of the "image" or "partying" argument. Not one of them wrote me or my colleagues back.

But you have, as enigmatic as you are!

In this situation, where you are acting as a spokeswoman for a national story, you need to identify yourself, present your supporting information, and address the fact that you are in a lopsided "she said/she said" situation.

The reason I gave so many links in my post that lead to DZ members and alumni comments, is because their reports speak VOLUMES more than the NYT piece. It's inconceiveable that ALL these women could relate tales of cruel discrimination, bigotry, and elitest regret as part of an orchestrated media conspiracy. They have the ring of truth to them, the most important ring of all.

And yeah, some of my best lovers have been sorority members.

You can take this occasion as a catalyst to dig in and refute every fact— or wake up and readdress what genuine sisterhood might really be all about.

[des]

Hi Susie,

First, thank your for responding in a respectful manner, especially since I came right out and said I was a DZ. I wouldn’t call myself a spokeswoman, but I am a member of the organization who’s unhappy with the one-sided information that is out in the media and internet.

Second, I appreciate that you and your colleagues took the time to email National. However, you gave them less than one day to respond before writing your piece. I found out that National is receiving hundreds of emails (positive and not). It seems you had your opinion already, regardless if you heard back from National.

I grew up in a home where I was taught there are three sides to every story: Yours, Mine and the Truth. The first time I heard about the article or anything about the DePauw chapter was on Saturday. Did I read the NY Times article? Yes. Did I contact National to get their side? Yes. Did I stop there? No. I’ve been reading opinions on other blogs, which is how I found this one. I’ve been messaging back with a mom who’s daughter was one of the 23, asking her questions. I’ve been on MySpace messaging a girl who recently graduated from the DePauw DZ Chapter, who is in disagreement with her 23 sisters.

I’m not surprised that you were able to find women who are against the matter, who have poor experiences within the sorority or any Greek organization. In over 30 organizations that have been around for over 100 years, in a country that only went through a Civil Rights movement a little over 50 years ago, a country that still debates women’s rights.. it’s unfortunate. You won’t only find it in Greek organizations. What about country clubs that won’t allow people of different religions? Races? How many prominent political parties have had a woman as there Presidential candidate? Do we breed this behavior in Delta Zeta? Absolutely not. Do I believe that these women were discriminated based on race and size? No, because if that were true, my own college chapter would have been shut down, too.

What I’m saying is this: I have had a completely positive experience within Delta Zeta. I have made friendships that have lasted for many years - genuine sisterhood. I never once felt discriminated against. And, no, I’m not a Barbie Doll. Did you look at any of the chapters I mentioned (Cal State LA, Loyola Marymount, Northeastern, Ohio Wesleyan, Fairmont State, U of Rhode Island)? If you believe that DZ National is against women of different sizes and races, why are these chapters still open?

[SFG]

"Trying desperately to have sex with people as much like yourself as possible is "creepy" and goes right along with that narcissim survey that's been in the news lately. They ought to bring back Miscengenation laws except with one change-They should make it mandatory rather than prohibited this time."

Not a terrible idea from the society-as-a-whole point of view; we'd get rid of racism in a few generations.

The reason aristocracies inbreed everywhere around the world is that in the upper class, marriage is a political alliance as much as anything else. So you want to marry someone else who can enhance your family's standing, and after a while it all gets to be the same people. One King of France had 10 great-great-grandparents instead of the usual 16. Of course they had birth defects after a while; was it a cleft lip that was known as a 'Habsburg lip' after the family that ruled Austria?

In more open societies they'll marry a commoner who's achieved financial success, and this was often a way to bring new money in to one of the less affluent branches of the aristocracy. You've got a great pedigree but no money, so you marry the baker's son who made a killing in railroads (nowadays, the Internet millionaire), and you've got enough cash to keep your kids in private schools etc.

When you start thinking of marriage as about consolidating wealth and power and stop thinking of it as about love, it makes a lot more sense. the romantic idea of marriage and relationships as a meeting of two souls dates back to the 19th century.

[SFG]

P.S. I dig the three ladies with the glasses near the bottom. Anyone know of any nerd sororities in the Northeast?

[B.]

"When you start thinking of marriage as about consolidating wealth and power and stop thinking of it as about love, it makes a lot more sense."

It's true historically from all I've read. This is even tragically true among every class with people who want to climb a bit. I've seen it. "C'mon dear, marry Mike, he's gonna be such a good provider". Happens all the time.

It's just that there are so few among the "royals" back then that it led to some trouble. It is lonely at the top...

I just remember moving to S.F. from the midwest and discovering Asian women, black women, Jewish-Russian women and all kinds of people you just never saw much where I was before. The last thing at that point I wanted was to hop in bed with anyone that looked like German farm people. I was just fascinated and I'm pretty sure it was mighty mutual. I don't think this is some intellectual thing. I think there is a "diversity drive", at least with some people.

The woman in the upper right with the black hair, should have no trouble at all finding a place to stay if they kicked her out, oh good lord! Any male in his right mind would just want to take a high dive into the group of them. In fact, I think a sorority like that would have trouble keeping me out. They'd have to put up some kind of electric fence so they could get some actual studying done.

I just don't understand things sometimes.

B.

[Rowan]

Susie-
I loved reading the exchange you had with the DZ girl. I've been looking in on the other perspective. Basically, the 29 girls (the ousted 23 plus the protesting 6) are being called liars. And this girl's rant adds the president of DePauw to that list.
The story is more complex than what the NY Times reported. However, it still comes down to DZ trying to glam its image by kicking out the curvy, bookish girls. The voluptuous, ethnic, academic DZ sisters on the other campuses are tokens allowed to stay because their chapters are not known as "the dog house."
IF DZ was purely committed to upping its numbers by its DePauw centential, it would have 1)come up with a better strategy than "recolinization" and 2)sought to change the attitude of the student body, not cater to its bigotry by ousting the "plain" girls.
The DZ actually posted a letter someone wrote on its official site boo-hooing how the sorority is being blamed for simply trying to change its reputation at DePauw. DZ caters to snobbery, thereby condoning it.

[VJ]

Simply one of your best posts ever Susie. Thanks again! 'VJ'

[Norm]

Susie-hope you accept comments from old guys. Great Blog-your comments here are right on the mark. By the way ther comments from DES are right out of talking points issued by the national office's pr firm-They are non responsive.

In searching the web and blogosphere regarding "Blubbergate" (I am also slightly gravitational challenged) I noted yesterday that in the midst of this blubber and ethnic cleansing the Wright State DZ Chapter announced a contest for "Mr. Wrigth State" "It's sort of a Miss America constest for Men" and its also a scholarship contest because the winner gets a half quarter's tuition scholarship! Wow! I'm in pretty good shape for a 59 year old (although the speedo competition might be a little ("Borat" like)but I think I'll do pretty well in the interview-I'm a sixties aging radical and I know all about "World Peace."

Welcome to my favorites!

[Jordan]

The "system" that Greek lettered organizations exist in is still the same white male dominated place it's always been. Womens' organizations provide a place to be with other women to learn how to survive in such a place - be it by conforming, challenging or boycotting. Until the system changes, we need Greek lettered women's organizations.
DePauw screwed up, a lot of people screw up. But there are a lot of DZs (no, I'm not one of them) who are pretty damn 'good' feminists (isn't it a patronage to the patriarchy that we measure women this way?). Feminism, to me, is about choices. Please don't take more choices away from women.