Ok, I'm going to use this outlet to do a little venting about something I feel pretty strongly about, that some of you may not agree with. I do not wish to offend anyone in saying how I feel about this, but only to speak the truth I know in my own heart on the subject, and if the Lord chooses to use my words to change someones heart, then may I be a vessel for Him.
My college years were spent at Lipscomb University, a wonderful school with amazing teachers and just all around great students. At Lipscomb, we did not have "sororities" like they do at state schools; rather, "Social Clubs" which were sororities/fraternities on a MUCH smaller scale. Because our social clubs did not have to adhere to certain state mandates regarding pledging, active members of our clubs could pretty much do anything they wanted to as far as pledging goes, including hazing the pledges. The defination of hazing, as found on Wikipedia.com is as follows: Hazing is an often ritualistic test and a task, which may constitute harrassment, abuse or humiliation with requirements to perform random, often meaningless tasks, sometimes as a way of initiation into a social group. The definition can refer to either physical (sometimes violent) or mental (possibly degrading) practices.
I would have to say most social clubs at LU participated in this very definition of hazing on some level. Some were more on a mental level, others were more physical, and some consisted of both. Active members justified this type of behavior, usually because of one or two reasons; 1. "We went through it, so everyone else who joins has to go through the same exact treatment," or 2. "Pledges need to go through hard times together so that they will bond as a group." There have been many, many debates as to whether pledging went against the key foundations of the school, like portraying Christ in every activity, ethical practices and service to others, but above all, living to the highest standards in Jesus Christ.
About 2 years ago, Lipscomb elected a new president, Randy Lowry. One of the big changes President Lowry wanted to make, after seeing the process himself, was to change the way pledging was handled at LU alltogether, the goal being to make the pledging process more in line with Christian practices. Oh man did this cause the uproar of the decade. Alumni started coming out of the woodwork in opposition to this new change. There is even now an online petition of currently 162 alumni (and counting) that have signed saying they will no longer support Lipscomb financially because of this. I realize I am in the minority among social club alumni that supports President Lowry and the deans at Lipscomb who are helping to bring about this (much needed) change, but I must stand up for what I believe in no matter what. I want to ask you that are so opposed to the decision of the deans...what in your heart truly is leading you to believe that the way we have done pledging all these years truly glorifies God? To me, there is no question that it is a breeding ground for elitism and domination over another human being. And to those of you who truly believe that hard pledging promotes closeness among a pledge class...I agree to a point. I definitely bonded with my pledge sisters, but the TRUE bonding happened when/if I experienced life at a spiritual level with those girls. One of my very very best friends in the entire world was in Delta Sigma (a different club than me) and I'm closer to her than many of the girls I pledged with, and I know many people who could say the same thing. A social club is just that: a THING. An orginization. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time in Pi Delta. ButI can tell you for sure that I was never comfortable with being on the "active" end of pledging. I am not saying I was perfect, I'm human. But I can't deny the turmoil in my spirit during that time. To me, what really is important here is reaching others for Christ. Serving others. Impacting someone by putting them BEFORE yourself. Loving others despite any fault. These are some of the key elements Jesus Christ lived by, so what about this mirrors the pledging process we all went through? It's crazy to me how we can easily throw these beliefs out the window for the sake of tradition.
For those of you who actually read this entire post, thanks:) I don't want to use this as a way to start a knock down drag out argument at all. I do, however welcome your thoughts, even if you never even went to LU, and even if you disagree with me.
Thanks.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A Response to the Social Club Frenzy at LU...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
"It's crazy to me how we can easily throw these beliefs out the window for the sake of tradition."
When I read this particular line I thought of the Pharisees. I have also been a "disfuncional (from a Christian standpoint) active" in my own club, and for that I ask forgiveness. But I don't want to ever be like the group of people (pharisees) whom Jesus was constantly so frustrated with.
Thanks, Whitney for having the courage to blog this. I would too, but nobody but you reads mine :)
i'm there with you. i, too, was never comfortable being on the "active" side of pledging. i liked that pledges were supposed to memorize people's facts and things because that forced us to get to know everyone in the club, but all the dumping of disgusting things on other people just made my stomach turn, and i never saw that serve any purpose. i hope that they can come up with something that promotes bonding without the other junk. and like you, i wouldn't trade my time in pi delta for anything, but i do wish things had been done a bit differently sometimes.
I actually e-mailed Dr. Lowry and he e-mailed me back! We discussed it a bit--you are right, it isn't Christian and it never was. That you need to be miserable to bond is just a bunch of phooey. People say that because they want the pledges to go thru what they did. On another note, Dr. Lowry really has no choice, because Lipscomb could TOTALLY get sued over the hazing that goes on. Since there is no "national" pi delta, the school could be held responsible. As much as I love Pi Delta, if the ENTIRE school was in financial trouble over something that a social club did, that would be so sad. Anyway, I'm glad you wrote about it, I think most of us wish that we had done things differently. If we had all stood up and said that we weren't going to participate in things that were meant to humiliate and embarrass people, it wouldn't have happened anymore. Love you!
Eryn: thanks for your support. Leave it to you to always see a Biblical reference in life issues:) That was good. I love you.
Chris Anne: I totally agree. I always felt like you were never really "into it" either. I too hope they will come up with better ways to bond the pledges, other than humiliation and intimidation. Thanks for the comment!
Leslie: I also wrote Dr. Lowry and he wrote me back too! He seems like such a great person. He also told me about the new laws regarding hazing and simply because of that, I don't see ANY other choice he has. As far as the practices of pledging itself, it blows my mind that I didn't just stand up for what is right. Not that I personally ever got completely harrassed, but others did and I did nothing. I actually know of a couple people that still have aversions to certain people that were actives when they pledged...and they are both out of school! Adults, in the real world...something is just really wrong when pledging leaves a lasting BAD impression on you about someone like that. Thanks for your support and input! love you.
Post a Comment