[23453] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] Toast Song Argument Reflections...
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Rogue Unknown)
Fri Jan 17 22:30:38 2003
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 22:30:26 -0500
Reply-To: Rogue Unknown <aporogue@hotmail.com>
From: Rogue Unknown <aporogue@hotmail.com>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
I've said it before- and I'll say it again. I am PROUD to call my self a
BROTHER...of this FRATERNITY>
Rogue
Xi Rho
fall 93
>From: Section 48 Chair <ctracy.apo@insightbb.com>
>Reply-To: Section 48 Chair <section.48.chair@apo.org>
>To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
>Subject: [APO-L] Toast Song Argument Reflections...
>Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 13:28:44 -0600
>
>Alright, I know I may get flamed for opening this can of worms again, but
>I've been following the debate on APO Forums (www.apoforum.com) regarding
>the Toast Song changes and I have my own take on the entire debacle. Here
>is what I posted there. I look forward to hearing your opinions.
>
>+++
>
>For the record, I happen to think that the Toast Song is a tradition of our
>Fraternity and should stay as is because of its historical significance to
>our heritage. I fully understand the arguments for changing it and should
>the National Convention decide to change it at some point in the future I
>will not raise a fuss.
>
>I have never subscribed to the reasoning of continuing to do something just
>because "That's the way we've always done it." Change is inevitable in
>everything and people deal with it in different ways. I wonder if this
>entire issue is more about fear of change than anything else. So let's
>level
>the playing field and eliminate some misconceptions at the root of some of
>these arguments.
>
>I will ask you, my fellow Brothers, to consider the following definitions
>of
>"fraternity" and "brother" as found in the online edition of Webster's New
>Unabridged Dictionary (www.websters.com):
>
>fra·ter·ni·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fr-tūrn-t)
>n. pl. fra·ter·ni·ties
>
>1. A body of people associated for a common purpose or interest, such as a
>guild.
>
>2. A group of people joined by similar backgrounds, occupations, interests,
>or tastes: the fraternity of bird watchers.
>
>3. A chiefly social organization of men students at a college or
>university,
>usually designated by Greek letters.
>
>(Definitions 4 and 5 deleted for space)
>
>
>broth·er ( P ) Pronunciation Key (brthr)
>n. pl. broth·ers
>
>1. A male having the same parents as another or one parent in common with
>another.
>
>2. pl. often breth·ren (brthrn) One who shares a common ancestry,
>allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others, especially:
>
>a. A kinsman.
>b. A fellow man.
>c. A fellow member, as of a fraternity, trade union, or panel of judges on
>a court.
>
>3. A close male friend; a comrade.
>
>You will note that in both definitions the terms can be and often are used
>WITHOUT respect to gender. In fact, Pi Beta Phi (www.pibetaphi.org) even
>calls itself a fraternity even though it is an all-female organization. As
>such, the argument that to change the words "men of" to "true to" in the
>Toast Song would negate our use of the word fraternity to describe
>ourselves
>is illogical. On the flip side of that coin, it also renders the argument
>that it is offensive to refer to the female members of our fraternity as
>"brothers" equally moot.
>
>Now, let's examine the actual wording being proposed. Ladies and gentlemen,
>I ask you imagine an alternate reality wherein the words "men of" had
>always
>been "women of." How long do you think this would have lasted were it us
>men
>who were made to sing that we were "women" every time we gathered? I can
>tell you that I would certainly not be thrilled at the prospect. Not at all
>because I don't appreciate and respect the opposite gender, but because
>that's not who or what I am.
>
>Listen to the entire phrase of the song:
>
>"Men of Alpha Phi Omega, our fraternity."
>"Men of Alpha Phi Omega, may we always be."
>
>Where once both statements were accurate representations of who we were,
>they are no longer accurate statements of who we ARE. We are NOT, with the
>exception of a few chapters, an all male fraternity anymore. We are a
>fraternity of diversity, representing all genders, races, religions,
>creeds,
>colors, sexual orientations, species (if you count Kermit and Frank the
>Frogs), and Nationalities. THAT is what makes us unique and special. We are
>who we are so I cannot disagree with Brothers who wish to change our song
>to
>more accurately reflect our identity. I will however oppose any arguments
>that the words "fraternity" or "brother" cannot be used to define our
>organization and its members.
>
>If you've read this far, then I commend you for being open-minded enough to
>listen to another side of the debate. Thank you for taking the time to hear
>mine.
>
>LFS,
>Chris
_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
