Try being both a "frat boy" and a "jock". That stereotype gets tossed around quite a bit in geek culture. It's fairly frustrating.
Re:The frat boy ships out
by cyruskazemi on Thursday January 22, 2009 @01:20PM
(#445148)
I run into trouble with this as well. I get a lot of looks when I mention that I'm in a fraternity. However, a large percentage of the 70 people in my fraternity aren't white and many of us are on financial aid and student loans. Hardly a white boys club.
Don't call my country a cunt, and don't call my fraternity a frat. "Frat" is generally derogatory when used by outsiders. It's analogous to "nigger" being used by non-blacks.
No, it really isn't. Blacks have been (and to some extent still are) oppressed by the majority. The word "nigger" is an artifact of the oppression. It was used as a weapon against them.
Fraternities, however, have never been oppressed. Occasionally, they have been in the position of power (being a white-boys-club), with documented cases of people hiring brothers preferentially.
You're not doing a very good job here of dispelling the stereotypes people have of fraternity members.
Fraternity membership is voluntary. Race isn't. "Frat" is not analogous to a racial slur.
Re:The frat boy ships out
by steveplace on Thursday January 22, 2009 @10:27AM
(#444865)
When the actions of frats start to reflect the respect deserved by their full name, then we will worry about it.
Disclosure: Was president of ATO at a major university.
I'm part of Sigma Chi, and without it my university experience would not be complete.
Also, Bush was part of "Skull and Bones" which is a secret society, NOT a fraternity. Basically, an invite only club for rich/powerful people.