Racism, classism, gender discrimination, and sexual assault are common in American universities and colleges, and Syracuse University is not an exemption. The decision by the university to suspend a male student in 2017 for sexual assault echoes the problem of sexual violence associated with fraternal organization. In the incident, the two students had agreed to attend a fraternal party in 2017, but they later ended having sex (McMahon 2017, 1). The female student alleged sexual violence because she was too drunk to remember anything. Additionally, she claimed that she suffered bruises to the chest and fat lip, which are evidence of rough sex. This incident is similar to another case in 2013 that involved a freshman student the university. After attending an Alpha Xi Delta celebration party, the female student woke up the morning in a strange room after being raped. According to Booth (2015), the only thing she remembered was taking a drink from a male student at the party. These cases highlight examples of accusations leveled against Greek organizations across American universities. It is evidence that race, gender discrimination and sexual assault are common in fraternities and sororities.
Although instance of racial discrimination in fraternities at Syracuse University have not been reported, it is common in other universities. More recently, members of a fraternal organization at the University of Oklahoma were accused of racism after a video surfaced of member singing a song with racists slurs. To understand the problem of racism in Greek organizations, it is important to trace its history. Racial and gender discrimination in fraternities and sororities can be traced to racism that is prevalent in the American society. The circumstances that led to the popularity of these organizations correspond to the racial climate in the United States. As American campuses and colleges opened its doors to more black and middle-class students, white and upper-class students used fraternities and sororities to resist racial and class diversity. White upper-class students used these organizations to separate themselves from students from other racial and social backgrounds, whose population was increasing gradually.
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Therefore, racism in Greek organizations reflects society's idea of race. As described by Smedley & Smedley 2005, 19), race is a social construct that has the power to adversely affect the entire society. The manifestation of race within fraternities and sororities in American universities goes against the idea that it is a biological construct. Since race is not supported by scientific research that shows that races are genetically different from one another, society uses race to maintain privilege. The creation of these Greek organizations coincided with government policies that expanded education to people of color. It became eth means of creating and reinforcing social order, and one through which differential inequality and opportunity are structured (Smedley & Smedley 2005, 23). It is the prominence of the social category of race in the American society that has contributes to racism, discrimination, and inequality within fraternities and sororities.
University administrators are also guilty of perpetuating racism and racial inequality within their colleges because they seldom take any firm action against perpetrators. In most cases, universities respond by claiming that the values of these fraternities and sororities do not align with its values. The relationship between universities and Greek organizations is mutually beneficial. University's lack the incentives for holding these Greek organizations accountable because they also gain from them. First, Greek organizations provide housing to students that universities do not maintain. Secondly, former members of these fraternal organizations donate huge sums of money to the university. Racism within Greek organizations and the lack of concrete action from universities continue to engender social inequality.
As shown by the two examples of sexual assault at Syracuse University, sexual violence is prevalent in fraternal organizations, and it is usually associated with alcohol and other drugs. The females involved in these cases usually claim sexual assault while the males assert that it was consensual sex. It is evident that male students see it normal to sexually attack their female counterparts. The problem of sexual violence can be understood if sex is viewed as a social construct. As noted by Espiritu (2001), ideas such as “sexual harassment” and “date rape” did not exist some two decades ago. These concepts define sexual behaviors that were considered normal some years ago. The normalization of sexual violence in our culture influence the behaviors of its members. It is the reason why male members of fraternal organizations view sexual violence as normal. Our society has the power to define behaviors and thoughts, which is evident in the rape cases involving university students in fraternal organization.
The disproportionate distribution of power among genders is also common in Greek organizations. In most Greek organizations, fraternities hold the most power. Some of these organizations have even stipulated the type of women to sleep with, which is evidence of gender stereotyping. Ultimately, these practices uphold the power dynamic where women are used for male gratification. It also reflects the structural nature of gender stereotyping in the society. These organizations are created to impress men because parties take place at fraternal houses. It give male remembers significant power and a higher social hierarchy, similar to the one enjoyed by men in the society. This power dynamic may explain the prevalence of rape in these organizations.
Being in this class has altered my views on racial discrimination, gender, sexuality, and inequality manifested in fraternal organizations and sororities. Since it is a social construct, countering racism requires an examination of its causes. Suspensions are superficial strategies that will not end the culture of outright racial discrimination in Greek organizations. One way of addressing the issues is by requiring Greek organizations to reveal the ethnic diversity of their organizations or risk disbandment. It will deny them the opportunity to argue that they are color blind. Integrating Greek organizations will help in mitigating the harmful effects of racial discrimination in these organizations. Fraternities and sororities are avenues to power because the social and business relationships that emerge survive past college. It makes it a generational issue and continues to perpetuate inequality in the American society. It is important to note that a significant number of American leaders in business, politics, and entertainment were members of a Greek organization. Another effective strategy is to expose the blatant racism and discrimination that take place in Greek organizations. With information technology tools such as social media, it is possible to expose them as a racist organization, which will have the desired effect of forcing them to change.
References
Booth, Barbara. 2015. One of the most dangerous places for women in America. CNBC , Sep 22. https://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/22/college-rape-crisis-in-america-under-fire.html
Espiritu, Yen. 2001. “We Don’t Sleep Around Like White Girls Do: Family, Culture and Gender in Filipina American Lives.” Signs 26 (2): 415- 440.
Macmahon, Julie. 2017. Case of SU student expelled after drunken sexual encounter echoes national debate. Syracuse University News , Sep 27. http://www.syracuse.com/su- news/index.ssf/2017/09/syracuse_university_sexual_assault_national_shift.html
Smedley, Audrey and Smedley, Brian. 2005. Race as biology is fiction, racism as a social problem is real: Anthropological and historical perspectives on the social construction of race. Am Psychol ; 60(1):16-26.
