Syracuse University has seen fraternity after fraternity suspended throughout this academic year, and Theta Tau’s suspension from SU’s campus Wednesday is the latest.

But the problem goes beyond what is captured in the racist video, which was obtained by The Daily Orange. The issue starts with our society, and how it allows this behavior to remain ingrained in college organizations.

In a campus-wide email, Chancellor Kent Syverud, confirmed the suspension.

“Videos showing this offensive behavior have surfaced online,” Syverud said. “They include words and behaviors that are extremely racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities.”

Stories from across the country have revealed plenty of disgusting acts from Greek organizations. But many non-Greek organizations have also subjected their members to similar tactics. In 2011, Robert Champion, a member of Florida Agricultural and Farming University’s marching band, died after being beaten in the band’s hazing process.

There’s an underlying problem beneath it all, and we need to explore why students feel the need to subject themselves to this kind of treatment to fit into a status. We teach students from a young age they must conform to social expectations and groups to find friends and gain status. In this, we teach them that searching for status is worth subjecting yourself to de facto torture.

When SU students immediately began posting about the incident online, spreading the viral hashtag #WheresTheVideoSU. Discussion ranged from anger about the lack of transparency from the university administration after it was made clear SU would not be releasing the video to outcry targeting the whole Greek community.

Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, called for an emergency forum to take place Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. The room was filled with a diverse group of attendees, ranging from professors, Greek life-affiliated students, non-Greek life students and administrators.

Discussion topics leaned toward the greater issue of hate speech on college campuses as a whole. Although the unified idea was equality and respect, especially with regard to marginalized groups, the central theme seemed to be the presence of Greek life on Syracuse’s campus and the issues that came with it.

Many students were emphatic about how the Greek system is dividing our campus. As a non-Greek member with an outsider’s perspective, I recognize that Greek life isn’t perfect. But I also see that the outcry coming from students about hazing and hate speech applies to society as a whole.

Every student who’s insulted because of their identity, forced to drink obscene amounts of alcohol or take part in racist rituals to show their worth is one too many. It’s time for us to splash some water in our eyes and realize that if we give students the confidence to stand up to degradation required to “fit in” with social groups, then the negatives of these organizations — including those in Greek life — may become less threatening.

The conversation has begun. Now, let’s take action.

Obi Afriyie is a senior cultural foundations of education and history dual major. His column appears biweekly. He can be reached at ooafriyi@syr.edu.

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MORE COVERAGE: 

• Syverud: SU will start ‘top to bottom’ review of all Greek life policies, activities and culture
• Student Association leaders call for SU Greek life audit in wake of Theta Tau suspension
• Students protest Theta Tau videos outside Chancellor Kent Syverud’s house
• Gallery: SU campus community reacts to Theta Tau videos

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Published on April 18, 2018 at 11:29 pm