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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 1970)
Greeks Must Act If you were told for a long time that you were not wanted by a group of people and then suddenly those people said they did want you, how would you react? How eagerly would you rush to join the same people who formerly ostraciz ed you? You wouldn't; you would reject them just as they rejected you. In simple terms, that is now the relationship which exists between Black students and members of the Greek system. Tuesday the Council on Student Life opened a hearing which rambled for nearly two and a half hours. The IFC did not know what CSL wanted and consequently came un prepared. CSL had no intention of acting then. The meeting was only a hearing, and so the Black students left in disgust. The only thing that was decided was that discrimination does exist right here at dear old NU. Even the one concrete statement which emerged from the discussion was for all practical purposes useless. The statement was the opinion of one Black administrator. And that isn't where the pro blem is, and that is not where the answer should come from. i The Greek system must solve this problem themselves. The answer and the subsequent action regarding discrimination in fraternities and sororities must come from Greeks. NOW. Furthermore, Greeks cannot expect the cooperation of Blacks. They have no right to expect that cooperation. The people who created the problem, and perpetuated it, must now solve it. The attitudes which now prevail among Greeks can be divided Into three groups: (1) those who want no Blacks or other minority students at all, (2) those who are worried about the tarnished image of the system which is commonly labeled racist and (3) those who are willing and ready to accept a minority student as an equal person. The former two 'attitudes predominate. i But not until Greeks sincerely feel they want minority students in the system; not until they are ready to punish a house that won't comply to open membership rules by pulling a charter, will minority students, in turn, show any interest whatsoever in fraternities and sororities. Not until the Greek system is willing to PROPOSE themselves the same policy put forth by Walt Strong will any progress, have been made towards resolving the issue. 1 ' Wednesday night IFC agreed that each house should put down for public examination their criteria for membership. That was a teeny-weeny baby step towards ' attacking the problem. IFC and Panhellenic must take significant action to open Greek doors Jo minority students. There will not be a massive rush of minority students to gain membership. But the opportunity should exist for anyone to gain membership. Jim Pedersen DAILY NEBRASKAN Second clnu postage pnld at Lincoln, Neb, Telnphones: Editor 472-25M. Business 472-25B. News 471 2SfO. Subscription rates ere U per semester or Se per year. Published Monday, Wednesday. Thursday and Friday during the school year except during vacations and exam periods. Member of Intercollegiate Press, National Educational Adver tising Service. The Daily Nebrsskan Is student publication, Independent at the University of Nebraska's administration, (acuity and sta dant government. Address: Daily Nebrsskan 34 Nebraska Union University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska sUW dltorlal Start Editor Jim Pedersen i Managing Editor Sunon Elsenhart; New Editor John Dvorak) Assistant News Editor Ed Icenogle; Sports Editor Randy York) Nebraskan Staff Writers Bill Smitherman, Carol Anderson, Gary Seacrest, Jan Parks, Steve Slnclolr, Diane Wanek, Jim Jones, Linda Ulrich, Mary Pat fowler. Barb Koory, Mick Morlartyi Photographers Dan Ladely, Howard Rosenberg, Barb Peters; entertainment Editor Pros) Elsenhart, East Campus Editors Brant Skinner, (Cathy Kokeaj Literary Editor Dan Ladelyt News Assistant Susanna Schaferi Editorial Assistant Sua Schllchtemeleri Sports Assistant Room Rlfei Outstote Nebraska Bureau Chief j. L. Schmidt! Copy Editors June Waqoner, Connie Winkler, Dan Ladely. Karen Kash, Karen Holm, Jim Cray; Night News Editors Dave Plllpt, Tom Lansworth. I ' Buslnees Staff Business Manager I. Jena Kidwell; Local Ad Manager Ed ice noglei National Ad Manager Martha Todd; Bookkeeper Ron Bowllni Business Secretary and Subscription Manager Janet Boatman; Circulation Managers Jamas Slelter, Kelly Bakan Dan Ladelyt C,laslfle4 Ad Manager Joa Wilson; Production Manager Neck Johnson; Account Representatives Linda Ruts. Gala Peterson, Kan. Sevenker, Mary Dorenbach, Joel Davie, Sarah Evert, Martha Tood, Joa Wilson, WORLD 1 A-----W PRODUCT A ( IROBB AACS charges questioned by Dan Goodenberger Now I know how one becomes a reac tionary. One becomes a reactionary in response to half-truths, misconceptions, and less than responsible charges leveled at one's identity groups. REACTION IS a rather painful ex perience, particularly for one who has con sidered himself aligned with liberals on issues concerning discrimination and civil rights. Nevertheless, certain of the accusations made at Tuesday's CSL meeting deserve and demand answers. Those concerning the fraternity system are most important, in asmuch as they deal directly with the quality of student life and living experience. The fraternity position would be much less defensible if it could be shown that the system had received effective ad ministrative cooperation in its efforts to integrate itself. Specifically, members of one fraternity asked for the names of all entering black students, in order that they might contact these men so that they could be acquainted with the system and encouraged to af filiate. IN RESPONSE they received four names, grudgingly given. Men from this fraternity and several others contacted the incoming students listed, as well as several others. Only one of these students was induced to attend Rush Week. The IFC indicated its sincerity by waiving the grade requirement in order that he might do so. As he checked in, he was met by several members of the Afro-American Collegiate Society. So ef fective was their dissuasion that he withdrew before unpacking. Thus Rush Week 1303 was an exercise in de facto segregation, but not because of lack of effort on the part of member fraternities. Surely more administrative help could be expected. All this is not to say that discrimination does not exist; it is simply meant to affirm that there are concerned groups, and concerned individuals who could do much with proper backing. IT IS TO BE hoped that responsible administrative forces will offer aid before they propose censure As I hate to see an organization maligned needlessly, I must point out that, Mr. Strong's opinion to the contrary, Com Cobs is not a discriminatory organization. It certainly has the ability and desire to "select members on the basis of THE DAILY NEBRASKAN reasonable criteria which will not include race or color." De facto segregation exists, not by constitutional content or member intent, but because minority students ap parently feel they can spend their time in ways more rewarding to them. A charge of discrimination, however, is blatantly false. It is interesting to me that this organization was among those singled out, since to my knowledge no contact was made to determine the truth of the accusation. DEFENSE OF these institutions should not be the point. More important are the implications for black-white relations which arose from Tuesday's meeting. Removing oneself from discussion 13 not the way to achieve a dialogue; I and a number of those with whom I have spoken feel that the black CSL members acted ir responsibly in doing so. The surest way to test Greek sincerity in non-discrimination is to encourage minority students to accept fraternities' invitations to join, rather than blocking their efforts. CONFRONTATION must be replaced by dialogue, for confrontation can never foster the spirit of mutual trust which is so desperately needed. Such a process helps to insure the accuracy of the predictions of the Kerser Commission report, the development of two societies in America; one black, one white, both armed. It is devoutly to be hoped that the schism can be healed before the prediction becomes reality. Cy3 J FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1970