Opinion: Column
Greek structure can help resolve crisis
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Also by Sam Clegg:
- Lunch trays signal end of America (April 30, 2009)
- SSFC right on; ASM muddles on as year ends (April 28, 2009)
- Far left coalition shattered from Monona to Mendota (April 21, 2009)
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I’m not very good with women. I might even go so far as to say I’m absurdly bad. It may be that my frigid Northern origins are simply too awe-inspiring for the vast majority of the opposite sex. It may be that most of my efforts at intellectual banter are pirated from coffee table books and the 30 pages of “The Stranger” that I read in eighth grade. Then again, the most probable answer is the first justification — I’m uh, well, Canadian. In terms of sexiness, we rank right above Greenland.
So I can understand, on a limited level, the romantic frustration some inhabitants of the Sigma Chi fraternity house must feel on an almost perpetual basis. Women, damn them, have a magnificent propensity for being attractive, interesting and yet profoundly not interested. And as for the fraternity, my own interactions with the group have been admittedly limited. I have had the dubious fortune of seeing Sigma Chi’s members possessed by ridiculous enthusiasm while engaged in that game where the player throws a bean bag into a ramp-like object with holes on the top.
It seems incomprehensible that some of the same bovine but generally friendly seeming men playing with bean bags and listening to bad rap music were involved in an alleged collective rape, but the evidence appears irrefutable. A female student, who has understandably chosen to remain anonymous, said in an interview with The Badger Herald that she woke up in a room of the Sigma Chi house with her pants removed. She said when she woke up the next morning in her room she was bleeding. She then went to Meriter Hospital, where she was told by staff that she was raped, and that the individuals responsible probably took turns doing this to her. Unless staff members at Meriter Hospital come out and refute the woman’s claims or members of Sigma Chi can prove the incident did not happen in the house, the story should be considered valid. The Madison Police Department verified to the Herald that it is investigating the matter.
The individuals who did this are animals. With any degree of fortune and competence, the authorities will soon be putting these men into prison, where the same crime will be reenacted ad nauseum on its perpetrators.
But on a larger and more pragmatic scale, one should also be cognizant that it is a positive thing the Greek system exists. For students who have a sincere desire to meet like-minded peers and take pride in the values promoted by their respective organizations, fraternities and sororities provide an opportunity to do just that. And such upstanding people do abound. One can certainly question the necessity of paying excessive fees to meet those fellow upstanding peers or the idea that one should have pride in an organization simply because one lives and drinks excessively in a house that the group owns. But the fact remains — the Greek system has its value.
However, the Greek system also has incalculable value as a repository for the campus’ small minority of utter degenerates. Certainly fraternities are not alone, but they are capable of isolating large quantities of future criminals in one distinct and easily identified group.
For a long time after the publication of yesterday’s paper, Sigma Chi’s reputation at this university will be powerfully tarnished. Their ability to attract women to their social events will decline. Students looking to pledge a fraternity will look to organizations that have proven they are capable of treating women with a modicum of respect. It is not unlikely that the group’s charter will be revoked.
Whether or not this crime is representative of an isolated group of bad apples or the fraternity as a whole is irrelevant. Decent members of Sigma Chi should embrace the opportunity to clear their collective name by handing over the alleged perpetrators. Or, if the people responsible were among the individuals who rent uninhabited rooms of the fraternity’s building without being members of Sigma Chi, they should likewise be handed over to the authorities. Either way, it is not unreasonable for campus to look towards Langdon Street until evidence that contradicts the victim’s story is provided, and in this sense, that the perpetrators are allegedly concentrated in one building greatly aids the judicial process. This is the benefit of having any campus organization exist — they provide focal points upon which one can direct praise and outrage. Having this system in place should also theoretically benefit the investigation, as cooperative Greeks eager to preserve their reputations ignore the numerous gag orders imposed upon them and come forward with any information they may have.
As for my state of perpetual failure with women, fair enough. It only makes sense given my abominable abilities with my female peers. Then again, unwilling celibacy is undoubtedly preferable to a long — and very well-deserved — stay in prison.
Sam Clegg (sclegg@badgerherald.com) is a sophomore majoring in economics.
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Wow, Sam, this column is way too goofy for the situation.
The comment about prison rape isn't funny at all.
Grow up. Romantic frustration has nothing to do with rape. Rape is about one person asserting power and control over another. It's not about sexual gratification; it's about forcing sex onto someone without getting their consent.
Clearly, you are an incredibly immature young boy. To make fun of a situation like this--to make jokes about rape and consider sexually frustrated men an excuse--is sickening. There is no substance from your article besides the usual complaints towards Greeks--that they "pay for friends" and that all they do is drink in their houses... good ones. What you obviously don't know is that the Greek community is excellent because it is just that--a small community that supports one another. Supporting one another houses throughout the year in numerous forms, especially in times like this.
There is no doubt that this woman got violently raped in the Sigma Chi house. However, it's still unknown who the perpetrators are and how many of them were there. There may be rapists within the Sigma Chi fraternity, but they're not all rapists. Rather than focusing on Sigma Chi we must focus on supporting and empowering this victim.
"It seems incomprehensible that some of the same bovine but generally friendly seeming men playing with bean bags and listening to bad rap music were involved in an alleged collective rape, but the evidence appears irrefutable"
Ummmmm.... Please let me, and the rest of campus, know what evidence you are talking about??? If the evidence was irrefutable, someone would of been arrested by now.....
It's SARCASM. I highly doubt Mr. Clegg meant to make this situation amusing at all...
down with the frats!
This column was hardly intended to be amusing. The message is very simple - most twenty year old men have frustrating experience with their female peers, but this kind of behavior is nonetheless astoundingly repugnant and should not be tolerated. The only time I make light of such a situation is when I am referring to myself and my own experiences - at no point in that column do I deliberately or unintentionally cast a humorous light on the horrific treatment of the victim. And as for the prison rape statement, that was not intended to be amusing either. It is simply a facet of prison life for which the perpetrators, should they be apprehended, would have done well to consider before committing this act if their consciences were not a sufficient deterrent on their own.
Finally, I do not consider this column a tirade against the Greek system. My point was that it is beneficial that organizations such as fraternities exist in certain circumstances, because it allows for a speedier investigation should these acts occur. It puts pressure on individuals in the fraternity but not associated with this crime an opportunity to clear their names by revealing the perpetrators. It would be difficult to see this happening in the non-Greek community as there is not the same degree of institutional pressure. That being said, I believe I made it clear that I am not opposed to fraternities inherently, because they do have many positive aspects. So, for the commenter at 9:59, I'm sorry, but your statement in no way relates to the message I was trying to convey.
Sam Clegg
awesome article.
some boys need to learn to just keep it in their pants
the tone this editorial uses is in unbelievably bad taste...
double secret probation for all
if i was king, the greek system would be the first thing to DIE
i do not understand how people keep insisting that there was, in fact, a rape that occurred. ALL that we have is a one-sides account with NO FACTS other than a STORY told by some woman who did not want to be identified. until there is legitimate proof of this crime, it is unfair to keep making claims that there was a "violent rape" that occurred in the Sig Chi house. IF it ends up true,
THEN comes the time to bash this frat for its horrendous crime.
9:44 - The word "irrefutable" means "undeniable", not "reveals who committed the crime". It also says the evidence APPEARS irrefutable. This article is saying the girl's story is probably true based on the evidence that's been shared with the Herald, and the reason more evidence hasn't been given is because it is classified, as it usually is in cases involving such serious allegations. So if you can't infer what probably happened based on what is known at this time, you'll have to wait with everyone else until the perpetrators are apprehended to get substantial proof. Until then, take a look at the story one more time from a neutral standpoint, and try to understand that although it's possible that people are merely jumping to conclusions, it's also very, very unlikely.
Good article, Sam.
The very fact that you Mr.Clegg step up to make good points on a serious topic is commendable. The normal schema that is used in society in cases of rape or sexual assault is broken, we either sweep it under the rug, play blame the victim or otherwise vilify it. You seemed to use humor as a vehicle to get around this schema and I understand were you are coming from. However, this seems to take away from your main points and I hope in the future you consider this. I still think you are brave and deserve praise for this column
Sam, learn when to be amusing.
Aside from the ability to use big words, I see no value in the writings of Mr. Clegg. I sincerely hope the Badger Herald reevaluates his position on the staff, as I find this article to be in bad taste given the gravity of the situation. I feel that Mr. Clegg is terribly misinformed about the Greek system. While I know little of Sigma Chi, I doubt they are a group of like-minded criminals as the author clearly states. Such accusations are completely unwarranted.
Gain some life experience and perspective, Mr. Clegg, before you write such articles. Look to Jason Smathers for advice, as his article on this topic is very well done. Maybe when you're a senior your opinions will be developed well-enough to justify writing in the Herald.
People really need to settle down. This column is not attacking Sigma Chi or frats in general, it's attacking the perpetrators, and rightfully so, since what they did was nothing short of horrible. People are mistaking sarcasm inspired by sheer disgust of the situation for cheap humor. No decent writer would use this situation to take a few shots at fraternities, and although I don't know him personally, I can almost guarantee that that was not Sam's intention.
not funny, not fair
There is absolutely nothing in this article that belittles the horrible situation. Sam took a less intense route to get people who DON'T take it seriously and have been ignoring the more serious encouragement to do so, to start realizing that this is a monumental issue. Sam urged students to understand the severity of it without blowing up entirely and accusing people who question any part of the story of being horrible people. He did a great job of taking a situation that has gotten feedback from every end of the spectrum and mediated between the people looking to kill every frat boy in site and those who don't take the horrible situation seriously at all.
so SETTLE DOWN, this is a HORRIBLE issue but there are outlets of expressing yourself and getting students to think twice before calling the girl a liar without causing an uprising. Bravo Sam.
Sam
You are a talented journalist and I commend your SERIOUS, approach to this vile act.
I agree with the comment posted at 2:46pm today
You succeeded in drawing attention to this crime, informing the 'uninformed' and MOTIVATING people to take action in a thoughful, adult manner.
I can see a job at the WSJ in your future....
Keep up the solid reporting!
You're idiots. Nobody likes rape. Nobody think it's funny. I'm sure Clegg doesn't find rape funny. It was a witty editorial. Relax.
As to the claims that it wasn't "fair" : Morons, it's a column. It appears on the Opinion page. Just because it's not YOUR opinion, doesn't mean it shouldn't be printed.
As to him being fired: Are you dumb? Look how many comments this is getting. They want READERS, NOT PEOPLE WHO AGREE WITH WHATEVER THEY PRINT.
Nice job, Clegg.
just curious, how many of the pro-article comments here were made by Sam? it sounds an awful lot like him.
As someone who has had to go through this awful experience once herself as well, this article was terribly insensitive, stupid, and inappropriate.
first, by making jokes and promoting stereotypes about the fraternities you are weakening others arguments to find the perpetrators of this crime. Now they can say its just because we don't like frats and are punishing them unfairly because its a fraternity.
Secondly, why talk about yourself? this is not about you! Don't make jokes, its not funny and only shows how you have ABSOLUTELY not a clue about what rape is about. Why you think you are qualified to write about the subject is beyond me. I was offended and hurt by this article. Maybe before you write something for the sake of having your name on a page and inflating your own ego you should think about the serious consequences of what you have written and the message you are sending to a clearly very uneducated campus body on this issue.
This is terrible.
disgusting.
I certainly feel for the horrible situation this girl has been put through. It is inexcusable in so many ways that it goes without saying. That being said, I completely disagree with almost every bias opinion Sam Clegg has managed to litter throughout his poorly written article. Clearly this man has no understanding of the Greek System here on campus. To portray fraternities as a band of future criminals is not only completely wrong, it's pathetic. I'm not going to waste my time and find the stats for you, but do yourself a favor, Sam, and research before you talk. Fortune 500 companies and even the White House have been and continue to be overrun by us so called "degenerates." Perhaps before you decide to publicly express your distaste with a significant portion of your peers in the business school, you should look to the future. What are the odds your boss, the one who will hold your temporary well being in his hands along with writing your paycheck, was involved in a fraternity. As hard as it may be to accept, the odds are pretty good. Go ahead and continue to slander those you don't know. But realize it is not your Canadian background that makes most women not like you. Four of six women here said they found you attractive. Your problem, Sam, is that you are so focused on your own thoughts that you fail to realize the opinions of everyone else. You fail in giving people you see as different from you a chance. I'll give you a hint. Girls DON'T like that. NOBODY likes that. Grow up and learn to accept those different than you. All of us like success. Some, potentially including yourself, are sadly doing all the wrong things to find it. The idea isn't to burn bridges, Sam, it's to build them.
Well done, Sam. Make that exactly two articles of yours that I agree with.
i love those, "greeks are in powerful positions so watch out" or "you are a loser and won't get a job since you weren't in a house..." canards. yea, white house occupants, captains of industry, sentators - many were past members - were products of a much more segregated and bigoted time in the usa when the rich and powerful joined exclusive clubs providing access to power. that's something to be proud of...
"Rape" hasn't been proven yet. The staff at a medical facility do not determine whether or not a rape has taken place; they only determine
whether there has been sex, and if there are injuries. They are restricted to collecting evidence. It is for a jury to determine if what occurred amounted to rape.
In the Duke case, an assisting examining nurse (unlicensed as a SANE at the time)cooperated with police to enable them to get a warrant, saying there were injuries
"consistent with" rape. (There were no injuries.) But the nurse was a militant feminist, who said that rape is about power, and not sex, etc. etc. Months later that same nurse tried to alter her notes to enable Nifong to continue his failing prosecution.
She helped put three wrongfully accused students through hell for year; they were depicted as animals and worse, lived with threats, hounded by the media, and made national pariahs. And it was all based on lies; lies by the accuser; lies by a nurse; and lies by the police.
If we learn anything from such cases, it should be caution; caution for the sake of possible defendants, who just may--despite our own prejudices and rushes to judgment--not be guilty.
Time enough for "justice" to be given if there are convictions in a court of law.
@3/10, 8:35: Don't try and portray one nutjob as representative of all feminists.
People who get this riled up over sarcasm and subjective writing should stop reading the opinion section of the student newspaper.