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Taking brotherhood to its limits

Written by Jacob Becker, The Shorthorn columnist

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 09:00 PM

Come right on in, leave your coat and dignity at the door.

Fraternities have long been synonymous with college. They claim to offer a sense of pride and belonging, and they often declare their members are made into better men.

But I fail to see the superiority of being branded like a steer.

The allegedly drunken and forceful branding of TCU student Amon G. “Chance” Carter IV, may be an out of the ordinary over-stepping of fraternity traditions but that’s not the issue.

It’s the sober fraternity members honoring this tradition who we should be worried about.

College is where we should try to push to better ourselves. It’s where we practice independent thought and strive to achieve greater personal aptitude.

The fraternity is the severe opponent of this mindset. With many members swearing undying devotion to the fraternity and some being willing to be branded like animals, it’s hard to see the betterment of man provided by fraternities.

It is not that fraternities are always these terrible brain-washing entities. Many Greeks are active in the community and work toward charitable goals.

Others have been known for producing members which have achieved great things in the world, and this hope for reaching higher in life carries many to take the Greek pledge.

While others just seek that place of belonging, the parties and the good times.

Dedication to fraternities is not bad, but like many things, moderation should be used. Everyone needs something to take pride in, and many people want to feel a part of something bigger than themselves, but it should not be at the expense of basic dignity.

It’s hard to understand at first glance why anyone would be branded or hazed in any way and purchase this treatment with time and sometimes membership dues.

Maybe there is something to their behavior. But to me that dedication could be used in better directions.

For starters, the classroom could use a few more enthusiasts, though that is probably too idealistic. But there are ways of being a part of something through classes themselves.

If more people were active in organizing study groups for each of their classes, you’d find a whole group of friends who you aren’t paying for humiliation.

This university has taken a strong stand against humiliating practices associated with fraternities. But even if their occurrences are on the decline, the willing mindset of adherence is the truly frightening aspect.

Whether your attention is given to participation in charity work or focusing your time and energy to excelling in class, there are ways of becoming the best man you can be without being reduced to an animal.

Many want to be identified as part of the long tradition behind a Greek brand. But I think you’ll find that often, the greatest men live by a brand of their own.

And they don’t have to burn their flesh for you to see it.