Letters to the Editor

Greeks are important

I have been reading The Collegian since I came to Fresno and have never been so offended until The Collegian published “Wasted Daze.”

The comic has focused mainly on Greeks and has become comprised solely on stereotypes and not facts. In general, the comic has smashed every ideal Greeks stand for and is highly illegal under the definition of libel.

I could not concentrate on my classes each day I read “Wasted Daze” because I was so infuriated with the content. I found I was not alone when 22 student organizations signed my letter to the editor agreeing with my frustrations, urging to stop its publication.

Upon a personal conversation with the editor in chief, Maurice O. Ndole, it was deemed implausible to publish that letter due to its length, which is understandable, and this revised response would be published instead.

Regardless, I found it to be a slap in the face for all of the hard work Greeks have accomplished to eradicate connotations created during the 1980s, only to see “Wasted Daze” bring back the stereotypes.

The truth is, Greeks are not those depicted in “Animal House,” but are vital to the community.

It seems nobody wants to show what Greeks stand for and only want to see them as “animals.”

I personally know The Collegian has failed to receive our press releases detailing some of our philanthropic events, raising around $2,000 each. There is at least one major philanthropic event held by a social Greek organization once a month, benefiting its charity of choice. I challenge The Collegian and the other students on campus to educate themselves and look into what the Greek system is all about.

Marshall Andrews
Eminent Commander
Sigma Nu Fraternity, Zeta Kappa chapter

Procreation not for everyone

Your last “Students Sound Off” article (September 23) on the issue of whether same sex marriage should be allowed in California should have been “Students open mouths, insert feet.”

Readers hoping to find an articulate and informed conversation about a complicated issue concerning human rights and social stratification were treated instead to the following two non-arguments:

Brandon Hamilton took the pro side, stating that the rest of the population should go ahead and let “them” get married. Saying there is a “them” also implies there is an “us,” as if “we” are giving “them” the privilege of becoming “us.” He further goes on to compare gay marriage to dogs, furniture and snakes.

Not to be outdone, John Lo on the con side reduced the entire institution of marriage down to those who make babies and those who don’t, leaving out the millions of heterosexual couples who are childless either by choice or by circumstance. Should they not be allowed to marry either?

I’d like to thank Mr. Lo and Mr. Hamilton, however, for further reinforcing my theory and proving by their words that some people should not procreate, no matter what their sexuality.

Michelle Colvin
women’s studies, senior

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