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The Dartmouth
July 10, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Inherently Institutionalized '-isms'

I think everyone in the audience of the Alpha Chi Alpha discussion Monday night had the same thing on their minds. There's no foreseeable cure to the problem of "-isms" in fraternities. There is no realistic approach that Alpha Chi or any other fraternity can take to help them abolish sexism and racism and homophobia.

Finally, two hours after the start, Denise Saunders '98 asked the only question that really mattered, "I'm concerned that the atmosphere of your house is conducive to such behavior -- how are you going to realistically make it better?"

Their reply? They don't know.

So, Denise, like any rational person gave them a few easy pointers. Don't use derogatory words. Be an example to the pledges by refraining from saying "snatch" or "grimbo" and making it clear to them that it is unacceptable to do so.

There is obviously an atmosphere in the house conducive to the type of behavior represented by the skit. The mere fact that they had to be caught before presenting it shows that this type of behavior has been going on behind closed doors for many years. However, members of the Dartmouth community don't even need this much proof to determine this. They just have to step into the frat social scene for one night and experience the drinking culture at its best.

OK, hopefully we have accepted fact #1. There is an atmosphere in fraternities that is conducive to "-ism" behavior. Here's fact #2: They're not going to change.

Alpha Chi held a discussion hoping for a realistic discourse on why these events occur and what should be done about them. The brothers of Alpha Chi should know why this behavior occurred. One brother even admitted that the statements in the skit probably offended the audience in Brace Commons more than it offended the fraternity brothers during the actual performance. That's true; it's easier to get away with the "-isms" in a fraternity. The brothers know what the interactions in the house are. They know the rituals they perform, the values they uphold, their general behavior that makes pledges assume that this type of skit is or could be considered acceptable.

It's perfectly obvious to me that they weren't having the discussion to find any solutions. They had it to discuss the problem , to understand it -- not to change it. Why did I not see anyone taking any notes? Why did the President rush through the points and suggestions made with only the only response being "That's an excellent point!" Why did he not say that the house would actually change and take the points suggested to their house and start practicing them? The answer is simply because that they don't believe that change is possible.

However, I'm willing to give Alpha Chi and the community at large the benefit of the doubt. As a member of the Interracial Concerns Committee, I will work to give Alpha Chi suggestions as it has requested. The ICC can support and aid them in their efforts for change. There are also the resources at the Tucker Foundation, the Women's Resource Center and various other organizations. The burden is with all of us. Those of us who do go to organizational events that promote this behavior should stop in protest. Those of us who say derogatory things about other people and other cultures should stop. These are some of the "shoulds." But what, in reality, are we going to do?