To the Editor:
Miranda Johnson '97 wrote a very well written editorial about affinity housing at Dartmouth ["Dispelling Notions of Segregation," April 12, 1996]. However, I would like to respond to one of Johnson's comments. She wrote, "What is completely ignored in this entire debate is the other affinity housing that exists, namely the Greek houses . . . It is clear, for example, that Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity serves as baseball affinity housing and Chi Heorot fraternity as the affinity housing for the hockey team." I would like to call this comment into question for a few reasons.
First, it becomes clear to the reader that Johnson has not done her research that such an article requires. There are three baseball players who live in Chi Gamma Epsilon this term out of a house that holds 25 men. I do believe that more than three baseball players live in the East Wheelock Cluster. Does that make East Wheelock affinity housing for baseball players? According to Johnson's arithmetic, it would. I do believe that Chi Heorot would have the same objection since only seven out of 25 house members play hockey. Johnson perhaps should have considered getting these numbers before writing her article.
Secondly, and more importantly, on behalf of the brotherhood at Chi Gamma Epsilon, I would like to point out that Johnson is reinforcing a stereotype of our fraternity. Chi Gamma Epsilon is not a "baseball house." There are many men here who do not put on a baseball uniform to represent the College. Making such a sweeping generalization about a house is a hypocritical statement on Johnson's part. Her article claims that the stereotypes of affinity housing are wrong and misguided. I would very happily agree with her on this comment, but then if Johnson is so opposed to stereotypes, why does she reinforce them about Chi Gam and other fraternities? If she is so concerned with dispelling myths, why create them?
This is not the first time that Johnson has made such a crude generalization about a Greek organization. Perhaps, she should question her own prejudices?
