_TRIGGER WARNING: LGBT hate speech used in context of the author’s story. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a letter to the editor written by a member of the MU community who is not part of The Maneater’s staff. It is not the opinion of The Maneater or its editorial board. In accordance with our letters policy, we publish every letter submitted to us barring personal attacks or hate speech; we welcome responses to this and everything we publish via a letter or in our comments section._
I am a member of a sorority and I have some thoughts on the MU4MikeBrown rally on Thursday night, as well as William Black’s response. Before I start, I want to acknowledge that my perspective is that of a white, genderqueer female in a sorority. Therefore, I can only speak from those experiences and will refrain from speaking about secondhand experiences.
I fully support your right to free speech, William, and to speak out about something you are passionate about. I don’t think the First Amendment is the best thing about this country, but I do think MU4MikeBrown is a great organization, for all of the issues they advocate for and against. However, Thursday’s march did not cross the line and your response merely illustrated why marches like this are needed in our Greek community.
William, you say that you personally can assure everyone that Greeks are not the main source of transgressions against women and African-Americans. Let me ask you one question. Are you a woman or African-American? If your answer is no, then truthfully you cannot speak about the existence or absence of gender discrimination or racial oppression in our Greek community. I am a genderqueer female in a sorority, who has been called a faggot by YOUR fraternity brothers as I walked by YOUR house. So while I love being Greek and have found many positive experiences in my organization, Greek Town is still not a safe space for me. I agree that “most Greek chapters encourage ideas like friendship, morality, and service” but we have to start considering the exclusivity of these values. If me, the former Panhellenic Association President, cannot walk through Greek Town without being called a homophobic slur, then how can we expect anyone to feel safe in our space?
William, I know you are offended because somebody stood outside your house and called you a racist. But many of your brothers stand outside that same house and shout homophobic and racist slurs at passing individuals. There, there, Willy.
Using the existence of black Greek chapters as proof that the Greek community is not racist is like saying, “I have a black friend, therefore I am not racist.” Having a gay friend does not prove the absence of homophobia, considering your chapter has queer members and still called me a faggot for simply walking on the sidewalk. I do agree, however, that not all Greeks are racist. That doesn’t really matter, though.
As an organized group of individuals with governing bodies set in place (IFC, PHA), we need to ask ourselves how we can better educate our members about these issues. Incorporating NPHC chapters in Greek Week does absolutely nothing to further the minds of our members. I would implore you to ask an NPHC individual how included they felt during Greek Week activities before you use it as a precursor for acceptance.
You are correct: “We are not Oklahoma SAE.” This has nothing to do with SAE. Mizzou Greek Life has its own racial issues. You claim that MU4MikeBrown attacked you on a “personal level,” which is probably how many individuals feel when being called racist and homophobic slurs from your doorstep.
William, you have the American right to say whatever you want. You can use that to write to The Maneater and to call me a faggot from your doorstep, but use that power wisely and responsibly. I beg you to stop using the “not all Greeks” argument and implore you to listen to your oppressed brothers, sisters and non-Greeks.
Although this letter was directed specifically to the things William wrote in his letter, I am addressing every single Greek individual who has used the “not all Greeks” phrase as a defense. Stop focusing on the generalization of our community and listen to the individuals, both Greek and non-Greek, who are being oppressed by our community. What aren’t we doing? If we are going to continue to hold ourselves to high standards, we need to do more.
_— Kayley Weinberg, kw485@mail.missouri.edu_