The News Argus November 1996 Page 2
lEWiHuq}
AMY Phipps -- Editor-in-Chief
DOUGLAS CLARK, JR. - MANAGING EDITOR
SHARONDA WiLCOX - ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
MONICA Alexander - Sports Editor
Dr.Valerie S. Saddler — Adviser
Wearing Greek Letters
Have you ever wondered what is so intriguing
about Greek Letter Organizations? During
Homecoming 1996, a Greek Step Show was held.
At this show, members of Greek organizations
stepped, wore their colors and did calls representing
their organizations. But, what does it really mean to
be a “greek” in Ram Country?
Being a “greek” does not just mean wearing
paraphernalia and stepping. Greek Letter
Organizations arc conducted like businesses because
each one has to raise enough money to keep their
chapter running, follow its national body’s
guidelines, and take in new members. The main
focus of many sororities and fraternities is to serve
their community where they see needs. In fact, after
graduation many collegiate sorority and fraternity
members join graduate chapters to enhance their
undergraduate Greek experiences.
If you are thinking about joining a Greek Letter
organization, be sure to do some research on it. You
want to choose an organization not based on
popularity but one whose goals are similar to yours.
Check out the members to see if they are positive
and maintain those positive images at all times.
Attend the interest meeting of the prospective
organization of your choice. Meet its members and
advisors. Remember that all organizational meetings
should have an advisor in attendance. If an advisor
is not present, it is in your best interest to leave
bccause this is probably an illegal meeting.
Participating in illegal meetings or pledge
activities will threaten your chances of becoming a
member of a Greek Letter organization.
Also remember that no one. should hit you or
verbally abuse you. If this occurs, immediately
report this to the chapter’s adviser and/or the Vice
Chancellor of Student Affairs. Hopefully these lips
will help all Rams that are contemplating pursuing
membership in a sorority or fraternity. Good Luck!!
A. "ConcernecC Cirecfe."
The News Argus is the student newspaper at
Winston-Salem State University. We welcome your
views on any public issue. Faculty, adminisu-ators,
staff, students and alumni are encouraged to share their
ideas and opinions. Letters should be type written and
no more than 200 words in length. The writer must
clearly sign the letter giving their name, telephone
number and depending on the content of the letter,
proof of identity may be requested. The editorial staff
reserves the right to edit material for grammar, taste
and clarity. The News Argus office is locateti in 318
Hall Patterson, 750-2327.
ISSUES G nnSWERS
ARGUS MAILBAG
RESPECT
Respect: “1, Treat with special
consideration or high regard; 2, high
esteem; courteous or considerable
treatment.” From The American
Webster Dictionary.
It’s not a hard definition. So
why is it so hard to get respect here
at WSSU?
Many black men here at WSSU
show no respect towards the women
on campus. It happens daily in
classrooms, cafeteria and other
public areas on campus. Where do
these men learn these attitudes or
manners? At home? In school?
An example of this occurred last
month at the Spades Tournament
sponsored by WSSU’s SGA. When
my sister, Kemberly Fitter, a
freshman sports management major,
and I sat down to play against two
guys, one of the guys said, “Come on
man, we ain’t getting ready to get
beat by no set of titties.” My sister
and I were mad as hell! All we did
was sit down to play a friendly game
of cards and a black man was
disrespecting us for no reason at all.
Needless to say we beat them!
“Men are not like women, they
don’t blossom over night. They
have to mature first,” said Marcus
“Chip” Murrell, a sophomore sports
management major.
Recently a random poll was
conducted on campus and it
revealed that many women are
disrespected on campus because of
their choice in clothing.
“Most men treat you like you
exploit yourself,” said Rashad
Robinson, a junior mass
communication major.
“Some women walk out their
dorm with clothes on that should
only be worn in the bedroom,” said
Vince Woody, a junior mass
communications major.
Some men think that if women
dress “skimpy” or “whorish” than
you are asking for it! I beg to differ,
because who decides what clothes
are skimpy or whorish?
“You have to
dress for yourself and
not society,” said
Rechelle Rouse,
a junior mass
communication
major. “No matter
what you wear, you’ll always be
stereotyped.”
So is that it? Can clothes really
be the big issue?
“Most guys think they are
giving you a compliment,” said
Marty Williams, a senior sports
management major.
“It all depends on how you
carry yourself,” said Woody.
Nevertheless, Pitter said, “There’s a
way to give a compliment. I think
they use clothes as an excuse.
Because when 1 put on a skirt or a
tight sweater it’s bccause I want to,
not because I want some kind of
attention.”
“Sometimes clothes do make the
difference,” said Sharonda Wilcox, a
sophomore mass communications
major. “Some women feel that’s
there way of gelling attention. When
1 dress like a boy, nobody pays me
any attention, but when 1 dress up
they acknowledge me. But because
I’m sure of myself and who 1 am, I
don’t need that attention to define
me.”
“Some women might like that
disrespectful attention,” said Piiter.
“But each woman should be
respected until she gives you a
reason to disrespxxi her.”
My question to men is, “Why
would you even want a woman that
lets you disrespect her?” “Because
she doesn’t want a relationship,” said
Williams. “And if she’s allowing
herself to be disrespected then you
know what kind of
relationship/friendship you’re going
COLUMNIST
Danielle Prophete
to have from the beginning.”
Similarly, a male on campus
said he could get more phone
numbers by saying, “Yo, baby
what’s you number?” then saying,
“Excuse me, can I talk to you for a
minute?” If this statement is true,
then women, we have a serious
problem we must correct.
Women of the world and
especially women at WSSU, 1 think
we have to unite and begin
demanding respect from all men.
However, to get respect, we must
give respect and be respectful.
So men, before you gel ready
to hoot and holler at a young lady,
just think... it could be another man
being disrespectful to your mother,
your sister or your girlfriend! If
you wouldn't like this, then you
shouldn’t be doing it!
Women, we need to teach men
how to respect us. If you are one of
those women who enjoys receiving
negative, nasty, and disrespectful
comments from men, you are
creating problems for the rest of us.
Remember we do not need these
disrespectful comments to validate
our beauty and self-worth.
Women of the world, please
help your fellow sisters by
demanding respect. Remember,
respect begins with you.
STAFF WRITERS
MONICA ALEXANDER
MARQUIS CARTER
DOUGLAS CLARK
STEPHANY COUSINS
DANIELLE PROPHETE
QUEN ROBINSON
RECHELLE ROUSE
SHARONDA WILCOX
FEATURE WRITERS
MONICA ALEXANDER
DOUGLAS CLARK
AMOR GLEE
ANDREW MEANS
PRESLYN YOUNG
LAYOUT STAFF
MONICA ALEXANDER
DOUGLAS CLARK
AMY PHIPPS
PRESLYN YOUNG
COPY EDITORS
COPY EDITING CLASS