mitcolab
Pika-founding-mugs-page-001
Generic resignation letter:
Dear Sirs,
I am writing today to indicate the reasons for my withdrawal from Pi Kappa Alpha. My objections to the fraternity stem from its twisted basis and prejudicial practices.
Pi Kappa Alpha is an institution filled with conflicting ideals and practices. The pervasive tenet of "brotherhood", while a most virtuous goal, is, in this case, an empty and abused cliche. To suppose that participation in a childish ritual brings all the participants into some higher (elite) realm of understanding and obligation is to aspire naively towards vague notions founded upon the exclusive tendencies of a few people. The rewards implied by such an understanding can only be realized through much thought and effort, not merely guidance through a novel encounter.
The stated hope for lasting friendship and love becomes dubious as it is built upon an empty profundity. To reconcile this hope with the blatant judgements shown by the fraternity requires a pain- fully twisted understanding of the word love. The fraternity tries to establish exclusive love. The contradiction is both pathetic and amusing in light of its widespread but flippant popularity. Further, to "deem worthy" is to invite and promote, as it does, the rigorous perpetuation of closed, bounded thinking. Indeed, the publications of the national indicate that one of its primary "brotherly" activities is the fastidious devotion to bureaucracy and idle discourse. I find the inconsistencies re- vealed by this consideration of these fundamental aspects of brotherhood and love severe enough to warrant my withdrawal.
The situation at the Eta Delta chapter however, has been high- lighted by the chapter's position with respect to women. While the discussion above was implicitly restricted to men, consider- ations of brotherhood naturally turn to people as a whole. Even though Pi Kappa Alpha does not purport, as a matter of policy, to hold discrimination as one of its principles, the spoken and projected ideas of what women are for and about reveal deeply rooted prejudices and misconceptions. At the Eta Delta chapter we have lived and worked with women for the past six years. Both the men and women living in the house find its cooperative nature most rewarding and realistic. By sharing the burdens of running the house equally, the residents develop a mutual understanding and respect for each others needs and rights. It is the coeducation at this house that has so distanced it from the national. Unfortu- nately, this distance cannot possibly be bridged if the national is going to remain as rigid and sexist as it presently is.
Therefore, not only because of the contradictions within the structure of the fraternity itself, but also because of its extremely sexist attitudes, I find it necessary to resign from the organization.
Pika-founding-mugs-page-001
Generic resignation letter:
Dear Sirs,
I am writing today to indicate the reasons for my withdrawal from Pi Kappa Alpha. My objections to the fraternity stem from its twisted basis and prejudicial practices.
Pi Kappa Alpha is an institution filled with conflicting ideals and practices. The pervasive tenet of "brotherhood", while a most virtuous goal, is, in this case, an empty and abused cliche. To suppose that participation in a childish ritual brings all the participants into some higher (elite) realm of understanding and obligation is to aspire naively towards vague notions founded upon the exclusive tendencies of a few people. The rewards implied by such an understanding can only be realized through much thought and effort, not merely guidance through a novel encounter.
The stated hope for lasting friendship and love becomes dubious as it is built upon an empty profundity. To reconcile this hope with the blatant judgements shown by the fraternity requires a pain- fully twisted understanding of the word love. The fraternity tries to establish exclusive love. The contradiction is both pathetic and amusing in light of its widespread but flippant popularity. Further, to "deem worthy" is to invite and promote, as it does, the rigorous perpetuation of closed, bounded thinking. Indeed, the publications of the national indicate that one of its primary "brotherly" activities is the fastidious devotion to bureaucracy and idle discourse. I find the inconsistencies re- vealed by this consideration of these fundamental aspects of brotherhood and love severe enough to warrant my withdrawal.
The situation at the Eta Delta chapter however, has been high- lighted by the chapter's position with respect to women. While the discussion above was implicitly restricted to men, consider- ations of brotherhood naturally turn to people as a whole. Even though Pi Kappa Alpha does not purport, as a matter of policy, to hold discrimination as one of its principles, the spoken and projected ideas of what women are for and about reveal deeply rooted prejudices and misconceptions. At the Eta Delta chapter we have lived and worked with women for the past six years. Both the men and women living in the house find its cooperative nature most rewarding and realistic. By sharing the burdens of running the house equally, the residents develop a mutual understanding and respect for each others needs and rights. It is the coeducation at this house that has so distanced it from the national. Unfortu- nately, this distance cannot possibly be bridged if the national is going to remain as rigid and sexist as it presently is.
Therefore, not only because of the contradictions within the structure of the fraternity itself, but also because of its extremely sexist attitudes, I find it necessary to resign from the organization.