Kappa Alpha fraternity criticized (again) for “Old South” activities
From the Montgomery Advertiser:
A white fraternity that traces its roots to the Civil War and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is again facing complaints over its antebellum-themed events.
This time, University of Alabama alumnae are upset after Kappa Alpha Order members wearing Confederate uniforms and carrying battle flags paraded past a historically black sorority as the women celebrated the group’s 35th anniversary.
The fraternity has been forced to halt its “Old South” festivities on some campuses because of claims of racial insensitivity, and Alabama members have apologized for pausing in front of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s sorority house during this year’s parade.
Alpha Kappa Alpha members said there was no confrontation or taunting, but they were shocked to see fraternity members in rebel uniforms and white women from another sorority in hoop skirts.
Thoughts? Is the “Old South” event in poor taste? Not a big deal?
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It all depends on the manner in which it was done. If they were taunting black students, which I tend to believe their story that they were not, then yes it can be done in a racist way. If it is just a bunch of students dressing up in Civil War garb, then I don’t see how that is anymore offensive than just taking a class itself, and probably less so. This is a little Greekesque, but Lee as a “spiritual founder???” That is a joke by a bunch of people that wished Lee was a KA. On another note, I read the story and wondered why it was being brought back up despite having nothing new to offer, and the answer is that it has now been picked up by the A.P.
I have mixed feelings on this. I think it’s kind of silly, but I guess I’m basically fine with it, although the Confederate uniforms — and certainly the Rebel flags — go too far. As for black complaints, I don’t see where this is more offensive than a lot of their Malcolm X and Fahrekhan stuff, but then I wish they would give that a rest, too.
I guess I don’t understand the love affair some people have with that time in history. Only a very few people could live the lives these kids are celebrating in their costumes. The rest of the folks were either black slaves or dirt poor whites. Move on, already.
Talmadge: Lee’s presence as a the “Spiritual Founder” is based not on a bunch of people who wished that Lee was a KA, but rather in the sense that his ideals were the basis for what KA believes. I am a KA and know that we were founded by four students at Washington College, now Washington and Lee, while Lee served as President of the school. The students and Lee had a particular connection, and though Lee was never a KA, he was very much a reason in the creation of the order and what kind of man would be considered to be a KA. His ideals of chivalry, gentlemanly conduct and respectful behavior define what Kappa Alpha believes in. If you doubt Lee’s connection to KA, you can research and find multiple occasions in which Lee and the KA’s at Washington College had a distinct connection. For example, Lee had a strict policy regarding attendance for classes for all students during his time as president at the school, yet he personally allowed, more than once or twice, for KA’s to leave school for days at a time to help establish new chapters of the Order across the South. No other occurrence of this happening for any other fraternal organization was reported. Coincidence? I doubt it.