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Volume 13, Issue #1. Published on November 3, 2004
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Photo by Houa Vang
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Fraternity XPO contributes to the community.
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Fraternity Life
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Noe Sacoco Jr.
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I USED to think fraternities were a negative aspect of college.
I USED to think partying and drinking alcohol were a daily routine for fraternities.
I USED to think guys in fraternities were arrogant, obnoxious, and inept in several aspects of life.
All the misconceptions I USED to have concerning fraternities were proven wrong when I became a brother of one of the first Filipino-based fraternities in California: Chi Rho Omicron (XPO).
The founders felt a need to strengthen and unify young Filipinos into a brotherhood through Filipino culture, history, and in the community.
Hence, XPO was established at CSU Fresno on February 16, 1995.
Since then XPO has established six chapters in California: CSU San Francisco, CSU Hayward, University of San Francisco, Sacramento State, UC Davis and CSU Pomona.
I am NOT writing this to convey the necessity in pledging for a fraternity, but rather to depict the different and positive aspects of fraternities.
Each fraternity is distinct in their own way.
Criticizing and condescending certain fraternities is unethical.
Stereotyping, judging or bashing fraternities convey the intolerance and ignorance of certain individuals.
Many people talk about the negative aspects that occur within fraternities, but what about the community service, the fund-raisers or the cultural events members take part in.
It’s easy for us to pinpoint the flaws in fraternities, but are we willing to accept the positive aspects and acknowledge the hard work that many of them put forth?
As an organization XPO has participated in an array of events that not only benefit the fraternity, but the community as well.
United Way, Light the Night, or recognizing Filipino Veterans who fought in WWII are examples of the services that my fraternity commits to.
There are exemplarily Greek societies that raise the bar for others to reach for.
Sigma Delta Tau at the University of Maryland raised over $10,000 through their first annual Jog N’ Jam to support the families who lost loved ones defending our freedom.
Douglan Epstien, an alumnus of Theta Chi, completed a four-day walk through Death Valley and raised $35,000 for Multiple Sclerosis research.
Prominent individuals such as Michael Jordan, Ashton Kutcher, and President George W. Bush participated in fraternities.
According to the Interfraternity Council, all but two U.S. presidents have been Greek.
Fourty three of the nations fifty largest corporations are headed by fraternity men, 85% of the Fortune 500 executives and 76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a fraternity.
The statistics are enlightening; fraternity men contribute to vast facets in life.
Whether or not many of us agree with the Greek life, we shouldn't degrade or make negative assertions, but instead be accepting of the males in fraternities and be tolerant of who they are as individuals.
Recognizing fallacies and falsehoods in others is effortless; however are we willing to accept our flaws by realizing that our ignorance is tempered by prudence?
According to Socratic philosophy, "The unexamined life is not worth living."
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