Frats: An uneasy brotherhood
Bert Roughton Jr’s. editorial, (“Confessions of a fraternity man,” News, March 15) was a thought-provoking analysis of someone who had experienced fraternity life, yet has some serious doubts about its value.
He seemed conflicted by a number of things, as do I when I consider fraternities. The first is how badly new pledges are treated by their future brothers. Pledges are insulted, humiliated and sometimes physically abused.
After they’ve “survived” the initiation, they are then welcomed by their “brothers” with open arms. If this was a real family, it would be a dysfunctional one.
The second issue and even more troubling is the emphasis on having a good time by getting drunk, rowdy, and abusive to one another and many times toward co-ed guests.
The attention to what’s happened at Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Oklahoma is, in my opinion, only the tip of the iceberg. More needs to be done.
JERRY SCHWARTZ, ALPHARETTA
Creflo Dollar and the mighty dollar
I am a minister at the Open Door Community and stand deep within the tradition of Radical Disciples as of Catholic Dorothy Day and Baptist Martin Luther King, Jr.
The words and works, the theology of Rev. Creflo Dollar, his affluence and revival techniques are a materialist use and abuse of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ("Creflo Dollar asks donors for $65M for new private jet," Metro, March 14)
Living in a city of homeless and hungry folk that builds a stadium for more than a billion dollars, we may understand where Dollar’s hunger for dollars comes from. It is the not the New Testament. Let us love and heal each other.
EDUARD LORING, ATLANTA
Teacher essay said it all
Teacher Allison Webb’s essay, (“Lessons Learned,” March 9, Opinion,) was by far the best and most comprehensive explanation of the trials and tribulations faced by our schoolteachers.
Just reading about Ms. Webb’s ongoing activities in and out of the classroom is enough to tire a person out. In my lifetime — I’m 85 and spent 24 years serving in the U.S. Army — I have had jobs that can wear on you, both physically and mentally, but seldom did I ever consistently have such a schedule of activities as Ms. Webb is burdened with. She clearly describes the multitude of challenges facing our school teachers on a daily basis.
Her recommendations to the state should be required reading for all our political leaders, regardless of their party affiliations. I say, “Three cheers for Ms. Webb.”
BOB GRAYSON, CUMMING
