In response to Tuesday's column, "Greek life is more than just its stereotypes"
Marisa Papenfuss’ defense of Greek life is upsettingly ignorant of its deep-seated racism.
The SAE chant was not an isolated incident.
Frats and sororities are a microcosm of white supremacy in America: quietly exclusionary.
It is unspoken and probably not even realized by many, but elite organizations are for white people, and because connections are so important to enter them, they are self-perpetuating.
For example, as of 2014, University of Alabama sororities had admitted exactly one black student.
Unsurprisingly, Greek organizations don’t release their racial demographics, but if UF chapters’ own Facebook photos are any indication, they are very white.
Indeed I came across pictures of events with scores of members with nary a black person.
I’d venture to say that you’re more likely to find someone in blackface than a black person at many houses.
Alex Posa
Gainesville resident
