There is a major breakdown in the black community at Iowa State University by way of the black greek lettered organizations.

At a time when we should be celebrating our unity — at a place where we should be organized to find strength in our small numbers, we are separate over insignificant issues instead of working toward mutual ideals.

Pink and green, red and white, purple and gold, blue and white; these colors are starting to emulate those of gangs instead of the professional organizations they represent. Being at odds over which group you chose is, in a word, frivolous. We are letting these colors act as races within the greek system and have formed the same prejudices against each other that we have fought so hard to suppress in this country.

I can remember a time, back before there was greek. A time when friends helping each other out was what counted. Now there is this unrevealed tension that I feel every time I’m around people from other organizations. I should never feel uneasy around my own.

Why is it that at a National Pell-Hellenic Council meeting, where we eight, black greek lettered organizations are to come together and work towards a common goal, we have the most separation I see in the Ames black community? Those letters that we so lavishly wear across our chest like “supergreeks” are causing us to lose focus from what really matters. Who cares who can step the best? Why do we practically knock each other down trying to out-stroll the next? Is the real issue about who can have the most parties? Who cares who’s doing more to serve in the community? Isn’t the community supposed to be our common concern? We need to work for the community, and I feel that if we do this collectively instead of in competition, we could serve the community that much more effectively.

There are other causes to fight about. We are black before we are greek — Remember that!

La Tosca Goodwin

Junior

Journalism and mass

communications