Frats and sororities; the Greek rites of exclusion. (racism and sexism)

Nation, The, July, 1987 by Lord, M.G.

FRATS AND SORORITIES

The Greek Rites Of Exclusion

My interest in fraternities began innocently, on abalmy night last fall, when a friend and I attempted to drive across the campus of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where, after ten years as a journalist in New York City, I was back in school on a fellowship. We were heading to a movie that people said had great special effects. I couldn't say. Due to the special effects on the street, we never made it to the theater.

Hundreds of white women swarmed along Hill Street--our route and the university's fraternity row. They huddled in packs, hugging and squealing and sometimes singing, defiantly stopping traffic. The crowd reeked of money: pearl necklaces and the effects of...

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