Is it serving the community, or just community service?
Those passing by College Green the past two days couldn’t help but be solicited for change. The twist was that those asking were not actual homeless people, but the brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi. Check out the scene:
They’ll end up camping out for 48 hours, collecting money for a local soup kitchen. As one of the brothers put it (standing in a suit, mind you), they’re becoming homeless for two days, presumably for the sake of those who don’t have a choice. I see the resemblance: they guilt passerby into giving spare change, and you can’t help but wonder if they’re just going to spend it on booze.
I know the guys have to do community service, so it’s easy to understand why it seemed like they didn’t want to be there. But that whole situation is unnecessary on both sides. If frats and sororities don’t actually care about the causes they’re invested in, then they’re not going to make a real difference, and they’re wasting everyone’s time; I see little point in making them.
On the other hand, since they are obligated, they should pick a cause they actually care about and get behind it. The only excuse for not being able to find one is self-absorption, and that is a poor one indeed.
So, AEPi, you’ve taken a great first step. I commend you for doing more for homelessness than I have. But I also encourage you to do more than throw money at the problem, and meet the faces behind it. Check out that soup kitchen you’re donating to. Help figure out what Philadelphia can do to best serve homeless people.
In the meantime, I’m glad you had fun camping out together on the Green.
Tags: community service, Greek life, homelessness
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November 5th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I think what the brothers of AEPi was wonderful. They did A LOT when so many including yourself do so little.
If you want to offer advice for their future events pledge the Frat if not shut up, commend them and leave it alone.