Bowling Green holds a discussion. The Greek community has hopes of being more accepting.
The evening began with a discussion led by Ammar Mufleh, the International president of Sigma Lambda Beta. An alumnus of the University of Toledo, Mefleh explained that the construct of race was a myth and this has created negative consequences.
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Mefleh said the ethnic-based Greek movement has had a huge impact on his life. He always felt out of place until he was able to connect with Latinos and African Americans at UT.
“Whether you’re Greek, non-Greek, regardless of race, we need to create networks and common ground in order to mobilize,” Mefleh said.
Next, Ron Binder, director of Greek affairs at the University and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, spoke briefly about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community within Greek Organizations.
The big event that ushered the gay-rights movement into the mainstream was the Stonewall Riots of 1969, according to Binder. Simply put, on the streets of New York City, the police force would harass LGBT members until finally people stood up and openly said this needs to stop.
“I remain optimistic about this issue, I believe that we will get to the point where people aren’t going to care who other people date,” Binder said. “We still have a very long way to go, but there has undoubtedly been huge progress made.”
Diversity issues , by their very nature, tend to pull people out of their comfort zones. Discussion and examination help defuse the "different is bad/scary/inferior" factor so we can get on with the business of being human.
