2008 Woodie Awards
Commentary: Greek sleepover misses point
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Editorial
In a city with the third-highest rate of homelessness in the country, college students would do well to learn more about the real hardships of living on the streets.
But the brothers of Kappa Sigma, who have organized a "Live Like You Were Homeless" sleepover in the Centennial Commons for this weekend, are making a mockery of the issue under the guise of "raising awareness."
The Facebook listing for the event states that members of the fraternity "will be living for one night ... as the homeless in Boston do each and every night." If the chapter thinks spending the night outside Shillman Hall will amount to more than a campout in the quad, they are sorely mistaken.
The cause is important, but mimicking a demographic whose members often have mental health issues, substance abuse problems or have been moving from curb to curb for years is no way to address the problem.
Not only is it offensive - "please come and stay for the night or just drop by and cheer us on," the listing states - it further perpetuates the stereotypical image of the rich, ignorant, white college student.
Hanging out with friends on a spring night in a secure, self-contained campus simply doesn't translate to living with few belongings and no permanent home in a major city.
If they're truly interested in raising awareness and making a difference, the members of Kappa Sigma should lead a contingent to the Pine Street Inn and help serve dinners, then set up shop for the night under the Massachusetts Avenue bridge or on Boston Common.
- Ricky Thompson is editor in chief and Derek Hawkins is managing editor of The News.
But the brothers of Kappa Sigma, who have organized a "Live Like You Were Homeless" sleepover in the Centennial Commons for this weekend, are making a mockery of the issue under the guise of "raising awareness."
The Facebook listing for the event states that members of the fraternity "will be living for one night ... as the homeless in Boston do each and every night." If the chapter thinks spending the night outside Shillman Hall will amount to more than a campout in the quad, they are sorely mistaken.
The cause is important, but mimicking a demographic whose members often have mental health issues, substance abuse problems or have been moving from curb to curb for years is no way to address the problem.
Not only is it offensive - "please come and stay for the night or just drop by and cheer us on," the listing states - it further perpetuates the stereotypical image of the rich, ignorant, white college student.
Hanging out with friends on a spring night in a secure, self-contained campus simply doesn't translate to living with few belongings and no permanent home in a major city.
If they're truly interested in raising awareness and making a difference, the members of Kappa Sigma should lead a contingent to the Pine Street Inn and help serve dinners, then set up shop for the night under the Massachusetts Avenue bridge or on Boston Common.
- Ricky Thompson is editor in chief and Derek Hawkins is managing editor of The News.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 60
Rockland
posted 4/10/08 @ 6:09 AM EST
Cmon Ricky. Kappa Sigma does more Philanrophy and community service than most any other group on campus and this is what you choose to report on?
Jim
posted 4/10/08 @ 6:17 AM EST
I'm sorry you feel that way about the awareness drive. The Pine St Inn is a great idea. In fact, it should be noted that Kappa Sigma does a lot of work with Rosie's Place, "a sanctuary for poor and homeless women". (Continued…)
Cory
posted 4/10/08 @ 9:37 AM EST
When writing this clearly biased commentary, did anyone bother to contact the organizer of the event? Were there questions asked such as "what do you plan to do at the event?" or "will you be informing passing students of the facts and statistics relating to homeless people?". (Continued…)
bucaaaa
Robbie
posted 4/10/08 @ 9:45 AM EST
Unfortunately, this commentary has been written with no previous knowledge of the chapter's community service. On countless occasions, this semester and last, Kappa Sigma has volunteered at the Greater Boston Food Bank, sorting through food to be sent out to the various shelters. (Continued…)
Bravo
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:03 AM EST
Well done Ricky. I'm happy you stepped up and questioned the legitimacy of this POINTLESS event.
Hey Ricky, can we gather all the homeless people around the area and have them participate as well? Maybe then they can get some insight as to what it actually means to be homeless; that its not just a matter of SLEEPING OUTSIDE. (Continued…)
Bravo
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:13 AM EST
Well done Ricky. I'm happy you stepped up and questioned the legitimacy of this POINTLESS event.
Hey Ricky, can we gather all the homeless people around the area and have them participate as well? Maybe then they can get some insight as to what it actually means to be homeless; that its not just a matter of SLEEPING OUTSIDE. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:56 AM EST
Wow, what a shining example of the student body you are. Spending time coming up with a witty commentary to put down a student organization you clearly know absolutely nothing about. (Continued…)
jp
posted 4/10/08 @ 11:04 AM EST
people, learn the difference between an article and a commentary.
i believe derek and ricky responsibly voiced the opinion of many nu students about the event. (Continued…)
jg
posted 4/10/08 @ 11:07 AM EST
Another of many examples of NU News, and indeed Northeastern University bias against Greeks.
I guarantee you if a cultural/ethnic student group or a sport or CUP or the College Democrats did this event, the news would have nothing but praise. (Continued…)
Outsider
posted 4/10/08 @ 11:18 AM EST
I went to an undergrad that is renowned for its commitment to community service. Every year during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a sleep-out is organized in the middle of campus to raise awareness about the issue. (Continued…)
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