Summary:
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The lack of diversity in the sorority recruitment video may discourage women of color from applying.
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Alpha Phi’s website emphasizes excellence, scholarship, and community service, but the video focuses more on appearance.
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The controversy surrounding the video has sparked debate online, with some dismissing it as political correctness gone wild.
I’m having trouble mustering up my feminist rage here – probably because I don’t want us to stray into “haha look at these dumb bitches” territory – but you have to admit that is a startling amount of skinny blonde girls. Sometimes you see a flash of dark hair and it’s like “Ooh, maybe she’s Asian or Latina!” but on closer inspection it’s probably just a white brunette. It doesn’t exactly encourage women of color to consider applying to this sorority.
And there might be something to the argument that this reinforces stereotypes about sorority life. Alpha Phi’s official website states that the organization is committed to excellence, scholarship and community service.
“Alpha Phi assists college women in making informed choices to reach their highest potential. Alpha Phi enhances and promotes each member’s development and learning by focusing on sisterhood, service, scholarship, leadership, loyalty and character development.”
I’m not saying that character development can’t happen WHILE you’re prancing in a swimsuit, but it doesn’t seem to be a priority in this video. Also, blowing glitter is just a bad idea. You’ll be finding it in your clothes for months.
The internet isn’t being shy about responding to the controversy – and a lot of people don’t see it as a big deal at all. Political correctness gone wild!
