The Orbis

SIR - While I generally do not agree with the sentiments in your paper, I do read (or at least skim) Orbis every week. I was pleased to find the most recent issue full of openings for a dialogue, and I decided to write back on a few things.

First of all, I was very disappointed with the articles on drug culture. While I am glad Chase Jaycox has found an environment friendlier to him than the Greek scene, I am disappointed that he stereotypes each side and creates a black and white picture. I know a lot of drug users who wear polo shirts and I know a lot of Natty Light drinkers who stay far from the fraternities. From my own knowledge of drugs, there is something in the culture here at Vanderbilt that crosses fashion boundaries. I would imagine that Mr. Jaycox could have found a pipe at the fraternity house he didn't want to stay in, and he probably would have found beer in his Alumni Lawn group's refrigerator. The groups, though definitely separate, are also definitely united, and I'm sorry that Mr. Jaycox could not elaborate further.

Secondly, Jesssica Shields' article on racial divisions in Greek houses appalled me. She denies that there is a self-segregating group of minorities, but when a student says that she joined a house because she is black, all is understood. I'm sorry — I missed it. If I said I joined an IFC house because I'm white, what is that supposed to mean? How would Ms. Shields interpret that? Does it mean I would not join an NPHC house because I'm white? I don't know, because I joined my house for reasons beyond race.

And yes, white is the most dominant skin color in my fraternity, but that does not mean that minority members are assimilated. Cultural music plays every night at our house, and I've gone to ethnic restaurants with minority brothers. As Ms. Shields concedes, it is not the organization, but it is people using their skin color to guide their choice. If a house feels comfortable, no matter what the dominant race, it is comfortable. I am sorry if Ms. Shields still feels "alien" to a white-dominated house, and I am even more upset that I know there are more people with similar feelings. So many years, and we still judge a house by the color of its skin and not the content of its character.

Lastly, the debate between the legal drinking age was well-informed and well-argued on both sides. But Aaron Kraft makes a critical error when he says, "The government has the responsibility to protect its citizens and it does so by regulating alcohol." Regulation under the guise of protection has corrupted more governments than I care to name. Free will must be accepted; it is unacceptable to think that because I am a year and a half under the age I have no right to choose. Age as a measure of maturity is pure ignorance. I know many irresponsible, drunk driving people of age and many underage responsible, designated driving people. Drinking and driving should be punished, not preempted.

Samuel Miller

Sophomore, A&S

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