The time has come once again for OU’s most shameful annual tradition: Shack-A-Thon. Ostensibly a charity event aimed at raising money for the university’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, most Greek fraternities and sororities and several campus organizations participate in Shack-A-Thon. They construct “shacks” on the South Oval and solicit donations.
In addition to harassing students all day, participants degrade the poor by putting on what is basically a homeless theme party. They build crude shacks and play around in them all day because, as we all know, poor people live in shacks. They scribble messages on cardboard to solicit donations, parodying street beggars.
Last year, someone shouted to me from the throng of privileged kids playing dress up, “homeless people love DG!” — the initials referring to Delta Gamma, a campus sorority.
Most of the participants probably have no idea how offensive the whole spectacle is. After all, members of the Greek community are not known for their impoverished backgrounds. More than that, I am sure most just see it as an event and think nothing of what the whole display looks like to those coming upon it for the first time from a different background.
Well, let me tell you, it comes off as a crude joke aimed at the poor. It’s a cartoonish display; a spoof of crippling need. Poverty is not depicted as a solemn often silent experience riddled with anxiety, fear, and need; instead it is a quasi-celebration, a good time for people to laugh about while pretending to portray it. In fact, it is such a non-serious thing that participants can feel comfortable saying absurd things about the poor loving a sorority full of wealthy children and no doubt high five one another for their crass cleverness.
If any of the participants had any real concern for the poor, they would be appalled by the total embarrassment that occurs on the South Oval every year. The display is entirely the opposite of an event aimed at helping the poor. To parody, mock, and degrade those you aim to help is perhaps the worst abuse, robbing the needy of their dignity.
When I bring this up to others, it is generally conceded that the theatrics of the event are done in poor taste, but always shrugged off because it is for a good cause and does raise a significant amount of money. But is this really all that is necessary to make an event acceptable?
If I organized and sold tickets for a blackface minstrel show to raise money for the NAACP, would that be acceptable? Of course not. There should be outrage at such a degrading and disgusting mockery no matter how much money it raises for a good cause. What if the KKK held a cross-burning rally at which they collected money for UNICEF? Would that be a perfectly fine event if it resulted in enough money collected? Once again, I doubt you will find many defending such a gathering.
What defenders of Shack-A-Thon also fail to understand is that homeless-themed picnic bashes are not the only way to raise money. There are many more acceptable and non-degrading ways to do so. The Salvation Army manages to raise massive sums of money every year with red buckets and bells. I shudder to think what the red bucket campaign would look like if it were put together by the same people who do the Shack-A-Thon. I can see it now, rich college kids dressed in tatters furiously jangling coins in a Big Gulp cup while aggressively approaching people, screaming incoherently and laughing about it.
It’s safe to say that of all the questionable things that happen in and around this campus, the most consistently embarrassing one is the Shack-A-Thon. I don’t care that it raises money. Do something else to raise money; it’s not like the bulk of the participants are lacking in that department. Degrading and mocking the lives of the very people you seek to help is offensive and I dearly hope that no one who is actually helped by Habitat for Humanity is ever made to witness the annual spectacle that made it possible.
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Fratboy55 1 year, 7 months ago
Ya know if I were Mr. Bruenig I wouldn't be so quick to condemn this shack-a-thon fundraiser. After all, with a philosophy degree and an apparent deficit in journalistic ability he's likely to be receiving compensation from charities such as these after graduation when his obsolete major and general ignorance cause him to live in poverty.
dargus 1 year, 7 months ago
I suggest the shackers get off the oval and go volunteer at the Food for Friends homeless shelter behind Coach's. Of course, this would actually require them to see what homelessness is really like.
ougogreek 1 year, 7 months ago
Say what you will about the Greek community at OU, but they get more done on and off campus than most organizations. On average, a Greek chapter will participate in 2-3 philanthropic events per week. Some Greek chapters, like DG, have created their own philanthropy in addition to the others they are involved in. Before you attack such a great system, step back and think about how much the university would be lacking without them. Can you imagine homecoming, university sing, scandals, or big event without any Greek involvement?
ThatOneGuyFromThatOnePlace 1 year, 7 months ago
I think that those who live in squalor will take their classless generosity over your phony outrage any day.
Also, you compared Greeks to the KKK... Prepare to be torn a new one, kid.
Anon 1 year, 7 months ago
I'm glad that somebody finally said it.
pluralist 1 year, 7 months ago
Right on.
WalkingMan 1 year, 7 months ago
What about those Eat-ins you organized last semester? I was there ready to swipe some homeless people and no one but a bunch of your Students for a Democratic Society people showed up. So I just swiped one of them in, helping you all but not the homeless.
anonymous 1 year, 7 months ago
God forbid people have fun while raising money for a good cause. The heathens!
P.S. I'd like to see an article that isn't so pretentious. Its offensive that this author makes the assumption that all of the Greek community are rich. Why must you insist on reinforcing stereotypes? Articles like this create a divide between the Greek community and those who are not Greek within the OU community. Why not help contribute to OU being a less cliquey place?
P.P.S This article makes me wonder how much the Daily has raised for local charities. Now if someone could find that out, that would be some real journalism!
JohnnyReb 1 year, 7 months ago
Thank you for removing the wool of good intentions from our eyes. While awareness about homelessness needs to be created, there are more mature and engaging methods available. A friend of mine lived as a homeless person in Venice Beach, CA, for a weekend and photographed the whole experience. He uses the photos and stories of the people he met to convey the desperation and hopelessness he encountered. Perhaps shack a thon could be more like a realistic exhibit instead of a sideshow that fails to address the real issue. I wonder how many shack a thon participants actually know a homeless person.
mythman 1 year, 7 months ago
Not everyone who participates in Shack-A-Thon treats it like some kind of crass parody. Don't blame everybody for the actions of a few jerks.
bluejay21ss 1 year, 7 months ago
Shack-a-thon raises a lot of money for the needy. How can you compare the greek system at ou to the KKK? You sound like an angry liberal GDI go to New York with your socialistic, progressive, non-sense...have a nice day I'm going to go raise some money!
jmcl989 1 year, 7 months ago
Don't a few greek houses also participate in the red bucket campaign? and they ring bells outside a few buildings on campus just like all the other Salvation Army Bell-Ringers?
kk 1 year, 7 months ago
It's my understanding that the purpose of Shack-a-thon is to raise awareness about housing issues and substandard living conditions. Seems to me that it's working, however tacky it may be. If the "throng of privileged kids" are impacted by participating in this event then it seems like a success to me. At least they're trying.
wiggin 1 year, 7 months ago
Homeless swarm South Oval for "Frat-A-Thon," throw huge kegger.
dcarne 1 year, 7 months ago
You are really comparing Shack-A-Thon to a KKK cross burning? Great journalism.
Also, the OU Greek community IS involved in Salvation Army red bucket campaign and ringing the bells in December. They do it on campus and throughout Norman. It is nothing like how you describe it would be; they do a good job, and raise a lot of money.
justsomeguy13 1 year, 7 months ago
I think you are on the right track here. I mean, there has to be a better way to raise money for a cause than to annoy the people on the south oval all day. Seriously, in the time that most people volunteered out there today they could have driven home and begged daddy for a check to help out all the poor people.
All the people in fraternities and sororities will likely cite how they do a great deal of volunteer work for the community. Thanks for the effort. But you wouldn't do it unless you were told to. Putting on a facade of altruism and harmony is ridiculous when you consider the fact that these are groups will do anything so that they can to keep partying and acting like the lords of the school. Come down from your ivory towers and realize that no amount of charity work can make up for a lack of morals and humility.
mavsfan31 1 year, 7 months ago
I don't think anyone but the greeks care about U Sing or Scandals. Big Event would do just fine, let's not kid ourselves.
Homecoming would be lacking, I will give you that.
dykasaurus 1 year, 7 months ago
Spot on, Mate.
In response to: It's my understanding that the purpose of Shack-a-thon is to raise awareness about housing issues and substandard living conditions. Seems to me that it's working, however tacky it may be. If the "throng of privileged kids" are impacted by participating in this event then it seems like a success to me. At least they're trying.
How many of the "Greek" kids are actually impacted? They get to dress up and yell like idiots for a "good" cause. If I promise to give money to some needy people can I have a "Greek-a-thon" in which I draw attention to the fact that most "Greeks" are rich kids with no opinions or thoughts of their own? Many of them barely have a brain. Their idea of philanthropy is a joke.
"Here thin, blonde, stupidly dressed army, go out and pretend to have Tourette's to draw attention to the disease...and your selves."
Thin, Blonde, Stupidly dressed "Greek": "Ok!" "Wait...what?" "Like, ok!"
aok44 1 year, 7 months ago
How many Greek members would actually do something good for their fellow human being if it wasn't required of them by their cult? All I hear about is how people in Greek have to do this and do that in order to pad up their resume. And, yes, the majority of the time people who are in Greek are better off financially than most--made apparant by the flashy cars with Greek letters they all drive, which I am sure mommy and daddy paid for. I have a hard time believing that a freshman in Tri-Delta is working and paying for her new Range Rover with all of her extracuriccular activites she is involved in for the betterment of humanity. How can you all pretend that the Greek community is what makes OU so great? YOU are what divides the campus--into the have's and the have-not's. Just about everyone in the Greek community is in denial and loves to think that they are the cat's meow. So, please do us all a favor and not make everything about you and the Greek system! Make it about those in need!
Justsomerandomguy 1 year, 7 months ago
Question to everyone that is bashing this event. What exactly are you doing that raises money for less fortunate if you think this is such a bad thing?
Thanks
Fratdaddy69 1 year, 7 months ago
Butthurt GDI whining about something that wont change. Enjoy not changing anything, ever. The greek community is actually doing something aside from whining. If I see you on campus, I'm totally icing you. Be sure to keep a counter ice in your cargo shorts you GDI.
dykasaurus 1 year, 7 months ago
Wow, is that a threat, Fratdaddy69? What exactly do you mean by "I'm totally icing you?" I think maybe you should be reported. We don't want any violence to come about from this...
johannes 1 year, 7 months ago
@Justsomerandomguy
I give money to charities that use it to actually help people, such as East Main Place or SOS Children's Villages. They debits the money from my checking account. That's how.
@Fratdaddy69 You make being a non-greek sound like a bad thing. Have you considered writing fiction? I bet you'd be good at it.
Soonette 1 year, 7 months ago
I'm sure the Shack-A-Thon is a fun event to organize and participate in but I would like to see our fraternities and sororities use their leadership to respond to this and create a different way to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. It's a fantastic organization and any group that partners with it should exhibit a high degree of respect for the people it serves.
Frankly, its local chapter should make a reasonable request to change this fundraiser's format.
wiggin 1 year, 7 months ago
Everyone complaining about the "comparison between Shackathon and the KKK" needs to read the article again. The KKK is mentioned in order to refute the counter-argument of "well, they are raising money for a good cause, so it is all okay."
Fratdaddy69 1 year, 7 months ago
@dykasaurus LOL GDI you dont know what icing is?! Google bros icing bros and tell me if that's violent. No its not a threat either cause I would never waste an ice on a GDI.
@johannes Being a GDI isn't a bad thing, we're just better than you. Wait no it is a bad thing.
schm7371 1 year, 7 months ago
To everyone pointing out all the other philanthropic things that Greek organizations do on and off campus - it doesn't make Shack-a-Thon any better just because you raise money in other more appropriate ways. And it also doesn't help your case to ask others what they're doing for charity because that still doesn't make Shack-a-thon any less offensive.
This author is completely correct in his comparisons of Shack-a-thon to other, fictional, but still inappropriate fundraisers. Don't you all think this fundraiser should also be an opportunity to raise awareness about the realities of homelessness? How does it help an organization like Habitat for Humanity to just throw money at them and not educate people about the problems they're trying to fix? Social awareness is just as important as the cash raised. Although I do agree that Habitat should take a stand and mandate a change to their fundraiser.
Oh, and to that first commenter - I have known plenty of homeless people who would throw your money right back in your face if you mocked them that way. Just because they are poor and homeless does not mean they aren't human beings with dignity. Just sayin
middleground 1 year, 7 months ago
To the author, you have made some points, namely in that this fundraising event could be done differently. However, you could have done it in a MUCH better fashion.
Your bias against the greek community shouldn't even grace a newspaper. You are reinforcing stereotypes and I would hardly call that journalism.
While reading the comments, I thought I would find more people who could take a minute to get over themselves, but no. It's one thing to critique the author for how he went about writing this article - I can see where Greek students would be upset that what they believe are good actions are being portrayed as awful and lacking of any goodwill. You may even defend yourself. What is not okay is that you then label the author (and other commentors), placing them in a group opposite yourself, and then act in a just as derogative manner.
Two wrongs don't, and will not ever, make a right.
soonersforever 1 year, 7 months ago
How about, instead of wasting time on your computers or writing articles, all you find a better alternative to Shack-a-Thon and actually DO SOMETHING for these homeless that you purportedly care for. I agree that Shack-a-Thon probably isn't the best philanthropy and probably needs to be modified but WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Complaining about Greeks isn't going to get you or the homeless anywhere.
RyanWalkup 1 year, 7 months ago
Although this article does present a very good argument, it would seem that the author's reasoning is tainted by his personal bias concerning his animosity towards frats and sororities. I've seen similar sentiment from the OU Daily, and I have to say that it is, for the most part, unwarranted. You may find several individuals in a frat/sor. who shine a bad light on other members; and unfortunately, these individuals are some of the more visible individuals on campus because of their actions. However, that doesn't mean that any individual writing for the OU Daily can improperly categorize a large faction of individuals, most who are both successful in school and active participants in productive campus activities.
Basically, what I am trying to say is that the OU Daily is complete trash.
pluralist 1 year, 7 months ago
@WalkingMan "What about those Eat-ins you organized last semester? I was there ready to swipe some homeless people and no one but a bunch of your Students for a Democratic Society people showed up. So I just swiped one of them in, helping you all but not the homeless."
The Eat-In was a pilot event to try to figure out new ways of improving food access to the Norman community. It didn't work out quite as well as planned - we did have six people (from the Salvation Army, a few churches, and the like) attend. Volunteers bought dinner for them, and SDS members who showed up to donate meals did swipe in other SDSers and members of Food Not Bombs. To my knowledge, no non-SDS volunteer donated a meal to an SDSer.
The event was not as a successful as we hoped because we failed to foresee that it could be an uncomfortable situation for the attendees, and we have since begun working on strategies to bring food to the people (rather than people to the food).
not_that_guy_again 1 year, 7 months ago
Ice his ass!
kkmichael92 1 year, 7 months ago
PLEASE EVERYONE READ: I would like to explain some things.... 1.) That is completely ridiculous. I worked through the summer on a mission trip WITH homeless people and this organization along with many others including the Salvation Army (the primary organization that I worked with. These NON-PROFIT organizations depend primarily on funds provided from events such as these. I think this whole article is a sour, imaginative game based upon the fact that the author clearly has a grudge of some sort on the Greek system. I would say that I have respect for anyone's opinion, and they have that right, but regarding this article this is clearly disrespectful on the fundamentals that the Greek system was based upon. NOTICE*** that the author didn't mention the other groups featured in this event such as: the LGBT group, several cultural groups etc. Honestly someone needs to do a little more research and self evalution before posting articles such as these.
2.) Regarding the Greek system and philanthropic events... sure we are required to go BUT personally I love doing community service, and actually plan on becoming a Public Relations officer for a conservation organization within the United States. I am Greek. I contribute countless hours of community service OUTSIDE of the required hours. So thanks for your generalizations. They are quite rational.
wowdouch44 1 year, 7 months ago
wow what a douchebag..it must suck to be liked be zero people
alaskaairborne 1 year, 7 months ago
Having participated in both, the fraternity and the residence hall association, as an undergraduate, I can safely say that I understand and appreciate both perspectives. Like anything, there are positives and negatives.
Fraternities and sororities instill a lot of teamwork and camaraderie. And, they invest a lot of time and energy improving the campus and the community. However, there is a lot of privilege. And, they're not known for their diversity -- of race, culture, background, or ideology.
Rather than taking a knee-jerk reaction anytime the Greek community is painted in a bad light and condemning the "bias" of the Oklahoma Daily (who, by the way, provide a lot of positive press coverage), I think it's important to be able to understand and appreciate both, the strengths and weaknesses, of the organizations one chooses to be involved with.
Students don't really get the full university experience unless they step outside of their comfort zone and get involved with different groups of people.
Try deliberately doing something not as a fraternity or a sorority, but as an individual -- something that your brothers and sisters aren't involved with, just to get a different perspective. It helps you grow and develop as a more well-rounded person.
I'm not saying that noone does that, but I can definitely remember a lot of people in my house who could've used more exposure.
Steven Zoeller 1 year, 7 months ago
Wow, so much hate towards this article. Could it be people are suddenly bitter about participating in the Shack-A-Thon? Otherwise, I'm not sure they would disagree so strongly. Mr. Bruenig made several strong points, and succeeded in shifting my own opinion about it. Someone above said they would "ice" him next time he saw Bruenig on campus. Actually, some of the definitions of that ARE violent, by the way. Someone else said this was bad journalism, which is stupid. Bad journalism would be telling you what you want to hear without any honest analysis, like Bruenig offers here. Kudos to the Daily for printing this.
es303 1 year, 7 months ago
I think the only misunderstanding about this article is the Greek system involvement. Yes, I am part of the greek system here at OU, and a lot of us did not like the fact the he singled the greek system out and forget to mention the other organizations that also took part in this event.
Also, Habitat for Humanity does this event NATION WIDE, so it is DEFINITELY not an event that the greek system puts on themselves. If he has such a problem with what HABITAT FOR HUMANITY does, and what events they put on to help raise money to build houses for people, then he should be complaining to them, and not the OU students.
Yeah I agree the greek system is not for everyone, and not everyone is apart of it, but there is NO reason to bash at something people enjoy being apart of. Who cares if we are so called "forced" to do community service, at least we are doing it instead of sitting behind a computer doing absolutely nothing except complaining!
Rickwesand 1 year, 7 months ago
I come from a poor background and, while I was never homeless, I see nothing wrong with having fun while trying to earn money for this most worthy of causes. When an event is completely serious, like you suggest it should be, people are more guilted into giving than if it is fun loving. It also would clear out the entire south oval if everyone is setting around crying. The entire event is meant to draw in students and it did exactly that. I donated more than I thought I would because of the fun atmosphere and detoured down that stretch just to see all the shacks. My point is, if it isn't fun, no one will show up. I personally refuse to attend a candlelight vigil for the homeless on the South Oval. The lighthearted spirit of the event keeps Shack-A-Thon from being a pity party, and it allows us to raise money for a good cause without demeaning an economic demographic by viewing them as pathetic. Also, while many non-Greek students do a lot in the name of philanthropy individually, so do many Greek students. Have you ever considered the possibility that philanthropic involvement can be a drawing point for students to the Greek system? Despite your obvious skepticism, it can be. Furthermore, you are doing nothing but furthering the stereotype of the typical Greek student and making the gap between Greeks and non-Greeks deeper and greater. Imagine what we can accomplish together if we put our differences aside. The bottom line is this: drop your vendetta against the Greek system--it's childish and misinformed. And climb down from your mountain of self-righteousness and rejoin the rest of the world. Your writing this article has not done anything except spur conversation that diverts people away from a program that gathers donations for a good cause.
The4thKing 1 year, 7 months ago
I think the writer missed the whole point, which is to get college kids to donate to habitat for humanity. Being entertaining is the best way to get people to stop at your shack, and raise money for a good cause. The authentic part about the event is when it's 50 degrees at 4 o clock in the morning, and the fun is over. So Bruenig I can honestly say that all participants have a better understanding of what it feels like to be homeless.
BTW instead of making columns like this, you should have been out there with an OU Daily Shack and raising awareness and raising money.
jezbollah 1 year, 7 months ago
Is this piss take? Did your slacker editor throw this bone at you to fillup the white space on a slow news day? If so, I can respectably get with that. But if you’re serious – I’m concerned that you might throw yourself off a bridge someday... DUDE, it’s Higher Ed. – so relax, you’re in already! C’mon now…it’s just not believable when elites try to point the finger at other elites claiming their methodology to cure societal ills is all wrong. Pull the stick outta your ass and go make friends – criticizing without offering an alternative solution makes you look petty and impetuous. AND… based on your enthusiasm to write – I doubt that’s you being – you.
lee2937 1 year, 7 months ago
I couldn't agree more with this article. As I was walking on the oval yesterday, I couldn't be more disgusted with what I saw. It was, in short, a pathetic show of desperate students flaunting themselves in order to have their fellow classmates toss some spare change into their hands. This is nothing less than present day mockery of the life that some people are forced to live day in and day out.
The majority of homeless people don't even have shacks - hence the name "home-less." They sleep on the streets without a roof over their heads - maybe an overpass or a bridge.
If these groups had a sincere desire to help the homeless, they would take a visit to a nearby homeless shelter or the streets of OKC and give their time towards one-on-one interaction with these underprivileged people. I agree.. it is hard to sympathize with the lifestyle of the destitute when you are sitting in a decorated cardboard box with your best friends and your iphone.
A dollar bill or even a thousand bucks won't change someone's life. Making a personal connection with them and letting them know that they are cared for might just let them know that they actually have value as a human being.
oustudent126 1 year, 7 months ago
Where are our school leaders? Do we not have a governing body over these toddlers? They need to be babysat while they do these fundraisers. They are not professional enough or efficient enough to run this show on their own.
raybanbitch 1 year, 7 months ago
Stop focusing on your hate for the greek community and actually do something about your desire for something to change.
student2828 1 year, 7 months ago
This was a great, insightful article. I hope you continue voicing your opinions, and not let some of these ridiculous comments deter you. I respect the Daily a lot more now. It's seriously depressing realizing that some of these people are receiving a university education and can still be so close-minded and idiotic.
ekranyak1 1 year, 7 months ago
You know, I saw this article on Facebook and wondered what it was about, so I clicked on this article. I'm glad I did, it really raises awareness at what type of idiots there are in this world. The idea of a fundraiser is to WORK HARD to raise money for the cause, sure, it can be fun. But it's supposed to leave an impact on you so you know what good of a cause you did, not how much fun you had setting up a "shack".
When you participate in a 30 hour famine for hunger in Africa you make cardboard huts for you and ten other people, which is fun. BUT then we get to sleep in it. In the rain, snow, whatever. We experience the whole thing, we have some fun, but we also go out and collect cans and raise money by raising awareness. Not stupidity.
Also GREAT reference to the KKK. Just because that situation is more extreme, obviously, then the poor it's still an awesome way to open the eyes of the ignorant people who think they're so cool hanging out in shacks all day and harassing people. Guess what, it's not that easy when you're homeless. So the next time you want to try and mock them by screaming out to people and shaking a can in their face, think about a) How STUPID you look and b) is that REALLY making a difference in the world?
And seriously? You guys are college student? You're pathetic.
Keep posting buddy, this was an awesome wake up call for how ignorant people are.
Opinionated3 1 year, 7 months ago
Is this guy seriously this ignorant? I'm sorry but people like this are the ones who piss me the hell off. Only someone that's truly not happy with themselves and with nothing else to do would have the time to nit-pick at something that is going for the greater good. Seriously, take a step back and look at the bonding this created, not only within the individual groups, but also on our campus. The "shacks" were not meant to be a mockery of the homeless, but to provide a visual and have fun with the project. Shut-up with your "bs". If you'd rather it not happen next year and it really bothers you THAT MUCH, just match the amount of money we raised this year and pull it out of your own pocket and propose that the shacks not be built next year. Wait, that wouldn't work cause you're the only who is so against it.
P.S. Thanks to everyone who helped this year. It went great! Can't wait for next year!
Cybersurgeon 1 year, 7 months ago
Honestly, I think almost every negative comment on this article is pretty hypocritical. You claim you did such a great thing, and then turn around and act like massive douchebags by crying out for "icing" or going back to thinking that just because someone is a GDI, he is worse than a frat member. I used to be in a frat, I left of my own volition. Not because of any problems or discipline, but because I was tired of dealing with the massive hypocrisy involved.
If you don't like what this author said, then you can inform him of that without making yourself seem like an idiot. I disagree with him on some points, but you don't see me attacking his right to make them.
Finally, if you have such a huge complaint about all of the "inaccuracies" with this article, why don't you post your own article for rebuttal, in an educated fashion? Just a thought. We all claim to be educated, time to act like it.
MariahWebb 6 months, 3 weeks ago
I found that politely asking them to "SHUT THE FK UP AND GET OUT OF MY FKING WAY!!!" worked rather nicely.