We believe this is a cycle that will continue if left unchecked. Recruiting a diverse class does nothing to alleviate this structural flaw. This member has asked to remain anonymous for fear of professional retribution. However, it is modeled after one and I think that it is time to realize that distinction. Ultimately, this member decided not to join after citing similar concerns.
Given these facts, we cannot in good conscience move forward with Phoenix knowing the harm that secret societies have caused and will continue to inflict if still in existence. No amount of rebranding can plaster over the inherently problematic nature of these organizations.
If there was one redeeming quality we found in Phoenix, it was the random friendships that it fostered between our members. Despite our class meeting mostly over Zoom, we recognize and appreciate the value in bringing together people who would likely never otherwise cross paths. We hope that interest in forming new senior-year cross-campus friendships rises from the ashes of our decision, though we believe it needs to be completely separate from the existing constructs of senior secret societies on campus.
Beyond discontinuing our own organization, we believe the dissolution of all secret societies to be in the best interest of the U-M community. While The Da Vinci Code novelist Dan Brown and his contemporaries have shined a light upon some of the bigger secret fraternal organizations like the Order of Skull and Bones, Freemasons, Rosicrucians and the Illuminati, there are still other, lesser-known groups that have compelling stories of their own.
Here are just a few:. In , the Seattle Republican reported on the Order of Elks , writing that "it is claimed by members and officers that it is one of the most thriving secret societies among Afro-Americans of this city. Formally called the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, the order was once considered to be at the center of the black community. During the era of segregation, the lodge was one of the few places where black men and women could socialize, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote.
In recent years, however, the Post-Gazette commented that the secret organization has struggled to retain its relevance. Still, the secret society continues to sponsor educational scholarship programs, youth summer computer literacy camps, parades as well as community service activities throughout the world. The paper wrote , "Lord Clarendon has been holding communication with an illegal society in Dublin for upwards of ten days.
The Grand Orange Lodge, with its secret signs and pass-words , has been plotting with his Excellency during the whole of that period. The Grand Orange Lodge is still around today with clubs in Ireland, as well as others around the world. Orangeism does not foster resentment or intolerance. Condemnation of religious ideology is directed against church doctrine and not against individual adherents or members.
Perhaps one needs to be a member of the altruistic and friendly society known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows to know for sure when the club first started, but the first written record of the order comes in , however, and it references George IV. Even before he was named Prince Regent of the United Kingdom, George IV, had been a member of the Freemasons, but as the story goes, when he wanted a relative of his to be admitted to the society without having to to endure the lengthy initiation process, the request was emphatically denied.
George IV left the order, declaring he would establish a rival club , according to a history of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows published by the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph in The official website of the order, however, traces the clubs origins all the way back to The Odd Fellows, as they call themselves, are grounded in the ideals of friendship, love and truth. The Knights of Pythias was founded by Justus H.
The meaning of this phrase has never been defined. In reality, each class of Phoenix is tapped by friends in previous classes, compounding issues of elitism and homogeneity that have long plagued our organization. A BIPOC Phoenix member of the class of — who remains anonymous in the statement for fear of professional retribution — wrote that joining the club raised ethical concerns for them and made them question their place in the organization. I did and still do believe that Phoenix is not a racist society.
However, it is modeled after one and I think that it is time to realize that distinction. We respect the time and care that these seniors took in making their decision. We look forward to reflecting on our experiences within the organization.
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