Jail and Bail naysayers stole fun, charity, respect for fraternity
Mark Hensch
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Opinion
The amount of furor over the Sigma Chi Jail and Bail debacle (which, we must remember, is rooted in philanthropy) is much ado about nothing.
First, let's review the facts all sides must acknowledge. At its heart, the Sigma Chi Jail and Bail is an event with years of tradition behind it. It is an event that many have taken part in and many have enjoyed. It is nothing new and nothing unexpected. With this in mind, no one should honestly say that the event itself caught them by surprise.
We must also note Sigma Chi's Jail and Bail event (and all other Sigma Chi Derby Days events) is a fundraiser for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. For all the bellyaching about abduction and incarceration, the price of getting out is a measly $2. Even better, if you are on the cheap end of the spectrum, you could always pay the minuscule $1 to have a friend carted off instead. That small $1 or $2 will be used in research toward cancer prevention. Now, tell me, who can possibly argue against that for any reason?
The answer, apparently, is quite a few people. Many said they found the Sigma Chi members boorish, rude and grabby during the Jail and Bail. As true as this may or may not be, I have to say that the fraternity definitely came out of this one worse than any "victim." Let's compare.
At worse, a Jail and Bail victim might have been annoyed or subjected to inconvenience. Some minor injuries were reported, but in honesty, a scrape or cut is a small injury indeed. I'm not trying to minimize the suffering of the people who were scared, hurt or disgusted during the event.
Hillsdale is (thankfully) a place of diverse and varied opinions, and as such, we have a student body embodying the full spectrum of ideas. To some, the concept of rowdy and machismo-drenched fun is crude, Neanderthal and degrading. There is no harm in this belief, and in fact, the world is a better place thanks to men who are gentlemanly and women who respect them for it. However, is it worth physically struggling against people and creating a scene when a dollar or two towards cancer research would have avoided the misfortune in mere seconds?
First, let's review the facts all sides must acknowledge. At its heart, the Sigma Chi Jail and Bail is an event with years of tradition behind it. It is an event that many have taken part in and many have enjoyed. It is nothing new and nothing unexpected. With this in mind, no one should honestly say that the event itself caught them by surprise.
We must also note Sigma Chi's Jail and Bail event (and all other Sigma Chi Derby Days events) is a fundraiser for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. For all the bellyaching about abduction and incarceration, the price of getting out is a measly $2. Even better, if you are on the cheap end of the spectrum, you could always pay the minuscule $1 to have a friend carted off instead. That small $1 or $2 will be used in research toward cancer prevention. Now, tell me, who can possibly argue against that for any reason?
The answer, apparently, is quite a few people. Many said they found the Sigma Chi members boorish, rude and grabby during the Jail and Bail. As true as this may or may not be, I have to say that the fraternity definitely came out of this one worse than any "victim." Let's compare.
At worse, a Jail and Bail victim might have been annoyed or subjected to inconvenience. Some minor injuries were reported, but in honesty, a scrape or cut is a small injury indeed. I'm not trying to minimize the suffering of the people who were scared, hurt or disgusted during the event.
Hillsdale is (thankfully) a place of diverse and varied opinions, and as such, we have a student body embodying the full spectrum of ideas. To some, the concept of rowdy and machismo-drenched fun is crude, Neanderthal and degrading. There is no harm in this belief, and in fact, the world is a better place thanks to men who are gentlemanly and women who respect them for it. However, is it worth physically struggling against people and creating a scene when a dollar or two towards cancer research would have avoided the misfortune in mere seconds?
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Hugh
posted 10/25/07 @ 1:39 PM EST
The entire premise of this op-ed is based on the author's totally arbitrary discernment that if a bail fee is "measly", it should be paid. Maybe most people would agree that $1-2 is "worth it", but when does it stop being measly? Five dollars? Ten? Who decides?
I admit that two dollars is next to nothing, but to claim that it was the "naysayers" who victimized the philanthropy is insulting and wrong. (Continued…)
Phil
posted 10/29/07 @ 2:47 PM EST
I thought this article was stupid and illogical. Forced philanthropy really isn't philanthropy. If it is okay to force philanthropy then would it be acceptable to go to the Sig Chi house and steal their TV and sell it to a pawn shop and give the proceeds to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation?
Hugh
posted 10/30/07 @ 12:24 PM EST
Why was Hensch's reply, as well as my second comment, deleted? I posted my reply to his reply on Sunday night.
Graeme
posted 4/26/09 @ 10:41 AM EST
I was looking at this from over here in England, and I had some questions about how this worked.
One, if a victim does not want to play along, how much force is used on them?
Two, suppose they do not have any money to "post bail" and can not contact anyone to post it for them, how long are they kept incarcerated. (Continued…)
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