The article in Friday’s Alligator about a Swamp Party email sent to UF fraternity house representatives describes what “business as usual” is for the party in power.
Business as usual is treasurers of each fraternity cutting Swamp Party checks for $250, no questions asked, because “it is done every semester” and it’s “nothing new.”
Business as usual is using the “I Voted” stickers to publicly shame brothers into voting for Swamp Party.
Business as usual is preventing people from hearing different viewpoints by slamming the door in the opposing party’s face.
And I know it’s business as usual because I’ve been there.
When I was a sophomore, I was a house representative for the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
My job was to collect as many “I Voted” stickers from my brothers as I could and to make sure those who hadn’t voted yet made it to the polls.
However, this lack of individual political freedom led me to be so frustrated and so disenfranchised with the system that I decided I couldn’t be involved with it anymore. So for the last two years, I ignored Student Government.
But this year, I decided I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I decided it was time to stand up for what’s right for all students — to stand up for fair representation at UF and free elections during which no one is coerced into voting a certain way.
As a Greek, I know the importance of the Greek community and its ideas. I believe SG will greatly benefit from including students from all backgrounds and organizational affiliations. By working together, we can better serve the interests of every student at UF.
Erasing the divide between the Greek community and other students at UF is crucial to making SG an institution we can be proud of.
If elected, my administration will never judge people based on their organizational affiliation. Instead, we will select the best, most qualified candidates students, who are both Greek and non-Greek.
Students Party isn’t a party just for Greeks or just for non-Greeks. It is a party for all UF students — a party to which everyone’s invited.
You can respond to Johnny via opinions@alligator.org.
