I sit in Chapel every fall and look out across Moody, curiously observing the armies of yellow skirts, red lipstick and navy blazers. I breathe a sigh of relief, rejoicing in the fact that I am not among them.

Honestly I have always believed myself to be above “buying” my friends and participating in secret nights of initiation and have wondered how so many seemingly intelligent people could become sucked into such an obvious hole of conformity and sameness.

However, Tuesday’s editorial criticizing social clubs and the pledging process left a bitter taste in my mouth. Initially I was not sure why. After all, I have always agreed: social clubs are exclusive. Twenty-something -year-old college students are suddenly transported back to an elementary school playground, standing in front of a line of would-be dodge-ballers, painstakingly picking their teams. This “choosing a few and excluding the rest” is certainly not a practice exercised by Christ and is most certainly not something I wish to be a part of.

I’m here to admit, however, that I am a part of it. I, as do most of us, belong to an unofficial social club. My friends have a “type,” the kind of person who looks like someone we would be friends with. There is also the type of person my friends don’t ever see, the quiet, socially inept, unfashionable, non-so-smart loner-type, the person we would never think to invite to hang out with us.

We too are picking teams.

It was also said that “clubs don’t do anything throughout the year that requires its members to be stronger” Last Tuesday I rode my bike to Catclaw Creek for Night Riders, with no greater purpose than jumping into a stagnant brown creek, but I recall a group of young men riding their bikes to California last spring in order to raise money for charity.

I have never been a member of a social club at ACU, and I am not here to justify any of their actions. I simply believe that until I ride my bike to California, until I can accept all people, until I love the way Christ loves, I am in no position to be pointing fingers.

Stephanie Kelsey

senior biology major from Capitan, N.M.