So, I’m a senior, and here’s what I see when I look behind me:
The Bro. He is like a snake slithering around our arms and biting between our knuckles before we can look him in the eyes and ask him what for. A Bro is also this: a disdainful, morally inept athletic or once-athletic college male who not only lacks sincere human empathy, but uses this lack to his advantage. He is an anarchist-capitalist. He is close to being a sociopath: “a person…whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.”
But sociopathy is congenital; Bros have been failed by a society or a family that has systematically disregarded their moral development, and because Bros are born into riches, they are released into a world which will gladly take their money in spite of their socially parasitic ways.
However, not all athletes are Bros. But most Bros are athletes, and most if not all Bro athletes are on those two certain teams that need not be named. I want to emphasize that there are some really great people who play varsity sports and are sadly lumped together with this stereotype I’m reinforcing. These “good” guys have happily integrated into the vocation of the “Student” whereas the offenders have yet to peek out from their guises as “Student-Athletes,” or rather, “Athletes” who nominally participate in academia. When did these people start becoming a problem at Conn?
The floodgates opened a few years ago when the newly crowned president decided, very shrewdly and with no abandon, to overhaul the college’s image in the face of the school’s relative decline in rankings. It is Higdon’s unilateral project, when one skips the rhetorical hogwash, to increase the endowment of this institution, this brand, this corporation. It is, some would say, a “necessary evil” that has created a strict paradigm upon which the school has begun to transform the college identity into a more market-friendly product. Market-friendly in liberal arts now connotes a “do it all” school like Williams College.
Suddenly and unrealistically, Conn changed from a toned-down Wesleyan to a baby Duke. We are nearing a state at which our school doesn’t have students with varying interests, but rather, puzzle pieces. Admissions needs specific proportions of each “type” of student (athlete, activist, creative, intellectual) in order for the new paradigm to work.
It is a quick-response strategy for downsizing that works in corporate offices where tradition and values matter less than worker efficiency. At a college where alumni presumably care more about their alma mater’s reputation than they do about their old workplace’s, rapid-change business practices do not always result in happy alumni.
To keep investors happy, businesses either reinvent themselves or they expand. Reflecting on the two most publicized reforms, the new camel mascot and the new athletic facility, there is no doubt that reinvention is Higdon’s M.O. Values are sacrificed for image, and the judicial system and student governance which once depended on the democratic model of the self-policing citizen to enforce community values are no longer sufficient. The deterioration of the Honor Code, the lost and whining child prodigy of Conn, is an effect of the school’s shifted focus to grab quick capital to mend our ranking woes and insecurities as a school falling off the mini-Ivy bandwagon.
Though it’s hard to believe, the Honor Code was once a truly significant part of student life. But after seeing the college jump on academic violations and shy away from social ones, I’m not sure I trust the Honor Code to still be a relevant tool in student self-governance.
However corrupt it gets, though, as long as we throw in a truckload of benefit shows (there are way too many of these), a Take Back the Night, and a dozen other under attended lectures and workshops on women’s rights, men’s rights, babies’ rights and earth’s rights, trustees and other donors should be satisfied by the annual list of important educational gatherings.
Let the world-burdened kids play with their idealism, but don’t let it infect the minds of our mercenary athletes or else they might miss a game-winning shot while pondering the horrors of rape. After all, selfish people are model capitalist citizens; they are undistracted, they are stubborn and they often see the world as a video game with a reset button.
At a bigger school, Bros can get away with hubris, but here, where walls are thin and stories disseminate, the transgressions of an individual do not often go unseen. We’ve all done stupid crap that we’ve paid for, and then we learn to smarten up. When values are shared, this system of mutual evaluation and judgment works. But Bros create a rupture in the value system of this small community by bringing in a wave of destructive thoughtlessness and making it look so appropriate and fun.
They need to be corralled and taught values, but that responsibility belongs to God-knows-who. Usually I don’t call for cultural assimilation, but these Bros aren’t exactly a marginalized group, and they’re really annoying in the library – especially the night before an Econ exam.
Okay, Bro, this last Bud’s for you: I’m not asking you to give $10 to a Haiti fund, or attend a seminar on sexual violence, or talk to someone who doesn’t belong to the superior race. I’m not even asking you to stop using women, or using discriminatory language against people who look or live differently from you, because I know you’ll never listen to that preachy crap. Besides, you’re top of the food chain here. But as long as you refuse your role as a Student and disregard or senselessly offend those who refuse to kowtow to your serial egomania, you will be pigeonholed as brutish and moronic and you will be a nameless stereotype.
I’m asking you to accept your marginalization as long as you continue to isolate yourself in your bubble of undeserved privilege and ignorance. If you just sat down and asked, “Why am I the way I am?” you might actually be able to turn your privilege into something useful and be a good person. Hope for Bros Benefit Show today.
I’ll end by citing a quote in last week’s Voice concerning the new mascot: “Our new mascot is much sportier – it’s more like a big, Division I University.” My response to this Freudian slip is, why didn’t you go to UCONN if you wanted that Division I feel?
Can we not be proud that we have no football team (yet), no pep rallies and no official frats? It’s what makes us Camels. I came here to avoid that type of proximity to the freaky cult of college sports, and suddenly it’s all up in my grill on my Facebook News Feed, telling me the Lacrosse team is 8-0, then 9-0. School pride is one thing, but artificially forcing our college to conform to the ideal “do it all” school where sports are as integral as academics leaves a lot of us asking, “Why did I go to a school that just wants to fit in with the athletic rich kids?”
Come on man, you’re a senior. Time to stop being a whiny little bitch. And to think, I almost attended Conn College.
Jake:
I’m not even sure if you’re following the feed of responses to your article. If you are, I’ll be on campus on Sunday and would like to maybe meet you for lunch at Cro—if you’re up for it. I think we can have a healthy and productive conversation. Please contact me at josephjhiggins@gmail.com.
Joe Higgins ’06
Jake,
Lets not skirt the issue here, you’re complaining about the behavior of student athletes and maybe SOME of their non-athlete friends, but don’t pretend that your criticism falls widely outside of the lacrosse and hockey teams. You are not going to change an entire social culture by writing a newspaper article, period. So what can you do? Easy, ignore them! You are complaining about literally 40 out of 1900 people on campus. Don’t let 2% of the population ruin your college experience. If you don’t like people being loud in the library, maybe you shouldn’t study on the first floor. There are plenty of other people at Conn to be friends with…go find them, and then laugh at the ‘bros’ together!
What seems most problematic about this thread – as with most like it – is that it quickly becomes a vehicle for us to publicly express our knee-jerk contemplations and unfettered feelings. The issue, of course, is that what we say here can (and probably will) come at a cost to all of us who have some vested interest in seeing CC become a greater institution.
(It seems plausible that by now some perspective student reading this thread will have changed his/her mind about attending Conn. And I see no reason why two years from now places like US NEWS & World Report will reframe from using student online comments to “judge” the value of an education.)
To be clear, I think Jake’s arguments are both sound and problematic. But in my opinion those who feel insulted should search for, consider, and if necessary, recognize and own up to those truths behind Jake’s words – because there are truths there.
Similarly, I’d like to think that those of us who take pride in jakes reflections would come to recognize it’s many problems. Primarily, that he makes so many assumptions. For example, when Jake dehumanizes the term “Bro” he is vilifying any one who chooses to take on that identity. Yet, it is certainly possible – and I know it to be the case – that there are some athletes who identify as “Bros” and who are also ‘good’ people. Just as it’s likely the case that not all “Bros” are wealthy? And just as it’s true that there are many non-Bro assholes. Hence, those of us who are calling on the college administration and the college community to hold Jerk-Unconscious-Irresponsible-Athletes should probably also be calling for accountability of ALL Jerk-Unconscious -Irresponsible- People.
I recently read that the problem with stereotypes is not that they are not real, but that they limit the ways in which we can imagine the very folks we stereotype.
I’d like to imagine that self-identified Bro’s could be better people; I’d like to imagine that Jerk-Unconscious-Irresponsible-Athletes can be better people; and I’d like to believe that ALL Jerk-Unconscious- Irresponsible- People could be better folks.
But, Jake is right when he asks whether these folks are willing to imagine themselves as better people?
this kid is clearly a pussy… as are all the others that back him.. i wish they knew that this is fuel for all the “bros” on campus. they probably dont care at all!!! This is not going anywhere. Sorry you guys could never run a sub 6 40!! woooo suckkassss.
JEALOUS MUCH?!!??!?!!? just wondering…
-sorry for my lack of big words
Why do you have to call him a pussy for speaking his mind? Take the criticism and if you don’t agree with it let him know in a more civil way, use your head. To be blunt..you sound like a jackass who’s uncomfortable with himself. I agree and disagree on some of the issues he brings up but I’m not going to attack him for what I disagree with. I think he’s brave for speaking his mind and putting himself out there and people like you who attack him for having a different mindset are the real cowards. Oh and a little advice.. when you stop comparing and competing with people thats when you’ll get respect..stop bragging about how much more athletic you are than some people because its not going to get you anywhere unless your a D1 athlete who’s going pro and I doubt you are.
I’d agree with Tycho Brohe – it’s difficult to determine if the article is anything other than hate mail fluffed up with heavy rhetoric in an attempt by the author feel that he is morally, ethically, and academically superior to those he criticizes. However, I find it hard to believe that anyone could read the article and not feel disturbed by the manner in which it criticizes everything from student organized benefits, to the administration, to the (well needed) improvements to the athletic center.
I’d be prepared to concede that the article could have raised a handful of reasonable issues about a small sub-segment of the student body, however I don’t see a single detail explaining the reasoning for the author’s disdain. Rather than explaining his anger, the author immediately jumps into hateful characterizations, calling his classmates “sociopaths” and “anarchist-capitalists”. From there the author leads into a hate rant that should brutally offend anyone that is proud to be a part of the Conn Coll community.
I graduated from Conn in ’06 and never loved everyone on campus, but those I didn’t care for I ignored. Now as an alum I remain proud of Conn. and love hearing of the school’s accomplishments. These successes include the completion of the new AC, the success of the lacrosse team, the growth of the endowment, the success of its students & graduates, the development of academic programs, etc. This article was a gross insult to the community of which I and many others are proud to be apart of. While we’re not a utopian community, the campus can resolve its weaknesses in far more productive ways without the input from those who seem to hate everything there is about Conn.
Lastly, to those who are as offended as I was by the article, lashing out with equally immature remarks only brings you down to the author’s level. As educated conn students and with open minds, try to see that those remarks aren’t helpful. I’ll concede some are funny, but make those comments to your buddies and don’t add to this chain unless it’s useful.
hear, hear!
The hateful, hipster fag and pussy filled responses here and on brobible just go to show that constructive dialogue is not the immediate result of a piece as blunt and convicting as this one. Some of the ways Jake went about getting his point across were more effective at pitting every self-identifying bro bull against him than they were at putting a leash on these animals’ behavior.
Jake’s use of the term “bro” connoted the generalization of all bros as the sub-bro species he is describing. He does identify that not all athletes are bros and that not all bros are athletes, but he doesn’t go to great lengths to differentiate the destructive bros between the non-destructive bros. As a result, every bro now has their mesh in a bundle.
I agree with the substantive arguments that Jake makes in the article, concerning the changing public image of the school and the need for a reform of values among the small demographic who cannot differentiate between what is appropriate and what is not. It is just unfortunate that, so far, this discussion has served to further polarize this sect of student living from the rest of the campus!
Bashing accomplishes nothing. Unlike many of the comments I’ve read, some of Jake’s words were written in jest. By citing the privileged, anarchist-capitalistic nature of some individuals, he was painting the picture of an extreme. I believe this to be the case with much of the piece, and I think it was done with good reason; who would want the last article of their collegiate career to be an unremarkable blah-blah that gets little attention and therefore fails to spark a real discussion?!
Jake hit the nail on the head in this respect. Assuming this hatefest blows over, which it no doubt will, I think that truly meaningful discussion will come as a direct result of this article. This is what journalism is all about! Somebody writes a fantastic article, albeit edgy and controversial in its own right, that article receives a storm of criticism and support from every direction, and then people start thinking about all these previously unclear thoughts in the jumbled scaffolding of their minds and sorting out all of their personal beliefs and opinions that, before reading the article, were just a pile of building materials with no blueprint. This article isn’t the blueprint- there is no blueprint- but I think it could ultimately help everyone come to terms with the current state of this campus community, as well as the future aspirations of the college. Maybe it will even motivate us to change- which isn’t to say that the Obama stickers on our laptops haven’t been doing that all along…
Hi all — it’s great to see constructive dialogue about this issue. Let’s try to continue to keep the conversation constructive and related to the subject at hand. Personal attacks and threats toward the author or any campus individuals, on either side, will not be tolerated.
Please keep in mind, to those who are writing discriminatory comments, that your IP addresses are all visible and can easily be tracked. “Name” and “Email address” can be fabricated, but this doesn’t guarantee confidentiality.
Lilah Raptopoulos
Editor-in-Chief
Lilah,
It’s great to see that an editor in chief supports slander and discrimination. You say you want to keep the comments constructive, but where were you when this article was being printed? This article is far from constructive, its the most destructive article written in the voice and go figure its the last issue of the year. Personal attacks toward the author are what you are concerned with, but what about the attacks on a small group of people who are viewed differently by others? Discrimination-the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually b : prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment. So you are expecting that the group being discriminated against by this article are going to lie down at take such a deliberate and slanderous attack? Slander-the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation. This article is one person’s opinion, or maybe yours too, about a small group on campus. There are no facts presented just childish remarks that are meant to harm a group of peoples reputation at Conn. Jake talks about the honor code and you proofed this article, what about the honor code saying ” I pledge to take responsibility for my beliefs, and to conduct myself with integrity, civility, and the utmost respect for the dignity of all human beings. I pledge that my actions will be thoughtful and ethical and that I will do my best to instill a sense of responsibility in those among us who falter”. Where is the integrity in the article or the respect and dignity for all human beings? Are Bros not human beings because we like “lobster’s on our shorts” and to party hard? I don’t know who appointed you Editor-in-Chief but what a joke. Jake brought all of this on himself by thinking of writing such an article and you are to blame for allowing it to go to print. Both of you are hypocrites and have tarnished what Connecticut College stands for. This has now reached mainstream websites and Conn is the laughing stock of the internet. Congratulations on doing such a fine job as editor-in-chief.
Well said!
Lilah, what are you going to do with the IP addresses of people that comment? I’ve seen absolutely nothing illegal here. Stop defending a terrible attempt at journalism and maybe your newspaper wouldn’t be the laughingstock of thousands of people right now.
people can comment whatever they feel like commenting, its called freedom of speech…you suck
Listen gang, no one likes labeling, that’s a given. Labeling is a cheap ploy utilized by old Hollywood to get people to go see movies like “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Animal House”. They pit stereotypes against stereotypes creating caricatures out of the archetypal athlete and the archetypal slacker. I understand that no one likes to be called a Bro, just as no one likes to be called a Hipster or a Nerd. These are labels that help to fuel both superiority as well as inferiority complexes throughout the college culture. A skinny kid who was beat on and never got laid in high school might don a pair of skinny acid-wash jeans and listen to music that no one seems to understand simply to they can find some escape from the “bro culture” that they were a victim of in their youth. A naive boarding-school athlete who has never been exposed to girls or minorities until he turned 18 might find himself equally uncomfortable when trying to assimilate to a liberal arts college that has quite an abundance of both women and minorities. To make ourselves feel more comfortable in our environments we create self governed factions within the student body made up of like-minded individuals; each group is bound to develop their own rhetoric, be it the asinine non-sequiturs of Hipsters or the slow witted bigoted jokes of Bros. What I think Jake was trying to get at in his article was his disappointment in the change that Conn is going through right now. By putting a fortune into a new athletic center and Camel mascot, and by discussing the possibility of consolidating the Arabic, German and Russian studies into one major, Conn is sending out a very specific message: the college is steering away from the laissez-faire, liberal arts persona and towards the more conservative guise of a traditionally competitive private institution like Trinity. While this may delight some students, in this case being the athletes who have, on record, shown only appreciation for the new mascot, it also troubles many who came to Conn specifically because of Conn’s past history of leftist leanings, an environmentally conscious campus, as well as a safe haven for people of all walks of life, regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation. By beginning to accept wealthier students who come from increasingly conservative backgrounds, and by altering our mascot to the more aggressive camel, Conn is inadvertently ostracizing a large portion of the student population on this campus, causing many to feel unsafe and threatened. While Jake’s article may have appeared to be strictly an attack on Bro culture on this campus, it is also a anguished cry against the direction that Conn is moving in, and I hope that it is a cry that Hidgon and the rest of this campus will listen to before it’s too late.
-Dave Alfonso
Well done, Dave.
To Jake- I get what you were going for, but you fail to address any concerns adequately and instead only serve to offend and ostracize what is now a large portion of our student body.
It’s unfortunate that this piece is getting picked up left and right by other news outlets while the pieces on Peter St. John have not. It was my hope that with a little attention to that story, perhaps some of the problems Jake is addressing about the culture of our school as a whole would be addressed.
Yes people do like to be called bro. The label itself is a sense of entitlement and a sign that you are better than everyone in the world period. Its obvious why people hate bros, its the same reason why people hate the Yankees its because they are the best at what they do. and Bros in this situation are the best at life. LAX BROS rule
This has to be one of the most frustrating articles I have ever read. I do not even attend Conn College but have friends, who I consider bros, that do. Since when are colleges required to cater to the needs of one specific type of person, in this instance Jake? I thought the wonder of college is that YOU are free to CHOOSE where you attend school, and you have the freedom to associate with whoever you choose to. When I got to college, I pledged a frat and made some great bros in the process. But never did I feel some sort of disdain or resentment toward those who choose to study in the library on a friday night or go on service trips to third world countries. I choose to spend my time broadening my social horizons, while others may choose to broaden their academic or cultural horizons in other ways. The actions of others I don’t associate with doesn’t tend to occupy much of time, to the contrary of the author. This article clearly stereotypes “Bros” as rich, white, athletic college males that wouldn’t even think of “talk(ing) to someone who doesn’t belong to the superior race.” WHAT? When did this article ever become about race, and why did the author feel the need to include that aspect when it was clearly unnecessary.
PS I like how the word Lacrosse isn’t featured until the last paragraph, but the article features a picture of an old-school CC lax team, which was probably full of great bros back in the day.
pps The author seems pretty jealous of the athletic success of these bros, possibly envious of the attention and acclaim they receive? Those athletes put in countless hours of hard work and dedication, but I’m sure the author didn’t make it past co-ed teeball in first grade.
“Are Bros not human beings because we like “lobster’s on our shorts” and to party hard?”
The article did not attack those aspects of bro culture. The article in fact attacked bros for their misogyny, rude behavior, and destructive tendencies, as well as their lack of contribution in the classroom. NOBODY can disagree with the fact that there is a group of people on campus who share the above characteristics. Whether or not they are athletes is only loosely related.
Yes. Bros are human beings, but when you get them together in groups and introduce alcohol, they act a whole lot more like rabid apes than humans. Everyone can contribute at least one anecdote of bros doing EXACTLY what the stereotypes dictate.
By far, the worst thing about the whole debate is that bros are only denying and pointing fingers in other directions. If you think you’re a real man, own up to your shit.
you are an idiot, ever heard of work hard play hard?
get money bros!
A few themed questions (for the author):
1. over/under: 50.5 times you used an online thesaurus? (betting tip: bet the over everyone)
2. How many times can you make a general statement without supporting it?
“Here’s what I see when I look behind me: The Bro.”
What? Why is a bro behind the author? what does that mean? Looking behind, when used figuratively, usually implies some sort of history. What history is this? Do you ever mention it? Why does this matter?
“When did these people start becoming a problem at Conn?”
Who said it was a problem? Again, what wrong did bros ever do? You imply something in the FOURTH TO LAST PARAGRAPH, and STILL fail to specifically state any transgressions. You imply Bros exist in their own social group, yet defined them as anti-social sociopaths.
Every statement is like this!
3. “I’ll end by citing a quote in last week’s Voice concerning the new mascot: “Our new mascot is much sportier – it’s more like a big, Division I University.” My response to this Freudian slip is, why didn’t you go to UCONN if you wanted that Division I feel?”
How is that a freudian slip at all? Do you know the definition of a Freudian slip? Did you even end the article after citing last week’s Voice?
Jake, you fail to articulate any concise reason to hate or marginalize Bros. You didn’t even note that anyone was marginalizing Bros, but they marginalization would happen. I think your overall point is that Conn College has changed from the institution you thought you were joining when you decided to attend. And somehow this rant is based on Bros. Again, how are they relevant to your discussion at all? Has CC lax become the only thing the board bases their decisions on? Is this really your argument?
You’re a senior. Four years at CC and you’ve failed to learn how to articulate a point. Perhaps CC was never the best institution for you. Try high school again.
It is sad that a person is so offended by people who do not share his views, philosophy, or background. There is a particularly disturbing and telling sentence, “They need to be corralled and taught values, but that responsibility belongs to God-knows-who”, that shows that this person believes that he is the best judge of what is right and wrong in the world and in people. He writes with such broad sweeping and unsubstantiated allegations that it is truly sad that it was allowed to be printed. Would the paper have allowed an article that was written in the converse to be published? Could I have submitted an article making statements about a group that this person may or may not belong to at the school? I really feel sad that this person is so very angry and unhappy with his life. I am very frightened by his belief that he is the best judge of how everyone else should live. He should remember that all people are afforded the right to live their lives and associate or not associate with others as they see fit.
It would have been useful if a few facts had entered the article.
The Ivy League is home to schools that boast some of the finest sports teams in the country (i.e. Cornell recent run in the NCAA basketball tourney). While Conn is not Cornell, this is but one of many examples that shows that the pursuit of excellence in academia does not have to be mutually exclusive with successful sports teams. Taking umbrage at an email or Facebook News Feed that touts the success of your college’s team is no reason to take up arms. If you’re not interested, just delete or ignore it. Those who are old enough remember that Conn enjoyed some of its highest rankings in US News while its basketball was making trips to the Final Four.
I would also argue that mediocrity in any form (in this case athletics), especially on so small a campus, can be dangerous. An acceptance or expectation of losing can become pervasive and contribute to feelings of inferiority in other areas – much to the detriment of future pursuits. Winning is a contagious attitude and by shoring up weaker aspects of the college, everyone gets a boost. We should applaud and rally behind our winning teams (and still certainly support the valiant efforts of others on teams coming up just short), as they often serve as the face of a winning student body that excels in so many of their diverse pursuits.
Like many other of the finest schools in the world, Conn can and should aspire to have students who excel in the classroom, community, and on athletic fields. Not to slight past generations of sports playing Camels (a group of which I am a member) or the incredible achievements of those who competed in some of the less visible programs, but many alums see this as a goal that is in reach and are optimistic about achieving it. This article may be a reflection of the growing pains that are involved in realizing this state, but it is a worthwhile pursuit and we should not be dissuaded by those who view collegiate athletics as a meaningless or “freaky” endeavor.
Although I don’t attend Conn, I attend what is probably a very similar NESCAC school (face it, with the exception of maybe Wesleyan, most NESCAC schools have pretty identical student bodies). As a NESCAC athlete, I see where the author is coming from, since many athletes at these schools tend to be the louder, more condescending, more violent students, right? I agree that perhaps NESCAC athletes and bros (which I have been called many-a-time) seem to be inspired only by competition, and see getting to the top as the end goal of college, whether it be socially, athletically, or in pursuit of a career. However, this quality is apparent in every other social group whenever they are stereotyped. As much as a Bro Athlete can be stereotyped by their appearance, mannerisms, or friend circles, you can also call out the overly-P.C. people whose M.O. is to force [often trivial] changes on the rest of the student body. For example, my roommate is going up to Colby this weekend to see his girlfriend, since it’s the annual Cotillion. However, the name “Cotillion” has been changed this year due to pressure from (I assume very few) protesters, since “cotillions” are typically only for rich white people, so the school was forced to change the name to “Junior/Senior Formal.” We had a good laugh about that one. At Bates, there are constant protests against dressing up like a gangster rapper for Halloween (because it tells the world that all black people are gangsters), or against the dining halls not carrying specific food for a minority religion that encompasses 0.1% of the campus. I’m not saying that some of these issues are not important, because some truly are, but more often than not they are representative of a group fighting for fighting’s sake, and this group can be just as irritating as the “Bro Athlete,” and ultimately that overly-P.C. student and the bro-athlete are equally as condescending.
Be happy that you attend one of the top schools in the nation. You will never be somewhere where you like everyone, and it’s an unfortunate fact of life that you must deal with people who irritate you. From my outside perspective, I don’t feel like Conn has the reputation of a “bro” school (go to Trinity for that). The NESCAC liberal arts schools are still quite liberal, but they will always be a continuation of prep school in a certain sense, because those are the kids that are drawn to NESCAC schools, and they are the kids that NESCAC schools want to attract. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle of wealth and privilege, and I’m surprised you did not know that coming into Conn. Sure, you can major in environmental science and work for a non-profit, and that’s why I love the NESCAC–you get a mixture of all worlds. Like others have said, if the bro culture really bothers you that badly, then ignore it, because there are many different niches you can find in a school like Conn. I believe the purpose of every liberal arts college is to foster learning in any type of student that matriculates; that’s why NESCAC schools are liberal arts schools in the first place. Some will be drawn to Bro-ness, others to protesting, others to computer science. While you think that’s a problem that, in your opinion, Conn is becoming a “do it all” school, isn’t that the purpose of the liberal arts education?
Well said. Everyone take a note from this guy, a respectable, intelligent, thought out argument.
Mr. Bates Man – you nailed it. No other commenters need apply.
While I do think this is a well thought out argument, I must say there is some problem towards the end in the ‘ignore it’ bit. I am all for ignoring the people that bother me, but that becomes impossible when those bothersome people affect your daily life. These can be little things, such as your dorm having beer and beer cans strewn about, when the green has beer cans everywhere, when you walk into your dorm to find broken glass, windows and doors broken, etc… Of course, it is impossible to blame this on one group of people, but when this behavior is seen by a certain group of people in a repeated manner, it becomes more and more difficult to endure.
Just as important is that these schools are supposed to be for higher education, first and foremost. Yet, the unfortunate nature of the matter is that sports do sell more than academics alone. But anyone who feels entitled to be at a school like Conn because of their wallet or their athletic abilities undermines my experience as a student. The other day I overheard a comment from what I can only assume was a Lax player in which he told his friend, “Why do we have to go to class? We’re 9-0!” It is comments like these that make my education feel like it is worth less (not worthless).
I think the main reason for bro-hating is that they are obvious. They dress the same, they talk the same, and they look the same (for the most part). Coming from a liberal school and having a liberal-arts education, I am told that I need to embrace peoples differences, rather than reject them. This is just another case of that. However, these individuals in question must also hold themselves to the same standards.
To Jake, I must say that I am disappointed in the article, because he is a bright guy who simply got too worked up. The article provided only judgments and opinions, which made him merely look weak and foolish. However, I think he raises points that are beyond his intentions. People do need to be criticized in order for progress to occur. One thing that I have found to be common in myself as well as most of my peers at Conn is a hypersensitivity towards critique. People cannot differentiate between a judgment and a critical claim. You should be grateful that someone is criticizing you, because it is only in hopes that you will be able to better yourself. Keep in mind that an individual’s view is just that: individual.
To move forward, rather than backwards or sideways, stop the ranting and the cuss-filled banter filled with judgment and open your mind to the fact that none of this really matters anyway. Anyone who is graduating from Conn College has that in common. And whether we like it or not, the diploma’s we get all look the same. If you want change to occur, then make it happen. We have turned ourselves into the silent generation by arguing endlessly and creating strong beliefs and values that, when it comes down to it, we will walk away from in an instance if something bigger comes to stand in our way. We must quit sitting idly by and watching our world’s change around us while we keep playing the role of the victim. Extend this into your daily lives, for everything you want to change, and you will surely become a person you, yourself, can love.
Conn a toned down Wesleyan and now a baby Duke, a little ambitious on that one don’t you think? Sounds to me like this kids is imagining CC as something its not and can’t accept that, and is blaming the so called “Bros” for that. Don’t get me wrong I love Conn the way it is, but I don’t pretend I go to a little Duke or wish I went to a toned down Wesleyan.
I really don’t see what is so wrong with kids who like to play sports, hang out and have fun, and go to a good school (I bet a lot of Bros are smarter than this kid). From what I gather is this kids definition of a Bro at Conn.
I would just like to point out to the people making those horribly offensive and derogatory remarks that you are just proving Jake’s point. Personally, I don’t understand how you can attend a college SO liberal that it is almost to the point of socialist, and write those cheap, underhanded slurs (not matter how much an article like this bruises your ego).
I would also like to point out that stereotypes are wrong for a number of reasons, one being that they dehumanize the group in question. I have no doubt, that anyone who calls himself a “bro” is more multifaceted than that label leads us to believe. That being said, all stereotypes are based in a grain of truth, and in this case, a very scary grain of truth. It scares me to think that there a people in my classes that have so little respect for the people around them that they have no problem saying (or writing) the horrible things I read in this comment thread. While I understand it isn’t your fault that our society made you think that the only way to appear masculine is to act as though you have no regard for other people, I hope that someday you take a step back to examine how you really want to lead your life (regardless of societal pressures) because you only get one; and if you continue burning bridges, you might not end up the kind of person imagined yourself to be when your mom tucked you in at night (and don’t deny it… I know your mom did that, and I know you enjoyed it).
I think many of those comments are coming from people outside the college community as this article has now been picked up by some other internet publications.
my dear camels and all other readers of this shit…once upon a time I graduated from Conn. It was great- i only dropped out once on my way to a degree in a major that I designed myself. I partied heaps with people from all walks of the bro to geek spectrum of life. I found many of them to be good people and I found some of them to be what, once you get out into the real world(and let me be clear, there aint shit real about the bubble you guys currently call college save for the weather and the hangovers), you would call a douche bag. As time has gone on since I was given a degree I have found that the “bros” have actually proven to much more “successful” at entering the real world. I dont know why this is the case but it is…Moreover, what Jake fails to understand, is that this bro-washing of the student population at Conn is nothing new- those dudes have been groping chicks and drinking too many shitty beers at kegs in the Plex since the first penis having applicant was accepted to attend decades ago. My advice to you Jake is this- relax the sphincter, stop holding in your gas and enjoy your final days in paradise. eat mushrooms and sneak into the arbo after dark, challenge a knuckle dragging hockey player to a competition of sorts, break into Abbey House and steal their ice cream on a hot spring night, watch the sunrise naked from the middle of Harkness field,revel in the fact that you know everyone in your daily universe right now(or at least think you do)and then smile with joy as you realize your world is about you explode in size and scope of possibility within a matter of weeks. Life is long and we are all still learning…even you.
Seeing writing like this just makes me sad to have to admit that I am going to a school where students can be so hurtful to and misunderstanding of there fellow classmates. Furthermore, I find it completely ridiculous that an article so blatantly prejudice would be allowed to be published. In short, this article makes out so called “Bros” to be vile, savage animals who don’t know better and thus should be “corralled” and taught to better themselves. I haven’t heard such bullshit spewed in years. The generalizations and un-backed verbal attacks made in this article make me sick. What gives you the right to criticize the way someone chooses to live their life? I don’t care if you think Bros are unruly and disruptive, but to make it seem like they are the only ones capable of having such qualities is down right wrong. In fact, after reading this article I would say you share many of the qualities you listed as being Broish. I believe “sociopath” would be a good example. Also to generalize all Bros as having these qualities is absurd. Based on what you have written here I find it unlikely that you know many, if any at all, of the Bro’s here on campus, so how can you make such comments about them?
Stop trying to be an activist who’s really just a happy go lucky attention seeker trying to rally people to his cause to get a boost in his self esteem.
I’m ashamed to have shared this campus with you, if anything you graduating this year will do this school some good.
As someone who has partied at Conn once or twice (if you can call it that), and went to High School right next to the campus, I am heartened to discover that Conn seems to be turning into an actual college. Last I was there, after a friend’s concert, people were more interested in “prance ball” in front of the student center than attending a normal college function where beer was being served.
PS: As an anarchist-capitalist, I don’t really agree with how you use the term.
wow…
and the slander at a child’s rearing is an incredible low. after reading such a piece, one could say the same of you Sir Jake Schnaidt. without looping myself into the so called “Bro-ciety,” it is nearly cowardice nay irresponsible to publish such a piece without the typical and proper avenues to express reactions, comments, or disagreements. clearly, a comment section via the web running nearly 100 comments long should attest to that….
… this is damn near libel.
but let’s be positive and end the vilification: the social aspects this stereotype brings to a college campus is apart of a college experience. college, ever since the days of sheep herding on harvard and union campus’ in the early 1800’s, has been an institution laden with the responsibility of turning a child into an adult, one capable of bring something to the table.
story time:
i live at one of these institutions off campus with, let’s say, 12 other Bros, yes, it’s been epic thus far. 1/2 are currently in the midst of the Lax season; they are currently 10-2 and i’m leaving the lib now to watch them beat on yet another fine academic institution. but what really warms my heart about my experience at college is the community aspect that i’ve encountered. all here have embraced one another’s personalities, differences, strengths, and short comings. a test to this, post saturday’s lacrosse game, many students of both sexes, backrounds, interests, gender preferences, ….. bro or not bro, came together post-game for a bbq back at our house. after drinks, parents genuinely enjoyed everyones presence. it inspired the same emotions as christmas.
moral lesson:
maybe Jake, it is time you began participating in a larger community rather than ostracize yourself creating a rift and further hatred. embrace it. who knows, maybe you might find a new friend. and maybe, you won’t find yourself in this position being harshly reacted to within your own paper’s postings or the greater blogosphere.
good on ya
As Vice Brosiden I approve this message
yo, it’s Bro Biden
Single best comment on here so far. Barack Obroma and Bro Biden ’12!
Thinking of putting a lax field at the white house…bro out with the big guys down in dc.
What seems most problematic about this thread – as with most like it – is that it quickly becomes a vehicle for us to publicly express our knee-jerk contemplations and unfettered feelings. The issue, of course, is that what we say here can (and probably will) come at a cost to all of us who have some vested interest in seeing CC become a greater institution.
(It seems plausible that by now some perspective student reading this thread will have changed his/her mind about attending Conn. And I see no reason why two years from now places like US NEWS & World Report will reframe from using student online comments to “judge” the value of an education.)
Here it is:
Bros,
You are those men on campus who happen to be of privilege, white, play a sport, treat women like garbage, drink until you are destructive to our campus, AND add nothing to intellectual life at Connecticut College. Note my use of the word “AND.”
If you do not fit into the categories above, please stop taking offense. If you happen to be a white male athlete who drinks, has some money in the bank, but is really nice to our campus then never fear – you are not the culprit.
However to those of you bros who fit my description above, you deserve every single one of Jake Schnaidt’s hateful words. If in fact you flaunt your privilege in the ways you act, and those actions are hurtful to others, to this campus, and to our intellectual environment, then indeed, you are the social parasites that the author of this article says you are.
There is no need for the author of this article to provide specific examples; I guarantee if you ask students on this campus if a bro has negatively impacted their life, 9 times out of 10 they will say yes.
I am genuinely proud of the accomplishments of the lacrosse team this year. As a captain of the women’s basketball team, I understand how hard it is to be that successful in most competitive league in the country. The fact that they are ranked #8 in the country and #1 in the NESCAC is absolutely amazing! I love seeing people at the games and cheering on their school. I wish that the whole campus was excited and proud of our teams doing well. The success of the lacrosse team this year has nothing to do with the new fitness center or the camel. It has to do with every person on that team pushing themselves to be their best and not caring who gets the credit. I am proud that they are representing my school.
Connecticut College will always have athletic teams, they aren’t going away. So they might as well be good! I terms of money, the new athletic center was paid for entirely by donors specifically donating to the athletic center, no tuition money was used. The athletics department is extremely underfunded. For example, we are the only school in the NESCAC that doesn’t even have paid assistant coaches. These new improvements have been long overdue and don’t take away from other areas of the college.
Why can’t we just all be proud to be surrounded by passionate people whether you passion is athletics, environmental, or whatever else? There is so much we all can learn from each other.
I just wanted to share my favorite quote about d3 athletics which will maybe help people who are not on sports teams here understand how athletes feel…
“It’s not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It’s a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don’t even know.
We don’t practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don’t lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don’t run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It’s a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don’t sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don’t let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It’s about pride—in ourselves, in our school. It’s about our love and passion for the game. And when it’s over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim…college athletes.”
I’m all for supporting the efforts of my peers, and I do, but I gotta say, the number of people I’d call “Bros” at basically anything I go to, whether it’s an academic talk, a student band, an acappella performance, a work day for an environmentalist group, or a dance show, is close to if not zero. Support is great, but not everyone’s passionate about sports, and there’s basically no reciprocation. I, like Jake, take issue with sports climbing the priority rankings of factors in our school’s estimation of its own self-worth. If you want support for your team, get your team to support something else.
I am not exactly sure how you would define “bro.” If you are defining “bro” as an athlete, then I would have to disagree with you. Many athletes go to academic talks (and even present at their own research), student bands (in fact there are several varsity male athletes including hockey players in student bands), work with environmentalist groups and dance shows. Maybe you don’t realize that many athletes at this school are actually very well-rounded. Therefore, I disagree that the support is not reciprocated.
Perhaps Jake, you can learn something from the people you hate so much. Your generalizations, as you’ve already heard, do derive from the truth. But as you sit there complaining about it, they don’t care. They go about having a very fun time, they go around hooking up with random chicks – while what you essentially do is wait four years and let this aggression build up inside yourself so bad that you write an editorial about it. Someone on this thread pointed out that you were a captivating writer, you are, you’ve got a mind. You’re a senior, you should use it – for all its worth – and this is not to say you’ve wasted your four years a t all, I’ve seen you do improv, you’ve done a great job here at Conn in your four years – I’m sure. But where you see BROS now you’re going to have problems like this every where you go – no matter what field you work in. But see, these Bros, and we all know which ones it is you don’t like – though with this article you’ve made it very easy for people to knock you for stereotyping – are out there laughing, drinking, having a good time – as are most people in college. You’re article invites no solution, it welcomes people to sulk in negativity about a group of guys – and it makes you seem like a moper whose sad he didn’t fit in with these guys from high school – and that’s okay! None of us did. I’m truly sorry about all the threats people have been throwing at you, the ones who have called you all kinds of names – but realize that when they do this they are only proving your generalizations true. You’re graduating – and this article blew up big, bigger than you expected (maybe?) – but I think you need to realize that Connecticut College is a beautiful place, and our parents work really hard for us to come here, and to drain your energy towards people like “bros” who don’t even look your way in the first place and aren’t ACTUALLY bothering you (yes sometimes what they’ve done to the bathrooms is disgusting – I lived in one of their zones for a full year) – you, and everyone, needs to look around and realize how fortunate we are to be at this beautiful school where anything we want is possible. Maybe we don’t have the endowment of Yale or the prestige of other schools, and maybe our name gets over-shadowed by U Conn – and yes, to EVEN stay afloat with other schools, we have to do what we can as a BUSINESS to raise money. Your article started a hell of a fire, but I think that you should go a step further – perhaps in another direction, use your talents for positivity – and just maybe, you’ll be able to make the change you want to see not just in this school, but in the world.
the real question is how did conn coll get a good lax team?
I feel extremely mixed about this article and about the comments that people have written on this website. On one hand, I have a concept, a stereotype, of what a “Bro” is, and this stereotype I have fits in similarly to what Jake has described: a rich, white, womanizing, elitist male often associated with athletics. On the other hand, I am horrified by the blatant hatred that was written about this group of people. I’ve never seen such negativity result in anything constructive, and in fact, this article has only managed to reinforce stereotypes and separate the campus community.
This article has made me re-evaluate my concept of Bros. I had an interested experience yesterday. I was sitting at the computers in the library, and at first I overheard a few people on the Voice staff mentioning this article and reading some of the comments online. It certainly didn’t sound like they regretting publishing it and overall they were extremely pleased with this issue of the Voice. The staff members left the library, and I didn’t think anything of the article until a friend of mine came over and sat next to me. She mentioned the article and how she thought it was horrible and even though she wasn’t an athlete, she was extremely offended by it. Two other guys she knew were sitting nearby, and these guys just so happened to be on the teams the article targets. She read parts of the article to them, explaining that they were now considered antisocial, morally inept, brutish, and moronic. I had never met these guys before, but from my brief interaction with them, I saw no proof of these stereotypes. My friend told me she couldn’t possibly disagree more with the article, as these were some of the nicest guys she knew.
I’ll admit it, I’ve definitely discriminated against Bros. I’ve definitely made the same assumptions that Jake has made, assuming they were elitist assholes who either would look at me as an object or as an insignificant person. But it is unfair to target specific groups of people on campus and generalize a handful of people’s bad behavior to all members of the lacrosse team or the hockey team.
What I take away from this article is that there is a serious need to discuss gender roles on our campus. Jake says in his article, “If you just sat down and asked, ‘Why am I the way I am?’ you might actually be able to turn your privilege into something useful and be a good person.” While this is definitely a harsh way to ask this question, it’s valid — Why do these men act the way they do?
I want to remove the title of Bro, because it is completely unnecessary to target lacrosse players, hockey players, or even men who call themselves “Bros.” Who we, as a campus community, need to focus on is the men who flaunt their privilege, who vandalize, who view woman as unequal to them, and who are generally unkind to people they view as different from them. Yes, some of these men proudly call themselves Bros. And yes, these men do fit the Bro stereotype. But no, generalizing the behaviors of these men to sports teams is not productive. And it’s probably true that not all men who consider themselves Bros act like this.
These men certainly have a presence on campus– how much you are affected by it depends on who you hang out with, where you live, what activities you’re involved in. And yes, as many of the people in these comments have said, assholes are everywhere. These types of men are everywhere. But rather than “get over it” or “ignore it,” why not address it? The next time you see a man, Bro or not, committing an offensive act to you or someone else, why don’t you say something? Ask him to justify what he is doing.
The concept of being a stereotypical “Bro” is inevitably related to the concept of masculinity, or what it means to be a man. The aggressive acts, the superiority complex, the womanizing–these are not unfamiliar to someone who is afraid of being viewed as less than a man. To all the men reading this who have committed acts of verbal or physical violence, who have broken or destroyed public or private property, who call women bitches and whores without a second thought: Why do you act like this? Is it because you’re afraid of what might happen if you didn’t? To fit in, to be a true man, is that what you think needs to happen?
Maybe the dialogue shouldn’t be directed at who is a Bro or who is not, but rather, who this type of man is, and what we can do to change his attitudes and actions. Putting labels on it has obviously caused a lot of harm and chaos. So I say we take this a step beyond, remove the targeted accusations, and ask ourselves what we can do to make this dialogue constructive to our community.
Pretty much what I wanted to say put better thought out and phrased. The term “bro” isn’t really useful in this conversation.
The issue here is semantics. Jake came off as offensive because he didn’t differentiate between good bros and bad bros. They’re not all the same. I think a lot of people didn’t realize some people actually self-identify as bros. Many use it as a catch-all term for jerks who happen to dress a certain way.
I’ve met plenty of really nice kids who use that peculiar bro-ish speak and dress the part. Always say hi, always give you a beer…
Then there’s a “sub species” as someone put it. And I think it was these kids that Jake really meant to address: the kids who call you a pussy out of a car window, the kids who call you fag. The kids who break things, steal things and pick fights. These kids suck. They suck so bad they don’t even really PLAY sports anymore. (I’ve seen ALL of this behaviour at Conn.)
Unfortunately Jake lumped all these kids together. I think he meant to confront kids who stand for nothing more than booze and destruction. But he came across as condemning everyone who dresses a certain way and rocks a flo.
The picture didn’t help things either.
A lot of bros are assholes. A lot are really nice guys. The assholes tend to overshadow the good ones.
I’m struck by the number of people, especially alums, who left posts without providing their names. While there are many legitimate criticisms of the content of Jake’s article, at least he had the integrity to identify himself. When a discussion of such importance moves into the digital realm, we often lose sight of the original issue and the discourse becomes inflammatory, offensive and destructive for all parties involved. Take the time to talk to each other face to face. If you are unwilling to identify yourself, it’s probably better not to enter the discussion. I am most disappointed by the fact that this issue has received more attention and stirred up more emotion than many equally (if not more) pressing issues, such as environmental and social initiatives, among other things, that certain members of this community put a lot of their personal time and energy into. Let’s try to get riled up about topics that truly have the potential to change this community for the better. I’m very concerned about some of the changes taking place on campus (The potential Slavic and German studies merger, for example), but, regardless, this college has a history that we should be proud of, and it has the potential to become even better. Let’s keep fighting the good fight. I hope everyone has an excellent Floralia. Stay safe and make some new friends. Cheers.
As an alum 1 year out, I get a warm nostalgic feeling knowing that Conn can still engage in long, well thought out, campus-wide discussions of a localized and possibly-quite-pointless issue. Remember CC Confessional? Perhaps we could discuss an issue of global importance with such fervor?
I will say this though: Everyone that I met at Conn, that’s EVERYONE, no exceptions, I found to be on the whole a good person!
I certainly was offended by “bro-type” behavior multiple times (usually due to excessive alcohol consumption or its after effects such as not studying before class). BUT, this is no excuse to condemn anyone. Amidst parties and coursework, it is not always easy to see someone’s good side or their compassion but believe me it is there. We must seek it out and encourage it.
This is the best Bro word-play yet.
PS Perhaps it is bros, plural, that is more of a problem. I know my behavior changes when I enter a group of bro-ish guys having fun. I have done things I certainly wouldn’t have if I was acting alone. What’s the neuroscience behind this?
Bros dont go to schools like conn. Real bros use their legacy to get into ivy league institutions. Your concerns are not even legitimate as you have never trully met bros. It is a bro world out there get used to it
Looks like Jake has made some national headlines between, brobible.com and bartstoolsports.com/boston
I’m a Bro and when I look behind me I see the same things that most Bros see: the shit that I just took, a broad’s fine ass that just passed me on the street, and sad individuals like Jake Schnaidt — a miscreant with a penchant for hating things he doesn’t understand or groups he doesn’t belong in. Jake is a senior at Connecticut College and he considerers himself a bit of a writer. In his latest article for the College Voice, the student newspaper there, Jake attacks and blames Bros (of all people) for the current state of his college and argues that Bros are the reason why he doesn’t like going there anymore. In fact, Jake finds the average Bro to be a “disdainful, morally inept, athletic or once-athletic college male who not only lacks sincere human empathy, but uses this lack to his advantage.” If it were up to him Bros would “be corralled and taught values” because as it stands right now Bros are “really annoying in the library — especially the night before an Econ exam.” Now this might just be my lack of “human empathy” talking, but it sounds to me like Jake needs to swallow an entire box of tampons.
In his article, void of anything intelligent or even factual, Jake decided to open fire on Bros with more misguided ignorance than our beloved President George W. Bush had when he invaded Iraq. Aside from a few valid points like that bros are rich and fuck and chuck women at will, Jake’s entire article is unfounded and he emerges as both a hater and a fucking cunt. It is clear that Jake is just jealous of the Bro lifestyle and rather than being mad at God or his parents (for ripping his dick off and making him a spiteful little vagina), Jake wages his war on us, without realizing that the Bro comes in many forms.
Now I don’t need to sit here and pontificate about why Jake is an ignoramus and a tool; he did that for me through all of his discriminatory comments aimed towards a sub-culture he has probably never even taken the time to get to know. And to add to hatred of Bros, Jake seems to have total disparagement for collegiate sports and all that they represent. Jake’s stance is a peculiar one, that’s for sure, but what else would you expect from a hipster who smokes American Spirits and probably has a scarf collection that would make Jon Voight jealous?
Last I checked (which was never, because I am an ignorant Bro who just does what he wants and haphazardly assumes things), having a successful athletic department is more beneficial than it is detrimental to a college. It generates revenue, it lures potential students, and it gives its alumni something to hold on to — all positive things to rational human beings. If Jake wanted to attend a college without an athletic department and full of people who weren’t superficial and narcissistic then he should have gone to Royal National College for the Fucking Blind. That way, at least he probably could have gotten laid in his four years at school instead of writing depressing articles about his exceptionally pathetic Valentine’s Day.
The point of all of this is simple. Just because Bros are good looking, well off, athletic, and sexually preferred, it doesn’t mean that we are “brutish and moronic.” It just means that we are genetically perfect and aware of this stunning fact. We use what we were given to our advantage, be it on the athletic field, in business, or even in the bedroom. Hate all you want, Jake, but the fact remains that you will never turn around and see a Bro behind you. We are in front of you, where we have been and always will be. End of story.
This guy is ridiculous…you’re a college senior and you’re railing against a stereotyped group of people like a high school freshman girl? Do you seriously believe that all of the problems at your school come from bros? Because if you do you might want to take a look at history and see what happens when blame for people’s individual problems falls on one group of people (i.e. hitler, stalin, etc.) Then the editor of the newspaper backs up this ignorant dick saying we shouldn’t voice our opinions against this trash. Seriously? This is real life not some bullshit fantasy world where there’s one reason why you’re not happy with your life.
Kid, take out your tampon and quit being a whiny little bitch
This article throws the identity group bro out into reality without providing any discourse as to what it means to be a bro. The only way he characterizes the identity group bro is as a sociopath. Here he also fails to provide any psychological discourse. This is similar to saying; all gays are sociopaths, or all women are sociopaths, without providing the discourses of the two. Also, I am still unsure how you characterize bro. Can a professor be a bro? Can an intellectual be a bro? Or are only athletes considered bros?
Ok, “John TraBROlta” and other puns on the word “bro.” Let me make this simple: whenever you make a useless, unsubstantiated commented like, “take out your tampon,” it not only proves Jake’s point further, but makes it clear that your opinions are useless and should never be considered. This can and will extend to the academic and social realms. In light of this article, you should try to prove how great you all claim to be, and not continually reaffirm the so-called stereotyping you feel is happening at your expense.
Moreover, using language like “take out your tampon” and the like, exemplify your sexist feelings about women. Taking out your tampon shouldn’t be used as a form of ridicule, and calling a guy a girl shouldn’t be considered an insult. This extends to language like “bitch,” “faggot,” “pussy,” and “virgin.” Doing this makes, not only you, but anyone who uses this kind of language, seem ignorant and disconnected from the diverse world that we live in that happens to be full of people who are women, people who are gay, and people who have different ideas about sex than you do. This point is all too obvious to me and to many of my peers, which is why I have a really hard time taking any of you who call yourselves plays-on-the-word-“bro” seriously.
So sure, go ahead. If it makes you feel better about Jake Schnaidt’s opinions then go for it. Call him a pussy. Continue to believe that saying someone is a virgin makes you more masculine. Use the word faggot as an insult, and remain ignorant to the gay people in our community. Revert from the progress that women have made on this campus and in the world and throw around words like bitch. Doing so will keep you in your safe place of ignorance, and keep the rest of us in our, seemingly merited, place of disgust and pity in your disturbing sexist, homophobic, closed-minded sub-culture.
One thing that is simply atrocious about this is that the autho writes about the improvement of the athletic departments as a bad thing. It is his belief that athletics is actually detrimental to the college experience. I would say that in most people’s minds being athletic as well as excelling in academia is the definition of well rounded, something that is generally valued in society. If I’m right, then improving various athletic complexes would actually be beneficial. Therefore, my guess would be that Jake is probably an awful athlete and envys Bro’s because they come from good prep schools where they were both smart and athletic and come to Conn where they dominate socially.
Oh, and Megan Reback Bros are great because:
1. We are more athletic than the average person
2. We are smarter than the average person, that is why good colleges and universities are full of Bros
3. We are more well rounded (see points 1 and 2)
4. Because of our social confidence/dominance and great college careers, we end up with jobs that make bank and lead successful, happy lives while you and all of your bitchy hipster lesbian friends end up blogging about the environment, your bitterness towards men, and your hate of bros
What a bro-hater hahahahahaah may he forever wither amidst his collection of Magic cards and Star Trek figurines while playing WOW and masturbating to the Kim Kardashian sex tape and crying his heart out with Phil Collin’s “In the Air” on repeat in the background…
JK. I think the cure for this is pussy. The good news is, (most of the time) if you’re willing to pay cash, there’s someone DTF. (Sorry, forgot you’re not a bro. DTF = Down To Fuck)
Bro’s are the shit. Our pussy is always free
TWO THINGS I need to say:
1. The Voice putting up a picture of the Lacrosse team was not my choice. They threw me under the bus there and I’m disappointed by that.
2. My first paragraph was, I admit, over-the-top. Especially the snake reference, which I guess was not funny at all. It was taken by most as a generalized insult to ‘bros,’ but if you aren’t an unempathetic, anarcho-capitalist, amoral bro, you should be ok. Those who were insulted and who are defending that lifestyle are the people I’m talking about. The rest of the article I 100% stand by, especially the 4th to last paragraph. That being said, a lot of you have thrown at me some pretty humorous/libelous insults, much of which would be illegal if you only identified yourselves. If I’m so much of a ‘pussy’, why do you care so much to respond?
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