Sanlakas Youth’s Call for a Revolution within the Fraternity System
by Sanlakas Youth UP Diliman
Source: http://www.facebook.com/#!/SanlakasYouthUPDiliman

It is but dreadful to understand that UP’s history of honor and excellence, of nationalism and social relevance is stained with unending series of events of fraternity-related violence. That one’s definition of true manhood is identified by the angst, range, anger, pain and hurt they inflict, they endure and return back to those who challenge them. That for the longest time, Greek (and Latin) societies acknowledge violence mutual to their existence, that violence allows them to be recognized, identified rising above others.

Fraternity violence claimed the life of our comrade and former chairperson, Alexander Miguel Icasiano, as it has claimed the lives or ruined the futures of others. We continue to advocate for justice for them, but we recognize that there can be no justice without peace.

Sanlakas Youth UP Diliman unites with the entire UP community in undertaking a road free of violence, in putting an end to the vicious cycle of the culture of violence in the university.

As SY-UPD continues to rally its advocacy against frat-related violence, we hope more fraternities would stand out in proving to have higher understanding of moving forward and learning from their past. That while it is easier to simply retaliate brawl with brawl, we hope more of them would choose the path towards peace.

WE CONTINUALLY CALL FOR A REVOLUTION WITHIN THE FRATERNITY SYSTEM. We challenge all enlightened and progressive fratmen to take power in their respective fraternities and reorient them. Work together across organizational lines, dismantle this corrupt, violent system and replace it with a peaceful, principled alternative.

Along the first steps of the revolution, we also call for cooperation and unity among the UP community to destroy the spirit of indifference and superficial judgment. No action or step is too small or too irrelevant, especially when that step is towards achieving peace. Ultimately achieving unity within the university shall serve as the guiding force of these brotherhoods in claiming this goal.

Together let us join hands in completely abandoning the culture of violence that is hunting and tearing us down for generations. Together let us all have a vision of a violence-free university and unite in working towards it.