The Great Exploitation Proliferation Chapter 13

The Great Exploitation Proliferation Chapter 13

There is an admiration of Greek culture in today’s society and has long been acclaimed for its influences on western civilization. The Athenian empire was established with the triumph over Persian King Xerxes and ended after the battle of Corinth around 146 BC. Universities build brotherhood and sisterhood organizations based on its fraternalism and in honor of the Greek Alphabet. The aristocratic elite of our society gets its roots from Greek society and government that was established approximately 800 BC. Aristocrats derived from ‘aristo;’ the best people. Many would argue that the idea of slavery came from Greek or Athenian culture. You were either “free” or slave and that was determined by Athenian blood. Athenian were entitled “citizens” and allowed to take part in the government of the Polis. Others were simply called “metics” who were subject to paying taxes and generally held labor or servant jobs without any legal rights. Sounds pretty familiar huh? Similar to early American culture, a metic (minorities) were not allowed to own houses, land or speak in the courts. Women were completely subject to their husband’s status and class and were not publicly recognized.

The father of democracy Cleisthenes was an aristocrat from the family Alcmaeonids and he established democracy after a two year civil war in favor of the Spartans around 500 BC. Greek life was centered on military duty and politics. For entertainment, theatre in genres of tragedy and comedy were produced. Surprisingly, women had no role or attendance in theatre either. The men performed female characters in drag. Clearly this sheds light on a lot of things we see in American culture. It makes me a firm believer in biblical documents such as Ecclesiastes; “There is nothing new under the sun…” To understand who and where we are as a nation, we must accurately discern and interpret historically where we have come from. Racism and classism as we experience today is strong in our society due to the Greeks understanding and philosophy of hierarchy. The Romans themselves had tremendous respect for these views and adopted them heartily to strengthen the “power” of their empire.

Secret societies in America have its roots here as well. The philosophy to shelter women and foreigner is not trivial. The premise is a grave insecurity. Hypothetically speaking lets break down the wisdom of Athenian’s philosophy in light of “national security.” Athenian women clearly could leave her financially secure status and engage in affairs with a foreigner (a metic or slave). However, with the discomforts of slave wages, lifestyle and status this is not likely. Therefore, the security of the empire rested not only on military might, but financial dominance of one race of people. The walls of the empire were only secure as the woman they lied down with; the woman who bore their children. The children who are groomed predecessors of the government.

Philosophy: secure the woman to keep the blood line pure and attribute the financial inheritance accordingly. On the other hand, to prevent an uprising of the foreigner (slave or metic) a massive distribution of inferior nourishment, education and lifestyle had to be established and sustained generationally. Again, sounds pretty familiar huh? The organizations that are established to carry out this cycle in today’s society are housed in America’s universities! The elitist and aristocratic culture teaches the higher educated masses to enslave those of inferior education in order to produce substantial wealth. Fraternities and sororities adopt this elitist philosophy and while “serving the community” set themselves apart from it in order to attain higher status. I personally don't have any problems with Greek culture or organizations formed in respect of it. I think the networking aspect is very beneficial to society. However, we must recognize that the system established is racially divided as well. As these organizations serve the community, so are they served by those higher than they are… I live in Huntington, WV and I attended a local university. My chances of becoming president of the United States of America depend not on my race alone. (Barack Obama) It does depend on whether or not I attended an Ivy League school. (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc…) That goes for secretary of state, attorney general etc. I’ll go as far to as to say it’s not even based on an Ivy League education (Cornel West, Louis Gates) but it is the affiliation of certain Greek organization and secret societies that gives you the status to become an “elected” *laughing* government official.

Chapter 14 will break down Greek mythology, names and religion. Why did Greeks worship so many different Gods? Do the bible accounts of Christian crusades in European countries shed light on the religion? I will answer these questions and give you startling insight to the Greeks impact on world’s religious views and even how we name our children.