Photo: Drew Wilson
Members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity in Fayetteville display a sign in response to an Occupy NWA protest across the street Tuesday afternoon.
Photographer Drew Wilson captured a sign that was briefly displayed from the balcony of the Kappa Sigma fraternity house on the University of Arkansas campus Tuesday afternoon.
The sign was presumably a response to Occupy NWA protesters who were standing across the street from the fraternity house at the corner of Dickson Street and Arkansas Avenue.
According to protesters in attendance, the sign, which reads “The 1%” was only displayed for a few minutes before it was removed.
Update: Here’s a video from MrSethAction of the sign installation.
They think they’re part of the 1%?
I think their math needs work.
My friend is in Kappa Sig. He really isn’t very good at math.
They know they aren’t in the top 1% and they are trolling. I’d bet since it has TFM at the bottom (total frat move), they were just trying to get a rise out of the protesters who were outside of their house all day undoubtedly being disturbing and annoying.
They aren’t the 1% – their parents are!
Doesn’t surprise me. There always has to be someone who has no understanding of what they’re doing – but do the opposite because they want to make people mad. Sadly, people like this are a big reason why our country is in the state it is. Ignorance is why the Feds have gotten this far.
In 2008, the cut-off income for the top 1% of taxpayers was $380,354. None of these frat boys earn that much– though they might get that much from their daddies.
That’s the cutoff, but the average is 1.1 million. And that’s just income, not assets.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/business/29tax.html
Correction: ignorance is why people like you believe in this futile protest.
Alternatives to non-violent protest: 1. Violent protest. 2. sit by and watch things happen.
These are not valid options. Sorry Rod, but even if the protest is “futile,” standing up and saying something is better than sitting on your ass. Occupy NWA. Occupy Wall Street. Occupy America. Occupy the World.
http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/
believing in a cause that brings attention to a real problem hardly means that someone is ignorant.
on the other hand…using arrogant, baseless statements to stereotype a large group of individulals probably does.
(and I guarantee you that each of these men belong to that top 1%)
men? bwahahahaha!!!
It doesn’t require a parent making $350k to be in Kappa Sigma. All it requires is a little change in your pocket and a strong propensity for doucheration.
I bet the average household income of those Kappa Sigmas is probably less than $150k.
more like the future 1%
they might as well have a sign saying, I have things of value, when the revolution comes, loot me, I’m a greek golden child
Oh you are definitely wrong about that….
Douchey? Yes. Hilarious? Absolutely.
Or maybe it’s just some guys trying to be funny. I think they succeeded
Agreed J.R.
rascals
Yawn.
It’s all in good fun. I miss college.
ah such seriousness at what was probably a few lads taking the piss…agreed j.r. and kevin
Richy you crack me up.
i do my best…
If they are the 1%, why do they continue to drink the crappiest beer??
Because they can.
great answer.
Golf Clap!!
I don’t care if it’s real or mean, it’s funny!
I figured they were protesting the paid parking occupation of our city, boy was I wrong!
So was there a protester with a sign with 99% on it??? Do them 1% kids know they walk through a door with a pentagram over it every day?? Not sure I envy that 1% haha
haha yep seen the pic of the protester saying “I am 99%” well im glad the two sides can do proper math together sounds like they are joining hands though numbers : )
My dear gentlemen, that “pentagram” is called a Star and Crescent and you could not begin to imagine how much it means. Good day.
I’m sure this was an attempt to be funny, but hopefully nationals will have something to say about it. Also, after a few Kappa Sigs were charged with beating a pledge and leaving him on the side of the river in Missouri, do they really need any more negative attention? Great job, douche-a-lou
Comment removed. See our policy.
It wasn’t a pledge… some kid from ole miss get your facts straight
Some Kappa Sigs were charged with beating some kid from ole miss and leaving him on the side of the river…
Hmm, that DOES sound better!
Haha. Well played.
they wish!
Its just embarrassing that they think they are in the 1%. You are at a State College, and your daddies rice farm in southern Arkansas is small potatoes compared to the real 1%.
You have no idea …
It only takes an income of around $380,000 to be in the top 1%, so yes, daddy’s rice farm in southern Arkansas probably qualifies him. (Though I doubt there are any Kappa Sigs whose dad farms since most guys from wealthy Delta families go Sigma Chi or SAE.)
As for your statement about being at a “State College,” do you think that just because someone has money they are above sending their kids to the state’s flagship university? My parents had money to send me anywhere I wanted, and I had the grades to go to Vandy, SMU, TCU, etc. But I’m from Arkansas, I grew up loving the U of A and the Hogs, my parents went to the U of A, and I wanted to live in Arkansas after graduating, so it was an easy choice. And I ended up pledging the same fraternity as my father. The U of A, and the Greek system in particular, has a rich tradition that isn’t forgotten just because you have money.
HAHAHA. TCU,SMU and VANDY are great schools, but not even close the the type of money I’m talking about East frat douche. Im talking about Harvard, Stanford, Brown, Cornell, Georgetown, MIT….etc. The elite colleges that harbor the wealthy. I still stand by my statement that they are small time money compared to this. Im also sorry that you decided to downgrade your education just for a good time at the U of A. Vanderbilt would of looked so much better on the resume.
Deddy doesn’t care what the resume says.
all of you are overthinking this, them putting up that sign was simply a way to joke around with the protestors after one of them walked up to their house and started rambling on about how they were all spoiled. they revolted by putting up that sign, i would have done the same. as a joke…..
It’s adorably clueless that these kids think they’re part of the 1%. However, it does illustrate quite beautifully how the actual 1% have bamboozled us upper-middle-class people into thinking we’re actually well off. None of these Kappa Sigs or their mommy/daddy combo are in the 1%. If they were, they’d be at Duke or Vandy.
“The “Fabulous Xi” chapter of Kappa Sigma is the largest and most celebrated chapter of Kappa Sigma. Xi alums include U.S senators, Governors, Federal Judges, Attorney Generals, and leaders in the philanthropic and business world. We believe that the principles of Kappa Sigma, fosters success in years to come for our undergraduates.”
These boys are apart of the 1%…
One would hope that the 1% would at least have a better grasp of grammar and usage. As their flack, are you suggesting that they are “apart” from the 1% or “a part” of the 1%?
Kathryn, thank you for copying and pasting this from the Fabulous Xi site. Again, if you think that any of these 19-23 year-olds are a part of the true 1%, you have no idea where that 1% is. Further, these gentlemen are the SONS of America’s middle and upper-middle class, not the actual creators or generators of wealth. It’s laughable for them to take credit for their parents’ accomplishments. I have no beef with fraternities, several of my employees (male and female) are in the Greek system and they are kind, intelligent and thoughtful. I do have a beef with kids so deluded by their shiny Suburban that they think they’re part of the American elite. They may be… in Arkansas. There’s a great big world out there.
What these fabulous people are NOT, it seems, are grammarians. The plural form for Attorney General would be “Attorneys General.” And, the comma in the final sentence is superfluous.
Joke or not, it’s dumb. This isn’t really a funny situation this country is in and joking about it with your friends is one thing, airing your ignorance off the side of your balcony is another.
Way to be, frat boys… way to be.
These Kuppa Smegma idiots will be back on Saturday to cause trouble if people don’t put some pressure on them! Call their national office and complain!
Why complain? They have the right to stand for what they believe in. This is the most successful and established chapter for Kappa Sigma. Nationals will not care.
What are you going to complain about? “Oh, they made fun of us.” If the Occupy crowd are going to say something to people in the fraternity about being spoiled or whatever, why not throw some crap back at them. What if the boys with the sign don’t agree with the Occupy movement? Does that mean the men in the fraternity aren’t entitled to their opinion? Folks write about arrogance of people in fraternities, but the opinion that only one side is entitled to an opinion is more arrogant and elitist.
For the record, I’m farely certain these guys know they are not in the top 1%; however, they could be. You really don’t have any idea. There have been people in that particular house who are in the top 1%. You mock them instead of applauding their success. That is your choice. These boys are operating with the same rights.
Good point. However, I have the impression that the people who are commenting here as you cite are, for the most part, not associated with the OccupyNWA group. OccupyNWA seems to have enjoyed the interaction, and to have been energized by the incident.
I rather doubt that there will be any trouble with frat boys, for a number of reasons– chief among them being the fact that Saturday’s march will occur before noon on Saturday.
So you are insulting them by saying they won’t be up by noon? Most college students aren’t up that early. I have a high school student living in my house. She doesn’t get up unless she needs to.. Many of these men will be home, since their isn’t a game in Fayetteville; however, if the protest is held outside their window, they will probably know it is going on.
I would agree that most of the folks commenting here aren’t involved in OccupyNWA. The Occupy group, I’m sure, appreciates the attention to their cause.
If most college student’s aren’t up by noon on Saturday, then it is probably not an insult to point out that frat boys won’t be up before noon on Saturday. But for the obligation to be somewhere on Saturday morning, I myself would possibly sleep until noon on Saturday.
Here is a relevant thread at Total Frat Move: http://totalfratmove.com/660472
According to the site,
“TotalFratMove.com was created as a way for the upstanding members of this Nation’s finest Greek communities to share entertaining comments, stories, and photos. Be advised that some content on this website may not be appropriate for anyone under the age of 18 years old.”
“Way to be, frat boys… way to be” indeed.
If you’re looking for an apprenticeship for becoming a jerk, you don’t have to look much farther than these boys. Yes, we live in a country where you’re free to be an idiot. Mission accomplished for these guys, who, jokingly or not, have placed their lame attempt at humor above any contribution to the serious problem we all have of economic injustice.
Sounds like someone didn’t get a bid and needs a better job.
Sounds like someone has a heart for crappy frat boys.
My father was a past Fraternity President. So yes.
Catherine–
Why, I myself was a fraternity president many years ago. Of course it was a service fraternity rather than a social one, but there it is.
Did you read the comments at the page I linked to? What would your father think? Did he refer to all non-fraternity members as “god-damned independents”? Did he dwell on the physical characteristics of people he didn’t like? Did he speculate on sex with pregnant women? Is he really “always a brother of the heart” with such people?
Just curious.
They even put “TFM” on the sign on the lower right corner so it would go on that website. That kinda makes it lame.
And I *do* need a better job. Do you have a “job” for me? Can I make suggestions?
Sounds to me like most of the posters who think this is anything but a joke are just mad in general and want someone to blame. These kids were joking with the protestors. The banner hung there for less than 5 imnutes, not because someone asked for it to be removed, but because it was a joke and made for the TFM website. Get over yourself if you can’t laugh. We are in a tough situation, but these kids playing with the protestors isn’t so outrageous. Just because you want to protest, doesn’t mean they have to and it doesn’t mean that you are inheritantly correct. Also, if the protest is Saturday, the University is on Fall Break, so most of the kids will be gone.
Yes, move along, people with opinions. Being obnoxious, oblivious to the genuine suffering of people who need WORK and equality, and general stupidity is something to laugh about and praise!
I’d wager that most of these upstanding male children don’t even have jobs, so it’s ridiculous to think that they should empathize with others who have been in the workforce and are trying to voice differing points of view. Only approved messages should be heard!
So move along indeed! The bums lost, Lebowski!
Jerry Jones was a Kappa Sigma at the U of A.
So he’s a douche too?
It’s a state of mind people. Beautiful. Do you vision yourself as a loser? If so, you probably are. And visa versa.
There are plenty of people who think they are the coolest, but actually prove time and time again to be huge d-bags. I had a lot of friends in this fraternity and many of them were genuinely great guys, but also a whole lot fell into the first category here. Some of the most out of touch, ignorant, lazy, overprivileged kids I’ve ever met lived at this house, and I really am not quick to judge people in general. It’s a funny combination of people happening in there. This sign was definitely just a few of the worst’s idea and that is why it was taken down quickly.
TFTC! Hahahaha! I just discovered what that means after checking out the TFM website and seeing it in comments. Too Frat To Care. Are these kids serious? After spending two or three minutes on that site reading comments I had had enough. I bet there would be some proud proud parents if they could read what their sons think at that site. Slampiece is a particularly lovely nickname for women. Yeah, sooo proud.
Ma’am,
You are completely right. I am a Kappa Sigma as well and I detest what these fellow brothers have said both on their sign and on totalfratmove.com. They have made crude and useless comments that hurt our fellow undergraduates and Americans alike. That being said if some of your GDI counterparts weren’t such low class trash as to literally pass out in my front lawn vomiting on themselves and then returning to the same part in my fraternity house then maybe I wouldn’t call her a “slampiece” when she(or others like her) literally grabs my crotch while dancing and says “lets go to your room”. Or maybe I wouldn’t call people who live in dorms their entire college career “GDI’s” if they actually made an attempt to not be social hermits and literally cry to the university when they are denied bids from fraternities because we look for people who are not only outgoing, charismatic, charming, etc but also intelligent. And finally, I gain so much more pride for my house and my brothers when I see people like you who get overly emotional because you failed to use your time at your university to learn how the real world works and how to take a joke unlike us who had to deal with getting “teased” and “harassed” and learned how to deal with people.
Sincerely,
The Men of Kappa Sigma
Well, that sets the record straight. Thank you so much for responding, seriously! It absolutely accurately expresses the position of The Men of Kappa Sigma.
No further questions, your honor!
Dear Men of Kappa Sigma,
I suggest a remedial course in English for your members. I suggest this since Michael appears to need one. Please keep up the good work in recruiting those elite young men!
Dear Michael,
You should be careful when making assumptions about a person’s educational background. I used my time at university doing things like serving as Student Senate President, meeting with the Governor, contributing to campus policy and maintaining a 3.85 GPA. I’ve spent years and years out in the real world. I’ve run a successful business, bought houses, traveled internationally and raised a child. I hope that is enough experience in the real world to satisfy the FFT?
I wonder if your mother would think it’s funny to refer to girls as “slampieces”.
The only emotions I feel reading this story and the responses are laughter and pity. I’m sorry for you. You’ll either grow up some day or you won’t. Hopefully you will since that is what college is supposed to do.
Bless your heart. ;)
Michael–
RE “if some of your GDI counterparts weren’t such low class trash as to literally pass out in my front lawn vomiting on themselves and then returning to the same part in my fraternity house then maybe I wouldn’t call her a ‘slampiece’ when she(or others like her) literally grabs my crotch while dancing and says ‘lets go to your room’.”
Compelling anecdote. Wouldn’t such “low-class trash” have to have been invited to that party? By a Kappa Sig? Are you saying that Kappa Sig invites “God Damned Independent” “low-class trash” to parties and gets them drunk enough to puke, just so they can call them a “slampiece” later? Wasn’t such “low-class trash” (invited to a Kappa Sig party by a Kappa Sig) invited for the purposes of fortuitous gratuitous drunken sex? Did you refuse to actually “slam” her because her aggressiveness– dare I say her independence– made your wee-wee wilt? Is that why this incident is etched so deeply in your memory?
Count me impressed, and good luck with your youthful erectile dysfunction. Maybe your brothers will help you work on it. Pride. Brotherly love.
David Franks
???, ???, ???, ???
Wasn’t the fellow that had his hand cut off by a train last year a fraternity member?
don’t waste your time with this one folks. its really not worth the trouble.
There is no such joy in the tavern as upon the road thereto. .
They are being honest about at least their aspirations and inclinations, if not their actual membership in the 1%. We should welcome their acknowledgement that they and many fraternities and sororities are elitist institutions where people learn to view themselves as being entitled to the cultural, political and economic benefits of membership within elite networks. Of course they laugh at the 99%. Marie Antoinette laughed at the 99% too. Our focus should remain on fighting them economically, politically, and culturally. Their smug tomfoolery will evaporate when they realize the masses are at the gates demanding to eat.
The media tried to blame the tea party for violence when there was none. Now they label the occupy protests as non violent when there is ACTUAL violence, not to mention far less people. Americans, please wake up to the facts right in front of your faces.
Well, true, in that spitting on people isn’t particularly violent. It makes far more sense to blame the Koch bro– I mean, the Teabaggers– for being wrong about everything. In a way that is far more dangerous than spitting.
It’s also true that the Occupy movement has had a few violent moments– thanks to the police. I guess it’s the protestors’ fault for exercising their first-amendment rights.
Taden: aside from the Pax Romana, the United States of America stands as the longest form of uninterrupted democracy in the Western Hemisphere. (Granted: even that “factoid” is questionable, as Pax Romana is generally considered to limited to 211 years: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius.) Would you suppose that such a longstanding governing body be easily swayed by ill-read and misinformed buffoons haplessly collecting at a speech of their erstwhile enemy, or would you concede that a much larger population chooses to “occupy” strategic positions whilst exercising their rights as Citizens of The United States of America? The Tea Party has no long term goal. The truth is that this country’s children are fed through federal programs– on that fact alone I am willing to pay taxes. Have you become so cold hearted that you would snatch food from a child’s mouth to save $0.37? (People don’t often “take care of their own,” couldn’t we, you and I, as Citizens and participants of our society just summarily decide to feed children?) This would normally be the part where I would try to pull disparate factions together, to string a common thread from the common man all the way up to the captains of industry. But I can’t, Taden, because the thread had been severed. I will tell it to you directly: You cannot get there from where you are. You will never get there. Your children will never get there. I am not suggesting that you throw your lot in with any group, only that you remove your voice from the establishment that sucks you dry in exchange of our own “boot-straps.” I don’t dislike you, Taden, but I can assure you that I like you more than them. Don’t be beguiled. Your world won’t be changed so much only that you might be able to get good medical care, that your children might be introduced to “art” while they are getting a good education, and that the heaping animosities you bear can be assuaged by the whole of us. You can keep your guns, too. (I have several, and I am not willing to give them up.)
Taden, I wish you the best.
are you kidding? the t-party gets preferential media treatment every time 3 of them show up somewhere. if it weren’t for koch bros money tho they’d be nuthin. look at theyr’e big logo presence at national prez debates. you whinin btards should stand on your own feet for once.