Bama Rush: A Documentary on a Southern Tradition and the Mysterious “Machine”
A Look at the Phenomenon that Captivated TikTok
In 2021, the sorority rush season at the University of Alabama became a sensation on TikTok. Potential new members shared their daily outfits and insider glimpses into the rush process. It all started off as fun and games before the TikTok community learned about something called “The Machine.” The name referred to a secret society that was said to hold immense power over Greek life on the campus. HBO Max’s documentary, Bama Rush, provides a deeper look into the workings of this group of people.
The Rush and Sorority Traditions
The documentary follows a group of women planning to pledge sororities at the University of Alabama. They give the filmmakers an unfiltered view of the process, discussing the traditions and significance leading up to rush. The documentary offers a brief history of sororities and the rush process, which is a crucial status symbol for many of the women included in the documentary. The process has not evolved much over time, and even those accepted into sororities have to follow strict rules.
The Mysterious Machine
The Machine is a secret society called Theta Nu Epsilon made up of representatives from different fraternities and sororities on the campus. Members are said to meet in fraternity basements, vote on elected school representatives, and instruct their members on how to vote. The motto of the Machine, according to leaked documents in the documentary, is “Little is known, and what is known is kept secret.” They are accused of rigging elections on campus, with homecoming kings and queens, awards, and jobs going exclusively to their members.
Former Members Speak Out
Former members of the Machine speak out in the documentary, describing the group as an oppressive system that benefits only a select few. Even independent candidates who have managed to beat the group are few in number. The Machine allegedly attacked a non-member candidate in 1993, causing the University of Alabama to shut down the Student Government Association for three years. According to the documentary, the yearbook detailed an alleged attack on a candidate named Minda Riley. The machine is said to have ensured that a small group of wealthy, influential students maintained special treatment on campus, manipulating the system in their favor.
Philosophical Discussion and Editorial
The Machine exemplifies the power structures that exist all around us. The documentary portrays the Machine as an oppressive and secretive group that holds account power and influence over the student body. Such institutions exist out in the world, from secret societies like Skull and Bones, to political organizations, and even large corporations. In most cases, the workings and decisions of such groups remain hidden from the public eye.
The Machine also raises questions about the nature of exclusionary groups. The documentary is about the rush process and the intense social pressure to be part of an elite group of people. The women who participated in the documentary were all white, with the exception of one Black woman. The emphasis on status and privilege inherently excludes those who are less fortunate, creating situations where wealth and influence control social outcomes.
Advice
The documentary offers us insight into the hidden workings of institutions that can be both beneficial and detrimental. Exclusionary organizations can hold some benefits like creating a sense of belonging and providing opportunities for networking, but as the Machine exemplifies, the harmful effects can far outweigh the positive ones. People should question institutions and power structures and work towards creating more equitable ways of living and working.
<< photo by Possessed Photography >>
