I'm an aquarium enthusiast for 10 years. I enjoy taking care of my fishes and watch them grow to a tiny morsel into a large monster. I have a family of cichlids, fresh water fishes that can actually grow to an extent. I am pretty much aware also on how they behave, like when they begin to mate or become territorial. One obvious behavior is that when a new fish is introduced in the tank. Some of the old timers will chase the new one; or even bite it, sending a message that it is not welcome. This will continue for about a week or more until the new fish gets acquainted with the old ones and they live happily ever after. Some new fishes will not survive this and die, from continuous nipping and bullying. Some just stood their ground and eventually swim in harmony with the others. Fishes are not alone in this situation. People do behave like cichlids too.
A fraternity is synonymous to brotherhood. Famous and intellectual people belong to fraternities. Belonging to one maybe an escape of your shell and be protected, be received, be a brother to a brother…after the back of your leg gets swollen from a wooden paddle and your body bruised from an Indian run. You don't call yourself a soldier unless you shaved your head and stop crying because you miss your mama. Does a hundred push ups make you give up? You have problem with corpses around son? Get up soldier! You ain't seen nothing yet. Welcome to The Master's everyone, golf's most prestigious tournament.
So what can be more fascinating than having one of those green jacket. So then you will be an honorary member of the club. It is one of the coolest gangs downtown. You get to smoke pot freely, drink cold beer, and some sexy chicks. Becoming a member of this gang is easy. A switch knife, your guts, and threatening a lady to give up her bag or you'll slit her throat. I remember watching The Simpsons one time where in this episode, Bart wanted to be friends with the school bully Nelson, but Nelson would not allow it unless Bart beats a weakling. Then they can be the best of friends.
What does it take to belong? What does it take to be accepted? One may call you his brother after he makes your body sore. One can be a sister if she wears Prada. Steal from a grocery store then you belong with the group. Ray Liotta plays a gangster in the movie Goodfellas. Ever since he was a kid he wanted to be one. But he cannot be made full pledge because he has Irish blood. To be one of the big boss one should be pure Italian. He narrates: “We always call ourselves the wiseguys. He is one of us…he is a wiseguy.”
Now I watched my fishes. They just swim peacefully. I looked at the new one who was chased and nipped a few days before. It's alright now. I tell my fish: “you wiseguy.”
