It is no secret to students and faculty members at the University of Alabama, or across the country for that matter, know that the infamous “Machine” is still prevalent on our campus. The Machine is accused of allegedly being involved with elections, whether that be for Homecoming Queen, SGA President or SGA Senate seats, to cater to the needs and hopes of a specific group of individuals in the Greek community.

Last week, an op-ed article published in The Crimson White by sophomore Alex Smith raised attention at the issue that lies within the secret society: oppression.

It should be noted that I have known Alex since before her freshman year at UA. We spent the better part of her freshman and my sophomore years together as teammates on the UA Crimsonette twirling line. Several practices included dishing about politics and our views. It was clear to me after we began spending more time together that Alex would become a dear friend of mine. She’s intelligent, driven, self-aware and independent as all get out.

After her article attracted attention from national publications, including Jezebel and The Associate Press, I decided to sit down with Alex and talk more about her decision to leave The Machine, what this process entailed and how she finally felt that her Senate position allowed her to give a voice to the voiceless.

MG: Give me a background of your work within SGA.

AS: I became involved in SGA my freshman year. I served on First Year Council, then ran for my current Senate seat the end of my freshman year.

(First Year Council is specifically designed for incoming freshman who have a desire to become involved with SGA. 50 students are chosen each year.)

MG: Upon entering college, did you know you wanted to be involved in SGA? Did you know about The Machine before you got here? If so, what was the extent of your knowledge?

AS: I had always been heavily involved with SGA throughout high school, so of course I had the intentions of continuing on with SGA into college. Prior to coming to the university, I had a few older friends who briefly described the Machine to me. It was always made out to be this amazing, secret group who could do big things for me in the future. I was told I would be a great fit because I wanted to be involved with not only SGA, but the Greek community as well. I heard very few negative things, and that is probably because these friends happened to be loyal to the Machine. I was definitely under the impression that it was an honor to be a part of the system, and that it was the only way I would ever have a lasting SGA career at Alabama.

MG: What was your own personal experience with The Machine, and how were you originally told about it/brought into it?

AS: As election season approached in the Spring, we (FYC) were encouraged to continue our SGA careers. One of those options was Senate. No one directly told me that I needed to send my resume to “the basement,” this was just something that circulated through the air. I was interested in running for Senate, so I did just that. I contacted a rep from my house who sent my resume, then waited it out to see what their response was. I was later informed I had received Machine backing, and sent in my letter of candidacy for Senate.

AS: I won a seat in the College of Arts and Sciences, and shortly after finding out the results I was called down to a fraternity*basement. This was where our first meeting with all of the Machine Senators was held, and where we got to see which Senators were and were not in the group. Then, I started receiving texts instructing me on which ways to vote before Senate meetings.

MG: Your article received a lot of attention. Was all of this positive? What was your initial response when larger media outlets like AL.com and Jezebel picked up your piece and wrote about it?

AS: I was not prepared to receive even a fraction of the positive attention that my article has gotten thus far. I really was preparing myself for the worst, and I truly had no idea what the response would be. I didn’t even tell my family what I was doing, because I was uncertain if even they would be encouraging of my decision. Basically, I wasn’t expecting a ton of support or positive feedback. I wrote the article with a heavy heart, and it was extremely personal. I was in shock when AL.com and Jezebel picked up my article, and I was honestly a tad bit confused. It wasn’t until students, parents, faculty and alumni started reaching out until I understood that maybe my article had impacted the campus in a bigger way than I had imagined it would. Predictably, I received some backlash from individuals in the Greek community who are very loyal to the Machine. However, it’s nothing I can’t handle. I don’t regret using my voice, or taking a stand on something I truly believe in.

MG: Had you been thinking about leaving The Machine for a while? Were there any positives about being a part of it?

AS: No, I had not considered leaving the Machine because I didn’t think it was possible. Then after the Senate meeting on Thursday night (October 22^nd), I thought to myself, “I’m going to make this possible.” I called one of my best friends crying about what happened, and we brainstormed different ways I could make the statement. Writing an article was what I was most comfortable with, and I was almost positive that the CW would be willing to publish it. After feeling especially silenced that night, I was ready to speak up about my experiences regardless of the potential repercussions that could have followed.

AS: The Machine did absolutely nothing for me, other than get me elected. If I would have known what the Machine expected from me in the first place and had more information on the system, then I never would have asked for their backing. To be clear, I do not mean that hatefully whatsoever. I really just had no idea what was expected of me, and how the system would try and stifle my opinions and shun me if mine didn’t align with theirs.

MG: Any additional comments, thoughts, opinions?

AS: Some people have accused me of turning my back on the Greek system, and I would just like to make it very clear that those were never my intentions. Being an active member in the Greek community, I promise to continue to represent my fellow sororities and fraternities to the best of my ability. At the same time, I promise to represent those who aren’t involved in Greek life. To represent individuals that I don’t even know, and will probably never meet face to face. I simply want to represent all areas of campus. Just because I do not support the Machine, does not mean I do not support my fellow Greeks.

AS: The Machine always paints the narrative that those who are “independent” are out to ruin the Greek system and attack it. I would just like to say that I don’t feel that anyone or anything is directly threatening the Greek system. The only thing that the Machine is threatened by is losing power and influence.

*name has been removed.