Recently, news articles concerning the death of a Penn State student as the result of pledging a fraternity on campus have been circulating my news feed. I was even tagged in one of them by my own mother. Being a part of the Greek life community, it disheartens me to see such negative media directed towards fraternities and sororities, especially when only a small percentage of such organizations are involved in harsh hazing. Yet, these labels don't stop there.
Members of fraternities and sororities are constantly plagued by negative stereotypes, simply for the fact that we made the decision to join such organizations. Yet, these stereotypes do not carry across Greek life, and we're much more than just people who only care to get drunk, do drugs, and have sex. And more importantly, we would never go to the extent to purposely put someone in harm.
In fact, I would never participate in a process that does harm to others, especially when they're eventually supposed to become my sisters. Why would we want to purposely hurt someone that is supposed to be our family? And ultimately, if that was the case, I would not have settled for being in a sorority at all.
The brutal hazing you see in television and movie shows is completely different from the actual processes of Greek organizations. No one is forced to do anything that puts themselves at risk of bodily harm. We're not going to potentially put people in danger just for our own amusement. We push them to be better members within our organization, and have no reason to haze them in such a way that has been depicted through the media.
And unfortunately, we're only recognized for our faults. The out of control parties, intense hazing, promiscuity is unfortunately, all we're known for. We're never praised for our philanthropy and the good that we do for our community.
I'm certain that a good percentage of society does not realize that we put so much effort into fundraising or participating in walks to raise awareness for certain diseases. In fact, we participate in activities that help others around us more than we spend going to parties and getting wasted. These are the things that define my sorority and Greek life, in general, not the proclaimed heavy drinking and extensive hazing.
Greek life does more than promote troubling behaviors and humiliation of prospective members. It gives you a sense of understanding, belonging, and family. Being a part of a sorority is much more than having a large group of friends. My sisters are my family. They are not just an excuse to party, and never should be treated as such. You gain more insight on the different people around you and are introduced to new ideas and opinions. It's a learning experience, rather than just a means of ignoring our responsibilities and being involved in mischief. We're more prone to promote and encourage leadership and responsibilities that are useful in the real world than anything else.
I'm glad to have joined my sorority and have entered the world of Greek life. It gives you an entirely new perspective on life and is much more than what is shown on TV. We're not mean, terrible, irresponsible people. Rather, I would define members of Greek life as caring, hardworking, generous leaders and not to be feared or looked down upon.
