'Goat' Has Got To Go | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

'Goat' Has Got To Go

This may be one of the biggest lies about Greek life yet.

47
'Goat' Has Got To Go
Pinterest

As a member of a Greek life recruitment team, we have a weekly meeting to keep on track. It was brought up that a new movie featuring sororities and fraternities was coming out and we all gave the usual eye roll. It is well known that for some reason movies can never capture the real face of Greek life. But we had no idea how far they would take the lies this time.

We turned on the trailer and watched as a group as Nick Jonas and his cast played what they believed to be Greek life. Fourteen girls from four different chapters all with the same reaction, absolutely horrified. My stomach became sick as I watched a two-minute clip of what would be portrayed to the public as “brotherhood.” The reality is, nothing that I saw in those two minutes came even close to a correct idea of joining a fraternity, or sorority, too, for that matter. The movie showed parties every weekend, women throwing themselves at the brothers, and “rituals” that are not only hazing, but also demeaning.

Sorority women and fraternity men do not believe in hazing. Let me say that again: sorority women and fraternity men do not believe in hazing. National organizations do not tolerate it and neither do brothers and sisters who value and respect each other. The torture and activities the pledges in the movie "Goat" are subjected to are made up rumors about the rituals that are actually important and meaningful to each individual chapter.

It is so difficult to even find the words to put down the lies and hatred spewed on the screen in this movie, and the truth will sound clichéd to anyone who has never truly experienced a Greek letter organization before. But here it is: Greek life is filled with leaders, believers, achievers and innovators. These are the men and women pushing boundaries within themselves and the world around them. The network of fraternity men and sorority women spans millions of people across the nation. It includes all but two presidents, celebrities, political leaders and people of the communities around you. They collectively come to raise millions if not close to billions each year for causes like cancer research, feeding the hungry, domestic violence victims, heart disease and fulfilling wishes of young children.

These organizations focus on leadership, scholarship, friendship and service. They impress upon members the importance of education and achievement along with giving out thousands of scholarships in varying amounts. The bonds formed in the friendships made stand the tests of time and of being miles apart. Greek life members also log thousands of hours of community service a year. Spanning from helping in humane societies to local homeless shelters to community events, Greek life members can be found just about anywhere.

If you chose to see this movie, know that it does not accurately portray the Greek system. Know that Greek life members are proud of their organizations and fight against stereotypes set by movies like this one every day. If you would like to know and understand fraternity or sorority life, consult a real member, not a movie screen.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

4417
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

450645
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22312
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

45211
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments