In May of 2015, rumors circulated that a gang called "the bloods" in Texas were instructed to kill a sorority member as part of their initiation process. At the University of Houston, in Houston, Texas, sorority members became weary that they were being targeted by gangs after several instances of hearing gunshots and being taunted by gang members who would race their cars in front of the houses pulling "illegal maneuvers." Shortly thereafter a threat was received and the entire campus (especially greek life) was rightly terrified.

This was not the first instance of gangs targeting greek life during gang initiation weeks. As non-gang members, we can not be entirely sure when these initiations take place. However the suspected times are during early September and late October (near Halloween), and during these times it is wise to refrain from wearing letters.

Early September of this year, when my own campus suspects local gang initiations to be happening, a sorority girl was shot outside her house (this was not fatal). Even more recently (Halloween weekend), after now suspected gang members were politely denied entry to a fraternities closed party, the gang members punched a fraternity member and then pushed him into a grill and continued the assault until people caught notice and got them away. While leaving, one of the members said: "I'm going to come back with all my ******." Shortly thereafter, reportedly six different cars rolled up, shooting threats were made, and a fight broke out. The fraternity members fought back in defense but also (smartly) called the cops to break up the situation but severe damage had already been done. The same fraternity member who was beaten up on a grill earlier ended up getting hit in the face with a crowbar, and another one of the fraternity members had to be sent to the hospital with multiple injuries (an eyewitness says that he is now out and fine).

What provokes gangs to have such a hatred for greek life? Stereotypically, we are looking an instance of "privilege" vs. "non-privilege." And this is what may be causing the targeting. In terms of what greek members can do to protect themselves: know that while you wear your letters proud, there are times and places to do that, and other times it's safer not to draw attention to yourself as part of a greek organization. For anyone in general: gangs are real and if they are known to be present in your area, take special refrain from walking at night and alone.