What is this lofty goal of Greek Unity? From my time in Greek life and sitting on positions on Greek Council, I have heard this word over and over again but never heard it clearly defined. How are we as Greeks of Muskingum going to fight for a cause if we don't clearly know for what it is we're fighting? If we just tell new members this catchy buzzword, what will they think it means? If we don't define it to them then it's a lost cause. Greek Unity is simple. It is the idea that not only are we one body but also the individual groups are an equal representation of that body. This definition is one that I have found to be the most fitting and the most concise one possible. However, within the definition, there lies a problem. This problem has to do with the subject of equality because one organization may not view another organization as their equal counterparts. This in turn puts the goal of Greek Unity at odds with itself.
I'm not meaning to say that one organization spits in the face of the other organization either literally or figuratively. I mean that the deeply held emotion that, for whatever reason or another, this organization is the wrong organization. This goes along with chauvinism, an exaggerated patriotism or nationalism. The idea that one organization is better than the other because we believe it to be true. This is evident in common examples such as when one organization has a higher GPA than you do. One could say, "Oh, they probably cheated. There's no way that XYZ is better than us!" This mentality is deadly to Greek Unity. In that example, you are pulling down a group's achievements because you believe their intellect to be less than yours. Greek Unity doesn't set out to pull an organization down for their achievements, rather, it strives to bring people up. Is there anything wrong with some lighthearted humor? No. However, when it becomes the anthem of the group is where we see the division.
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The next problem with Greek Unity comes from the good old Hatfield and McCoy example. You hate that group for one reason or another but you just can't figure out why. You know it has to do with your club's history but you can't place your finger on the exact example. Rivalries are all too common in Greek life and they linger in the shadows most of the time. This is probably the reason why full Greek Unity will never come to fruition. I'm not a pessimist, rather a realist. You can't dictate what people think about another organization without having mind reading and controlling powers. I have no qualms with other organizations at all. However, to say that, "Everybody loves everybody and we're just so nice and kind all the time." is honestly a fairy tale. Could that competitive nature to beat that one organization drive us to become better members of our community? Sure! Anything is possible. However, as long as we have Hatfields and McCoys, true Greek Unity is a vision for the much distant future.
Finally, Greek Unity is a lofty goal. Is it impossible to reach? Not at all! Is it difficult? More difficult than rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time. Sure other people can do it, but for the whole group to be able to will take some time and patience. The old saying "Rome wasn't built in a day" is quite applicable to this situation. We have to understand that this goal is something that we should be taking small steps towards. We should care for an organization when they're in pain. If an organization is low in numbers maybe a bigger organization let go of a few open bids or advertise that smaller group. Rather than put the spotlight on the accomplishing groups, maybe put some light onto the groups that need it the most. We saw what happened when we let a group dwindle. As we welcome MACE back into the community, let's rally around them as they and other organizations better their groups. As one part of the body gets healthier, so too does the rest.
