Recently an article was published in The Daily Reveille at Louisiana State University encompassing negative concerns surrounding Greek Life at LSU. I, an active member of LSU Greek Life, was hurt and ashamed to read the horrible statements and opinions made by a fellow LSU student regarding my community.
Before I continue, I would like to point out that every sorority and fraternity chapter located on individual university campuses are only a small portion of a NATIONAL community. When an organization has such a strong impact nation-wide, it should come as no surprise that every bad incident will be published and broadcasted. For example, if an ordinary citizen in your state commits adultery, it may be handled in that parish and become the talk of YOUR town. However, if a government official is involved in a scandal of similar regards, it becomes NATIONAL news because of the severe impact that that particular organization has nationwide. So, yes, some individual chapters have hit bumps in the road and perhaps certain individuals within a few communities have strayed away from the intended purpose of Greek life.
HOWEVER, Greek Organizations as a whole are HUGE organizations that encompass multiple chapters nationwide. Therefore, when a horrible accident occurs, it becomes public knowledge do the size of our overall appearance in society.
The first fraternity was started due to the founding father being REJECTED from Latin secret societies. Therefore, he began his own community of brotherhood. Later, sororities were begun in order to empower women and create sisterhoods in which college-aged women could find support, love, and encouragement from other young women striving for success. Not only does Greek Life provide a community of compassionate and thriving individuals, but members of Greek Life also CONTINUOUSLY GIVE BACK to the community! Each chapter possesses a creed, values, and bylaws that promote philanthropic activities. When the flood occurred in Louisiana in 2016, many Greek life members went out and helped the Baton Rouge community and surrounding affected areas. Sororities and fraternities work one on one with many different non-profit organizations.
Data show that LSU students who participate in Greek life have higher grade point averages than students who do not participate in Greek life. Sororities and fraternities encourage their members to become the best version of themselves possible, and promote studying as well as aid in helping individuals reach their fullest potentials. Personally, I study alongside my sisters in the sorority house on LSU's campus at least twice a week, if not more often. Through Greek life, many students at Louisiana State University have been able to receive constant support, encouragement, and help in obtaining the grades to not only keep their GPA above LSU's standards, but the grades that they know they have earned through hard work.
My boyfriend is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, and I am very proud of the man he is and has become since accepting membership into the Greek community. I am not afraid of being around fraternity boys, nor am I worried that they will take advantage of me. I respect myself, and I know that 99% of the fraternity men that I come into contact with respect me as well. If anything, seeing fraternity men in their letters makes me feel safer in that area. I know that as a member of the Greek community, in a bad situation they will have my back. I am proud to say that my boyfriend is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, and he has made lifelong friendships within his community. I have witnessed fraternity members care for others, treat others with respect, and give back to their communities. I have seen fraternity men promote safety, friendship, and philanthropy. I have heard older fraternity men indicating to their newer members that they should treat women with respect. While the non-greek affiliated public may only be presented with the rare negative ties with Greek life, I, along with many others, have taken part in and witnessed amazing things occur due to Greek Life.
Many of our nation's great leaders participated in Greek life including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Barbara Bush, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Grace Goodhue Coolidge. Current Louisiana State Senate John Kennedy is a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, House of Representatives Louisiana representative, Charles Boustany, is a member of Kappa Alpha Order, and House of Representatives Louisiana representative, Garret Graves, is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. These great leaders gained knowledge, empowerment, and leadership skills from the Greek life community. It should be no shock that people who have achieved great success actively participated in Greek life.
It breaks my heart to know that individuals who are unaware of the reality of Greek life base opinions of us on movies, the rare tragedies and incorrect stereotypes. It is unavoidable that stereotypes will exist; however, I wish that people would not view and take into account only a few negative aspects. Where there is good, there will be some bad. The world is not perfect, and neither is the totality of the Greek life community. Yet it appears that people disregard all of the good and only focus their attention on the bad.
Participating as an active member in LSU Greek life has enabled me to become the confident, empowered, intelligent woman I am today. It has presented me with various academic opportunities, occupational opportunities, and a supportive and compassionate group of lifelong friends (not only in my own chapter, but in all of Greek life's chapters down the row as well as nationally). I am proud to be a sorority woman. I am proud of my sisters. I am proud of our LSU Greek life community as a whole!
