I'm sure 98 percent of the population has heard about the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at University of Oklahoma and the recent controversy surrounding a racial chant sung on the way to an organized fraternity event. But have you heard about how the Greek Community at Penn State raised $13,026,653.23 for the fight against childhood cancer? I didn't think so.
Amid controversy and negative news coverage, the Greek community is consistently shown as a place filled with hazing, partying, racism, and overall bad influences. But that is far from the truth.
There is no reason that we should ignore the irresponsibility of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter members in their insensitivity to racial differences, but there is also no reason that this is one of the few stories reported on national news across the country. It is a shame that these select incidents across the country shape the image that most citizens have of the IFC and Panhellenic communities.
As a member of the Panhellenic community at TCU, it is beyond difficult to have my family and friends across the country read and watch stories about racism and insensitivity in the Greek community, when I know the truth.
I know that Pi Kappa Phi has several men bike across the country each summer as part of a program called the Journey of Hope, which ultimately benefits children with disabilities. I know that I am constantly supported and encouraged to be successful, in fact 85 percent of Fortune 500 executives were part of Greek life. I know that Greek Alumni are the donors that make up 75 percent of donations back to their alma mater after graduation. I know that when I need help with something as simple as finding a good class to take, I have 225 women in a Facebook group that will help me figure it out. I know that my Greek experience has been so much more than theme parties and Big-Little Week presents.
It amazes me that one chapter out of the 12,000 across the U.S. and Canada can distort the image of what Greek life really is. So, I say we change that image. I say we show our friends and family who are not part of the Greek community that we have philanthropy events, leadership opportunities, valuable social learning experiences, a support system, and most importantly, we are not a reflection of one chapter's moment of insensitivity.
