Walking to class is always a mission. Whether it be because you hate walking or because a group of “sorority girls” with the same backpack are taking up the whole sidewalk while talking very loudly about last weekend. Concentrating in class is the same story since you know all the details of how Nate got with two chicks last night from the two “frat guys” sitting behind you. Whatever it may be, Greek life all over the nation has a negative reputation, but no one ever mentions that’s there are two types of Greeks: mainstream and multicultural. Often as multicultural Greeks we get stereotypes that at times apply to us but most of the time don’t. We hear it all, but these are the top five things that we struggle with daily.
1. People don't even realize we exist.
Whether it's mainstream Greeks or just the general public, people don't realize we're a thing! There have been a couple of times when mainstream Greeks will ask what my sorority’s name is and when I answer they just smile and nod. It’s understandable: we live in two completely different worlds — or at least that’s the way many perceive it. It’s not just mainstream Greeks, though: the general public doesn’t recognize us either. When it comes to recruiting, many people pass us up just because we’re Greek. We have to explain to them that we’re more than the stereotype: we work hard on our academics, do many hours of community service, and take pride in our cultural backgrounds.
2. “So where’s your guys’ house?”
The famous phrase we hear every time you tell someone you’re Greek. No, we don’t have a house and, no, most of us don’t live on campus. But we literally spend so much time together sometimes it feels like we do live together.
The best follow-up question is, “So you’re like a club then?” Heck no, let’s get one thing straight: just because we don’t have a house doesn’t mean we don’t have a sisterhood/brotherhood. We don’t need a house to represent our bond.
3. Having to explain what strolling/saluting/stepping is.
This is by the fact the hardest thing to explain. You say "Party line" and people assume the worst. You say "Strolling" and everyone will have no idea what you’re saying. Every time you mention stepping, there will be at least one person who will say “Like Stomp the Yard?” But YouTube is your best friend, so instead of explaining what it is we just show them. The best part is seeing people’s expression after they watch one video. #RecruitmentRequirement
4. Rush isn’t a thing for most of us.
Once you got someone interested they always ask the same question “When is the rush?” Never. Most multicultural Greeks don’t have rush and have other processes. Like my father once said, “The best things in life aren’t rushed.” No hate for the organizations that do rush, though, you all are just as amazing!
5. “But you're white.”
You don't have to have the multicultural background to be part of our organizations. We hear it all the time when we’re recruiting “I’m not Latin/Black/Asian/Native American.” For us, it doesn’t matter — we don’t discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion or whatever else there is. We are here for one goal only and that’s to create a safe environment for people to grow personally and professionally. Shout out to my beautiful sisters who aren’t Latin descent!
