When I was 17 years old, much like a lot of other high school seniors, I began hearing back from colleges. One, in particular, that I received an acceptance letter from and would eventually study at for 4 years to receive my bachelor’s degree. For me, this college was 670 miles away from home. 670 miles south, down the east coast. I would be changing scenery from New Jersey to South Carolina.

This drastic change brought on many others that I never thought I would have considered or done. At orientation, my last thought was to go Greek. I was not a southern belle, sorority girl. I was not that girl from the movies or the TV shows. After being dragged by my roommate to attend interest meetings for the sororities on campus, I realized I was wrong. The stereotypes were not true; I could picture myself wearing those Greek letters. Spring semester of my freshmen year, I rushed, and what a Life changing experience it has been ever since.

But today, I am writing this letter to you, because you fail to see the positivity this community has brought so many people, and by this community – I mean the Greek community. To be blunt: stop stereotyping us. We really have heard it all. No, we do not pay for our friends. No, we are not just here to party. Stop calling all sorority women ditzy sluts and stop calling all fraternity men predators.

It is extremely disappointing to see these attacks on a community that I am proud to be a part of. Unfortunately, the horror stories get more recognition than the happily ever afters, and it adds more fuel to these stereotypes. We are no different than many other groups of students on campus; we go about our college experience similarly to everyone else, except we are constantly trying to better ourselves and the organizations that we belong to. How can Greek Life ever get respected and appreciated the way it should when the vast majority of people not involved still shame our organizations?

When I read the disgusting allegations people like to post about us, whether it is through applications such as Yik Yak or even the school newspaper, it fills me with rage. It is heartbreaking how some have disgraced a great group of men and women – people I call my friends and my sisters.

Please, stop starting horrible rumors and tarnishing organizations that have done more good than anything. We raise record-breaking amounts of money for numerous philanthropies and charities. We help those in need. We donate and participate in events such as Relay For Life (fight against cancer), The Heart Walk (fight against heart disease and stroke), and Out Of the Darkness (fight against suicide prevention), etc. but people still like to only see us as this…

And not this…

Greek Life is full of good men and women and when people throw around rumors, allegations, and stereotypes that are full of lies, those are the reasons why Greek Life is looked down on and disrespected.

The entire Greek community sticks together and fraternities and sororities won’t stop until the stereotypes that we face are eliminated. Keep the negativity away from us because we joined these organizations for leadership, brotherhood/sisterhood, service, and scholarship. We want to make a difference; we want to grow as people and as an organization. We are proud of who we are, and you should be too.