To the girl who put down Greek life,
You talked about how much you despised everyone in Greek life, how little you thought of anyone who decided to join an organization full of cookie cutter people. You said that anyone in Greek life is immature and self-obsessed, only worrying about the next big party they can get to.
Your words stung as I sat in the back of class, wearing my chapter letters. I won’t lie to you, a momentary flash of anger hit me as I listened to you preach to the class about why going Greek was the worst decision you could make in college. This is because your words attacked not only me, but all the outstanding people in Greek life that I care about.
I spent the day in a haze of anger, frustrated that everything that I love about Greek life had been stomped in the dirt in a matter of minutes. I didn’t stay that way long, however, because that same day I walked through campus and found myself being greeted by sisters. I was hugged and greeted by other fraternity and sorority members. I walked by a sorority sitting on campus trying to raise awareness for breast cancer. I got an email telling me how much money my sorority had raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at our most recent fundraiser.
And then, I wasn’t mad anymore. My anger had been transformed by the same thing you claimed was a scam to get people to pay for friends.
I wish that you could one day understand what I see and experience every day. Even more so, I wish you could feel how proud I am to be a part of Greek life, because it is an indescribable sensation when you are a part of something bigger than yourself.
I want you to know that the majority of my time I help my sorority with our philanthropy. That goes for most of us in Greek life. We’re either hosting an event for our philanthropy or we’re planning another fundraiser. In the little down time we have between classes, internships, work, and fundraising, we’re supporting each other by attending our philanthropy events.
And I want to point out that these aren’t half-assed events. These events take weeks, months even, to put together. We stress over making decorations and choosing themes, finding entertainment, and rallying local support, just to make the perfect fundraiser; not because we want to look cute or pretty, but because we know that the money we raise will be going to a cause dear to our hearts.
You say that Greeks are pretentious and self-centered, but some of the most kind and warm people I have I ever met were Greek. People who have put aside everything on a Friday night to sit with a sister who is stressing out about her upcoming presentation and let her practice their speech on them. People who at two o’clock in the morning have come to my work and fixed a flat tire for me.
I could wish all day that you will one day see what I see, but sadly you're just another person who will only never understand the amazing experience that is Greek life.