Every day when I walk across campus and pass girls and guys wearing Greek letters, I begin to think how each and every one chose the sorority or fraternity they are affiliated with. I have friends in most of the sororities and fraternities across campus, and each of them chose their path for different reasons. I had girl friends that were legacies and felt right at home as they entered the doors of their forever home for four years. Then, there were the friends who connected well with the current members of the sorority or fraternity. It all is very exciting. I love to sit and talk with my best friend about her sorority's upcoming date parties and swaps that are going to happen. But, when it comes down to it, I am not affiliated.
I transferred to Mississippi State University August of 2014. I was about to begin my junior year and set out on a new journey in Starkville, Mississippi. I had been going to a community college in a small town, but the transition never seemed awkward. I felt at home as soon as I crossed the Drill Field for the first week of school. Everything was falling into place. I did not feel like I need to be in a sorority. I had friends who were part of them and friends who were not. I could look through both sides of the looking glass.
It was about the second week of school when I ran into a girl I had known for several years. She asked me why I had not rushed when I transferred. I simply told her that since I was a junior, I just did not worry with it. She told me I should rush in the upcoming spring rush, but once again I told her I probably would not. She looked at me and said, "How do you have friends?" This comment really threw me off because I never felt like I should have to be in a sorority. I never had felt out of place. I almost had an attitude, but all I said was that I could still have fun with my Greek and Non-Greek friends.
People sometimes see Greek life as bad. There are the people who think that you have to be this and that. But, Greek life is not bad. It is just part of who they are. I chose not to rush. Greeks have great motives. Their philanthropies are always for a good cause. When entering into college, you make your own path. Sometimes, people want to rush and connect with others who have their similar interest. Then, there are those who choose to join other organizations around campus and connect with people in them. In this world, we focus too much on judging others. I am to blame myself. Occasionally, I will sit somewhere and just watch others and think, "Why on earth are they wearing that?" We all have flaws. Chances are, if you were about a flaw in yourself, someone else worries about the same one. So, with that. To those in Greek or the Non-Greeks, be you. At the end of the day, I am not a Greek girl. I am not affiliated with any certain sorority or fraternity. I connect with them all. We all have similar connections.
