Family. A word that is thrown around the Greek system as often as “rush” and “philanthropy,” but what does it mean?
As a sorority member, I refer to any member of my sorority to a third party as a “sister,” and my guy friends and brother refer to their frat friends as “brothers.” Do we feel the gravity of what that means? Family means accepting someone for who they are. Family means showing a little compassion when someone acts out, and understanding when someone has a hard time expressing how they feel. We call this unconditional love.
Now, when you’re at a school where pledge classes are as big as 150 new members on average, no, you won’t like everyone that you share your letters with. Some sisters may do you wrong. Some, you may never find in your heart to be friends with, and some may feel that way about you. Some may form cliques, and unintentionally make others feel small.
The times have changed a little on the view of Greek life. Our organizations were created to help the greater good, and that is what you signed up for.
You didn’t join to compare yourselves to those around you. It doesn’t matter how much money your dad makes, how cool your Insta is, who you hook up with, or who was on the top of your bid list. Guess what? You were all on the same bid list. You’re equals. If you can’t deal with that, and you want to feel better than everyone else, find somewhere else to go.
Do you realize that tearing a sister down, calling her trashy, slutty, lame or ugly means you think people in her sorority are that way too. Even if a sister does something absolutely terrible, at least have the decency to not discuss them behind her back. There’s something in common about each and every sister you have. That’s why people say sororities have a “type.” So take some time away from yourself for a minute and look at the bigger picture.
Absolutely nothing will get done or turn out well if you all refuse to run like a well-oiled machine. You don’t have to hang out every weekend and braid each other’s hair, but do your best to keep someone from feeling like they can’t sit down at any table during lunch. Have respect for your sisters until there is a reason not to (and it better be a good one.)
Maybe then, we as a community can change people’s opinions on the criticism Greek associations get. We’re all guilty of this. I am too sometimes, but we need to all realize that the way we discuss our brothers and sisters and Greek life as a whole says way more about us than it does about what we’re discussing. We’re all adults here, and I’m surprised we even have to have this talk.
Take a little moment to reflect. Would you rush if you heard some of the things you hear on campus from all the different sorority and fraternity members when they don’t think anyone is listening?
Think about it.
