The defenders of Greek life, virtually always a member of Greek life, attempt to persuade the rest of the community with their nostalgia. “Greek life has opened up so many doors and created such fond memories,” they say. “It’s more than a club it’s a brotherhood,” is my favorite line. Don’t get me wrong; I know how important feeling a part of something bigger is to young adults. I know how hard it is to find your footing without the guidance and support of peers you trust. But is joining an exclusive society with traditions dating back to before women and people of color were considered citizens in our country really a way to do that? Is a “babe and a bottle,” formally known as a “b*tch and a bottle” really a way to do that?
As a student at the University of Maryland, I have partaken in Greek hosted events and I have come to the same conclusion every time. The themes are sexist. The pressure to drink and do drugs is obvious. The possibility of danger is endless. And the music choice is terrible. It is scary to think that the most recent incident at Penn State could have happened here too. It is even scarier to wonder why it doesn’t happen every weekend.
I know what you’re thinking, I could replace “Greek Life” with any other student run organization and the same results would be true. Almost every organization that I have been a part of on-campus has thrown a party where alcohol was a driving factor in people’s likeliness to show up. The difference is that no other organization requires any of the party-goers to be there. No other organization questions why there isn’t a drink in their hands. No other organization forces their members to act like they are having a good time. And most importantly, everyone who is there joined the organization with ease and can leave just as easily. There is a huge pressure on Greek students to uphold the image of their organization. Whether it is sororities, who should always be a good time, or fraternities, who should always show the sororities a good time.
In addition to this already toxic environment, Greek life has repeatedly been a catalyst to sexual assault and mental illness. The combination of too much alcohol and a need to belong is a devastating mixture. It’s not news that many people fill empty hearts with scary substances. It’s not news that those with self-esteem issues often attempt to boost their confidence by taking another shot. For an organization that has so many rules and eyes cast upon them, Greek life is failing. No other club at the University of Maryland has so many standards to be met. In saying this, I must ask why isn’t Greek life doing better than every single other club when it comes to their member’s safety?
Aside from the incessant partying, Greek life at Maryland does not see women and men as equal. There are rules that sororities must abide by that show a huge double standard among this community. Some sorority housing prohibits overnight guests of the opposite sex, while guests at fraternities come and go freely. This rule is congruent with the centuries old expectation of women to stifle their sexuality. As for IFC and PHA tailgates, sororities were just recently given access to the event. In prior years, women in sororities had to ask fraternities for wristbands that allowed entry. Even this year, fraternities are given two wristbands per member and are expected to give the extras out to women. Sororities are given one per member and are prohibited from sharing any of their extras. Who would want to be a part of an organization that doesn’t value their female members just as much as their male counterparts?
Philanthropy. Another argument in favor of Greek life I could shut down. Philanthropy should not be a requirement. Philanthropy should be in your heart. If it is in your heart, you didn’t join a social organization to do it. You joined an underfunded, understaffed group that’s number one goal is help others not make friends. You joined Alternative Breaks or America Reads. You joined Terps Against Hunger or became a CASA volunteer.
Before you defend an organization, know what values you are supporting. Those in Greek life, many of whom are my good friends, I urge you to stick up for what you know is right and stop being a bystander to these heinous activities. None of your parents deserve to receive the same call that Timothy Piazza's parents did.
