Four days, four nights and a new perspective on the word family. I am Greek, not from Greece but I wear Greek letters which made me be proud to say "I am Greek." I am in a local Greek organization (Tau Sigma Chi) and it has changed my life. That being said I have 51 members that I have considered family since the Spring of 2015.
This week the Greek councils from my school, IFC and PNC, have had the ability to participate in AFLV Central with over 3,000 students in the Greek community. There are no words for what I have experienced. Most of the ed session presenters and keynotes had at some time been involved in a Greek or worked for a Greek organization or with a Greek towards their philanthropy. My family that wears my letters might only be 52 (including me) but this weekend showed me that every single person that wears letters is my family.
From the moment I walked into the hotel in downtown Indianapolis, to the Stroll competition, to closing, I was greeted by another brother or sister asking me how I was doing and what my affiliation is. None of them cared that I was not a national chapter, and it did not stop anyone from caring for me like a family.
Though I might not have chapters at more than my campus, I found acceptance and love from everyone. This conference is also NBGLC, the National Black Greek Leadership Conference, which really been enlightening because many of the speakers have been based on education against racism within our campus communities. Besides the the speakers I have also been introduced to the many, predominately black Greek organizations.
Besides the feeling of brotherhood I find myself surrounded by, I have also found that I am with people that are all very different and diverse. Greeks have, throughout their history, had the ability to get a negative connotation. But not once among the 3,000 students did I encounter an un-friendly face, or a sister or brother that was there for the same reason I was.
The Greek community has become part of our lives. Personally I could not think of anything better though, the ability to have a family on campus and for national chapters every where in the nation. Think of the positivity of having hundreds even thousands of siblings.
I have never had a full sibling, but my sisters and brothers that I have met here have been pretty darn close. So in the end I am not just Greek proud, or letter proud but I am proud. Proud of the people I have met and the family I now have. Be it with the same letter or different, we are all Greek and we are all here for each other. Much love to my Greek family all over!
