Whenever I tell people that I’m in a sorority, I get the same reaction “ooooooh that’s nice” accompanied by a fake smile.
I know in that moment what exactly is going through their head: the image of binge drinking, wild partying and hazing. For some time, I really couldn’t understand why Greeks have a bad reputation. Then I realized almost every representation of sororities or fraternities in movies or on television incorporated extreme hazing. I encouraged multiple incoming students to join Greek life and the response I received the majority of the time was “I don’t want to get hazed though.” I then would have to explain that it is not like what they see in movies, our school is strict on prohibiting hazing and mention a number of philanthropy sororities and fraternities partake in.
Television and movies depict the image of new members forced to guzzle bottles of liquor or beer meanwhile being humiliated, most likely naked or in underwear. The most commonly known scene in a dark room candles and members wearing dark clothes holding wooden paddles. Often new members are shown blindfolded in the middle of nowhere forced to recite chants or recall information. In many cases this is called “hell week.” A week filled with physical, social and emotional abuse and humiliation used to weed out the weak ones. All of which don’t happen when rushing.
Granted hazing does happen at Colleges and Universities. The most recent case being at Penn State that resulted in death. It was a very tragic story that got the fraternity shut down. But these stories have become rare. In hopes, of course, that organizations are abiding by rules and no longer doing these so-called rituals. In fact, when I found out the news of the Penn State case, I was surprised things like that still happen. At Rhode Island College, anything slightly even resembling hazing is prohibited and risks chapters losing their place on campus. This should be the case everywhere. There now is a bill in process of being passed called the REACH act (Report and Educate About Campus Hazing) that will report cases on campus and educate students.
News broadcasting is just as to blame for the poor image and reputation that Greek life gets. When was the last time the news covered positive aspects of fraternities and sororities? Negative press only leads to negative association. Organizations are fundraising and planning philanthropic events almost every academic semester. Many are for causes like breast cancer, eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, AIDS and domestic violence victims. Members are often required to obtain community service hours per semester. Yet there is very little covered on the good that comes from being in a sororities and fraternizes.
It's time to end the awful stereotype of Greeks hazing new members. It is not a common practice that organizations do anymore and does nothing but continue to portray poor image. People in Greek organizations value their academics and their brothers and sisters.
