Growing up, I always knew I wanted to join a Greek affiliation when I got to college. A lot of the reasoning behind it had to do with the fact that a good portion of my family was Greek, and I admired them as people. Not just because they were near and dear to me, but because I saw the way they carried themselves, and I wanted to carry myself in the same manner. They had respect for themselves, and those around them; they believed in helping out anyway they could, and always did the absolute best they could no matter what the task was. This, in my eyes, was the type of person I wanted to be.
Actually, going through the recruitment process was a whole different ballgame, but I was ready. What I did not anticipate, however, was what would follow. I was not prepared for the harshness that co-existed with being Greek. Outside of the Greek community, and even within it, a lot of adversity towards these affiliations exists. I heard numerous stereotypes of each affiliation that made me wonder how these could have evolved. Does it happen by chance, or is there a Greek guru who decides the stereotype behind each? The answer is neither.
Stereotypes are almost inevitable. You will always have those people who neglect to honor the pledge they made when joining their affiliation. Needless to say, I find stereotypes to be an inside job. Even if the majority of time they aren't true, it still stems from an inside source. What I mean is, unless someone decided to unrightfully accuse an organization of doing something or being some type of way (which can happen don't misunderstand me), these stereotypes usually branch out from something someone has done within that chapter. In my opinion, this is extremely sad. As Greeks, we should always strive to present ourselves in the best manner possible. We should want to be known for our selflessness and dedication to service, instead of being known for being easy, partiers, or goodness knows what else. The things that we do can put a lasting impression on our affiliation's name for decades to come.
Being a part of a Greek organization should be something to live up to. We should be setting an example for the younger generation, and proving to those who dislike the Greek system that it is much more than meets the eye, because it is. When it all boils down to it, it's not about the parties or the social events, or anything like that. It's about being a part of something bigger than yourself -- it's about making a difference on campus and in the surrounding community; it's about loyalty and dedication to your fellow members. How others perceive you is how they will perceive your organization in return. So next time you're out and about, remember that your letters don't represent you -- you represent your letters. Wear them well.
