Veritas Or Valium: Harvard's War On Greek Life | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Veritas Or Valium: Harvard's War On Greek Life

Keeping the peace is good, but at what cost?

527
Veritas Or Valium: Harvard's War On Greek Life
MADELEINE PETTI

Elle Woods is rolling over in her hot pink Delta Nu grave. As of August 19th, 2018, Harvard University's last sorority has ceased to exist, according to The Harvard Crimson. From my understanding, since 2016 Harvard administration has been making an effort to be more "inclusive." And by "inclusive," they mean excluding people that participate in single-gender clubs from holding campus leadership positions, varsity team athletic captaincies, and from receiving Harvard's endorsement for prestigious fellowships like the Rhodes. I don't know if Harvard was dropped on its head as a baby, but this is stupid (especially coming from one of the most prestigious universities in the country).

From Giphy

Yes, I know, I'm being slightly harsh. But only slightly. Harvard's slogan is "Veritas," which means "Truth." There is a famous saying by an anonymous author that goes, "If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything." Harvard claims to stand for things. Their mission statement is "to educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society." I'm not sure what Harvard is trying to teach. Maybe they're trying to teach math, or science, or sexism and historic marginalization against women simply because they want to sleep well at night knowing no one can argue against their politically correct, liberal agenda for fear of being name-called. Maybe they're trying to avoid losing a lawsuit. I'm not sure, but I think they might've been, like, the top law school in America since, like, the beginning or something. You'd think they'd be able to, like, win a court case, but I don't know.

Regardless of their intentions, Harvard's plan of action was extremely ineffective. It's like they learned NOTHING from "Legally Blonde." Elle Woods literally proved that sorority women are so much more than mixers and giant houses and bedazzled letters on a T-shirt. We are the future leaders in our respective fields joined together by the sacred bond of sisterhood. We have a home base where we support, encourage, strengthen and inspire each other, so that when we go out into the world, we "Do Good." We "Seek the Heights [Together]." We "Live for Each Other."

Harvard claims to be all about building the next generation of leaders, but instead, they're subduing the next generation of leaders. I'm even going to say that they're sedating the next generation of leaders. We all have this flame that burns in our soul. It's called "passion." Harvard is stamping that out by discouraging these absolutely brilliant minds from thinking critically and forming their own values. Some arguments need to be had. There are things worth fighting for, and Harvard basically popped a big, ol' Valium and is ignoring and numbing everything instead of trying to get to the basis of the problem.

tenor.com

It is 2018, and we are standing at a crossroads. To the left, we have the option of buckling to every complaint given. To the right, we have a possible discrimination lawsuit. And in the middle, we have a bunch of trees and bushes. And in those trees and bushes lie the road less traveled, the high road, whatever you want to call it. I call it the road of compromise. Call me stupid, but what if we let people choose whether they wanted to be in single gender or mixed clubs/societies? Honestly, adding a mixed Greek council wouldn't hurt anyone. It'd actually be very beneficial because then people could choose based on their personal needs and interests instead of based on Harvard's shoddy totem of values. And as the little girl in the Old El Paso taco shell commercial says, "Why not both?"

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

123991
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

27287
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

25505
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments