The book "Dirty Rush" introduces us to Taylor Bell, a third-generation, fifth in her family, soon-to-be Beta Zeta, in her freshman year. We learn about Taylor’s experiences with fraternity parties, drinking, boys, hazing, and drugs. Essentially, every sorority- life stereotype out there, from the rich-girl who gets everything she wants to the horrendous hazing story, is included. From the perspective of someone who is already a member of a Greek organization, I found the book to be entertaining because of how ridiculous, and occasionally true, Taylor Bell’s experiences were. However, I couldn’t help but question what people who weren’t members of Greek organizations were thinking about Greek life.
I hate that I love this book.
"Dirty Rush" was a fun, easy read that I would recommend to anyone who is already a member of a Greek organization. But I would never recommend the book to a PNM (Potential New Member) or someone who is anti-Greek because Greek life is depicted as if all the stereotypes about partying and hookups and rich girls were true. The worst thing about the book is how easy it is to believe these stereotypes because the story flows without a kink. In some ways, I love this book because it mocks the many Greek stereotypes that float around in the minds of others. But in other ways, I hate this book because it gives the impression that all Greeks are careless, partying, horny, bad-decision makers who care more about their chapter than what is right or wrong in the real world.
Greek life offers so much more than what "Dirty Rush" projects. I’m not trying to claim that Greeks don’t party and are always your average, middle class citizen. However, I want to make the point that there are always exceptions to the rule and emphasizing these stereotypes does not contribute to the efforts that many Greeks are making in creating a better name for the letters we wear. The media has given fraternities and sororities a lot of attention in recent months for a few scandals, but by emphasizing these exceptions, Greeks are depicted as a set of stereotypes instead of individuals who come together to join a long-lasting organization. Being a member of a Greek organization gives you the opportunity to become friends with those who wear your letters all across the country, it teaches you how to communicate with a multitude of personalities, it fills your calendar with events for your chapter and your community, and, as corny as it may sound, it gives you a house full of sisters to love you. "Dirty Rush" simply misses these aspects in its, I’ll admit, hilarious depiction of Greek life’s stereotypes.
I’m not here to advertise for the book, but I’m also not here to deter you away from it. With recruitment coming up at most chapters throughout the country, my only worry is that PNMs will decide not to rush because they are worried that "Dirty Rush" is an accurate depiction of what sorority life is all about. I love this book because it mocked so many Greek stereotypes in just a little over two hundred words, but I hate this book because of what it could cause non-Greeks to believe about sorority life. If you want a good laugh, read "Dirty Rush;" but keep in mind that Greek life is about so much more.
