The Sad Truth About Greek Life, From Someone On The Inside
The values and ideas that sororities and fraternities were founded on are becoming more and more obscure, and honestly, it's heartbreaking.
Recently, I was scrolling through Facebook when I came across an article; this article was written by the Kappa Alpha Theta-Epsilon Zeta chapter alumni, Bradley Tune. She expressed her sadness about the closing of her chapter, but the saddest part of her article was how relatable it was. The title was "As a Kappa Alpha Theta, I encountered my fair share of judgment." Throughout her article, she talks about the tier system and how it affected how people saw her and the organization she was a part of.
After reading the article, I wasn't sad. I was angry. I realized that everything she wrote was something my sorority sisters and I go through all the time, and honestly, I am sick of it.
People judge sororities based on the type of girls they recruit. Theta has a bad reputation because the girls we recruit are all different shapes and sizes. There was this guy I met last year, and he asked me if I was in a sorority. I proudly said "Yes, I'm in Theta," and I kid you not he looked at me and said "Theta? You don't look like a Theta," and I must have looked really confused because his friend said, "You know because you're pretty."
How does that even make sense?
When I was going through recruitment my freshman year, I was alone and nervous. So, when I got a bid from Kappa Alpha Theta, I was so excited that I was actually going to be a part of the Greek community, but that excitement quickly faded. I remember my Gamma Chi making a big deal not because I only got one bid back but because of which house it was. I remember feeling the judgment radiating from the girls that overheard the conversation about me loving Theta. I remember hearing those same girls bash Theta saying "I would rather not take a bid than go Theta."
I was heartbroken and actually considered not taking the bid, but I thank God every day that I took it. Even though the judgment on my sisters and I continue to receive to this day, I have never regretted joining that organization. It makes me sad and angry that Greek life all over the world has strayed so far from the ideals and morals it was founded on. It's funny that they call it the Greek "community" because the definition of community Is "a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals," and none of that is what comes to my mind when I think of the Greek community. I think of those girls from recruitment, and I'm thankful that I don't share "common attitudes, interest, and goals" with them. I'm thankful that instead of conforming to the stereotypes of this "community," I joined a sorority that produces leading women who have their own attitudes, interest, and goals.
Long story short, things have to change across all Greek life PHC, NPHC, and IFC; and not just here at LSU but all over the world. Thanks for coming to my TEDTalk.
