There’s so much social media out there today that shows that “frat” bros just care about sex, drugs and alcohol. If you ever see a story in the news that has to do with a fraternity, 9 times out of 10, its about brutal hazing, sexual assault or something of the sort. I’m not saying these things didn’t happen or should go unpunished because I know, as a girl in college, I have come across that one guy who proudly embodies the typical frat guy. He gladly calls himself a “frat star” while he wears his chubbies and bro tank, but my point is, there are a few bad apples, but that is inevitable in any social circle and the media loves to jump all over only reinforcing the negative stereotype.
The thing is I’m always wondering what about all the money they donate to charities or their involvement and leadership all over campus. I know that here at Georgia Southern, sororities are extremely involved in all of the fraternity’s philanthropy events and they usually take place for over a week. These weeks are filled with parties and games and other little events that make sororities look forward to being involved and for that, these boys are geniuses.
These events end up raising an abundant amount of money for these boys to put towards their designated philanthropies. At Georgia Southern, the frat guys that I have been surrounded with are some of the most caring, pleasant, respectful men I’ve met. The stereotypical douchebag who drinks all day on daddy’s money and takes advantage of freshman girls is something I’ve only seen on "Animal House." In reality, the majority of the guys I know in fraternities have jobs to pay for their fraternity fee, make better grades than the majority of our school, and are involved on campus.
I actually saw the data that the all average fraternity male GPA is higher than the general male GPA here at Georgia Southern. They always hold the door open, make sure everyone has a ride home safely and are some of the biggest leaders on our campus. You can find them thriving in organizations such as SGA, Residence Hall, and honor programs. Most of the fraternities have to keep their GPA’s above a 3.0 or they’re not even allowed to be a member. OK yes, there are a few crazy unpredictable party animals around, but my thing there’s that guy in every group? Not just fraternities. I just feel like these guys do an exponential more amount of good than bad but the media just keeps bashing them.
For once, I’d like to see the story of the $30,000 that was raised for cancer research or the sexual assault and prevention speaker they brought in. Or the local elementary school they volunteered at. You know you always see fraternities advertising the values they stand for such as civic engagement, leadership and academic achievement, etc. Well, from firsthand experience to all those who have developed this negative connotation of the Greek organizations from bias forms of media who love to feed off the few rotten apples in the bunch, I am here to tell you these “frat bros” are actually the gentlemen they advertise to be. Crazy concept, am I right? So next time you see a guy in a comfort color T-shirt with Ray Bans and Sperry’s walking on Georgia Southern’s campus, talk to him and see for yourself. I'll be willing to bet you he’s actually a pretty well-rounded nice guy.
