This past week, a debate took place on Fox News. The original story was discussing a certain sorority’s recruitment video which has since been taken down. However, things took a turn for the offensive when one of the debaters made the claim that the video was a representation of the larger issue that is Greek Life. She demonstrated her belief that Greek systems are associations for partying and other reckless behaviors that conflict with the higher powers of education and responsibility. It is a conviction that is not uncommon among the non-Greek community. This debater was praised by many, but also heavily condemned for criticizing the system without ever experiencing it first-hand. What angered most people about this particular debater was the fact that she never experienced Greek Life and was thus deemed ignorant for her comments. And let me tell you, I was one of those people.
Before I had even started college as a freshman at UTA, I knew that I was going to be heavily involved in a variety of different organizations. As soon as I set up the Wi-Fi, I was already browsing sports clubs, Maverick Activity Center hours, and creating my profile on the intramural website. My first semester I joined the Wesley Foundation, Men’s Club Volleyball, and the Society of Kinesiology Scholars. One type of organization I had zero interest in was Greek Life. In fact, I thought joining one was possibly the worst decision that a student could make in college. My reasons for contempt didn’t differ much from that of society or the opinions of the Fox News debater that was upset with Greek Life. I held a strong conviction that most of what fraternities did was destructive, and I wanted no part of it. Ironically, I did go through rush in the fall of my freshman year, but I simply wanted to take advantage of the free food, free events, and a chance to meet new people. I accomplished my mission for the week, and went home on preference night with no intention of pledging.
via Chandler
As that semester went on, I became increasingly disappointed in how such destructive behaviors affected my friends all across the country. I can recall two specific incidents where I took to social media and expressed my frustration. Luckily, I had friends that called me out for my blind comments so I wouldn’t be left in ignorance. I soon came to realize that it wasn’t Greek Life that was the source of all this “reckless behavior.” I had friends and associates in all different parts of the country in all different situations and organizations. There was no correlation between Greek Life and such behavior. Critics try to make the claim that the associations formed in Greek Life are catalysts for poor collegiate behavior, but in actuality the risk is far less. Random people and organizations throw parties every week without regard to the safety of the individuals present. In college, the only safe haven is Greek Life, where each organization runs recognized risk management programs in addition to having a community that genuinely cares about each other and keeps each other accountable.
Greek Life is also one of the few systems that teaches its members the inner workings of how to work in the workplace and live in the real world. The only organization that is run even remotely similar is the Boy Scouts, and the Boy Scouts is not for the development of college students. There are no other collegiate organizations that could compare in this respect. This is why most leaders of America are Eagle Scouts and fraternity members.
via Chandler
Right now, a good portion of our society would like to blame Greek Life for being reckless when these organizations are some of the only accountable communities that college students could have. Do you question the behavior of college students? Would you like them to become the best that they can be? If you do, I know a great place to start. Start with the leaders on campus, and the influence will trickle down. Leadership is not destroying values-based organizations. Leadership is serving those organizations to help them live those values. In 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul does not run from those students that could use help. He becomes all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some. He risks his own livelihood in order that he may show those in darkness the Light. So if you are frustrated by current events that are happening, I would encourage you to go do something constructive about it. Trust me, it is worth it.
