Unity is a word we like to throw around, typically because it sounds good. Whether that be on a resume, your sorority or fraternity, or even just a group of friends. Do we really take into consideration what unity actually is? According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, “Unity is absence of diversity or harmony among a number of people.” When you think of your personal chapter or Greek life as a whole, can you honestly say that you have “Greek Unity”?
Greek Unity, is understanding that JUST because you don’t like someone in a specific chapter, doesn’t mean the rest of their chapter is like that. Look beyond the actions of a single person. Greek Unity, is being able to walk into an “All Greeks” event and not be worried about where you’re sitting because you know, or want to know all of the faces in the room. Greek Unity is not simply knowing the name of a person and what chapter they’re apart of, it’s knowing that person on a personal level and becoming friends. Greek Unity is not only supporting each others philanthropy events, but doing it with a meaning and understanding the cause. Greek Unity is cheering someone up or passing on motivational quotes if they’re having a rough day even if they’re not in your chapter. Greek Unity is going to events not because it’s mandatory, but because you genuinely want to be there for support.
This past fall break, I was able to go on a retreat with several other young adults in different Greek chapters. The agenda of the trip was simple; Exchange names, learn about their chapters, try not to stereotype, do a service project, get a free shirt and go home. Starting out, we all stuck to the people we already knew; the ones in our chapter. Only soon to be split into two groups, with people you’d never seen before in your life. Then of course you do the typical name, major, favorite color, games for what seems like forever. By the time it was time for bed, we all still wanted to be together. We hung out in our cabins playing, “Never have I ever…” and staying up all night having girl talks with fellow bunk mates discussing what would happen when we had to go back to real life.
For the rest of the weekend, team building exercises and service were the main priorities. Holding hands with people you hardly know for 30+ minutes while you all try to navigate up and down through a playground seemed crazy. Even crazier was creating a plan and pushing every single one of your teammates up a 15ft wall. Learning everyone’s quirks and what makes them tick is an incredibly beautiful thing. When every one of us realized how big of an influence we are to each other, and how strong we can be when we work together, we immediately wanted to make a change. The minute we decide to put down the stereotypes, quite the negative outcomes of our competitiveness and stop talking down on one another, positive vibes will come and lifelong bonds will be created. If you want the number of incoming Greeks to rise, consider creating a place where diversity is non-existent and all the Greek values shine through.
No matter what letters we have on our Comfort Colors t-shirts, we all have similar values. Whether you’re Inter-fraternities Council, Panhellenic Council or Multicultural Greeks Council, we are one. We are ALL Greeks. It’s time we make a change and come together. People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
