Greek life has been criticized for several stereotypes. “You pay for your friends.” “You just go to parties.” “You are just pretending to be who they want.” But for the people on the inside, we see it very differently. We see it the exact way that non-affiliated people see brotherhood and sisterhood. We desire a support system and group of people to like us for our true selves. After asking both sets of groups it is clear that the meaning is the same for both. Sisterhood isn’t only in sororities, brotherhood isn’t only in fraternities.
Affiliated:
"Sisterhood is appreciating each other's differences. Not always agreeing with each other, but always supporting each other to take that extra step." – Emily B. (Alpha Sigma Tau)
Non-Affiliated:
"Someone who holds a bond like family, but is a friend like a sister. People who have each others' backs. No matter how dumb or messed up a situation is." – Heather G.
Affiliated:
"Brotherhood to me is something special, it's absence of belonging; it's an atmosphere where I can truly be myself without being judged. Brotherhood is the connection between me and my brothers. At the end of the day I would do anything I could for them, knowing they would do the same." – James M. (Phi Kappa Theta)
Non-Affiliated:
"Well, I think that brotherhood is when people band together weather they are family or not and grow strong bonds that can't be broken. These men are willing to give and do anything for one another putting each other's needs before their own. I think a brotherhood can be the strongest kind of bond." – Kyle L.
Affiliated:
"Having a person that you can continuously go to. They never leave you even when you ask the stupid questions. They will always have your back and defend you. Having someone to unconditionally love you is a very special feeling." – Alexia L. (Delta Phi Epsilon)
Non-Affiliated:
"Sisterhood means that girls come together and stick by each other no matter what. It’s like an unconditional love for one another whether it’s a friend, sister, mom or something along those lines." - Allie C.
Affiliated:
"Brotherhood to me circumscribes a person’s drive to support, encourage, and love another one of their peers. Through it an unbreakable bond is created that perpetuates all who are a part of it to reach and demonstrate their full potential as people." –Jimmy P. (Sigma Chi)
Non-Affiliated:
"A brother isn’t just someone that is blood related to you. A brother is someone that supports you like they are family. They push you like a brother would, they support your decisions like a dad would." –Tyler W.
Next time you question why someone is in a fraternity or a sorority, remember that they are looking for the same things you are. When you are looking for friends that have the same values as you, that is what fraternity men do. When your best friend loves you unconditionally no questions asked, that is what sorority women are to each other. Affiliated or not, we all believe in sisterhood and brotherhood. Thank you to my beautiful sisters that help me to continue to grow and to the wonderful women in my life that show the strength one woman can have.
