So if you opened this article, you’re either in Greek life or you hate Greek life. After being in one for about 4 years now, I can honestly say I cannot even imagine what life would be like without my sorority. Anytime somebody sees me wearing my letters or if the topic gets brought up, I get interviewed as if I am on Dr. Phil and receiving a lecture of why I had made such a bad choice. Let’s be real, if you’re not in Greek life- you don’t know what it is like. With the stigmatization of sororities and fraternities nowadays, everyone thinks the worst of us. So here, I’m about to breakdown all your comments and answer your questions. What people in Greek life are sick of hearing, from a girl in a sorority.
YOU’RE IN A SORORITY? SO THAT MEANS YOU GOT HAZED?
Let us start with the most common question of our time. Here is the definition of Hazing.
haz·ing
ˈhāziNG/
noun
NORTH AMERICAN
- the imposition of strenuous, often humiliating, tasks as part of a program of rigorous physical training and initiation.
The first thing I say when I get this question is, “Do I look like I can be involved in rigorous physical training?" Let's be real. If someone made you do humiliating things in public or decided to treat you like you were nothing- you would say or do something about it, right? Listen, I'm not saying all frats or sororities don't haze. I'm sure some of the horror stories are true. But realistically what I learned is that we're all a bunch of 18-20 something year olds trying to finish college and start a life. Why would we throw all of that away just so you can wear letters on your chest? And another thing, after being a "pledge", we're supposed to be friends with you. How can you be friends with us after x amount of torture?
So do you like, pay for your friends?
Honey, I had friends way before college. I don't need to pay for my friends. We pay something called dues. Dues that go towards fun things like a college prom and lots of food and just great memories. I don't "pay" for friendship, I joined for a sisterhood.
Do you only party and do a lot of drugs?
No. Who has time to only do that? My sorority in particular, does loads of philanthropy work. Such as the NAMI walk that my sisters and I walk every year in support of two of my family members or suffer from mental illness. Plus, I HATE when people think sorority girls do a lot of drugs. I'm scared to take Tylenol, you think I spend my time popping pills and getting faded?
Aren't frat guys jerks?
Hey, all guys can be jerks. Frat or no frat. But, I do know of a lot of guys in fraternities who are in committed relationships. Don't judge a book by it's cover.
What's the point of Greek life?
This is one of my favorite questions. Why did I choose this lifestyle? Well, personally, I absolutely loved the girls in my sorority during rush. I loved the good vibes and how much love everyone has for each other. I chose this life, and I would never take it back.
Greek life is something that you have to be in to understand. Whatever you hear in the media, isn't the actual reality for the most part. We do a lot of good and I feel that isn't said enough. Don't stigmatize or judge people because of what you hear. Remember that we're just like you, with letters on our chests.
