Everyone seems to agree that there is a negative stigma placed on the greek community. Actually I would go as far as saying its a greek identity. It is what the greek community thrives on. A majority of recruitment is based on this stigma because this is the only greek community is portrayed. When someone goes to college and decides to join a fraternity or sorority, their thought process normally involves fulfilling these stereotypes.
The first stereotype, which is probably the biggest, is "boozing hard." Greek life is overwhelmed with the idea that everyone in its community drinks all the time and that most of those drinks are probably bonged. Most fraternities recruit based on these facts. "Hey if you are interested in _________ come to our party this weekend should be a great time and tons of free alcohol." I was solicited at least 3 different occasions with that opening line. Even though this identity is, for the most part, true this is the stereotype that pisses me off the most. Don't worry little birds i'll tell you why. Is there any other place that is known for "partying hard?" Ya its called college. Does that make everyone in college who bashes fraternities for raging hypocrites..... I think so. Now I'm not saying that all of college drinks insane amounts but there is a definite majority. I don't know how many parties I have been at where someone finishes a beer bong or takes multiple shots and then mocks a fraternity for doing the same thing.
This annoyance does bring up a point I wanted to make. Once you acquire a stigma, it is way harder to break that stigma than it was obtaining it. All news or press that the greek community receives revolves around its defects and not its positives. A fraternity can do asmuch community service or activities that benefit others as it likes but the only mention it will get in a newspaper is about a wild party it threw where a kid died. Or how about a formal where there is a line to have sex in the bathroom. Every fraternity and sorority are not like this, but, as one of my brothers stated very well, one bad apple is enough to ruin the whole bunch.
After that little rant, another stereotype that plagues the greek community is hazing. Every movie or tv show that I have seen since the 1970s based around or featuring some aspect of fraternity life has involved hazing. Naked running, forced alcohol consumption, inflicting physical pain, and social abuse are just some of the "hazing" that apparently occurs within every fraternity. I remember when i had to run a naked mile while chugging beer......... It really bonded me to my chapter.... Just wanted to let everyone know :) (sarcasm people). Honestly, I do like the "intention" behind hazing. The classic point that it builds brotherhood. But hazing doesn't even accomplish this. There are plenty of other ways in which fraternities and sororities can achieve this goal.
The last thing that I believe hinders the fraternal movement is actually not related to stereotypes. It is the "individualistic" nature of the greek community. I'm not saying that everyone single person looks out for themselves, but chapters as wholes look out for "themselves." I think it stems from the fact that you join a chapter cause you think its the best chapter for yourself. This tends to form negative opinions of other chapters in your mind. So every chapter thinks its the best and it definitely shows in the greek community. This detracts from the community working as a whole and forming a uniting front. All that happens is bashing and that negates from the positive fraternal movement most fraternities are seeking.
Anyways its late I'm hitting the hay.
Cozzzzzzz
I really like the point you made about the individualistic nature of fraternities. It's so true. I think the biggest battle will take place over whether or not farternities can COLLABORATE together.
ReplyDeleteJon, I see what you did there.
ReplyDeleteYou and Tim both hit it. You don't need to join a fraternity to have a good social scene at OSU. Therefore you must join for something more. Brotherhood, service, leadership, scholarship, etc etc. There is a lot more to Greek Life that partying. People who aren't Greek just don't see that.
Good points, guys. Ozzy, I think you've confused fraternities since FIJI doesn't haze. But, I get the humor and point- you can bond with your brothers and learn the importance of being a FIJI without hazing. It's sad to see people not understand this, so instead, they think hazing is the only solution.
ReplyDelete