GreekChat.com Forums - The Truth Is: "No T-shirt members" for us

THE TRUTH IS...
Published: Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Written by the brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Tau Chapter,
Howard University
The truth is most non-Greeks will disregard this message before they really take a good look at what I'm saying, simply because it's coming from a person that is a member of an organization that they do not want to be apart of. The truth is that most Greeks will disregard this message, except for the ones who are doing the legwork in their respective organizations (I know they feel me). This is not a hate article, just a reality check.
With respect to Greek life, there are four types of people.
1. Backbone Members - those who do all the real work
2. T-shirt Members - those who only show up for the social events
3. Non-Members - those who aspire to become Greek for the right reasons
4. Non-Members - those who aspire to become Greek for the wrong reasons
The truth is, backbone members are the reason that Black Greek fraternities are still around. They are the type of people that would be an asset to any organization. They use their organizations as tools to BUILD a better community, a stronger and more aware university and to become an all-around better person. They wear their paraphernalia because of pride.
The truth is, t-shirt members are the reason that there are lawsuits against organizations for hazing (side note: Iota Phi Theta is the only Pan-Hellenic organization that has never been sued for hazing). They come around when it is time to pledge someone or get in free to a party. They are liabilities to their organizations and in turn use their organizations as a CRUTCH. They wear their paraphernalia for props.
There are always exceptions in every organization, but you can probably see where this is leading. Group 3 individuals become Group 1 members, and Group 4 individuals either never make it or become Group 2 members.
The only thing now is distinguishing between good and bad reasons. _

BAD REASONS
"I like their colors, and I would look great wearing those letters"
"They have the most members, so they must be the best"
"My Dad/Mom is one"
"They won the step show"
"They have the hardest intake process"
"Their stereotype fits me the most, so that must be the right one"
"This would look great on my resume"
GOOD REASONS
"True brotherhood/sisterhood"
"The majority of the members that I know have the same beliefs and ideas as me"
"I truly RESEARCHED ALL the organizations and this one is the best fit for me"
"Not only do I believe in their founding principles, I believe that they are following them."
And now to end this message with a couple more truths that most people don't really know about. The truth is, some of these organization's founders would turn over in their graves if they knew the stereotypes and traditions that their new members were promoting. The truth is most people have already committed their interest to organizations before they really know what the organization is really about. The truth is, most people pledge under false pretenses (i.e. stereotypes that only exist on an undergraduate level).
This is horrible because membership in all of these organizations is a life-long commitment, financially, mentally and socially. The truth is, being founded first or before another organization does not make that organization better. History proves that in most cases, the last created is usually the best designed, think about it.
The hard truth is Iotas are the smallest organization because we believe you can have true brotherhood without losing your individuality and too many people join organizations because of personal insecurities and they need/want these "stereotypes."
This letter is not intended to discourage people from becoming Greek; instead its purpose is to encourage those interested to do it for the right reasons.