What are Greeks anyway?
 

The problems at DePauw have called Greeks into the limelight once again. When people ask you, or when you ponder being Greek being Delta Zeta or being _ _ _ what comes to mind?
Is it our creeds or founders? Our badges? Our constititions and rituals?
I am asking what is the core of what we are? The rest of the world now sees that core as image, sexist, racist, alchoholic, drug abusive people who pay for their friends.

I would love to read stories or thoughts of what the core or heart of your chapter is, and your fraternity or sorority as a whole, (please I am not getting at top secret stuff, I hope no one thinks that) or even all of Greek-ness.

It would be refreshing this first of march to see some positive discussion.

I believe that our history, responsibilities, rituals and creeds shared by thousands throughout the years is what bonds us together.

Sisterhood is very hard to explain. You have a connection with every other member of your GLO who has been initiated. 10+ years after graduation, I find a sister who is 19 or 59, and instantly feel that bond.

Whoever said sisterhood is forever is right. But I also think that you get what you put in.

In this meaning, a Greek would be a member of an organization whose name consists strictly of Greek letters.

Some people may consider Greeks to be only those members of social GLOs in NPC, IFC, and perhaps NPHC. But I do consider service, professional, academic, and cultural GLO members to be Greeks as well.

Greek as an adjective describing the nature of the organizations as well as the labels of the organizations, so in the broadest sense possible to foster participation.

We're people who feel like if we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, we can be better as individuals. There's the social aspect, there's the aspect of being connected with well-established alums, there's the creed, brotherhood, having a way to leave your mark on our campus, etc.

At it's core, I'd say we all have our different reasons. This is something which should defy generalization.

We have "Greeks" that do not have greek lettered names--Farmhouse and Acacia come to mind.

To me, when most people are talking about "Going Greek" they are speaking about joining a social/service fraternity or sorority. These organizations typically have service, sister/brotherhood and commitment to academics at the heart of their values. These organizations typically ascribe to a set of values or a creed.

I like the description of being a part of something, for your lifetime, that is larger then yourself.

And sharing that connection with hundreds-of-thousands that came before you.

I like it too.

Being Greek means being an idealist and being a realist. Idealist in that all our organizations were typically founded for lofty goals (the ones that were founded around and after the turn of the century,esp. the NPHC groups, typically had as one of their their founding principles service to community) but we all must acknowledge the negative aspects too: hazing, alcohol abuse, a culture of sexual promiscuity, elitism/classism, racism.etc. Beyond the scintilllating tales of misbehavior you'll find brothers and sisters who "live their creed," those who "straddle the "fence" and those who don't care. And people do grow up and mature as human beings and realize what being Greek is all about--hopefully!. I'm reminded of a situation a few years ago at a city-wife Fraternity luncheon (Achievement Week) where, after the District Chaplain offered a moving prayer and one of the wives of the brothers comented how beautiful it was, one of the brothers at the table said sarcastically:"I remenber when he was a reprobate."

I think being Greek is about respecting your values, traditions and values. I think being Greek means respecting your sisters/brothers. It means a connection (or even networking) with someone you may have never met- i.e. being approached by total strangers asking you where you were XYZ at when they see you wearing your letters.

Being a bigger part than just self or I as some want to call it.

Learning how to do things above the norm.

Being part of a larger networking of people.

Being a member of friends.

I think it's an honor to be greek, and I'm not just talking about something made up that won't be around long. I'm talking about something that has decades and decades of history. To be apart of a tradition that has remained the same for over 100 years. I love being a part of something that many women have tried to get into but didn't. When I look at the fact that I made it, I consider that an honor.