[volgirl2376]

I came across Melissa's (Real World New Orleans) website journal. And I found her post about Sorority Life. Again, these arent my words. Its an interesting prospective considering she went through the whole reality tv thing.

posted: 06/25/02 02:15 PM by Melissa
Because I just can't take it anymore! I just can't! These television shows are making me a judgmental old bitch, and it's just not fair to my psyche and it's stunting my emotional development! Why, America? Give me the answers. Give me some clarity. Somebody give me a bible, any holy book for that matter, give me some hope, give me something to hold on to to make me believe that the world is a caring and generous place where our little girls can grow up with confidence and natural tans, not some dark hole with only tanning beds and broken dreams to offer.

Sorority Life. I am almost scared to talk about it. Being judgmental is horrible, I know. I know! But oh my goodness. After watching that show, I really felt like all of my negative, somewhat stereotypical perceptions of sorority girls were, oh I don't know, reinforced and became law somehow. I don't have many words for it. I am just mortified. Yet, I will continue to watch. Partially because some RW producers are involved, but mostly because who turns this off? Only jackasses turn this off. I physically could not change the channel. I was in a sorority tunnel. I was trapped. I couldn't move. I was paralyzed by the bad eye shadow and capri pants. Are we still wearing those? This shit felt like a time warp. It really felt 1994ish. I know they have some form of Urban Outfitters around there. Something, something. Someone please make it stop!

And now pretend that it's not me talking. You're going into a deep sleep. You will be reading this post free of any association with me. You will think that these words just came to you somehow, but you don't know who said them and it can't possibly be me. You now believe that you have left this page and gone somewhere else. When I snap my fingers, these will become just observations and not judgments. Kinda.

Snap.

To be honest, I am censoring myself big time. The sad part is that I feel like the only place where I could truly be myself in regards to Sorority Life is a place like, oh I don't know, hell. I mean, the sheer truth will hurt, but it can be packaged in a funny way. And I will be accused of being an asshole, and not understanding sorority life. And then someone will have the audacity to say that I am just jealous because I couldn't possibly get into one of those. I mean, I would refuse to wear those stupid black pants and horrible generic looking bright-colored tops and no way in hell am I going to actually use hairspray. I mean, if I get an ink stain on something, then I'll use it, but on my hair! Oh hell no. At least they aren't wearing shoelaces in their hair anymore. That almost made me turn to homocide in college.

So my question is this. If you're not Jewish, why are you rushing a Jewish sorority? And if you're not exclusive, then why do you care that non-Jewish girls are rushing? Duh, duh, duh. Yes, they are there for the cameras. The last time I checked, people in college flock to all things MTV and bring lights, camera and action and that's that. Have you never seen Spring Break 1990 through 2002 on MTV?

But what point is the show trying to make? Are they trying to diminish the ill perception that all sorority girls are blonde and not that smart by using this particular sorority? And if so, do they feel any responsibility for replacing that shattered dream with this new train wreck? Now I have a dual perception of sororities, and it's no good. And I know this is just television, but there's a whole world called The United States between California and New York full of impressionable little people who now think this portrait is the word. Maybe in direct reaction to this show, no little girls will join sororities and they will just die out like Pet Rocks did. Oh, that's utopia. I forgot this was real life filled with terror, disenfranchised people, oppression, corruption, hatred and flat soda being sold to poor black and Hispanic communities. Damn, okay, okay, the sororities probably stay. They add humor to all the mayhem, I guess.

Let's not name names. But that one girl who is adamant about not letting some of the girls in --girl, you need to chill. I understand your frustration. They so don't care about the image of the club nor do they care about your club's values. But I guarantee they know Adam Sandler's Hanukkah song! But it's starting to look like you just don't want a somewhat attractive girl with curly hair in the club because it's messing with your head and your self-esteem. It does not at all seem like you genuinely are concerned for the club. Besides, aren't you graduating soon? Trust me, when you get a real job and real friends (who are free, I might add), you will laugh at this one day. You just need to act indifferent. I know, interviews, cameras, lights, you're just trying to keep it real. I understand, but in the end, you'll just look really silly and angry at the world because some girl got a better plot in the hair world.

One of the girls even said that the pretty girls were causing beef. She used the word "threatened" or "intimidated". I am trying to repress it, so I can't remember verbatim. That in and of itself is saying that she thinks the girls in the club now are ugly.

And this line: I am just glad that Amanda got one too. I know, this is the word nerd coming out. The use of the word "too" means that you were so sure that homegirl wouldn't get invited to buy her friends too and that worried you because you guys are friends slash roommates and you didn't want to make her feel inadequate in your world of "I'm the prettiest." But in reality, none of it is a prize, you all got the flower and the card.

I just felt my brain cells dying. This is American college. Really? We're never going to find a cure for cancer or AIDS, are we? We're never going to eradicate hunger, make better cell phones or even find a product that really gets rid of unwanted hair. We have no future, people. Everybody who is sitting at a desk right now, go home. Eat everything you love and just wait for the end. At least just wait for American Idol tonight.

And editors. Come on now. You don't think I believe all that drinking with boys was going on before the rules were set into motion. There was zero continuity. It was clearly not the first night in the ridiculously nice college pledgehouse that only exists because you are filming a TV show.

Um, last time I checked I wasn't 12. I would be damned (damned damned damned) if some girl who was the same age as me left some little chalkboard message talking about "where are you? hugs!" I am a grown ass woman, don't be telling me where I need to be. Is the quiet hour designed to promote studying? Because I thought college was a place where you really thought for yourself and getting good grades was kinda just a nice thing to do for your life and your future and your own personal enrichment. Oh, but this is sorority life. I keep forgetting.

I absolutely despise this show. I loathe loathe loathe everything about it. The imagery, the lack of vocabulary, the sights, the sounds, all of it. I will watch it faithfully. Lord knows I couldn't sit through another minute of Road Rules. Does the black guy get a speaking part ever? But go, Road Rules, you make that gay boy the champion team player. Do something for the community, for America. Something. I am getting political, sorry, I know some folks hate that. Just stating the facts, ma'am. Do you think people are watching Road Rules just to pass the time before Sorority Life comes on? Who are these people? Who am I? Why am I here? You see, there is a use for bad television. It makes me ponder my existence.

Oh, and please no haters on this one. This is just a plain fact. Why, why, why! Why is it that the only person of color on Sorority Life has to be the house narc? Why must we always play the villain? The sometimes unwanted sidekick? Damn it, I just need answers! And that girl seems like the only one with feelings and a good heart. To exploit her this way is just plain irresponsible and evil. Shame shame on you MTV. I won't be surprised if she transfers schools after this. Perhaps this type of television exposure (aka trauma) will lead her to another path, like crack rock, leotards and white shoes with toe cleavage. Poor girl.

Let us all pray.