MTV and Sororities

[ZTAMiami]

From the MTV Sorority Life website:

What was the worst thing about pledging?
Being yelled at every week by the sisters. When they yell at me I don't like it, that sums it up. Also, being treated like you're less than them simply [because] you're pledging, even if you're older than them, that part was hard for me.
--Mara


HHHMMMMMMMMMMMM

What does this sound like to you?

[FuzzieAlum]

The fact that you were worried about convincing your friends and family that greek life would benefit you is part of why I want no part of it, you have to be able to make your own decisions about your life without being overly conserned about what other people think.

I didn't base my decision whether or not to go Greek on what my friends thought, but when they criticized my decision after the fact (when I hadn't asked their opinion), it was only natural that I would defend my choice. I suppose you're right that if you're only willing go Greek if all your friends approve, you are too dependent on what other people think. Then again, I don't know anyone like that, because all of us have at least one friend who is very anti-Greek - and yet, here we are in GLOs.

However, I do think convincing your family going Greek is a good idea hardly proves someone is a lemming! Many Greeks have their dues paid for by their families. Others have parents who threaten to withdraw all financial support if they join. Parents DO still have a strong influence over the "typical" age college student (aka 18-21) and their opinion thus needs to be taken into account.

[SIGMA_INSIDER]

(MAGGIEAXID) sigma-insider, i still don't know why you think you know so much about sigma if you aren't one. you can not say they hazed or did not haze if you are not a member, can you? are you some kind of phantom that watched these girls every second and know everything that goes on? do you know their ritual?

fine, you want to define hazing. i'll give you the definition used on my campus....in accordance to NPC, IFC and local government guidelines..."hazing can be defined as being emotionally, physically, and psychologically battered...." maybe only in north carolina, they would consider a "pledge" (which according to NPC guidelines is considered hazing because it is a derogatory name) or "new member" (which is the correct term) was hazed if that person said "Having to relive childhood experiences - having to dig up old memories because you're reminded by their cruelty. You know how mean kids can be? It was like [it was] happening all over again - having to relive it" ...no where did she say anything about a fight between other people, and i do believe the question was "what the worst thing about PLEDGING"

Actually, I do know enough about the character of the girls in SigmaAEPi and have seen enough of what goes on to know that no hazing ever takes place. Jordan and Mara have reasons for such comments. They were involved in a situation which took place near the end of rush. However, their view is quite different from the view of others in Sigma and other PNMs. If one were to take their emotion-laden comments as fact without considering alternatives, one would have a very skewed interpretation of what it is like to pledge SigmaAEPi. Perhaps MTV will also take the 2 PNMs view and run with it. So be it. I suggest you check you http://www.realsororitylife.com to check the facts and maybe see "the situation," if it arises, in a different light. I'm talking so far into the future, but I guess I have been forced to in order to try and explain myself a little more. I'm sorry for still being so vague, but I don't know how wise it would be to devulge more specific details. Besides, you wouldn't want me to ruin the ending, would you?

After reviewing maggieaxid's posting again:

• I apologize for not knowing the correct terminology because no, I am not Greek (neither ethnically nor it terms of being involved in the Greek system)
• No I do not know their rituals, but I do know that none of them include being "emotionally, physically, and psychologically battered." (see first line, re: "character")
  
• lol, "are you even greek?" ..... is it bad not to be? I think I'm still allowed to talk if I'm not, just checking though.

[ChiOJenn78]

Originally posted by AggieDZ
aggiegirl 04 ---"I'm not in, nor would I ever consider joining any part of the greek system...."


At the risk of seeming ultra-catty, here goes: It seems like you're spending an awful lot of time worrying about issues and people that you'll never have to deal with then...... Don't knock it till ya' try it. Till then, criticizing people who are "in" will only tick them off.


"...but I know I don't need to define myself by three letters...."

But you're willing to define yourself by 5? (your handle says it all) A-G-G-I-E. Have you seen the "Aggies are Hazing" thread yet? Don't know about you , but that one leaves a little pang in my heart. It hurts to see something you love tarnished even a little bit. Most of us have the utmost respect not only for our own orgs, but the system that allows them to exist, as a whole.
If you buy into the whole "Aggie" cult (you know exactly what I mean), then you're defining yourself by three letters argument doesn't have a LEG TO STAND ON. That same kind of pride is what exists in a "greek" social organization, just on a smaller level. The only people who worry about the supposed "status" that those 3 letter might or might not give a person are those not wearing them. I'm disappointed in ya' Ag.

Thanks, & Gig' Em!
(aggiedz takes a bow & ducks the ensuing mud slinging)

I have just 2 things to say to this:

1) Very well said!!

2)Hook 'em Horns!! (sorry!! couldn't resist throwing this in!! )

[ChiOJenn78]

Originally posted by SIGMA_INSIDER
[color=red]Actually, I do know enough about the character of the girls in SigmaAEPi and have seen enough of what goes on to know that no hazing ever takes place.

But, you're not in Sigma. Bottom line. How do you know all that happens-are you with them 24 hours a day every day? Are you at their initiation? Have you seen their rituals? Were you there for every single minute of every day of the pledge period??

Just "knowing someone's character" doesn't mean anything. I know my best friend's character well enough to say she would never do this or that, but I'm not with her 24 hours a day, and I don't know everything she does.

I do want to say though, that this is not an automatic assumption/statement/ or whatever saying that Sigma hazes. I don't know if they do. But neither do you, since you're NOT A SIGMA.

[SIGMA_INSIDER]

Ok, since you don't trust your judgments of people's character, even though I trust mine, why don't you ask the Sigma girls on this post how much psychological, physical, or emotional battering they have witnessed or been subjected to? So sad that it has to come to this.

[PiGirl866]

Its pretty sad to see all the trash talking going back and forth on this site. I think I'm mostly upset by seeing people who are non-greek writing about how we are wrong to react the way we do. We haven't seen the show yet...and who knows, maybe it will be better than we all think...but we don't know that yet, and we have all the right in the world to be concerned! People watching this show are going to identifly all sororities and fraternities with it. It does not matter if we are not the same. That is a scary thought. The comments from the new members does sound like hazing! Does that mean it was? No, of course not. But do any of us know that for a fact? Of course MTV will play that up and make it look worse. That will make people think that all sororites and fraternities haze. I was not hazed, and to reply to Sigma...yes, if a fight occured that made me feel unwelcome, upset, unhappy, uncomfortable, etc, I would feel like I was be disrespected...which in turn could be hazing. Having new members is like bringing this wonderful new life to your chapter...why on earth would you want them to feel unwelcome or anything bad for that matter? I also don't agree with your statement about "knowing a person's character". No matter what you think you know, you are not a part of their group and you do not see what goes on on the inside. Anyone can tell you, A LOT happens on the inside. Things that are good and sometimes things that are not good. But we don't always go around telling everyone we know about our rituals, our fights, our disagreements, etc. Some things are left private. I'm not saying that the Sigma's hazed...that was not my point. But just because you know someones character does not mean you know what they are like all the time and when put into certain situations. Perhaps you should let the Sigma girls speak for themselves on such issues. Not that they would go saying that they hazed if that was the case Sigma Insider. You are so sad that things had to come to what? Us asking questions and discussing our opinions? I love reading what everyone has posted...good and bad. Some I agree with, some I don't. But isn't that the point of this board? For everyone to get their opinions out and discuss them? This happens to be a very important issue I think.
To all the other non-greeks complaining about any of us having opinions on the matter...although its interesting to hear your point...if you are going to sit there and bash us and say you would never join...why are you taking so much to read and comment back. This does not affect you.

[Colleenie]

Yes we have a right to be concerned about this. For those of us who 'define ourselves by three letters' (personally mine is two) this series hits too close to home. For many of us our GLOs are like a second family. And unless you are the Osbournes, most families would not want their activities, good or bad, televised for the MTV viewing audience. The Osbournes do have more control over the editing than I think the 'sigmas' have and I think that is where our concern lies, at least I know mine does. I'm sure they are a great group of girls, I don't know them, nor will I even if I watched all the episodes. I think most of the people who have posted on this site are concerned about what is going to be portrayed.

[Zuma]

Originally posted by ChiOJenn78
I do want to say though, that this is not an automatic assumption/statement/ or whatever saying that Sigma hazes. I don't know if they do. But neither do you, since you're NOT A SIGMA.

Im a Sigma alum, Im also a founder (so now everyone who knows me will figure out who I am if they havent already). Ive only been out a year. Our rituals havent changed. We dont haze. We would never try to hurt someone intentionally. I also know what the incident both Mara & Jordan are refering to (its all related to one thing really) and it came out of a misunderstanding of something else that happened. Its not hazing related. I could go on, but its probably something that could be better explained after you watch the show. Ok? Thanks.

[SIGMA_INSIDER]

Thanks for backing me up, Zuma.

[ThielGirlie]

Observation: There is so much being said here by independants about greeks bad-mouthing each other and fighting... It seems to me the problem is the confrontation between people that respect greek life, and those who don't...

To all the idependants on this board:
I am not in a Sorority, but I plan to be. I think you owe it to this board to treat GLO members with respect. I don't see why you're on here in the first place if you have no interest in greek life! Please don't say anything to me like, "Well, you're not greek... stop being a know-it-all." I am not claiming to know anything. I just know the greeks on my campus are some of the sweetest, helpful, and fun people I have ever met. Don't bash something you don't know about. I'm on the outside, I know... but I don't go around judging others by what organizations they choose to join.

[aggiegirl04]

My point seems to have been missed again, so I will restate i for the final time. I will also restate that I am not trying to launch any personal attacks, nor does it have anything to do with my personal opinion about greek life, if that is how you took it fine, but thats not how it was intended. Don't waste your time trying to attack me because I wont waste mine coming back here to read it.


My point from the beginning: Before you attack others for a decision they have made because it may tarnish your reputation, maybe you should step back and see if you are truely portraying the image that you want the outside world to see.

[maggieaxid]

We are all going to have our own opinions....I understand this. Wheather you are greek, non-greek, alum or active, potential new member, member of a local, or member of a national...we are all different and looking at this from different angles. However, (this is going to sound catty and harsh)...there are more greeks and supporters of greeks on this board than GDI's (and if you don't know what a GDI, I suggest you find out). More of the greeks will be hurt by this, and we have a right to lash out and be angry. And you think there are issues now? Wait until the show starts, you don't think we are going to sit here and critisize and critique each individual sister and their organization after the show??? And, yes, we have the right to, because they aired their dirty laundry on national TV.

Oh, and I have a new question, this is to all the TRI-SIGMA's out there...do you have a problem with them using the nickname "Sigma". The Tri-Sigma's on my campus go by the name Sigma, and I know this has already effected them.

[Serenity]

Originally posted by aggiegirl04
My point from the beginning: Before you attack others for a decision they have made because it may tarnish your reputation, maybe you should step back and see if you are truely portraying the image that you want the outside world to see.

I hear you and I agree.

[sailboatgirl]

Oh, and I have a new question, this is to all the TRI-SIGMA's out there...do you have a problem with them using the nickname "Sigma". The Tri-Sigma's on my campus go by the name Sigma, and I know this has already effected them.

I'm a Tri Sigma, and I have to tell you, that everytime I hear the nickname "sigma" being used in reference to the MTV show, I wince.

As an alumnae advisory board member for my undergraduate chapter, I sincerely hope and pray that this does not negatively effect my girls this fall recruitment. We're having our summer planning meeting with the officer board this weekend, so I'm curious to know how they feel about all this.