How Not to Defend Greeks in Print

[exlurker]

With all due respect to those who want to defend Greeks or attract new members by writing opinion pieces or letters in their student papers, there are probably better ways to do it than this example from the August 30 issue of the Appalachian State paper. It actually manages to emphasize drinking ("we drink a lot"), parties, and sexual vulgarity.

Sorry, but a few references to philanthropy, the Secretary of State, and so on at the end of the story don't do much to overcome the impression that many of the stereotypes are true.

Article is at:

http://www1.appstate.edu/dept/csil/i...=190&Itemid=41

Excerpts:

You’ve seen the movies. You’ve been to the parties. You’ve seen us walking around campus.

Everyone has their own opinion about fraternities and sororities, and many of you have no problem expressing these opinions to the general public.

With the fraternity, however, comes the stereotypes and judgments, the quiet, constant criticism of the passersby. The suspicions are there, unspoken perhaps, but there like a black cloud following one around. Some people think our lives are a direct replica of the characters’ lives in “Animal House,” and we live amongst our own “fraternity filth” and chug fifths of hard liquor when we get up in the morning.

They think we’re womanizers, chain smokers, potheads, alcoholics and delinquents.

I’m here to allay and, unfortunately, confirm some of these suspicions. Let’s clear things up once and for all.

We’ll start with the most common conviction: drinking.

Yes, we do drink. We drink a lot. In fact, common belief holds that one sizeable fraternity can, and usually will, consume enough alcohol to collectively intoxicate a small country within a given weekend.

But, unlike many, most fraternities have “drinking insurance.” This means that, while some members know they will drink at a function, no one will be driving while impaired. This is because fraternities, along with sororities, use the “beeper” system, or a designated sober member used to take other members to and from social events.

. . . Now for a confirmation. Fraternity guys are a little brash, to say the least.

We do not, however, suffer from a limited vocabulary. Any given fraternity member will undoubtedly know and use up to 10 different words and phrases to describe certain levels of intoxication and also various sexual acts.

Next up: fraternities and sororities buy their friends. Do people really think that we are so pathetic that we feel we must pay $500 per semester because we can’t make friends otherwise?

. . . I KNOW I’m cool enough to make friends without paying money. I make my friends the same way you do . . . .

. . . we pay this money not to “purchase” lifetime companions, but to keep our houses, to support members in need of financial support and to throw the best parties you have ever been to.

What did you do last Saturday night? Can’t remember? I can. I partied at my fraternity’s three-story house, complete with a kick-ass live band and endless parades of beautiful college girls.

Greek social events make other parties look like coffeehouse study groups. I’d say that’s $500 well spent.

While you’re pondering this, take into consideration these numbers, courtesy of Aaron H. Bachenheimer, the assistant director of organizational leadership education. [Note: there are then three short paragraphs on service hours, money raised for good causes, U.S. presidents who were Greek, and a few famous Greeks.]
. . .

So, I guess what I’m saying is you can criticize me if you want, just as long as you know that you most likely are incorrect in your reasoning. Maybe you have verifiable and justifiable reasons in support.

I, along with the rest of the Greek community, don’t want to hear about it. If this commentary has influenced you to go Greek,
I look forward to seeing you, but if not, that’s fine too. . . .

.

[moe.ron]

Yeah, I've always cringed when people who defend greeks in print keeps on harping about having this many Presidents. As much as its a cool bragging point, it won't effect local recruitment whatsoever. Instead, people should be writing about the positive impact Greek organizations have on the local level.

[sugar and spice]

I agree, the "so many famous/influential people were Greek" argument is tired.

So is the "she must have rushed and not gotten a bid" retort, or the "a sorority girl must have burned him" et cetera. Those things are rarely true, and they just reinforce the image that we're snotty.

That said, I don't think that emphasizing the drinking is necessarily a bad thing. At many campuses, it's true -- Greeks drink a lot. (Granted, most of the time this happens on campuses where non-Greeks ALSO drink a lot.) To deny it makes us look like we're lying and will mean that any non-Greek who reads the defense will not take it seriously.

[Lindz928]

I think the drinking arguement is stupid. I have known SO MANY GDIs who drink as much or even far MORE than the greeks that I know.

Drinking is not a greek thing- it is a college thing. Good lord.

My bottom line- none of the stereotypes that people give about greeks can be limited to only greeks. There are just as many non-fraternity men who throw great parties, drink to the extreme, have vulgar language. There are many non-sorority women who wear big sunglasses ( ) and polo shirts, and can't live without their cell phones. There are many non-sorority women who drink to the extreme, sleep around, and are bitchy and snobby to other females not in their "crowd".

I will say it again- these are not greek things- they are college things.