Speaking out against the stereotype of Greek Culture

Greek students work relentlessly around the clock by rushing to meetings, going to classes, putting in endless community service hours and trying to maintain active social lives. It would seem that they would be the perfect role models.

Yet, they are constantly plagued by stereotypes of them being cliqu-ish, unaccepting of others who are not Greek, paying for friends, hazing members who want to be Greek and being shown favoritism.

It may be time to redefine ‘sorority’ and ‘fraternity’. Today, Georgia State students in fraternities and sororities, as well as their advisors, are working to change the way people think about them by speaking up on what it really means to be Greek.

While she is not sure when these misconceptions originated, Misty Kelley, the coordinator of Greek life and alumnus of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, does know a possible reason why those myths are still perpetuated today.

“There are a lot of things out there. Some are true and some are not, and some are perpetuated by the media…in Greek life bad things happen, but are they at the frequency that we really think they are?” Kelley said. “I do think that between movies and TV shows and just the media in general, it does focus on the negative things that are going on in fraternities and sororities.”

Tales of students like Arianne DeBurro add to the credibility of these myths. DeBurro is a former member of The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at Georgia State.

DeBurro became a member of the organization during her freshman year of college, but later dropped out of it.

“It was just a lot of money for things that I didn’t think were worth it, so I just decided to drop it. It was kind of controlling and juvenile. You have to be the image that they want you to be,” DeBurro said.

She also shared that she didn’t like the social aspect of Greek life because she felt like it didn’t allow her to meet other people outside of the organization.

“The exclusivity makes it harder to meet people you otherwise would if you were not in Greek life,” said DeBurro.

For Greeks like Jessica Anderson, the Graduate Life assistant and alumnus of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, negative stories about Greek life can be a difficult stigma to get rid of.

“ The exclusivity can be intimidating sometimes, but it’s kind of the idea of if you go to a chain store. If you go to one McDonald’s and have a really bad experience there, you forget all of the times that you went to other McDonald’s’ and really loved your experience.”

It can be very frustrating, Kelley said, but she ultimately hopes that their positive achievements will speak louder than how Greeks are often portrayed to be.

“We are going to show you that we are phenomenal men and women through our actions,” Kelley said.

Khyati Shah, member of the Sigma Lambda Upsilon sorority, was another student who initially doubted the educational and philanthropic benefit of sororities.

“I thought it was crazy parties, everyone gets drunk, you’re forced to do things you don’t want to do… I thought it was all of these negative things that you hear,” Shah said.

After meeting several teachers and friends who were in sororities, Shah’s mindset changed.

“It’s not all about the letters and colors, I learned professionalism in every aspect of life. I’ve learned to always be on top of your game. Keep it organized and keep it moving,” Shah said.

Greek students at Georgia State said they are working to shed the negative image that has been associated with them by giving back to the community, working with other organizations and through the individual growth that they experience in their organizations.

However, some of them explained that Greek life can be challenging.

“ It is very time consuming, so you have to be dedicated and you have to be passionate. You have to know how to manage your time wisely,” said Cindy Park, and member of the Delta Zeta sorority. “So, it can be challenging especially when you’re involved with other organizations, but it’s more beneficial rather than challenging…I think it’s a learning experience.”

Lanre Keyede, the philanthropy chairman of the Sigma Nu fraternity, Inc. agreed.

“It’s definitely challenging, but at the same time, in the back of my mind, when I am doing something, I’m just like ‘this is for the better good’,” Keyede said.

Other Greek members explained that Greek life has enriched their lives.

Cayla Roby, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. said, “Being that my [biological] sisters are older than me, I don’t have sisters my age. Through the sorority, I have sisters that I can go to for anything. It’s a lifelong bond that surpasses four years.”

Kyle Walcott, the president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, said that the good of the members of the Greek community is what convinced him to join.

“I was inspired by the things that they do around campus and where they were trying to go. We pride ourselves in not only educating, but on community service,” Walcott said.

Through charity work, educational initiatives and leadership opportunities, sororities and fraternities have helped Georgia State students to cultivate their skills and prepare them for life after college.

“The Greek community has had a bad reputation in the eyes of the media, and I think where we’re headed is more important than where we were,” said Noreen Husain, a member of the Delta Phi Omega sorority. “I think it’s time everyone focused on where we’re going, where we are right now, and how far we’ve come as opposed to the past because we’re not there anymore.”