By Aja Cooper, Staff Writer

Published Sep. 3, 2014

In lieu of the new recruitment period and interests meetings taking place, many are becoming aware of what Greek life is for the first time.

Greeks are a part of almost every college campus in some way, shape, or form. And we here at UNCG are no exception to that rule.

Typically the purpose for these fraternities and sororities is to form a community of brothers and sisters that will last for a lifetime. In fact, there’s a widespread belief on campus that the Greek letters you earn could be beneficial when it comes to job interviews and other networking opportunities. It can be helpful to be a member of the same organization as those hiring you.

As an African American student attending a non-HBCU I feel that it’d be completely dishonest of me to say that pledging into a sorority, especially one of the Divine 9 hasn’t crossed my mind. My mother and older sister both pledged in college and I can honestly say that I find the lifestyle intriguing. I like seeing members of different sororities and fraternities spending time together because it reminds me of the family dynamic within the organization that is supposed to be ever-present. I also enjoy watching them hold step shows and other events on campus and within the community.

Even with that being said, from what I’ve witnessed during these college years, I can say without hesitation that Greek life isn’t for me and no one should feel even a slight desire to join in.

These sisterhoods and brotherhoods were established to make a statement, but I’m not sure if the statement they were trying to make back then lines up with the actions of fraternities and sororities nowadays.

I find it hard to wrap my mind around going through the process of being “initiated” into an organization. The completion of this process earns you a set of letters as well as the ability to call someone your brother or sister.

After enduring a strenuous process that we all know “doesn’t” include hazing, I would find it a little difficult to wash my hands completely of all of the mess I’ve gone through just so I can wear the same colors as you.

From my surveying several UNCG students I have found that they perceive Greeks to look well-polished on the surface, especially when they’re working towards gaining your interest in their organization.

Students, however, shared with me that things seem to almost immediately change once you get to know some of the members of these fraternities and sororities.

Personally, I believe there is an obnoxious nature that takes over when some members of the Greek community enter a room.

This is not the case for all Greeks, but I’ve found that some will wear anything and everything with their organization’s logo on it, which somehow causes their whole demeanor to change.

The way they walk and the way they talk and their entire level of confidence is heightened when those letters are on their chest.

It’s as if they really believe that these letters deem them as superior to everyone else on campus when that’s not the case at all.

It’s during moments like these that make me really question their reasoning behind joining the organization.

But, more importantly, it makes me wonder whom they’d be without their precious letters to hold onto.

Some females feel as though some guys in fraternities think they are entitled to special treatment just because they’re in a fraternity.

This leads them to almost always start conversations with a girl when they want her to come to an event they’re hosting.

For me, it’s hard to think of a time when a member of a fraternity and myself were able to have a conversation without them plugging one of their events.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a member of these groups but please don’t think that those Greek letters that you chose to be associated with will give you clout amongst everyone else.

Don’t assume that anyone owes you anything, especially their attention just because you are a member of a fraternity or sorority.

It’s a distasteful attitude to have and it negatively impacts the way their cherished organization is perceived by those who are potential pledges.

So, if you happen to decide that you’d like to be a part of one of these organizations you should make sure that when it’s all said and done you still have your own identity and personality.

Anyone can wear Greek letters and claim to be members of a certain team, but don’t make the mistake of letting those letters turn you into someone you are not.