CALL TO ACTION PT. 1

I will absolutely confess that I was not one of those girls that went into college knowing that I was going to join a sorority. Now, six years later, I cannot believe how much that decision has changed my life. Not only did I receive an incredible four (and a half) year experience as a Sister, friend, and leader, but it has guided me to my career path. I am certainly not alone in this experience. Even though your outcome may have been a little different, you are still here because you love your sorority. I love my sorority too. I proudly say that I am a member of a sorority.

It has not always been like that though. At one point I was taught to be ashamed of my sorority membership. It was not anything that my Sisters were teaching me in our weekly chapter meetings. It was in response to the perceptions from our campus, surrounding community, and other people of what they thought it meant to be Greek. Instead of me talking with these individuals about how their perceptions were stereotypical and incorrect, I let them get away with it and began to feel ashamed of my membership. I would even consciously think about who I would see throughout the day so I would avoid wearing a t-shirt with my letters on it. Seriously.

Looking back on it all now I realize what I should have done was talk to the individuals I encountered about what it really means to be Greek and talk through their negative perceptions. They were not members, would not be members, and did not want to be members, but I could do my best to give my truth of what it means to me. Maybe then they would have a different perception and be more understanding and welcoming of fraternities and sororities. Instead, I shied away from the conversation we all need to have. Why? Well, as a freshman and sophomore, it was because I did not know what to say. I loved being a member and hanging out with my Sisters at the events we had, but I did not know how to communicate that to other people outside of my chapter or Greek community. As a junior and senior  I had a much better understanding of what I should say, but still did not because everyone is entitled to their opinion. This type of apathetic behavior is what perpetuates stereotypes. I am guilty of this behavior and so are you.

Yes, these are excuses for apathetic behavior. Now, I wish I would have had those conversations to defend myself and my sorority. Just because I did not know how to communicate does not mean that other people now should continue that today. Whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior,  or alumna I want to help you say proudly "I am a member of ____." Fortunately, we have this amazing piece of technology to help each other learn what to say and how to react.

So what can we do to be less apathetic? How can we care and have more pride in being Greek? This is definitely going to be a topic with several parts to it otherwise it would be the longest post in the history of the Internet. But I wanted to get the conversation started. 

What would you say in that conversation? Have you have a conversation like this before? Have you shied away, like me, from non-Greeks and let them continue with their negative thoughts?