Ignorance is bliss. This is a timeless quote that I love to use when necessary. Such is the case for the recent article concerning Greek life at the University. The author attempts to humor his audience, but in he ends up blatantly misusing or overlooking facts.
The first flaw that I find in Mr. Sussman’s article is his presumption that letters that represent each chapter are selected at random and without meaning. He misses the fact that the letters represent the values of the chapter and, once initiated, members learn their actual meaning. Thus a sense of pride can be evoked from these “seemingly random characters.”
Mr. Sussman continues his rant by further arguing that the Greek alphabet is meaningless and chapters would be better represented by the stereotypes that best fit them. Maybe it’s his disrespect for overweight women or nerds that bothers me. After all he did say that they would be best marked by a turkey leg or Chewbacca. Perhaps it’s just his complete lack of respect and class that irks me. Either way, I find him best represented by the slang term for a donkey.
All jokes aside, the most offensive part of the column is its attack on the integrity and character of the Greek community.
Mr. Sussman assumes that Greeks strut around in our letters somehow feeling that we are superior to others simply because we’re Greek. This is not the case. We walk with pride knowing that the majority of leadership positions on this campus are filled by Greeks. Climbing further up the ladder, we are aware of national facts such as: 85% of U.S. Supreme Court Justices since 1800 have been Greek, 76% of U.S. Congressmen are Greek and all but three of U.S. Presidents since 1825 were Greek. The statistics don’t lie.
The last discrepancy I have concerns the the idea of better extracurricular activities that don’t cost as much or that our future employers may find more meaningful. Do some research so you can form an educated opinion and not one that will get the biggest rise out of the community.
Fraternities and sororities have membership dues. However, part of the money goes funds scholarships and philanthropies nationwide. As for the future employment issue: 85% of the Fortune 500 executives are Greek. The alphabet must not be foreign to the companies that hired them. Perhaps they recognized the characteristics and aspects that truly compose the Greek community.
In closing, I would like to reiterate my stance that I am a proud member of the Greek community at the University. I am not saying that non-Greeks must admire or understand the fraternities or sororities on campus. I only ask that you accept and somewhat respect us, as we do the same for you.
Lindsey Baily
STUDENT
