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Being apart of a Greek Lettered Organization takes a lot of hard work- as with ANY organization. Don't get caught up in what you heard about fraternities and sororities. RESEARCH all of the organizations before you jump into joining one. If you join an organization without researching it first, you may regret it for the rest of your life. Here are some articles that will get some of you non-greeks out there to THINK B4 YOU GO GREEK!
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THE TRUTH IS...
Published: Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Written by the brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Tau Chapter,
Howard University
The truth is most non-Greeks will disregard this message before they really take a good look at what I'm saying, simply because it's coming from a person that is a member of an organization that they do not want to be apart of. The truth is that most Greeks will disregard this message, except for the ones who are doing the legwork in their respective organizations (I know they feel me). This is not a hate article, just a reality check.
With respect to Greek life, there are four types of people.
1. Backbone Members - those who do all the real work
2. T-shirt Members - those who only show up for the social events
3. Non-Members - those who aspire to become Greek for the right reasons
4. Non-Members - those who aspire to become Greek for the wrong reasons
The truth is, backbone members are the reason that Black Greek fraternities are still around. They are the type of people that would be an asset to any organization. They use their organizations as tools to BUILD a better community, a stronger and more aware university and to become an all-around better person. They wear their paraphernalia because of pride.
The truth is, t-shirt members are the reason that there are lawsuits against organizations for hazing (side note: Iota Phi Theta is the only Pan-Hellenic organization that has never been sued for hazing). They come around when it is time to pledge someone or get in free to a party. They are liabilities to their organizations and in turn use their organizations as a CRUTCH. They wear their paraphernalia for props.
There are always exceptions in every organization, but you can probably see where this is leading. Group 3 individuals become Group 1 members, and Group 4 individuals either never make it or become Group 2 members.
The only thing now is distinguishing between good and bad reasons. _
BAD REASONS
"I like their colors, and I would look great wearing those letters"
"They have the most members, so they must be the best"
"My Dad/Mom is one"
"They won the step show"
"They have the hardest intake process"
"Their stereotype fits me the most, so that must be the right one"
"This would look great on my resume"
GOOD REASONS
"True brotherhood/sisterhood"
"The majority of the members that I know have the same beliefs and ideas as me"
"I truly RESEARCHED ALL the organizations and this one is the best fit for me"
"Not only do I believe in their founding principles, I believe that they are following them."
And now to end this message with a couple more truths that most people don't really know about. The truth is, some of these organization's founders would turn over in their graves if they knew the stereotypes and traditions that their new members were promoting. The truth is most people have already committed their interest to organizations before they really know what the organization is really about. The truth is, most people pledge under false pretenses (i.e. stereotypes that only exist on an undergraduate level).
This is horrible because membership in all of these organizations is a life-long commitment, financially, mentally and socially. The truth is, being founded first or before another organization does not make that organization better. History proves that in most cases, the last created is usually the best designed, think about it. Too many people join organizations because of personal insecurities.
Poem- Author Unknown
Black Greek Letter Organizations were formed to increase the unity within.
Instead it seems like we just seperate ourselves from all Black men and women.
Is it because we wear BLACK AND GOLD?
Or WHITE and ROYAL BLUE?
Or is it because we carry Kandy Kanes and wear Krimson and Kream?
Going Greek seems to be every freshman's dream....
But once they see that we act all high and Siddity, and advertise all day about wearing PINK and being pretty
They decide to choose a different path of success
and realize that they don't have to be Greek to be the best.
As Black men and women we should all be sisters and brothers
But when we go Greek, we all start to hate each other.
Black Greek are separated like Gladys Knight and the Pips
And after parties, we fight like Compton Bloods and Crips!!
And it doesn't stop there; to our own chapter bruhs we become haters.
WE say things like, "My LB's and I are real but Spring 2004 is paper!"
All the Unity between the Fraternities and Sororities has long been dead.
In fact, the frats just talk about how their Sorors give bomb head!
Who said that all of this negativity has to last forever?
Remember back in the day when we all lived in Couch together?
We used to kick it and holla at all the hoes.
Now all we do is spread rumors and talk #@*%! at step shows!
And it seems like EVERYONE talks #@*%! about the SG RHO's,
when in reality they're the coolest females on campus that I know.
Seeing all this everyday increases my sadness
And we have the nerve to drag the Omega Gems and Alpha Angels into the Madness!
Even the at the parties I stand in disbelief with my Tims
Wondering WHY the DELTAS are too good to roller-skate with the GEMS!
As Greek men we sometimes acquire big heads and disrespect the ladies.
WE violate them with our strolls and treat them dirty and shady.
WE congest the crowd at all the parties because we're dance floor hogs.
WE get nasty and hop butt necked to George Clinton's Atomic Dog.
WE look don on other Greeks who pledge less than us....but why do we do it?
Is the reason why it took you 11 weeks to cross was because you were so stupid?
There are members in our organizations who don't do community service for one cent... but they know the most history so they get to be the chapter president.
We have Black organizations going blow for blow.
Fraternities talking #@*%! at Neo shows!
In conclusion, I hope I have affected your thought in some type of way
And understand that we all need change and that change starts today!
10 reasons to stay nongreek (author unknown)
1. I want to be in "AAA" sorority because my boyfriend is in the "complementary" fraternity, or vise versa.
*You may not be together forever, but once in you are a Zeta, Sigma, Alpha, ect...for life!!
2. Being a "SGRho; Kappa; Alpha;" is the thing to do, or they "run the yard" on my campus
*If all you want is the "thing to do" go buy the latest store fashion
*Who "runs the yard" fluctuates
3. My best friend is doing it
*If your best friend jumps offs a bridge, would you? Do what is right for you!
4. My entire family belongs to sorority or fraternity x,y,z and I don't have a choice
*You always have a choice to join something else, or not to be greek at all
*Be an individual, make your own decision!
5. The colors are cute (which I have actually heard someone say)
*Please stop the madness, how silly can you be? Some of the colors don't even match! =-)
6. I want to step and stroll (line or party dance)
*These are nice and all but they are no the foundations of a BGLO and are not pertinent to their survival
7. I want to fit "in" or be in the "in crowd"
*Totally irrelevant to anything in life
8. To have friends and to be popular
*Though be it you will gain some fame and popularity on some campuses, you may also lose some. Your sorors will be just that sorors, not all will be friends. People that become your friends because you cross are not really your friends.
9. Resume builder
*Please do not waste our time
10. To wear letters
*Buy a white shirt and put your name on it! =-)
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