Close your eyes and imagine the typical sorority woman here at Miami University. What does she look like? What’s her major? Do you consider her generally smart and well-rounded? Is she nice?
There’s a certain mythos that surrounds sororities at any university, but it’s especially apparent at Miami. Just scroll on Yik Yak January through February before, during and after recruitment; it’s a cesspool of outlandish stories, mass generalizations and keyboard warriors pushing ranking systems out on everyone else.
As a member of a sorority myself, I’ve heard all the stereotypes firsthand, particularly when I went through recruitment. It’s weird what people are willing to say to your face, especially from those who have chosen not to participate in Greek life.
From small misconceptions like telling me that I’m “paying for my friends” to larger insults such as “smart women don’t need sororities to feel included,” I have noticed that certain peers respond negatively to finding out that I’m in a Greek organization.
There are plenty of valid reasons to dislike sororities. They are, after all, built on the fundamental feature of exclusion. There are real issues with diversity, hazing and wealth disparity that should and could be discussed in an intelligent, thoughtful manner.
But disavowing organizations because you think that the women who join them are substanceless airheads? It’s insulting and misguided.
Our award-winning newspaper’s editor-in-chief and managing editor are in sororities. My sorority twin and big are both crushing their pre-med tracks, and my grand-big is getting her doctorate. Across all sororities, you have some of the most well-run finance, graphic design and philanthropy boards in all of the school, while sororities at-large boast limitless amounts of talented alumni, including Kamala Harris, Lucy Liu and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
On top of all that, sororities’ philanthropy work includes both local and national charities, with huge financial impacts. Tri Delta alone raised $100 million over 25 years for St. Jude, according to the hospital’s research website, and Kappa Kappa Gamma raised $4.5 million last year for mental health.
But beyond all of that, it’s just weird to treat any organization with the level of disdain that sororities get for existing. Many organizations are built on individuals who claim to have shared values, wear the same outfit occasionally and cost money to join. I mean, did I just describe a sorority or did I describe a club sports team? Yet nobody seems to be posting online degrading comments about them.
There are good and bad people in every organization, just as there are smart and dumb, friendly and toxic or stuck-up and kind people, too. So, stop letting stereotypes define the narrative about Greek life at Miami.
It’s OK to not be interested in something, but it’s not OK to assume someone's background or intelligence because they decided it would be fun to go Greek.
Again, there are actual issues in Greek life that need to be talked about and solved, but fixing those problems starts with correcting the way we see these organizations. It’s not just for vapid, rich women who need friends. Start acting like it.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Parker Green is a sophomore English and strategic communication major, whose greatest wish is to add more hours in a day. When she’s not doing school, extracurriculars or tour guiding, she’s usually exploring places to eat and generally being a menace to her friends.
Read More
A crackdown on partying: How Miami’s Good Neighbor policy keeps students in check
By Molly Fahy | 23 hours agoAfter classes end for the week, it’s not uncommon to see Miami University students put on their “going-out” outfits and make their way Uptown to bars and off-campus house parties.
‘ICE OUT’: Demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes place at Miami
By Evelyn Dugan | YesterdayOn Friday, protestors against President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown climbed through a foot of snow while holding resistance signs in their gloved hands to reach the Miami University seal, located in Academic Quad. These demonstrators demanded for ICE to leave Ohio and had the goal of standing in solidarity with protestors in Minneapolis following the recent fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Glue guns, scissors and paint: Crafting is making a comeback
By Stella Powers | 3 days agoCrafting and “analog hobbies” are making a comeback this year, with related topics trending online, according to a story from the TODAY show. This crafting trend has been visible at Miami University as well, with students spending more time doing artistic activities with friends, and clubs forming around those pastimes.