Going Greek: Greeks need to earn the respect they deserve

Nick Feldman

By Nick Feldman
February 28, 2008

One sunny morning I was walking back on Northeast 47th Street from a delicious breakfast on the Ave, when I saw a malicious piece of graffiti scrawled across the side of Beta Theta Pi’s house: “F* Fratts.”

The fantastic spelling gave me a quick laugh at first, but then it sank in — I was just insulted.

This isn’t the first time (and likely won’t be the last) that I’ve been directly or indirectly ripped on for being part of the Greek community. Although there are a wide variety of justifications for the poor conceptions, in my mind the vast majority of them stem from the negative stereotypes that I, and many others in the Greek community, have worked so hard to dispel.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Greek community doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. We’re not perfect by any means, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

Yes, there’s alcohol. Yes, there’s sex. In some instances, there even might be drugs or violence. These exist as a part of some Greek experiences, and aren’t squeaky-clean aspects of college life, but it’s important to remember that they aren’t the majority, either.

Some negativity is even seen in language we use. For instance, Eric Kelley, charge consultant of Theta Delta Chi, stopped using the word “frat” in his vocabulary a few years ago because of its damaging connotation, opting instead to use “fraternity.”

Greeks, and UW students as a whole, should talk more about positive, constructive accomplishments. Greeks can boast high academic averages, strong athletic showings and inspiring philanthropic contributions. Our goal isn’t to party as hard as we can; it’s to build stronger relationships and become better people.

As Greeks, the ball is in our court; it’s our duty to change people’s minds about our community because they won’t do it on their own. We have to earn the respect of people who aren’t members of our community.

Yesterday’s “Greeks Take-Over the Streets” was a great start. Greek volunteers partnered up with the Seattle Public Utilities’ Adopt-a-Street program to clean and pick garbage between Northeast 45th and Northeast 52nd streets and 17th Avenue Northeast and 22nd Avenue Northeast.

Taking pride in our community and maintaining it as an amazing place to live is the first step, and I really commend the people that make an effort to do so.

The thing is, it’s not that difficult to improve our image. We might not get as much respect as we think we deserve, but that won’t change if we don’t do anything about it.

I want every member of the Greek community to be proud — and more importantly, to show it.

[Reach columnist Nick Feldman at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]

Comments

#1 Ben Konrady

commented, on
February 28, 2008 at 4:26 a.m.:

You can’t just control your image through the words you use to describe it. Sorry Foucault.

Every time that we, as The UW community, get a warning that another person was shot coming out of Frat party your image suffers.
Every time we see a woman taking the walk of shame on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Your image is damaged.
Every time a group of men wearing beat up pullovers with Greek letters stumble down to the football stadium drunk. Well you get the point

Don’t pull once a year community service gags. If you want to change you image fundamentally you have to change you behavior. Get weekly program that have a public face going. Don’t recruit by having signs on red square. Recruit through action. Talk is cheap observable actions are priceless.

#2 Hank

commented, on
February 28, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.:

Less of your members should act like d*cks.

Start there.

#3 To #1

commented, on
February 29, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.:

Looks like someone isn't having the fun of walking drunk to the stadium, or being privy to a girl doing the 'walk of shame' from his lame @ss dorm room.

Go greek, you'll like it.

#4 dutch

commented, on
March 3, 2008 at 7:04 a.m.:

Where do you think the garbage,“Greeks Take-Over the Streets” picked up, came from?

#5 Jay

commented, on
March 3, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.:

Ben, maybe you should get your facts straight before you start ranting about the Greek system. Fraternity parties are usually overseen by professional security companies. The shootings that have occurred in the Greek system have happened at house parties where there is no security and no way of keeping out unwanted guests; there is a difference between the fraternities and the dozens of houses located north of campus. The Greek system has received a bad reputation mainly because of the media, which perceives us as an organization whose main purpose is to party. Although being social is one common aspect of the Greek community, most of us are also highly motivated students who know how to balance our lives and can find time for both academics and fun. Maybe if you would give the Greek community a chance and not base your opinion solely on the extreme images presented by the media, you would realize that fraternities and sororities provide an excellent alternative for college living and contain many beneficial aspects that will stay with an individual through college and for the rest of their life. Also, regarding your comment about "once a year community service gags" obviously you aren't aware of the numerous philanthropies that occur throughout the year. Apparently raising $45,000 for the Treehouse Foundation and diabetes research at last week's Mr. Greek event was just another attempt to appear to care about the community?

#6 Ben Konrady

commented, on
March 4, 2008 at 1:49 a.m.:

Thanks for your comment jay. I don’t think I base my comments on what I see in the media. I have experience with the Greek system and I understand that they are active in helping the community.

Like the “45 thousand dollars raised by Alpha Gamma Delta's philanthropic event of Mr. Greek to support the tree house for kids organization”

I was attempting to be Constructive. I don’t think you are responsible for the actions and subsequent bad press that the larger community hears about the Greek System. I was simply pointing out that you control your own image. I personally do not know the solutions to the image problem that Nick Feldman describes but I have some ideas.
Suggestions:
1. When the media shows up and starts to film Greek row why not go interact with them and express you desire for more police presence?
2. If that fails, maybe a shared community patrolling or increased lighting could secure the area?
3. Maybe start a call-a-Frat-Boy-System where people could get Frat boys to escort them around. (I am aware of the system like that in the University, but why not offer it to the great community north of the University?) That would really change how the word “frat” is used.

But I don’t think you can fix your image by referring to yourselfs with a different word. I was attempting to spur the Greek System into though about how they could improve their image.

#7 Ben Konrady

commented, on
March 4, 2008 at 2:01 a.m.:

I am not saying these programs are NEEDED right now. They are ideas to help improve the public image of the Greek Community. From what I understand the image is the problem, not the actions of the Greek Community. I think the Greek Community is a Healthy part of the University System. I share Nick Feldman’s concern about an inaccurate image.

#8 FRAT?

commented, on
March 13, 2008 at 3:38 p.m.:

Would you call your country a c*nt? I wouldn't call my fraternity a frat.

#9 ToBen

commented, on
March 18, 2008 at 9:21 p.m.:

I know this is way late,
but...
"Call a frat-boy to escort you?"

Do you really think that any female would feel safe alone with a frat guy?

We're trying to protect women, not put them in sketchy situations.