The topic of Pledging and Greek Life has always been a controversial subject that often puts Greeks and non-Greeks on opposite sides. For decades, there have been many misconceptions about the origins and purpose of pledging into a fraternity or sorority. I’m going to try to shed some light on this subject and erase some of the stereotypes that are associated with Pledging and Greek life.
As a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc, I can honestly say that Greek life is something that’s hard for many non-Greeks to understand.
(By the way, Greeks need to stop using the term GDI (God Damn Individual). It’s blasphemous as well as disrespectful to non Greeks who may or may not aspire to be Greek one day. It gives the impression that Greeks are in some way better than non- Greeks which is not true at all.)
It’s unfortunate that whenever people speak about Greek life, pledging gets brought up. There are so many other prominent and news worthy programs and activities that Greeks participate in that deserve way more attention. Pledging is usually a 5 or 6 week process that is meant to break you down mentally and physically and then build you back up stronger than you were before while initiating you into the organization. That timeframe is miniscule in comparison to the lifelong commitment of brotherhood/sisterhood, scholarship and service a member of any Greek organization takes on.
Pledging can be one of the most rewarding things anyone will ever go through however hazing is where the problems come in. Some Greeks don’t know and weren’t taught the right way to pledge which is unfortunate because it gives non-Greeks the impression that ALL pledging is done in a vicious and brutal way, which is far from reality.
When people say pledging is brutal, immature, savage and ridiculous etc, I would encourage them to look at their history and realize that our ancestors in Africa engaged in similar pledging rituals when initiating new members into a tribe.
Actually, all you have to do is turn on the discovery channel to find out that far more extreme rites of passage and initiation traditions still go on to this day. So, anyone who thinks that pledging is barbaric and unnecessary, is belittling the very same customs of their own ancestors in Africa.
If you ask most Greeks about the pledging experience, they will look back on their pledge process as hard but also something that has made them stronger both mentally and physically. Usually, the majority of people that have a problem with pledging are people who haven’t even pledged. Here’s a statement issued by a member of Zeta Phi Beta regarding her pledging experience:
“As a member of Zeta Phi Beta, I have found that the process that I went through benefits me till this day. It has taught me to carry myself with class even when I am under the pressure of bosses. It has taught me how to love other organizations and I am proud of my process. Yes, there were rough times. But never once did I feel in danger or as if I was made to do anything. I look back on my process and it makes me proud. I am proud of myself for making the decision that I made. I am proud to be a woman who handles her business and through my process I know HOW TO handle my business most effectively and I am honored to be a member of such a dynamic and diverse group of women. I can help dispel the myths by being the great Zeta that I am. I hold my head high, I don’t dog other organizations or those not in an organization. The change starts with me making a commitment to myself to focus on the positive ways to represent Z Phi B and me!”
In my research for this article, I came across several other Greeks who feel similar to this woman of Zeta Phi Beta. I would like to encourage Greeks and non-Greeks to do their homework on how Greek life used to be and should be. Nowadays, there’s no Greek unity. There are fights after every party as well as a lack of interest in general surrounding Greek life. What’s the solution for this? Honestly, it may be too late and the damage may have already been done. Hopefully, one day there will be a new generation of Greeks who will one day prove me wrong.
