As University students, we’ve all seen the little black T-shirts being sported around campus. Between two green olive branches sit bright yellow letters instructing the casual observer to “Think Greek.” Yet, when I attempt to actually think Greek, I can only come to one conclusion: There is little, if any, connection between campus Greek life and actual Greek… well, life.
Let’s look at the history of the fraternity: According to Greekopedia (yes, it exists), the world’s first fraternities emerged in the late 18th century as literary societies where students had an open forum for scholarly debate. A major prerequisite for admittance was an extensive knowledge in Greek language and mythology, although students often were familiar with Latin and Hebrew as well.
I am not aiming to stereotype here, but beyond social functions, recruitment, and fundraisers, do fraternities and sororities actually come together to share their enthusiasm of academic discourse?
It is no wonder that Greek systems exist as part of contemporary academia. After all, Plato’s Academy was the prototype for all Western universities thereafter, and some of the greater dramatists, historians, philosophers, artists, scientists, and mathematicians whom we still emulate today emerged from Ancient Greece. It is unsurprising that Greek organizations should want to associate themselves with such a sophisticated culture as well as some of the most influential figures within our academic framework.
However, knowledge of Greek culture is not a requirement for calling yourself Greek. If you were to ask common fraternity or sorority members about Greek history or culture, chances are all they could contribute is the alphabet. Go on and ask them about Socratic method, the Peloponnesian War, or the history of the Olympics. Unless they have chosen a concentration in areas such as Philosophy, Classics, or History, then they are unlikely to know anything more than the typical non-Greek.
Some will argue that while their scholarship is not concentrated in one particular area that necessarily pertains to Greek culture, the overall emphasis on academic success still exists within the Greek community. If this were true, it would certainly be an improvement, as Ancient Greece did produce heightened standards for education. However, according to grade reports from previous terms, the GPAs of Greeks and non-Greeks are close to equal. In fact, until 2004 the non-Greeks were shown to do better academically. My point is, besides the Greek lettering and sporting a toga to the occasional rager, no real correlation exists between actual Greek life and campus Greeks.
I am led to wonder: Why should calling yourself Greek fail to propel one to go out and explore what it actually means to be Greek? Does this not epitomize the very idea of ignorance – to call oneself Greek and yet be unable to identify with the land of Greece itself? In such a liberal institution, where values of political correctness are so thoroughly embedded within our mental framework, why have we chosen to overlook the Greek system?
It should be mandatory for members of the University’s Greek system to have some background knowledge on Greece, if not for the fact that the Greek system completely misrepresents Greek society, then for all the educational value that Greek culture has to offer. If you’re a member of our University’s Greek system, realize that artificial kinship and social networking is not characteristic of what it means to be Greek. Go out and take an active role in learning about your adopted lifestyle. Becoming interested in Greek history, philosophy, architecture, etc., would not only offer the Greek system an appreciation for their associated culture, but it would help to dissipate the common fraternity stereotype. For starters, maybe learn how to pronounce the Greek alphabet correctly. My point is, don’t call yourself Greek unless you actually know what is means to be Greek. In the meantime, you might as well call yourself a club.
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