"Greek Life" in the Media

People who do not know first hand about greek life will probably make assumptions about it based on a few popular t.v. shows and movies like The Parkers, Moesha,House of Payne, Drumline, and Stomp the Yard. Outside looking in you wouldn't give much thought to how accurate greek life is portrayed in the movie. However greeks do! I've personally had conversations with greeks about these movies. Greek life is often portrayed as a social activity when it is so much more. The stepping and partying is just a very small aspect of greek life. Another aspect of greek life that is commonly portrayed is the "pledging process." When you see these things in movies, greek life can kind of look like a negative thing. In these tv shows and movies names of the different sororities and fraternities are altered but typically keep similar colors or fulfill common stereootypes which leads viewers (who know about greek life) to assume which org they're portraying. First, all of the D9 have a zero tolerance for hazing. Secondly, D9 orgs do so much more outside of social activities. Although I can't name specifically what each org does, I can speak for my own sorority. We are about sisterhood, scholarship, and service. We are very active in our communities all across the world. My sorority comes together to make a difference in this world and have been doing so since our founding. It is offensive to not see that being put in the movies and tv shows. Stepping and partying is fun don't get me wrong, but we work much harder than we play! I don't see anything wrong with showing greek life in the movies about college BUT if you're going to show the fun we have also show the work we do.