Where it all starts

Tonight I was visiting one of my good friends in a fraternity at Ohio State, as we sat there exchanging stories of the latest happenings in our organizations he told me a story of one of his brothers and himself getting into a fight. For my sake we will call my friend, Chris and his fraternity brother, Eric. The fight was purely verbal, and the circumstances of alcohol and girls being involved almost provoked a fight alone. Chris, knowing nothing was going to come of the fight, told Eric they would talk about this the next morning and that he was done.  As Chris turned to walk away, Eric said “and that’s why I don’t respect you”.  Now Chris was fired up.

As Chris sat there last night telling me this story, he said something that has stuck with me, “There is a respect that comes with being a brother, no matter what”.  He went on to vent to me about how the brotherhood stumps any fight, issue, or disagreement the boys can be having: at the end of the day they are brothers. Given boys are much less dramatic than girls, I think sisterhood is something a lot of sororities have lost sight of, including mine.

I joined a sorority to a part of something greater than just myself, or just any single friendship.  It’s about us collectively coming together and believing in the same mission, but more importantly believing in each other.  Instead girls gossip about there sisters, judge their sisters, hurt them their sisters by being selfish.  We’ve lost sight of the idea that at the end of the day, no mater what happens, we will be sisters because we share something greater than ourselves. It was impressive to see a senior in college still have so much faith in his organization and so much, well respect, for his brothers.  I’ll admit, I was shocked to hear all it coming out of his mouth, but I would never doubt what he said for one second.

With all of that being said I think respect is where it starts. Yes, I know that’s not a new concept, but yet it’s still a huge problem.  Not only do members of Greek organizations not respect their ritual, but they don’t respect each other.  So before we get another chance to change the world, or pay it forward, or really anything else we all need to stop. Wait a minute. And THINK about if we respect ourselves, our ritual, and our sisters or brothers. Do you?

If yes, GREAT! Go change the world.

If no, why not?