Furthering Stereotypes

http://www.redandblack.com/2009/09/22/pledge-now-says-fraternity-did-not-haze-him/

As we discussed in earlier classes, while trying to find an article about fraternity and sorority life much of the information I found was negative.  Many of the articles were discussing the stereotypes that we had previously mentioned in class.  Almost every article I found had something to do with hazing, alcohol abuse or a chapter being stripped of their letters at different schools across the country.  Being a member of greek life I absolutely HATE this.  There absolutely has to be at least one chapter across the country that has done something positive!  Researching news sources you wouldn’t believe that.  After searching for a while I was actually able to find a story about something positive.  It seems that many greek organizations were founded upon service.  With that being said why is it so hard to find information about fraternities and sororities participating in service?  I know we are all supposed to do that but there are many cases everyday in which we do uphold the values, principles and traditions set forth by our organizations and those go unmentioned.  The fact that these things mentioned fall into the category of what we are “supposed” to do usually leaves these acts unnoticed because it is exactly what we joined the organization for. 

The article I decided to blog about happens to be about a hazing incident that occurred at the University of Georgia.  I decided to write about this article because for once the fraternity was not at fault and they were made out to be a scapegoat.  Ry Thomas Mercado was a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge at the University of Georgia.  He was caught in the possession of alcohol but was under the age of consumption.  As a result he claimed that he had the alcohol because the fraternity was hazing him.  After the investigation started he decided to issue a statement saying that he lied to law enforcement and wasn’t really being hazed or forced to drink alcohol. 

There are a lot of interesting facts being left out of this article that raise a few questions.  Mercado currently refuses to comment on his status as a member of the fraternity.  This begs the question was he offered membership in exchange for a retraction of his statement?  Although this could be a possible occurrence it’s somewhat difficult to believe that someone would retract their statements for just membership into an organization, especially now when he most likely will face more charges such as issuing a false statement and obstruction of justice.  There are just so many interesting things that this case has to offer.  I mean was avoiding an underage really that important as to throw potential friends and brothers under the bus?  But with everyone involved in the case refusing to comment, is there a potential coverup going on here?  

The stereotypes and negative images associated with fraternity and sorority life have gotten to the point where they are being used as a way out of situations which may not even actually involve greek life.  It just getting ridiculous that the media can find almost nothing good to say about greek life.  We all understand that negativity and tragedy attracts viewers/readers but how are we supposed to stay motivated to continue down the right path when all we hear is negativity?!  In my case my organization and what it means to me is more than enough but I really feel it’s about time universities and others begin recognizing the good that greeks can do for our communities.  I mean there has to be a small percentage of us who join for more than interest from the opposite sex, parties and alcohol right?  Well it’s hard for the average student/citizen to see beyond those things because our values and all the good that we do are almost never put on display.