When you think feminism the last
thing you think is sorority girl. Is it because sororities and the women
associated are victims of certain stereotypes that are seen as anti-feminist?
Or is it because fraternities are associated with sororities and that
patriarchal institution overshadows the matriarchy? Or could it be that
feminists just don’t join sororities because that type of institution holds
values that are simply opposite of those that are feminist? Well, I’m here to
let you know that being a sorority girl is the epitome of being a feminist. I
know because I’m both.
Feminism: What and Why?
Feminism is a noun meaning the
advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic
equality to men. The key phrase here is, “equality to men.” This doesn’t mean
women over men. This doesn’t mean man bashing, man hating, or man-eating, and
it doesn’t mean any violence of negativity towards men. Though men can be part
of the problem as to why there isn’t equality of women in today’s society, women are just as much to blame. Some women are what we call the “femi-nazi”,
which is that particular girl you know who participates in the man hating
activities. That by no means is feminism. Then there are the women who don’t
realize that even though our society is quite modern that women are not equal
by any means.
This leads me to why you should be a
feminist. Here are my eight reasons why you should be a feminist:
1.
Because
women still deal with catcalling on a daily basis. Ladies, this by no means is
flattering. This is a man exercising what he thinks is his right to treat you
like a piece of eye candy or meat. You are not a piece of meat.
2.
Because
the US Senate is unequally split twenty women to eighty men. And with certain
debates coming up in the government about women’s reproductive health there are
not enough women to speak for the female population. Men would never let us
make decisions based on their reproductive system why should we let them do the
same?
3.
Because
women still earn $0.77 to every man’s dollar. And if you’re in a minority group
that is even less.
4.
Because
women are still criticized for what they wear and for the fact that their
bodies are different from men’s. Women should not be judged on how well they do
their job based on the color of their lipstick. Likewise, when a woman is raped
it shouldn’t matter what she was wearing. And women should not be responsible
for men getting distracted by what they choose to wear.
5.
Because
in the US a woman is raped every six seconds. That means every six seconds a
human being is violated on a very intimate and emotional level. And then the
victim is blamed.
6.
Because
women are taught to hold their keys between their fingers when they walk alone
to their car at night.
7.
Because
in a domestic abuse situation people ask “Why did she stay?” instead of “Why
did he hit her?”
8.
And
because even if you’ve never experienced any of these things other women have
and part of being a feminist is supporting your fellow woman.
How to be a feminist?
So, you’ve read over the reasons to
be a feminist and one or more of them sparked anger or outrage in your heart.
Well, now is the time to start becoming a feminist, and here is how.
First off just be you. Embrace who
you are. If you’re still looking for who that is then give yourself the
adequate amount of time you need to in order to find yourself. It’s all about
being aware of who you are because the more aware you are the easier it is to
complete the transformation into the master feminist.
Secondly, stop obsessing about your
body. If you love your body then that’s all that matters. If you don’t and it’s
because you feel unhealthy start finding ways to be healthy. As long as you are
aware of how you feel physically that is all that matters. But remember it is
you who are allowed to decide how you feel about your body and only you.
Stop
using derogatory terms when talking to or about your girlfriends. Names like
“slut” or “bitch”, I believe, are appropriate in certain joking situations when
both parties know 100% that it is not to be taken seriously. Using names like
that on an excessive basis can really wear down other women’s self esteems.
That is not what feminism is about. We want to build up our friends not tear
them down.
Don’t change yourself because
someone asked you to. If a guy you’re dating doesn’t like something about you
and he asks you to change it do not do it. As long as you’re not harming anyone or
it’s not threatening your health you do not have to change for anyone. The same
goes for your girlfriends too. My personal view about friends is that if
they’re not building you up or a positive influence in your life then you don’t
need them. Life is too short to deal with toxic people.
Now when you do get into some type
of relationship with a guy (or girl. We’re about equality) make sure you are
making smart sexual decisions. Think about your emotional and physical health
when making these decisions. Err on the side of caution and be real with
yourself as well as with your partner.
Lastly, take action. Encourage other
women to become feminists because the more that answer the call to action the
more we will be heard. We live in a modern world we deserve equality.
Sororities and Fraternities and
Feminism Oh My!
One of the reasons why people don’t
put feminism and sororities together in the same sentence or thought is because
a lot of times we are overshadowed by our male counterparts. Whether it is on
the campus stage or the national stage sororities sometimes take a backseat to
fraternities, and maybe it’s because one is for men and the other for women.
Fraternities in the media dwarf
sororities whether it be positive coverage such as a fraternity raising
awareness for a certain philanthropic cause, or negative coverage like the most
recent sexual assault accusations that have been floating around the internet;
you don’t see a lot of sororities show up in headlines. Sororities do not get
equal coverage as fraternities do in the media, and that should change.
Fraternities and sororities have the same organizational coverage but for
different sexes. The coverage should be the same.
Also,
when you see go Greek campaigns online or on college campuses a lot of Greeks
like to point out that a lot of famous people went Greek and are now
successful. However, most CEOs and politicians are male and therefore were in
fraternities; whereas, sororities can lay claim over reality TV stars, TV
hosts, and inventors of casseroles. Not that those are not prestigious, they
are, but we should also be able to boast that this politician or humanitarian
was in a sorority.
Another issue is that just like with
men and women there is a double standard for fraternities and sororities. With
fraternities brothers are gaining a network opportunity, but sisters in a
sorority are gaining a family or are joining an organization for the “girl
bonding.” Though that may be true we have the same opportunities that are
afforded to fraternities, but nobody mentions that when it comes up in
conversation.
The
same with leadership experience; a president of a fraternity is shown to have
qualities of a leader; whereas, a president of a sorority is seen as the “Head
Bitch in Charge.” To be honest, I think it’s more complicated and challenging
to be a president of an all female organization. Everyone has an opinion and
everyone wants to be heard.
The
biggest double standard in my experience as an active member was during
recruitment. Sorority recruitment on my campus was held to much stricter rules
than that of fraternity recruitment. Boys are able to go and smoke cigars with
brothers and talk with them about joining. Opposite of that is sorority
recruitment where a sorority can get in trouble for letting a girl leave their
house with a plastic cup for fear that it looks like we are bribing her to want
our sorority. If sororities have these rules then it should only be right that
the fraternities have them too.
Stereotypes of Sorority Life
Some stereotypes are responsible for
the dissociation of feminism and sororities. Let’s address those shall we.
1.
“So
don’t you like pay for your friends?” – No. With any organization you’re going
to have to pay fees. These pay for things like shirts, events, philanthropy
weeks, etc. With Greek life you may also have to pay to live in a house. You
cannot put a price on the experience you gain by joining a sisterhood. It’s
pretty much priceless.
2.
“Aren’t
sorority girls dumb?” – On the contrary, many sororities have scholarship
requirements for members. Some of the smartest women I know are my sorority
sisters. But I will admit we all have our blonde moments, most of which happen
during finals week.
3.
“Sororities
girls are just glorified party girls.” – This one makes me laugh because I went
to the bar maybe a total of three times my senior year. What may bring this
stereotype about is that on campuses, especially ones with a big Greek
community, parties at fraternity houses are more widely advertised. But I do
believe that in college everyone goes out at least once, and in sororities we
are no different.
4.
“Sorority
girls are easy.” – I cannot tell you how many times I have heard this said
about sorority girls. I’m going to be completely honest. It’s college. Everyone
explores a little bit in college. It’s the first time that you’re away from
home for any extended amount of time. Things are going to happen and you’re
going to try new experiences. I promise you that in a sorority you have the
support system that looks out for you and makes sure you’re making the right
decisions and that’s not just emotionally or physically, but just in your life
in general.
5.
“Sorority
girls only care about how they look.” – This isn’t halfway true. Sure, during
recruitment we may all be dressed the same but that’s so that we look like a
unified front to the potential new members. Not only that, but we don’t look
very impressive if we are in sweats and trying to recruit. It’s like going to a
job interview. You have to be presentable. However, plenty of my sisters,
myself included, could care less about how we look. As long as we get to class
on time that’s all we worry about.
6.
“You
only get into a sorority if you’re rich and a girly girl.” – My chapter has to
be one of the most diverse group of women I’ve ever had the pleasure of
meeting. There are plenty of sisters who are girly girls, but I also have a
sister who is a huge jock (she’s the goalie for our lacrosse team.) Personally,
when I moved back home after graduation I decorated my room with Lilly
Pulitzer, but on the other hand I could quote all three of The Lord of the
Rings movies. It’s takes every kind of woman to build a sorority.
If
you’re in a sorority currently and were hesitant about taking the leap into
feminism because you were afraid you’d be less of a sister do not worry you’re
already halfway there. Being a sorority sister is about lifting up your fellow
sisters just like being a feminist is about lifting up your fellow female. If
you’re not in a sorority but you were hesitant about joining because you’re a
feminist please know that you can do both. The two go hand in hand. As a
feminist and a sorority girl I wish you the most beautiful sisterhood and the
most awesome girl power!
