Readers' Views: Sorority row

Fraternities and Sororities. When these two words come up to par with my head, I tend to usually think of finding a family away from home. Finding extended members to your homebody and feel as if you have never left the comforts of where you came from.

 But that is not the case anymore is it? Recently, just like the UP Los Baños hazing killing, there has been news on murders or suicides all because of fraternity and sorority initiations. Initiations that were supposed to be for fun, to see the potential of a person but turned into a life-taking phenomenon.

 The way I see it, life in these social groups are never how it is depicted in the movies. Parties, fundraisers and carwashes is not an easy thing to achieve. The advantages of joining such are the community services available, the lifetime connection of friends and those in Greek fraternities and sororities get higher GPAs and usually have a promising career ahead of them.

 The disadvantages are the hazings. Being put up in front of everyone without any underwear on or being forced to eat something disgusting is not a hilarious thing. Violence or embarrassment is not a way to show a person’s true potential and loyalty. I think that’s what people have mistaken it to be. Testing for loyalty should not be done through violence.

 I would never let myself go through strenuous acts and maybe to the extent of losing my cool just to get in a group that could probably be of a bad choice for me. As tempting as it sounds, I can never dwell on the fact of an injury or even putting my life in danger.

 I always thought life as a sorority or fraternity member was all fun and games, just take the movie House Bunny for example. Being in these groups accepts a person for who they are and makes a person feel like they are part of something. I have always pondered on joining because of what I see coming from the silver screen but after the widespread killings, I now think otherwise.

 Being part of something in your life that means to you is fulfilling, but being part of something you regret is not. Be careful, make the right choice because this choice will cost your life.