Not all fraternities are bad!

As a part of modern day fraternity, I feel that many non-fraternity members look down on our organization. From the horrible stereotypes in movies, the exaggerated news reports about hazing, and websites like TFM (Total Frat Move) people are generally disgusted about fraternities. People believe that all fraternities brutally haze new members, and throw wild parties, and from general consciences think the people in them are dumb. Movies like Animal House portray all of the above stereotypes. People watch these movies and believe everything they see in the movie. The entrainment industry thrives off of movies like this, but in the long run they are ruing the image of fraternities. Fraternities are taking way to much heat over fictional movies and website entrainment.

A fraternity is created from a bond of similar interests, goals and desires. As a brotherhood we are supposed to not only help each other but help the community and people around us. Fraternities bring many great things to their school and the community they reside in. For example, every year my fraternity partakes in a philanthropy event for Home for our Troops. A philanthropy event is used to help raise money for an organizations in need. We do an event call Bike-a-thon where we grill out and bike for twenty-four hours to help raise money for Home for our Troops. This event usually raises between a thousand to two thousand dollars. All of the money we raise goes straight to the organization. We also partake in a campus clean up, where all of the brothers wear our greek letters and go on campus to pick up trash. Another great event that we hold is a donut sale to raise money for the ASPCA. This money is raised to help shelters buy food, toys and blankets for animals in the shelter. In my eyes these are all great benefits for everyone.

My goal as a fraternity member is to change the negative perspective people have about them. There is a reason fraternities have been around for hundreds of years; because there are benefits for everyone involved in them and around them. Members in them gain enjoyment of helping other people. They also build a good background for themselves by gaining a good reputation in their community and around the school. It upsets me that people will only focus on the negative things they hear and see.I hope one day people will see the good in fraternities and support them.