Criticizing the Greek community without mentioning all of the positive benefits is ignorant and shows how people can be misled by stereotypes.

A couple weeks ago, The Daily Evergreen published an opinion column speaking very poorly of the Greek community not only as a whole, but also specifically here at WSU.

The Greek community as seen from the outside definitely appears as if it could be all about partying with a bunch of like-minded and dressed preppies. Obviously, there is much more to Greek life beyond the stereotypes as I’ve pointed out in a previous column.

“The Greek community has given me so much more than I ever expected … I can honestly say that the Greek community has enhanced both my professional and personal skills to prepare me for the future,” said Ben Kelly-Blum, president of Pi Kappa Phi at WSU.

My biggest problem with the column is the author chose to ignore everything positive about the Greek community and point out flaws about the system that are mostly just vague statements about society.

Binge drinking is not unique to the Greek system. There are parties and bars away from Greek row where students are binge drinking and getting so drunk they vomit.

The author then goes on to speak about how similar members of the Greek system are, but the same can be said for most social organizations. Whether it’s a band, chess club or the Greek system, you are likely to be drawn to people who have similar interests. The power of any organization is based on what can be achieved by the combined efforts of people with a common vision and beliefs.

Sororities have a selection system to recruit new members to see who is going to be a good fit. Neither the sorority nor the women rushing want to end up in a house with a bunch of women they aren’t compatible with. I remember during my rush week I heard something very useful: “There’s a house for everyone, but not every house is for every person.”

The Greek community is completely open for anyone to join, but some people need to realize the house they thought they wanted might not be the right fit for them. Problems tend to occur when people have their minds set on a particular house before they go through the rush process. The point of recruitment week is to meet the members and see what house fits you best.

The end of the column is where I think the author should have focused more. The ending talks about how the Greek system shouldn’t be removed but students should focus more on the 300 other student organizations and clubs on campus.

The author continuously tries to compare Greeks to different groups and organizations on campus but fails to realize we are contributing just as much to the community and student development. Members of the Greek system continuously have good grades, give back to the community through various philanthropic efforts and provide leadership and growth opportunities for students.

Not acknowledging these benefits shows people are unwilling to acknowledge facts when they contradict their biases.

It’s time for people who have never experienced Greek life to realize we chose to go Greek despite the negative stigma. I can confidently say the majority of students who go Greek feel it was the best decision of their college career and have developed in a way they couldn’t have without their house.

Not all of us Greeks are the binge drinkers or cookie-cutter people some would have you believe. It is a blatant lie and insult to the principles of Greek houses to say all of us are.