Steel’s negative experience doesn’t represent entire Greek family

By Kyla Ann Holcomb

I am writing this as a response to Kirra Steel’s Viewpoint
article, “Systematic
Sisterhood Promotes Intolerance“ (Daily Bruin, Oct. 5).
As a proud member of the Greek system, I feel that some
clarification is needed in order to avoid a misconception among
UCLA students.

The Greek system is about unity. It is about making this campus
a smaller and more intimate place. It is about friendship and love
and doing good things for others and the world around us. Steel may
have had a negative experience, but it is only fair to print a
rebuttal to allow the voices of those of us who have had positive
experiences be heard.

Being involved in a sorority is in no way my “life.”
I am interested in an array of other issues and involved in many
other activities. But I am proud of the amazing, talented and aware
students that I am lucky to call my sisters. The selection process
that Steel describes may have been true for her sorority, but it is
by no means the same process that I am familiar with. But I am
writing this to let the campus know that not all members of the
Greek system are judgmental and elite.

I never once heard one negative comment about a girl during
Rush.

Steel’s comments about “negative descriptions”
are completely false. Neither myself or others in my house would
ever comment on a girl’s looks because we are more interested
in depths of personality.

The references to girls being described as “too fat or too
ugly” made me sick. I am a part of a group of girls who are
intelligent, motivated and, most importantly, want to see hate,
racism, and social inequality erased from society. We are proud of
who we are, but we are also accepting and tolerant of our
peers.

Organizations abound all over campus that are divisive. This is
the inherent problem with unity. If one group is to unify because
they share things in common (whether it is religion, culture,
politics, etc.), other organizations that do not have the same
opinions are quick to judge and stereotype the group as being
divisive and elitist. What is the solution to this? Would not
having any groups or organizations that join together around shared
values be the answer? I don’t think so, unless somehow the
entire diverse campus could come together and unite just for the
sole purpose of “unity.”

Instead, what we need is respect and tolerance for all groups
and organizations on campus, including the Greek system. If it is
not for you, as in the case for Steel, then by all means do not be
a part of it. Join something where you are able to unify with
others. One girl’s experience in her sorority should not
define the attitude toward the Greek system for the entire
campus.

I am a proud member of not only my sorority, but of the UCLA
student body. We need to respect one another and formulate our
opinions based on our own experiences. So I would like to encourage
my UCLA peers to get to know people in the Greek system, or to go
through the process for yourself. This will hopefully breed more
tolerance, understanding and awareness ““ qualities that our
diverse society today is in dire need of.

While I commend Steel for sharing her experience, I think it is
important for this campus to know that what she said is not
entirely correct, and that there are those of us who have had
positive experiences and believe in the unity that the UCLA Greek
system exemplifies.

Hopefully we can all learn to respect the other organizations
that we may not individually be a part of, for this is what will
lead to a more tolerant society.