What would a historically black college be without sororities and fraternities? There is no doubt that Greek and non-Greek organizations are emblematic of the black college experience. Most of us enjoy watching them strut on hump day or at a party, attend probate, and entertain the hype that comes along with it-admit it. Yet there is more to these organizations than just flaunty stepping and embroidered jackets. What the organizations are really about is often hidden from the public. However, one of the most visible things that we do see are its members every day. They are our classmates, friends, and family members. Oftentimes though, it is questioned and scrutinized whether or not these people are the same people they were before they pledged. So then the question is: Do people really change after they pledge?
“When asked, a fraternal associate who wishes to remain anonymous, stated, “I think that I changed for the better and pledging widened my perspectives. But I do believe that some people change for the worst when they try to emulate certain stereotypes of other people and then some people don’t change at all and use pledging as a stepping stone.”
“I think some people’s attitudes change. They become more cocky” said an anonymous student. “It’s like, what are you so cocky for? Because you have a jacket on and I don’t?” She added. Another student agreed in stating that, “Not all of them change, because I don’t want to generalize people in organizations but some people do change for the worst. They get big-headed. They become more arrogant and don’t want to associate with anyone that’s not in their organization.”
Contrary to what the other students said, one sorority member, who also wishes to remain anonymous, replied, “I definitely think people change when they pledge. I know I have. I had some attitude and self esteem problems that disappeared after I pledged. It’s not all about being arrogant but being confident. I’ve learned that you have to lean on other people in life and you need a support system. “Some change for the good, and some for the bad. I mean, it’s good that they’re involved and committed to an organization, but some of them believe that they have superiority just because they are a part of an organization, or that they’re better than others,” another student concluded.
Whether or not people change after they pledge, it is certainly a question of opinion. As illustrated by the responses of some fellow students, there is no right or wrong answer.
Yet, there is one common thread to almost all of the responses of those who were questioned and even those who voiced their opinions, but chose not to have them printed in this article. That commonality is that it seems to be some sort of personality alteration, attitude adjustment or ego trippin in some cases. On the other hand even those who felt that members sometimes change for the better, acknowledged that some members’ confidence often skyrocket beyond mere self-assurance to plain arrogance.
Nevertheless some members’ sense of character remains the same, others simply become proud members of their organizations, and are generally approachable individuals. So this “pledging adjustment” does not apply to every single member of a Greek or non-Greek organization. But realistically speaking, is it still not the general consensus?