Greeks like to complain about the way they're portrayed in the media. I'm sure everyone knows what that means: that Greeks are a big group of booze-heavy sexhounds with just about enough intelligence to prance around Carson Daly in a swimsuit and tan. This sort of stereotype is perpetuated by

MTV's new show "Sorority Life" featuring Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, a local women's group at UC Davis, and a chapter house of Sigma Alpha Epsilon on Comedy Central's "Insomniac" with Dave Attel are such examples of the disgraceful portrayal of Greek life. It is shows like these and movies like the upcoming "Going Greek" in which irresponsible people and those who lack basic values give the Greek system a bad name.

He forgot to mention Sorority Boys.

The Greek Advisor at Berkeley mentioned his hopes of getting the Daily Cal to assign a beat reporter to the Greek system, in order to spend some time covering Greek Community Service, Greek involvement in Leadership, etc. I myself started to write a column on 'Myths in the Greek system.' before getting stuck.

The problem I'm having with both sides is that both sides are right. The Greek system is chock-full of pot fiends, heavy drinkers, sex maniacs, and all the other sorts of types of chaps that give Greeks a bad name. It's also full of committed students, leaders in the University, and exemplaries of what the various Charters are supposed to stand for.

These are often the same people.

The same people who are out at 2 AM trying to order beer at Jack-in-the-Box are ASUC leaders, Editors of the Squelch, and Columnists for the Daily Cal. They live life hard, and it turns out they can handle both jobs: party-harder and life-affirmer. Media coverage is always slanted because it's difficult and boring to capture both elements at once. Sure, that Frat President may be a member of Rally Comm and work in the EVP's office, but he also got caught on the I-House roof with two cows and half a giraffe. There are Greek Leaders who won't touch the demon-drink, and Greek members who look forward to Pot Wednesday and Most of Thursday. But most are a combination of the two.

So all this complaining won't do much about the problem. It's either worst or best, until the dichotomy is reconciled.


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