If there’s one thing that has basically become a sport in the fraternity world, it’s shitting on GDI’s. We meme on them for being uptight, irrationally aggressive in their hatred for greek life, and being antisocial weirdos that bitch about a culture they don’t understand while simultaneously complaining they can’t get into our parties. But you know what makes it really hard to shit on the GDI population? When some of you knuckleheads act exactly like the people that the outside world makes us out to be. 

Recently, the University of Georgia chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha got suspended for a series of leaked GroupMe messages that allegedly belonged to them. Several alleged brothers operating under nickname handles in different group chats make derogatory and racially charged comments about a classmate. They make light of racial stereotypes, make reference to using racial slurs, and also make inappropriate comments about their classmates genitals. Screenshots of a few of the messages are visible down below. 

The reason that Greeklife on so many campuses around America is under threat right now is that the system itself has to justify its own existence in the face of increasing scrutiny. What positive impact do fraternities and sororities have on the population at large? What do we bring to campus life that does good for anyone outside ourselves? I love being in a fraternity as much as the next man, but even I have to admit that the greek world has an underbelly we as a community are hesitant to acknowledge. We consistently whine about GDI’s coming for our necks and then give them ammo to do so, as well as provide them plenty of reasons to want us gone from campus.

These messages were in many cases abhorrent and disgusting. Nobody should be attacked on the basis of their sex, race, ethnicity, orientation, ect ect. There is such a low bar for us as a community already, I struggle sometimes with how often we trip over it instead of doing the bare minimum hop it takes to protect ourselves. Don’t rape people, don’t be a dickbag. Don’t haze a kid to death who just wants an opportunity to join the brotherhood you hold in such high regard. Some of you might be going, “But McGee, these are individuals responsible for these actions, why should we be held responsible?” 

We are responsible because we have the ability to police our own chapters internally. If you see fuck shit occuring, do something about it not just for the sake of yourself and your brother, but to protect the system as a whole. And hell, if your brother is doing things that are dangerous enough, you could even save somebody’s life. Be smart, be compassionate, be responsible. Be a leader of men, which is what you promise to the world you’re going to be when you put your letters on.

Hold yourselves accountable, gentlemen. For our sake and the community at large.