Ronda Walker: Sorority girls gone wild? Hardly

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Alpha Phi Sorority at Alabama

We’ve all gone crazy you know that, right? The 24/7 news cycle has turned us into a society fixated on the minutia and bursting with an insatiable desire for more and more “news” to analyze, argue, and attack. The Information Age had so much promise, but alas through the improved digital mediums we now enjoy we have actually devolved as a society. We have devolved into a bunch of mass communicating nitpickers.

The fact that so many have spent the past week denigrating a group of young women in Tuscaloosa, Alabama simply because they created a fun, whimsical sorority recruitment video makes my point exactly. Y’all, please stop searching for non-issues that you can make into an issue. Surely you can find something better to do with your time.

I’ve watched the video and other than a couple of gratuitous booty shots I have no problem with it. It’s a bunch of 18-22 year old sorority girls having fun, which is exactly what all 18-22 year olds should be doing. I saw nothing illegal or disrespectful in the video and I certainly didn’t find it demoralizing to women. Y’all, please.

Sorority recruitment videos are a rather new phenomenon, and what I think many fail to realize is that these videos only represent a very small aspect of each Panhellenic groups overall recruitment strategy. Alpha Phi isn’t basing their entire recruitment process on this video; rather it is one piece of a larger strategy to attract women to join their organization. Sorority women across the nation have proven to be some of the strongest leaders on their respective campuses, they are driven to make good grades, and they are extremely philanthropic – according to the 2014 National Panhellenic Conference annual report sororities across the nation contributed $5,793,394.84 to various charities. These facts and many more will be shared throughout the recruitment process.

They will also highlight the fact that they have fun, and you know what? They should. Do you remember college? I do and in spite of the academic pressures it was one of the most carefree, fun times of my life.

Good for these young women that they are enjoying their college experience and developing relationships that will sustain them throughout their lives. Because you know what, life isn’t always so simple and fun so I’m glad they are seizing these youthful, carefree days.

Down the road many of these young women will experience the heartache of divorce. Some will want nothing more than to have a baby yet they will struggle to conceive. Some of these women will get diagnosed with cancer. Some will face debilitating physical conditions preventing them from enjoying much of anything at all. Some of these women will have to become caregivers for their aging parents. Some will experience the ultimate heartache of losing a child.

Dreams and expectations will be built up and torn down over and over throughout the course of their lives. So you know what, good for them for laughing and goofing off. Good for them for being silly and having fun and looking gorgeous doing it. Good for them for enjoying life and cultivating friendships because it will be these good times and good friendships that will sustain them during the tough days that will come.

So please, take a break from the 24/7 news cycle. Stop seeking out non-stories to turn into stories. Get off of your condescending soapbox and go enjoy life today. Cultivate friendships. Laugh and have fun and be silly. Go ahead, blow a little glitter and act like a sorority girl.

Ronda McCaul Walker is a member of the Montgomery County Commission and lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband and four children.

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