The Black Greek Letter Organization Life
Barker DeWayne David
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

FOTRP: How did becoming a member of a Greek Organization impact your academic success?
Barker DeWayne David: I have been a member of my fraternity for sixteen years and I have seen and heard the good, the bad, and the ugly. I never understand why I was beaten severely when the fraternity specifically stated, "We are a non-hazing organization." There were times when I wanted to quit, tell someone in student affairs, and take a trip to the emergency room. I endured this treatment for eight and a half weeks.
FOTRP: What would you describe as the benefits of joining a Fraternity or Sorority?
Barker DeWayne David: Students are joining fraternities and sororities for the wrong reasons. Some of the wrong reasons include: looking for a new group of people to hang out and party with, looking for reasons to wear Greek letters on their chest, to obtain that special boyfriend/girlfriend and for something to add to their resume. Not all, but most. Me personally, being a member of a fraternity should be about serving.
FOTRP: What advice would you give to a student who has interest in joining a Greek Organization?
Barker DeWayne David: Before one joins any fraternity they should ask themselves, "What can I bring to this fraternity?" If one has to think on this then they probably are uncertain about what they have to bring. I think fraternities and sororities have lost the true meaning of what the organization is about because after a person pledges they could care less about keeping up their local chapters, paying dues, and recruiting other outstanding individuals that have some to bring to the organization. Across campuses throughout America students are joining based on who has the most members on the yard, who has the crunkest parties, who has the most attractive members, who steps the best, and etc.
FOTRP: What do you say to those that suggest that being a member of a Fraternity or Sorority is about being an elitist, hazing and partying?
Barker DeWayne David: Things such as campus/community involvement, fundraising, and mentoring activities do not seem to have much value anymore. Therefore, I think one may have valid reasons to suggest being a member of a fraternity and sorority is about being an enlist, hazing, and partying.
Barker DeWayne David: I have been a member of my fraternity for sixteen years and I have seen and heard the good, the bad, and the ugly. I never understand why I was beaten severely when the fraternity specifically stated, "We are a non-hazing organization." There were times when I wanted to quit, tell someone in student affairs, and take a trip to the emergency room. I endured this treatment for eight and a half weeks.
FOTRP: What would you describe as the benefits of joining a Fraternity or Sorority?
Barker DeWayne David: Students are joining fraternities and sororities for the wrong reasons. Some of the wrong reasons include: looking for a new group of people to hang out and party with, looking for reasons to wear Greek letters on their chest, to obtain that special boyfriend/girlfriend and for something to add to their resume. Not all, but most. Me personally, being a member of a fraternity should be about serving.
FOTRP: What advice would you give to a student who has interest in joining a Greek Organization?
Barker DeWayne David: Before one joins any fraternity they should ask themselves, "What can I bring to this fraternity?" If one has to think on this then they probably are uncertain about what they have to bring. I think fraternities and sororities have lost the true meaning of what the organization is about because after a person pledges they could care less about keeping up their local chapters, paying dues, and recruiting other outstanding individuals that have some to bring to the organization. Across campuses throughout America students are joining based on who has the most members on the yard, who has the crunkest parties, who has the most attractive members, who steps the best, and etc.
FOTRP: What do you say to those that suggest that being a member of a Fraternity or Sorority is about being an elitist, hazing and partying?
Barker DeWayne David: Things such as campus/community involvement, fundraising, and mentoring activities do not seem to have much value anymore. Therefore, I think one may have valid reasons to suggest being a member of a fraternity and sorority is about being an enlist, hazing, and partying.