As the beginning of classes neared for universities across the nation this past week, one sorority, University of Alabama Alpha Phi, unexpectedly started out on the wrong foot.
The women of Alpha Phi had posted their annual recruitment video to YouTube only to receive harsh backlash from the entire nation. So, why exactly is their video being deemed as “worse for women than Donald Trump” by AL.com’s A.L. Bailey?
After viewing the video a few times, I can see what Bailey means when she says their video “stands out in the ‘beauty and bounce’ category.”
Throughout the entirety of the video, all you see is girls fake-laughing, jumping on each other’s backs, blowing kisses and glitter, and just prancing around.
Another element of the video that was deeply criticized was the fact nearly every single girl was white and had blonde hair with coordinated outfits.
Granted, sororities are not the “bastions of feminist ideologies,” as Bailey said, but I agree with her when she says maybe they shouldn’t completely sabotage the bastions of feminist ideologies either.
Many people questioned the backlash as well, believing there was nothing wrong with the video at all.
Not only was Alpha Phi’s video completely cheesy, but it was reliant solely on their appearance to recruit potential new members for their sorority. Everyone looked practically identical with their blonde hair, matching sunglasses and daisy dukes.
This video did not promote any of their beliefs or philanthropic work. What they did promote was the idea that relying only on your appearance is completely OK.
If I were a potential member and saw that video, I would assume I needed to be white, blonde and attractive to join this sorority, and if I’m anything otherwise then I’m SOL.
No, I don’t believe their video is necessarily hurting anyone. However, they certainly aren’t benefitting the depiction of women in our society.
As women, we are already judged based upon our appearances and not taken seriously because of them. Female politicians are continually asked about and criticized for their looks.
We’re asked sexual questions like “What’s your favorite position?” as Lauren Conrad was once asked on a radio show interview.
All these women did in their video was just further condone the idea that women are nothing more than their appearance and sexuality.
What these women should have done is provide some real substance for their potential new members to gather an actual idea of what their sorority entails besides bouncing around and giggling.
Surely these women have beliefs, morals and values worth sharing. Sororities do in fact have a system of beliefs they follow within each individual sisterhood. They also do a lot of philanthropic work and keep education as a priority. After all, sorority members must maintain a certain GPA to remain members.
Sadly, from their video you would never guess so. I really wish this group of women would have included more authenticity to their video to empower women rather than objectify and demean them like most of our society does today.
prhurst@indiana.edu
