I have a confession to make.
A few days ago, a good friend and I were on our way to get boba (hehe). But in order to get to our destination, we first had to pass through a building. And unbeknownst to us, this building was FILLED... with various members of UT Asian Greek life. Apparently, that night was their sneak peek (?) night during which (I'm guessing) they put on some sort of showcase that introduces all the Asian sororities/fraternities as a part of their recruitment/rush process.
Honestly, walking into that crowd was not the most pleasant thing for me. It was almost... scary? Squeezing and pushing my way through was very uncomfy, but not because of the physical proximity.
When I think of Asian Greek life, or Greek life in general, I gotta admit, the first thoughts that come into my mind are not positive. But why? I guess it's because of the things I've heard from other people/sources. The rumors, the stereotypes. And while there is some validity to stereotypes, it doesn't necessarily mean that it applies to everyone.
Notice that I bolded AND italicized "other." That's because that is the one of the key mistakes I made. Walking through that crowd, I found myself evaluating all the people surrounding me based on what I had been told, not by what I myself had experienced. In all honesty, I don't think I've ever really interacted with someone involved in Greek life. Yet there I was, making assumptions, bad ones, about people I had never met or talked to. I automatically assumed, that just because they were in these sororities and fraternities, they were not good people. But I had NO RIGHT to. A lot of those people are probably genuinely nice people. It was my judgment, my own mistaken preconceptions that made them out to be something that they're not.
When God calls us to love our neighbors, he doesn't just mean that one neighbor who helps you with an assignment. Or that one neighbor who pays for your boba. Or even that one neighbor who's been your bestie for years. No. He means EVERYONE. That one neighbor who cheats off of you on the exam. That one neighbor who always eats your food without asking. And yes, that one neighbor who backstabs you... HARD.
When I walked through that crowd, Satan was probably grinning from ear to ear. I was doing exactly what he wanted. I was oozing hatred, not loving those whom God has called me to love.
And for that, I apologize. To anyone who was in that crowd, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being so quick to judge, for making false assumptions, and most of all, for not loving you.
To everyone else, don't allow Satan to feel as if he's won. I urge you, remember God's love for you before casting judgment and hatred. And genuinely, earnestly reflect that love.
~jo