Bama Rush Week: A Showcase of White Feminine Privilege

Bid Day has come and gone at the University of Alabama, marking the end of Bama Rush Week. For those unaware, this is an annual event where young, white women showcase their privilege through sororities. This year, the potential new members (PNMs) ripped open their envelopes at Bryant-Denny Stadium on August 18, starting their journey into an exclusive college experience.

The Problem with #BamaRush

While women have rushed at Alabama for years, it gained mainstream attention in 2021 thanks to TikTok. The social media platform amplified the problematic nature of the event, with users obsessing over the outfits of these young, privileged women. This led to an online phenomenon that has an ugly grip on social media each year. A documentary, "Bama Rush: Acceptance Is Everything" streamed on Max in May 2023, further glorifying this problematic tradition.

The Sororities: A Who's Who of Exclusivity

The young women at Alabama aspire to join one of the many exclusive sororities, which are part of the Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA). With one of the largest Greek systems in the country, these sororities are a who's who of exclusivity:

• Alpha Chi Omega
• Alpha Delta Chi
• Alpha Delta Pi
• Alpha Gamma Delta
• Alpha Omicron Pi
• Alpha Phi
• Chi Omega
• Delta Delta Delta
• Delta Gamma
• Delta Zeta
• Gamma Phi Beta
• Kappa Alpha Theta
• Kappa Delta
• Kappa Kappa Gamma
• Phi Mu
• Pi Beta Phi
• Sigma Delta Tau
• Sigma Kappa
• Zeta Tau Alpha

The Problem with Sorority Culture

Bid Day celebrates these young women joining sororities, but it's a stark reminder of the exclusivity and privilege embedded in the college experience. These sororities promote a culture of privilege, exclusivity, and conformity. The very nature of "running home" to be greeted by your "big sister" and showered with gifts is a stark reminder of the entitled nature of these organizations.

Woke Liberal Conclusion

Bama Rush Week and Bid Day are nothing more than a showcase of privilege and exclusivity in higher education. While these young women celebrate, let's not forget the systemic issues at play and the need for a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable future. The obsession with #BamaRush only serves to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and exclude those who don't fit the mold. It's time to burst this elitist bubble and create a truly equal playing field.

Contributing: Jasmine Hollie

Bianca Harris is an editor on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Her email is bharris@gannett.com.