COMMENTARY
Shannon Robinson
Blue & White Flash/Graduate Student
The death of Robert Champion, a Florida A&M University band member, who died in Nov. 2011, has once again brought the issue of hazing to the forefront of discussion for many colleges and universities across the nation.
According to CNN, Champion died following his beating on a bus in Orlando, Fla., after a football game in which the band performed. During an initiation ritual called “Crossing Bus C”, pledges try to run down the center aisle of the bus while sustaining blows from senior members of the band. Champion’s parents have since filed a lawsuit against the school’s board of trustees, the company that owns the bus in which the abuse occurred, and the driver of the bus.
Jackson State University has a policy against hazing as reiterated on November 29, 2011, by JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers in a memorandum stating, “Every university has an obligation to provide for students especially, and for everyone, an environment free from hazing. Effective today, Jackson State University is enacting a zero tolerance policy for hazing. Any and all persons participating in, observing or otherwise engaged and knowledgeable about hazing on this campus are subject to immediate dismissal or expulsion from Jackson State University…”
In the past, Jackson State has had problems with this issue. In October 2009, the Jackson State campus newspaper, The Blue & White Flash reported that 25 members of the percussion section of the Sonic Boom of the South had been suspended following judicial hearings that found them guilty of hazing. The hearings came after an off campus hazing incident left one student seriously injured on September 18, 2009 and other freshmen with swollen limbs, abrasions, bruises and fractures. Dr. Marcus A. Chanay, Vice President for the Division of Student Life at Jackson State, said in the report that he was disappointed and disgusted by the allegations.
“While we are very disappointed this event of hazing took place, we hope this suspension sends a message to all current and future members of the Sonic Boom as well as fraternities and sororities that hazing is simply unacceptable,” Chanay stated in the Flash report.
The culture of hazing is not a new one, but the questions that always come to my mind when I hear of these incidents are: Why would anyone willingly submit themselves to this type of abuse? At what lengths will individuals go to become a part of an organization? And does the abuse and humiliation that sometimes arise from this process really promote bonding among group members?
I asked these questions to a long time member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and he said, “Most people think pledging is just a lot of people getting beat up and humiliated, but that’s not the case, or it should not be the case. That’s the problem, so many fraternities and sororities have members that don’t really understand the process themselves, and so they end up hurting potential members and the organization.”
However, another student felt that this process is unnecessary and does not promote unity.
She said: “I personally don’t understand the reason for hazing. What are the benefits? How does the individual grow by hazing?” From my understanding, hazing is usually linked to abuse and for that reason I wonder if it is necessary.”
The act of hazing is not only found in fraternity and sorority settings. It has been reported in the military, sports, high schools, and other clubs and organizations. Inside Hazing.com reports that all hazing statistics are an underestimate of the actual amount of hazing that occur. This is due to the fact that most students do not even recognize hazing when they are involved and that there is a strong code of silence that inhibits students from reporting a hazing incident.
According to the website:
• More than 250,000 students experienced some sort of hazing to join a college athletic team.
• 5% of all college students admit to being hazed.
• 40% admit to knowing about hazing activities.
• 40% report that a coach or club advisor was aware of the hazing.
I feel that anyone attempting to join an organization should not face mental or physical abuse of any kind. I also think that students need to take responsibility and not allow themselves to be hazed just to become a part of an organization. Self preservation should always be the important factor for students.
I know that it is often frowned upon to ‘snitch’ when incidents that cause controversy or can get an individual or group sanctioned occur. However, I’m pretty sure that Robert Champion’s family, and families of other students who lost their lives or were injured because of incidents of hazing, wished that someone had told officials about the hazing that was occurring.
Although hazing is viewed by many as an established practice that will never end, it is my hope and belief that regulation and punishment of this practice will help to prevent the potential loss of life. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, The National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention statistics show that nearly half of all college students who join a club, team, organization will be hazed.
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
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