Brooke Kelly
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire
Community and university leaders across the nation would like to end hazing at universities and other schools by 2015.
In response to the November death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion Jr., groups came together Tuesday to launch the National Anti-Hazing/Anti-Violence Task Force.
The Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr. organized the task force and serves as its chairman. Holmes is president of the National Save the Family Now Movement Inc. and pastor of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Tallahassee, Fla.
“We have come together to organize a historic National Anti-Hazing /Anti-Violence Task Force to provide solutions and strategies to eradicated hazing from black college campuses and to develop proactive programs and events to address the escalation of violence in Black America,” Holmes said in a statement.
Champion’s parents, Pam and Robert Champion Sr., joined the task force at the National Press Club.
“It takes everybody. It’s not just a Champions’ thing. It’s everybody, and everybody must be on board if we are to end and get rid of it,” Pam Champion said.
Robert Champion Sr. said, “We need to get a sense of urgency so we can rid this thing. I think the only way we can do that is create some tougher laws, make people accountable.”
Florida Memorial University President Henry Lewis gave a statistical report about hazing deaths, citing Hank Nuwer’s website that documents143 hazing-related deaths from 1838 to 2011. At historically black universities and colleges and predominately black institutions, nine students have died from hazing, initiation or pledge-related accidents.
“Some experts agree that the numbers are much greater due to the underreported nature of hazing incidents and the keep-silent attitude that goes on in our student body,” Lewis said.
Members of the task force praised anti-hazing legislation Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., intends to introduce this month.
“The legislation that Wilson has proposed is right on target for helping us develop a national framework,” Lewis said.
Forty-four states have anti-hazing laws.
George Cooper, president of South Carolina State University and of the Council of 1890 Universities, is co-chair of the task force.
He said he and other presidents of HBCUs have the opportunity to elevate the level of discourse.
“We all consider this as an important issue for our campuses. As presidents, we all provide assurances to parents and students that we have a safe environment for students that attend our universities,” Cooper said.
An autopsy confirmed the death of Champion, 26, was a homicide caused by blows to the body, which resulted in shock caused by severe bleeding.
According to news reports, there were a variety of reasons for the attack, including Champion’s attempt to gain respect on the band bus he rode, his sexual orientation, his disapproval of hazing and his eligibility for chief drum major.
The 12-point, three-year plan includes an anti hazing/anti-violence conference next month in Orangeburg, S.C., a March 25 anti hazing/anti-violence awareness Sunday, community forums, a youth summit, a kindergarten-to-high school initiative and media programs.
Champion’s family formed a foundation in their son’s name, and the task force intends to encourage HBCUs to establish Robert Champion scholarships.
Other groups participating in the campaign include the National Newspapers Publishers Association, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and the King Center for Non-Violent Social Change. The National Conference of Black Mayors and the National Association of Black Psychologists are also working with the task force.
Brooke Kelly is the former Managing Editor of The Blue& White Flash, who is currently interning with the Scripps-Howard Foundation Wire in Washington DC.
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