Gloria Takes on Hazing

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson


Dear Brothers and Sisters:


First of all, my profound condolences to the Champion family on the loss of their son, Robert, Jr. There is nothing anyone can say or do to take away the loss of a child. But my prayers are with them as they go through this horrific period.















Black in the day, we had no reports of anyone dying or being beaten to within an inch of their lives while going through an initiation process.

When we are confronted with the horrors of "hazing" as some poor student falls prey to the overzealous behavior of fellow students, or peers who are apparently lacking in proper supervision, values, or priorities we are horrified. And each year either a sorority or a fraternity (and in this instance a marching band) comes under scrutiny and fire for the tragedy that ensues such banal activities.

Most of us who pledged a fraternity or sorority have fond memories of having survived "pledge week," and are prepared to regale each other with how "tuff" the dean of pledgees was and how we handled it (or not). Black in the day, we had no reports of anyone dying or being beaten to within an inch of their lives while going through an initiation process.

I have often stated that our Black fraternities and sororities are the last bastions of our lost African "rites of passage" transition from childhood to man or womanhood; and I still maintain that stance. However, given the fact that we, as parents and adults no longer (by law) have the tools to discipline our children during their formative years, so tragedies like these don't happen; and since most of our kids have been exposed to a daily overdose of violence, at least from the age of three, via TV, movies, so-called rap music, etc., I think we need to review and come up with a better plan for initiation and pledging.











Since most of our kids have been exposed to a daily overdose of violence, at least from the age of three, via TV, movies, so-called rap music, etc., I think we need to review and come up with a better plan for initiation and pledging (photo-AP)

You do realize of course, you can't just tell them that "hazing" is bad. And you can't just tell them to stop "hazing" - it's unfortunately hardwired into our primordial Human, DNA, regardless of your race - Black, White, Indian, Asian, or whatever. It is like the proverbial new kid on the block who has to prove him or herself worthy of being a part of the group.

Instead of the tired old m.o. of verbally condemning their actions, or preaching to deaf ears, we need a paradigm shift: Perhaps they should have task oriented initiations in a way that benefits the organization (Fraternity, Sorority, Band(?!!!), or other relevant group) and at the same time forges a bond between the new initiates. It can be fun or it can be serious; or a mix of both. It can exist over a prescribed period of time (3 to 6 weeks). Perhaps the "pledgees" can perform - dance, sing, act, or do something quirky (which is what we had to do in the early days anyway) for their fellow brothers and sisters. Or perhaps be required to perform a series of some sort of community service, for which they will be rated in terms of delivery and impact (which is what is done on the grad chapter level of Delta Sigma Theta).

You can't just be against something, without giving them something positive to replace it with; and without providing the proper mentor ship to make sure it is implemented appropriately. Also, you might want to integrate the conference with some peers so that it does not look as if all we old heads are looking down on our youth. Remember, we did some pretty unorthodox stuff in our day, too.

Again, my condolences to the family.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

R.B.Holmes, Jr. (850) 545-7427
Dr. Linda Fortenberry (504) 606-8050 LFortenberry@bethaltally.org
Dr. George Copper (803) 536-7013

bullet ColumnistGloria Dulan-Wilson Is a veteran New York City Journalist. Her experiences, perspective & sense of history are an invaluable combination. "check out my blog:" www.gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com