*Disclaimer: My thoughts are not a representation of the Pan-Hellenic Council nor of the Black Greek Lettered Organization that I am apart of.
This week in the news I happened to read yet another article of a hazing incident involving Black Greek Lettered Organizations (BGLO’S) also known as fraternities and sororities. The incident in question involves an African American male at Buffalo State College. The student, Bradley Doyley, was an athlete who played for the school’s basketball team as well as a graduating senior who died after ingesting a drink mixture. I won’t get into the details of what went on with the case as they are investigating the matter but I will offer my thoughts on the subject of hazing by shedding lights on its connection to African American culture and whether or not it will inevitably bring about its end.
Hazing can be defined a number of ways by a number of different experts, but in short it is defined by dictionary. com as “the imposition of strenuous, often humiliating, tasks as part of a program of rigorous physical training and initiation.” Contrary to popular belief hazing occurs in all walks of life from sports to the military and several other walks of life, with the common thread being that the applicant is made to perform actions that show their commitment and loyalty to the organization. Hazing has dominated mainstream media for the past years primarily focusing on the Black Greek Organizations referred to lovingly by its members as the Divine Nine and officially as the National Pan-Hellenic Council or NPHC.
The NPHC has been vocal in its opposition to hazing, first initializing a ban on hazing in 1990 after a hazing incident took place at Morehouse College in 1989 which resulted in an aspirant’s death. The most widely known recent incident that took place happened at FAMU in 2011 with Robert Champion, a drum major in the band who lost his life as a result of band hazing. Needless to say the issue has been a controversial one as members of the organizations and people on the outside have found themselves split on whether the practice of hazing is necessary, and whether or not its use is barbaric and antiquated.
To be clear violence against another person is wrong unless of course the person involved is defending themselves which I believe goes without saying. Members who use violence as their instrument of choice in determining a person’s eligibility neglect the other admirable qualities members offer and in turn lower the standards of the organization to that of brutality. The frequency of such acts has brought many of these esteemed organizations to their knees as the constant threat of litigation not only places a financial burden on the organization, but also strengthens the arguments of critics who see these organizations as mere relics of the past. Even worse the violent actions are becoming embedded in the minds of Americans as reflective of the organizations which in turns blocks many from seeing the advantages these social vehicles offer. For citizens all across the country and world, these same organizations have brought forth leaders, both civil and social who have helped to bring about tremendous changes for the world.
However I do believe that there are advantages to subjecting applicants to difficult situations as they are indeed reflective of the conditions one will experience throughout their life. Rituals predate our existence in America as tribes found meaning and purpose in joining their groups through the use of rituals, some of which involved physicality. Every culture has its own prescribed nuisances and rituals except for African Americans whose cultural roots have been for the most part lost in the annals of history. The dual conscious we experience as black Americans reminds us a void we collectively share, a void that unity and togetherness can help fill.
For black males and women across the country, they find purpose and fortitude in the rituals they participate in, rituals that seek to simulate the hardships they will surely encounter. Aside from sports there exists few other social organizations for black youth that both understand the needs of its audience and are able to appeal to them like BGLO’s. In my humble opinion though there are those who in their zeal to promote masculinity fail to realize that mental and situational difficulty can be used to foster these same principles and do so at a much safer expense. The use of violence against those we call our brothers and sisters in any other setting would be regarded as idiotic and this is no different. The time has come for us to embrace common sense and change the practices that no longer yield any good fruit for us.
If you are curious about the practices of black fraternities and sororities, I encourage you to consult the following resources:
- http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_divine_nine/2010/06/a_blog_for_black_fraternities_and_sororities.html
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gregory-s-parks/
- http://www.blackwebseries.com/black-boots-web-series-an-outstanding-presentation-of-black-greek-life/
Wright World 