A letter to the editor
Hazing still a problem
Silence Dogood
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Voices
I am not trying to single any organization out because truth is known that most student organizations haze whether they want to admit it or not.
With stricter rules and sanctions coming from Nationals and administration, new members are told not to talk about the hazing and that it is not really hazing because no one is getting seriously hurt.
Many think that because hazing happened to them that it is okay to pass on the tradition. Let us be honest with each other, no one liked the hazing they went through and the feeling of having to pass on "tradition" is one that sickens me.
We hide are hazing and justify it in way that make our own hearts a little lighter but the fact is, that hazing affects people more than any of us know. It may seem like what you are doing is not directly hurting people but in the long run more people tend to remember their hazing experiences 50 years later and remember it as just something you had to do to be accepted.
Is that what our culture has come to? Do we need to hurt others both physically and mentally for them to be accepted and do new members want to be accepted so bad that they will go through with the endless metal abuse and physical demands?
I know that we as humans are above that and I know that we as a Liberal Arts school can see the importance in equality and that we can rise above the average.
Our education here teaches us that equality and freedom of expression is one of the some of the most important things to have in life. Why do we not uphold these principles?
I ask you, no beg you to live above the average and strive to be someone who is better than a hazer. Instead of calling all new members pledges, newbie, babies, freshmen, use their names.
Instead of making them do the extreme workouts or stealing their clothes for embarrassment, do something that builds rapport. Those who treat all with respect are ones viewed as the real men and women and above all a friend.
Just think about it the next time you want to make a new member do something and instead remember what it was like when you were a new member and how you felt. Live above the average and make a difference.
With stricter rules and sanctions coming from Nationals and administration, new members are told not to talk about the hazing and that it is not really hazing because no one is getting seriously hurt.
Many think that because hazing happened to them that it is okay to pass on the tradition. Let us be honest with each other, no one liked the hazing they went through and the feeling of having to pass on "tradition" is one that sickens me.
We hide are hazing and justify it in way that make our own hearts a little lighter but the fact is, that hazing affects people more than any of us know. It may seem like what you are doing is not directly hurting people but in the long run more people tend to remember their hazing experiences 50 years later and remember it as just something you had to do to be accepted.
Is that what our culture has come to? Do we need to hurt others both physically and mentally for them to be accepted and do new members want to be accepted so bad that they will go through with the endless metal abuse and physical demands?
I know that we as humans are above that and I know that we as a Liberal Arts school can see the importance in equality and that we can rise above the average.
Our education here teaches us that equality and freedom of expression is one of the some of the most important things to have in life. Why do we not uphold these principles?
I ask you, no beg you to live above the average and strive to be someone who is better than a hazer. Instead of calling all new members pledges, newbie, babies, freshmen, use their names.
Instead of making them do the extreme workouts or stealing their clothes for embarrassment, do something that builds rapport. Those who treat all with respect are ones viewed as the real men and women and above all a friend.
Just think about it the next time you want to make a new member do something and instead remember what it was like when you were a new member and how you felt. Live above the average and make a difference.
Article last update: 11/10/09 at 5:47 PM CST
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Realman
posted 11/12/09 @ 9:56 AM CST
Were you at the supposed event? I see that you are getting your exercise by "jumping to conclusions" without any evidence. You line up well with the Al Sharpton's of the world who crucified the Duke Lacross team members as well. (Continued…)
Jon Williford
Jon Williford
posted 11/12/09 @ 7:24 PM CST
Organizations have always had a rich history of bringing in new members in a certain way. This is how society works as a whole, when a person enters a job they do not start at the top, their is a hierarchy that they have to work through in every profession. (Continued…)
Garret
"Garret"
posted 11/12/09 @ 7:51 PM CST
I would like to know along with "Realman" were you at this event?
Silence Dogood "Everyone knows that there is one organization that hazes every year and continually gets away with it, because of their success it seems like those in higher positions on the totem pole look the other way. (Continued…)
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