It's starting already folks... Hazing at Bethune Cookman alledged.

[Devin]

The question will be "Why didn't you come out last year with everyone else."

Yup.  And students will not come forward, apparently, UNLESS they were injured, or so it appears to me.
I'm guessing that MOST of them who were hazed, endured it and crossed AIN'T talking. PERIOD.

During my days as a student journalist at JSU, I came across a band member's girlfriend who told me her boyfriend had been injured during hazing.  So, I told her let me talk to the guy.

The next day she brought him up to our newspaper office and the guy, who was a freshman of course, apprehensively allowed me to see the his injuries which consisted of bruises and scratches on his upper body.  

From there I asked him to tell me how he got hurt.  He wouldn't talk about it. He asked me was this story going to be in the paper.

I told him yes, but we can make you anonymous. He still refused to talk. He said he was afraid if someone in the band found out he was a snitch, that he would be ridiculed and ostracized even though he knew other freshmen also suffered some form of injury as well.

I told him anytime he was ready to speak, we would be glad to listen to him. I never saw that cat again, though.

[Cholly]

Now... the question is; did HE haze as a sophmore or junior? If not... did he encourage his brothers and sisters not to haze?

[MisterIkester]

I bet the pennies in my ashtray that at least one Ga. HBCU band director is gonna get an "investigative" phone call or a visit from local reporters before Valentine's Day...

[Ramese98]

I am sure all probably already  have.....

[Cholly]

^^^At both the college AND High School levels.

[Strike79]

^^^PERPETUATING the problem.

True. Those of us who went through real   pledging should understand the pressure on kids to keep silent. That's why it's imprtant for friends and observers to report incidinces as well.

..........uhhhh, pardon me, homeboy, but what do you mean by "real" pledging?  I THINK I know what you mean, but wanted to give you an opportunity to explain yourself.

Is not the notion that some went through "real" pledging while others are allegedly "skating" through one of the reasons this hazing MONSTER won't die? 

Lord, have mercy. 

[Cholly]

^^^EXACTLY!!! 

[Golden Kitten]

I understand what Decks is saying in terms of "real" pledging as opposed to "intake"...I know I'm old but back in my day, pledging was a mind game more than anything else. We had things to do/places to be/projects to complete but physical striking wasn't even a consideration. But then again, we also didn't jump around kicking our legs up and stepping like menfolk...we were suppose to act like ladies.

[Jag6373]

I understand what Decks is saying in terms of "real" pledging as opposed to "intake"...I know I'm old but back in my day, pledging was a mind game more than anything else. We had things to do/places to be/projects to complete but physical striking wasn't even a consideration. But then again, we also didn't jump around kicking our legs up and stepping like menfolk...we were suppose to act like ladies.

We learned poems and recited them.  We wrote songs and sang them out in front of the Union at Noon.  We dressed well and looked our best everyday.  No beating or I can assure you that I would not be a golden soror today.  We had study sessions because it was important to keep our grades up.

[Golden Kitten]

Exactly Soror - I was talking to a couple of 30-ish D-9 types here at work. They were looking at me like  when I told them we wore gowns w/long gloves and  matching peau de soie shoes at the Greek Show...I was laughing when I had to explain what "peau de soie" shoes were...

[Jag6373]

Dumb me did not know you had to pledge and be hazed to be in the marching band.  I thought learning that difficult music and routines was punishment enough.  Exercising so that you would have stamina for long parades should have been enough.

I think marching band members should be included in the annual medical exams that athletes take.  And heart ecgs looking for enlarged hearts should be a part of the exam.  I now know that I suffer from CHF and could have checked out in the 6 years I marched in HS.  I knew I'd be tired, but didn't know why. Only God kept me here.

Hazing will only be stopped when students stop valuing membership in these organizations more than they do their lives.  You can tell them til they're blue in the face that they don't have to participate in these activities, have them sign all kinds of legal papers, but it won't stop until we can get them to tell us before hand about these activities.  You only find out when someone is seriously injured or killed.  I guess we can be thankful that they now call emergency personnel.  In many instances, they've just left them to die.

"po du swa" shoes died pink or green and only fit to be thrown away after probate.

[Golden Kitten]

"po du swa" shoes died pink or green and only fit to be thrown away after probate