For many years now, at least as long as I have been a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha—17 years—I have heard that “we are one lawsuit away from being out of business.” I am sure other BGLO members have heard the same thing. I always took it as hyperbole; and over the years, maybe it was such or at least a scare tactic. Having been a researcher on BGLOs for the past 14 years and a law professor who has studied BGLOs for the past 3 years, I would bank on the fact that within 25 years the Divine Nine will be the Great Eight, Stellar Seven or Six…maybe the Fabulous Five or Four. Honestly, at the rate that BGLOs are going, I can only foresee two having any longevity. Given their sizes, financial resources, and frequency of hazing litigation, my prediction is that the organizations will fall by the wayside in the following order: Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi/Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Iota Phi Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha/Delta Sigma Theta.
The typical narrative about how BGLOs will meet their demise is typically one that consists of errant undergrads hazing and getting their organization sued out of existence. That is, from where I sit, part of the narrative, but not the whole or even the bulk of the story. Here are the factors that I think will do-in BGLOs:
First: To call someone “paper” or a “skater” is taboo, but the reality is that the current generation of college students is more entitled and less inclined to sacrifice for achievement than prior generations, on average. And that fact will only become amplified with time. I think a person who loses his or her sight, has to get skin grafts on their posterior, or has their kidney ruptured may have strong grounds to sue for hazing-related injuries. Such victims in the past would have been less-likely to sue, because they would have accepted such injuries as part of the hazards that went along with pledging a BGLO. Even more, this new generation may be more inclined to sue for even milder harms or real/perceived slights. Indeed, we live in an increasingly litigious society.
Second: In a study my colleagues and I conducted on over 1,300 BGLO members, we found that BGLO hazing has become more violent at least since the 1950s. More violence likely means more injuries, and more injuries likely mean more lawsuits against BGLOs. In another study, my colleagues and I found that BGLOs have more violent hazing than white fraternities and sororities. Black fraternities are the most violent. Part of this likely has to do with constrained notions of masculinity among black men, including black fraternity members. And given that black fraternities likely will not have any meaningful dialogue about masculinity and black fraternalism, they will not likely sort these issues out, especially as they relate to hazing. As such, hazing will remain particularly violent within these groups.
Third: The only thing that truly stands between BGLOs and plaintiffs in hazing lawsuits is the insurance industry. Unfortunately, there are few insurers of college fraternities and sororities. With the steady flow of hazing litigation involving BGLOs, it is not inconceivable that at some point it becomes unprofitable for any insurer to cover any particular BGLO. For example, let’s say BGLO A pays a $500,000 premium each year to Insurer A, but over the course of three years, Insurer A pays out $1,000,000 a year in hazing settlements involving BGLO A. It would likely make sense for that insurer to drop BGLO from coverage. BGLO A must then move on to Insurer B. With a limited number of such insurers out there, once Insurer B begins to lose money, BGLO A will then have to move on to Insurer C and so on until there is no insurer to cover BGLO A. A possible option is for an insurer to raise the premium, which would trickle down to each chapter in BGLO A. Higher insurance fees, especially for smaller chapters, would kill many BGLO A chapters, especially collegiate chapters. It is doubtful that any campus would let a fraternity or sorority chapter operate on its campus without insurance. As for the national organization of BGLO A, with no insurer, its only option would be to insure itself. And given the financial resources of each BGLO (consider the net assets or fund balances from 2011 and 2010 for each NPHC organization: Alpha Phi Alpha ($6,809,028/$7,258,956); Alpha Kappa Alpha ($24,384,894/$23,654,672); Kappa Alpha Psi ($5,817,499/$5,148,046); Omega Psi Phi ($2,624,479/$2,575,365); Delta Sigma Theta ($19,188,109/$19,555,631); Phi Beta Sigma ($1,835,670/$1,766,064); Zeta Phi Beta ($1,008,703/$1,091,217); Sigma Gamma Rho ($2,559,860/$1,817,088); and Iota Phi Theta ($300,857/$308,047)), it would take few law suits to reduce most BGLOs to bankruptcy. As an additional point, as a recent case between Admiralty Insurance and Kappa Alpha Psi shows, insurers will not insure, or seek to not insure, the hazing activities of BGLO members. Such an outcome would further expose BGLOs’ direct resources to judgment.
Another critical point: whenever a BGLO is sued, let us say in North Carolina just as an example, the BGLO’s General Counsel does not swoop into North Carolina to litigate the case. Rather, the insurance company gives the BGLO a panel of lawyers in the area to choose from—one who will represent the BGLO. I suspect that most of these lawyers are competent, but few are likely to be black, BGLO members, or experienced in litigating hazing cases dealing with BGLOs. Even more, most of them are not likely to affiliate with such a lawyer or hire an expert witness or trial consultant to aid them in navigating the unique terrain of BGLO hazing issues. As such, the parents of a young man or woman allegedly killed by hazing, or one with a severe injury, is a sympathetic plaintiff to a potential jury, and because of that the BGLO-defendant and their local attorney are somewhat outgunned.
Fourth: BGLOs have too many blind spots when it comes to hazing. Most of the organizations do not pay attention to the legal trends. Most of them do not pay attention to broader bodies of knowledge that could aid them in addressing the issue proactively or once litigation arises. They do not mine the data they already have on past litigations and likely do not share such information across organizations. As such, they fail to capture the big picture either in strategies that plaintiffs’ counsels have used against BGLOs, the ebb and flow of the law in the area, types of evidence that has been or not been useful in litigation, best practices, arguments that expert witnesses and trial consultants have made.
Fifth: Similar to number four, BGLOs are information/data adverse. This includes bodies of knowledge that are available outside of the respective organization files. I have attended the Fraternal Law Conference two years in a row. Most BGLOs are not represented there. Arguably, there has been more research on BGLO hazing conducted in the past five years than on any other type of organization. However, I would bet that most BGLO members and leaders have never looked at this research to see how it may aid them in addressing this issue within their own ranks. Part of this has to do with organizational politics. For example, given the petty intra-organizational rivalries between the groups, do you think Kappa Alpha Psi leadership would consult with a Phi Beta Sigma researcher on BGLO hazing? I doubt it, because they won’t consult with a Kappa, like Dr. Ricky Jones, who has researched the issue. What about vice-versa? Nope! Phi Beta Sigma has never even consulted with the only Sigma, Dr. Matthew Hughey, who currently studies the issue—ironic given that they have a national, anti-hazing initiative. These organizations do not solicit feedback, certainly not on a regular basis, from non-BGLO hazing experts or even BGLO members who are hazing experts, even within their own ranks. The ironic thing about BGLOs is that, for the most part, they have tremendous intellectual capital, given the nature of alumni membership within these groups, but the vast majority of this intellectual capital goes untapped. So, BGLOs remain in an information vacuum due to their own actions or inactions.
Sixth: In one study my colleagues and I conducted, we found that a determinant of hazing was the extent to which BGLO members were truly aware of sanctions associated with hazing. Arguably, most do not know how bad the problem is or how high the stakes truly are. Leadership within BGLOs seem to believe that their current efforts are the best possible, and they are not. Telling BGLO members that hazing will destroy BGLOs is very different from laying out the case systematically and regularly. But that all turns on having sufficient information—e.g., aggregating the major hazing incidents across BGLOs, resultant injuries, lawsuits, settlement/judgment figures, criminal convictions—to make such a case. But, as I have said, BGLOs do not keep such records, and to date they have not invested in gathering and consolidating such information. I suspect that given their indifference to information consolidated and analyzed by outside sources, even those efforts would be snubbed. With all that said, BGLO members are woefully under-informed about hazing, its nature, and the challenges it raises. And these very members are expected to either create and reform the Membership Intake Process within their own organizations or vote on its form and application.
Seventh: Black Greek-letter organizations have also lost their luster. We now live in an age in which many college students do not feel the need to join any fraternity or sorority. Some choose to join something other than a BGLO. It is problematic that BGLOs have built no real pipeline to membership by seeing mentoring K-12 African Americans as not simply good for the community but also necessary for the future viability of these organizations. At this rate, a decade or two from now, the pickings will be remarkably slim for college students who are interested in BGLO membership and possessed of the requisite qualities and characteristics that will sustain BGLOs. Even more, BGLOs have not thought through an optimal MIP that will commit members to their respective BGLO in real and tangible—financially and physically active—ways. As such, while BGLOs are likely to see fewer and fewer aspiring members or ones with poorer credentials than decades before, they are also likely to witness a greater hemorrhaging of active members. And for organizations with an economic model that depends largely on initiation fees and membership dues, their best hope will be to lower the bar to membership. This will fundamentally alter the nature of these organizations, not guarantee long-term membership commitment, and continue to leave them vulnerable to limited coffers and increasing hazing allegations, among other things.
In the end, I am hopeful about the longevity of BGLOs but not optimistic. Their demise will be blamed on 19-23 year-olds, but how responsible can you expect “kids” to be, even those who espouse high ideals? The end of BGLOs will ultimately have resulted from the failure of the adults, especially those in leadership, from doing, not simply something(s) about hazing, but all that needed to be done. Within BGLOs, there is not the will to be transformative. These are inherently conservative organizations where new modes of thinking are strenuously resisted, organizational politics prevails, and provincialism rules the day. Only time will tell; but time is not on their side.
Mr. Parks,
Interesting read. While I disagree with some of the details, I do agree with the overall “head in the sand” indictment of the leadership of these organizations. I have said may times within my own network of BGLO friends (I am an initiate of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated & quickly approaching my 25th anniversary since being a Scroller) that the new intake process is crippling. It hasn’t solved the liability issue and it exacerbates the issue of entitlement since there is no sacrifice required. To that end, paragraph 7 resonates greatly.
You do a good job of outlining the problems, but you haven’t put forth any potential solutions. What say you on that front?
Lastly, you might want to investigate integrating Discus for comments. That way, a discussion can ensue that will allow dialogue to flourish.
Best,
Eric
Dear Mr. Parks,
Being sued out of existence is a concern that all the organizations should take very serious. I do believe we should share information and attend these conferences of which you speak. We should also take the meetings at the National Pan-Hellenic Council a little more serious on the local levels. Depending on your state hazing is either misdemeanor (most states) or a felony in a state like Florida. You may want to break your data up into regional compartments. I live in the Atlanta area and we are still a very strong presence in our communities so I may differ in your opinion as far as ‘lacking luster’. I’ve been a member of DST since 1991. I have also seen a rise in the organization of Sigma Gamma Rho’s presence in the community something I have never seen before. It would be interesting to know if you got your data from pre-published sources or did you go to the organizations individually for a more authentic approach?
It was an interesting read.
Thanks for your concern,
Tiffany Ringfield
Good stuff. I’ve been advocating that all BGLO should come together for collective survival and:
Suspend all undergraduate intake temporarily (one academic year)
Use that time to come together to share best practices and come up with a
common set solution options including alternative collective risk management strategies.
Consider using using more internet technology in the undergraduate intake process. (that’s right, online intake….you heard it here first)
Dr. Parks,
Like Eric, I would love to see suggestions on how to right the ship among BGLOs. Also like, Eric, I completely agree with your “head-in-the-sand” assessment. I’ve written a blog entry about what I want to say to Greeks who are on ready-set-go hazing mode for the next line. One thing I pointed out is Greeks need more face time with the families of victims who have passed away. What are your thoughts on that?
Keep up the research. It’s needed.
Eddie
Interesting post. A twocomments
1. Your argument that Omega will be the first fraternity to reach it’s demise. Is this argument based on a lack of leadership in dealing with hazing and violence towards it’s imitates ,budget or an implied increasing number of litigation cases against omega. What makes Omega vs any other fraternity more or less violent?
2. Outside of gathering evidence as to see the pattern of litigation, better insurance what are some possible real solutions to a true an anti-hazing policy for head quarters and individuals. Because an implied argument you are among is even if there were more insurers, bigger budgets, and more organizational leadership all BGLO’s would still reach demise because of societal standards for litigation, African American culture and individual entitlement.
I second Joe’s questions above. I think your analysis lacks further explanation, that quite possibly could make your case stronger. You did not provide any impirical evidence of your “demise scheme.” Instead, you simply state what isn’t the obvious. Please explain why certain organizations will face demise earlier than others.
Additionally, in much of your writings about BGLOs and hazing, you seem never to state your opinion. Which side are you on, Dr. Parks? On one hand, you say hazing can cause irreparable harm to an individual and/or an organization, while on the other you say we are a litigious society, and speak of “rights of passage.” We need scholars and strategic thinkers like yourself to clearly state how you feel about hazing. Do you support it? Have you yourself called people paper and/or skater? Your scholarly research reads pithy and lacks trust from your followers because you waffle on this most pressing issue. Tell us how you feel so that your efforts can be used to have a real scholarly discussion on the topic. You sound too political and/or diplomatic for me. Let’s hear it.
To me, the elephant in the room is Black people inadvertently promoting white supremacy by calling themselves “Black Greeks.” The Africans on the Nile were the teachers of the Greeks and responsible for so-called Greek philosophy. We know that Pythagoras spent 21 years sitting at the feet of black people to receive his education. Most of the first Greek “philosophers” received their education in Africa. That is the major reason they were prosecuted for teaching a “foreign” doctrine. Dr. George G. M. James’ masterpiece, “Stolen Legacy” clearly proves beyond a reasonable doubt that: “The Greeks were not the authors of Greek Philosophy, but the people of North Africa, commonly called the Egyptians.” It should be a requirement that each Alpha brother reads, at a minimum, Stolen Legacy. The question is: are we as men, knowledgeable enough about who we are to embrace Africa and our ancestors who left us the Medu Neter (Words of God) to follow? The Medu Neter contains all of the wisdom and knowledge that black men need to resurrect themselves back to be the giants they once were when they ruled the ancient world. That is why our ancestors left Medu Neter on the walls and doorways of ancient African temples: “Know Thyself.”
I want to see the day when BGLOs operate as social service agencies, instead of social clubs. We have communities nation-wide, that have failing schools and families. As college educated men and women are arguments should not be so selfish. We are going back and forth on how to strategically haze someone, instead of how can we end these vicious cycles that haunt all of us.
If ending BGLO’s as they now exist, so we can restructure them, I say “yes”. Reopen the fraternity and sorority houses up as community centers that operate on a daily basis; not just for homecoming, ‘Classics” and parades. Create job descriptions based on your cardinal principles. Inform all members; new and existing, that they are all volunteer employees, hired to serve non-profit organizations. No longer should we use our collective power to be owt, pretty, gay/lesbian, or anti-white.
From the top levels down, BGLO’s have lost their purpose and our failing communities are the evidence. We have taken our intellectual wealth and squandered it on selfish endeavors. We have forsaken our people; especially our children. We would rather teach them to step and stomp, than read or write. I know…I know…I know, many of you can say, “my chapter went to a school last week”. However, that one hour or tutoring, or self-aggrandizing speech at career day, is not enough. As individuals, that were/are college students, owe them more. If not us, who?
I remember a gang member telling me, “You all are only organized gang bangers. You wear your colors daily, insult each other in violence and non-violence, and jump each other in as members”.
I truly believe many of us joined, pledged, paid, or whatever to increase our social status. Never once did we think that we have a job to do; other than please each other. Now we are at the point where we have to change our ways, if we want to survive. If not now, when?
You be the change you want to see in your organization.
Great read! Taking no offense, looking at the overall picture, and receiving what I believe to be the spirit of this post I say thank you. It seems that you gave a solution for the revival of the BGLOs in stating “The end of BGLOs will ultimately have resulted from the failure of the adults, especially those in leadership, from doing, not simply something(s) about hazing, but all that needed to be done. Within BGLOs, there is not the will to be transformative.” IF those of us who are adults now could truly mature past our experiences then we could help eliminate the future demise you (and many others) forsee. It doesn’t matter whose ship goes down first, but I believe it does matter if any ships go down. It doesn’t matter if things go well or are taken care of in our little pocket of society, if the rest of world is wasting away. I once believed and still believe that there is positive valuse in the BGLOs, but we have to rid ourselves of the negativity and divisiveness and begin to focus on what really matters. I believe that all of our collective groups can agree that a mature, well developed, African American (or other race) male or female that makes positive constributions to their community, locally and/or beyond, is what we all hope to see and be a part of shaping. I do not believe hazing is the way to do that. Discipline, sacrifice, character building, untiy, and other things we would hope to see in members of our groups can be taught without extreme violence or abuse of any kind.
This blog hits home big time. Hazing is serious and detrimental to all BGLOs. We can lay out the facts and the financial side of how this would ultimately shut us all down and someone will still believe ‘they have to be brought in RIGHT!’ No matter what anyone says it all comes down to individual decisions. As a member of a BGLO I’ve seen first hand how this practice destroys the chapter and everyone involved. It’s not worth it. If it continues (and it will) were going to go from the divine nine to the divine none.
You have been in existence for over 100 years and your primary operating income is initiation, then you deserve what you get or what you are getting. If you have not put together a plan to sustain your organization with the thousands college grads not to mention all the legal minds, educators and business owners that exist in these organization. 2014 and you are still looking to initiation i.e. 18-22 year olds to carry your organization financially. Then, well, I hate to say, excuse me but leave the keys in the mailbox and good night.
Bro. Parks, I agree with much of your blog and would add that campus administrations will also play a role in the demise of not just BGLOs but of Greek organizations in general. If such a change happens, I believe it will begin on the campuses of public funded institutions whose budgets rely on tax dollars and good public relations. These campuses are more vulnerable to external political pressures than private institutions. But along the same lines, private institutions are subject to philanthropic pressures and therefore vulnerable in that area. That is especially true for HBCUs who often have less alumni financial support than their PWI counterparts. Hazing events can be the tipping point as these institutions cannot long withstand the negative public relations that follow seriously injured students and those who die during intake processes. If universities get named as co-defendants for liability resulting from BGLO hazing, expect the campuses to not just suspend but systematically expel Greek organizations.
My other observation is that since the integration of the K-12 system (I am old enough to remember what it was like before the 1970’s), the subsequent generations that have come of age in an integrated environment find Greek organizations less relevant to their needs (the same can be said of HBCUs and mainline denominations). The pool of applicants will grow smaller and, as you point out, the organizations will have to adjust standards to fill the ranks. That will bring a different mindset and possibly more members who are not as committed to lifelong brotherhood and sisterhood.
Brother Parks,
I applaud your efforts to keep the BGLOs informed of the “looming tsumani.” I think this issue is on the same level of importance as affirmative action. Let this not divide us, but further strenghten our bonds. We can compete and display our skills in a step show, but how do we develop leaders to make long lasting decisions in our communities. What happen to the village that raised a child? (in litigation) Where is the next Black President of the United States? I believe “they” groomed Barack Obama and he has done an exceptional job. The Founders saw a need and acted upon it. It is 2014 and the only hurdle that exists is in our individual minds. I have touched on a couple of topics but they all are in the spirit of supporting Dr. Parks and moving this issue into action. Be not afraid of radical change.
rad·i·cal
[rad-i-kuhl]
adjective
1. of or going to the root or origin; fundamental: a radical difference.
2. thoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms: a radical change in the policy of a company.
3. favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms: radical ideas; radical and anarchistic ideologues.
4. forming a basis or foundation.
Andre Bellamy
Overall, it was a great read and overall good assessment of the litigous and fiscal state of BGLOs. The most important issue from this piece is that we have to gain control of the hazing culture within our BGLOs. It is incumbent upon all of us to set this stage. From someone who works with Greek Life from a University perspective, it is important that all of our organizations, in collaboration with colleges and universities work to eradicate egregious cultures that may arise around hazing and other unhealthy cultural norms.
The competitive and political culture of BGLOs cause for those who research to position themselves within their research. So, I’m sure that’s why Joe & Jamaal calls for further backing of some of the assertions made in this blog, particularly, the assertions as controversal as the order of the demise of these organizations. I think most Greek readers will get lost in that area and not focus on the overarching purpose of this blog.
Some of the readers have to also understand that conceptual pieces such as this may not always provide “solutions” but is meant to engage the reader in such a way that it causes thought around a solution. That’s okay also. There’s certainly no ONE solution to us addressing this complex culture of hazing in our organizations.
However, I do agree that we cannot keep our “head in the sand” on these issues and our leaders must take on a “all hands on deck” approach to these very serious issues facing our fraternities and sororities.
I believe that our nationals will take he entire intake process away from undergrads before they abolish fraternities and sororities.
I second Dr. J. I believe he is expressing the result of the only solution to the hazing problem. I am open to be contacted by email or phone (919) 278-8911 as to what this solution is.
One can do all the research and studies they want, but without the proper worldviews, it’s just a study. The best research and studies there are, are the members themselves conversating with no subjectivity that they are under a microscope.
The most entitled and pompous individuals are the members themselves. It’s built-in through the process.
The whole hazing issues seems to be a direct connection to slavery to me. Slaves were beat by their masters for not obeying and as a way to get the individual to submit to being ruled. In many cases hazing does the same, causes the loss of independence and individuals identity. The bigger issue that all BGLO s should be addressing is how do we build self esteem so the individual is respected with in the body of the organization. Group think can and often does cause serious problems when it isn’t properly directed towards the betterment of an organization. I see this in undergraduate chapters that would rather step, stroll, and party than study, do community service projects or get involved with social and social justice issues. Graduate chapters are often n better because they serve the needs of their members and their children instead of reaching out to the less fortunate and helping build better communities.
So, how do BGLO’s move beyond the external competition to external co operation? Research please and offer a plausible solution.
Dr. Parks,
Thank you for the truth. You are right on point. BGLO’s have perpetuated the same kind of dehumanization and abuse on each other that was inflicted upon our forefathers. I attended a HBCU in the late 1960’s. I witnessed all kinds of abuse and injury to other students during pledge season; offenses that went unpunished year after year. It was always my desire to join my sorority and proudly wear the greek letters, but the only path for me was through the alumnae chapter (the grown folks), ten years later. We as BGLOs should not be offended by this truth from Dr. Parks. I have never understood why even when members and chapters are disciplined with fines and suspensions for hazing, they can pay a fine and return to the fold; business as usual. I have never believed that revisions to the intake process would really ever fix the problems with hazing because leadership is not doing all that can be done. As stated, it’s about the intake fees/dues and don’t forget the registration fees for conventions and conferences, which also sustains us financially. Suspending a pledge season will not solve anything. The Devine Nine must do away with whatever issues or pettiness they have among themselves, unite and get serious about solutions. It will take time to look at the research, gather more research, stop dumbing done on the requirements for membership, and bring an end to the madness of hazing. The task will not be easy to correct 40-50 years of hurt, injury. mental /emotional abuse, and the loss of previous young lives tarnishing all of our ranks. Young people on college campuses will always be a step ahead and find ways to test the system but it can be done and it is all of our responsibly to want to fix it. To think about being one or two law suits away from extinction is a scary thought, especially when we are initiating members by the hundreds on college campuses and alumnae chapters as well. The possibility of becoming uninsurable is even scarier. For those of us who have 100+ years of service and others looking forward to the same, our communities need us to continue the many great things that BGLO’s do. I want to be optimistic but also realistic. To improve is not good enough……hazing must end.
We should cringe at the thought that history will not be kind to BGLO’s and our centuries of collective service to our communities will be all for naught, if we can’t end hazing.
I have said this a thousand times and I will say it a thousand more. Trotting out hazing statistics and the like and using scare tactics is NOT GOING TO WORK. Brother Parks, I respect and appreciate your scholarship, and while I cannot disagree with our findings, what I do see is a lack of practical information as to how to deal with the issues of WHY people haze.
We need a fundamental overhaul of why people feel the need to engage in hazing practices. One has to ask themselves why do organizations like the Masons and the Shriners and the Elks, which once all had aspects as brutal (or in some cases, more), don’t/didn’t have the same degree of lawsuits and physical injuries.
The problem has been and continues to be that the BGLO’s have effectively created the equivalent to a “Just Say No” campaign. We all see how well using that in terms of the so-called war on drugs has worked. And we have BGLO’s that ban words like pledging or lines or things of that nature. How absurdly silly is that? Do we really think that just sitting in a room hearing lectures of how hazing is “bad” is really doing anything to stem the problems?
Yes, individuals bear some responsibility, but until the BGLO’s invest significant time and energy into reworking the mindsets, these issues will continue. We need to not only show in what ways programs can be conducted without physical harm, but put back the safeguards that were in place prior to 1990.
We have become more interested in branding and corporate profiles than we are in ensuring the safety of our members. And a 3 or 4 hour course listening to a lecture by people who often speak to members as if they are children is not going to work. There have been several programs proposed over the years that would address these problems, but because they didn’t come from the right people or didn’t include the exact right verbiage, they were thrown out.
So while I agree there is a dire situation, the true failure lies with our organizations, not solely with the individual members. Until our organizations realize those facts, then we will continue to be in jeopardy.
I believe the issue of homosexual aspirants/members in BGLOs is an issue often swept under the rug, but definitely is a pervasive issue. THIS is the real elephant in the room in my opinion. Many within the ranks of the fraternities, are choosing to distance themselves from their organizations due to the influx of so many effeminate brothers into the fold. It is becoming increasingly difficult to carry on the persona of traditionally defined manhood with this new shift in demographics. Thoughts?
Okay so we know the problem…what now? Here’s another angle to this ageless argument. So imagine if any (pick one) BGLO was to dissolve, how realistic is it to think that hazing would end there? My theory is that the ‘dissolved’ group would persist underground which could lead to potentially worse incidents of hazing because no longer would there be an ‘official’ organization that would exist to sanction (at the very least shed light) on the ensuing process. There would be no real threat of losing letters because local chapters would possibly self govern.The process would be even more opaque and more misinformation would be relegated to local chapters. Ideas of what ‘pledging’ means would be further twisted, misconstrued, and misapplied through misinformed deans. Case in point, I know of ‘unofficial’ folks that have pledged the ‘right’ way who have never received official credentials from the active leadership body of said organization. It’s gotten to the point where they’ve excepted the impossibility of ever gaining official membership so the organization becomes something outside of the organization. Essentially, the emphasis has been on gaining acceptance from made members (official or not) vs gaining acceptance of the official fraternal/sorority. Well, in the local scene and when these folks travel, they are accepted because many will vouch for them regardless of their paperwork because they’ve been ‘seen’. My point is we could be tapping the sleeping shoulder of a monster that could truly awaken a sleeping beast that has the potential to negatively impact the lives of our young scholars. If that happens what really separates us from gangs? So a proposed solution would be to:
1. Create a org agnostic, mandatory education program that explains the realistic results of continued litigation being brought against our collective membership bodies.
2. Test current members (during chapter meetings/online continuing education) on this information once a year (mandatory) to ensure the message is heard loud and clear.
3. Ensure all undergraduate chapters are assigned point people within the chapter (at least one undrgrad and one grad member) that are in charge of keeping the membership up to date with sid material. This person(s) would also be responsible for educating interests before anything related to intake could be discussed.
4. Test interests before they can even be considered for intake
5. At the very core, intake could look something like the following:
– First (education) –
*help pledges understand why these organizations exist in the new millennium
*teach them something about (african american) history as it relates to the formation to greek organizations and other community entities
*train them how to practically leverage our collective intellectual capital in our communities
*discuss ways to ensure financial solvency for the local chapters (good ideas should be crowdsourced and scaled up to the orgs governing body – create business plan/entrepreneur competitions that challenge the members to come up with ways to help sustain org financially without wholly depending on traditional methods of obtaining financial support)
—There could be many more levels of the education but remember a people not educated as to why they’re doing something won’t truly appreciate why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Rigorous testing:
*So pledges can now be tested on everything they’ve learned on a weekly basis..why? Again, we need to make sure we’re all on the same page and are well versed in why we do what we do which will lead to synergestic opportunities that’ll uncover better ways of doing things in the future
*Put their knowledge to the test..let the pledge class run a business or implement a program that they came up with to address something that ails that particular org..eg create a task force that creates a system that screens large groups of prospects in order to reach quality members..Or a task force dedicated to creating a integrated system or way for all D9 to communicate best practices and lessons learned.
*Challenge prospects to frequently speak publicly on campus (they could host roundtable discussions that around local/national/global issues) which would be very useful throughout their careers anyway.
*Make pledges study double what they’re used to studying so that they standout amongst all students vs only amongst other BGLOs (do this WHILE they’re pledging)
*Create task forces that are focused around developing NEW solutions to the issues that affect our communities…Once a plan is developed work towards implementation (consider collaborating with lines from other orgs)
—-The goal with this second step is to clearly show the value of said organization to the university…we may need to over do it so that academic institutions are overwhelmed by the value that these students bring to the overall student body. The orgs will love this because the pledges are immediately bringing value to the org by organizing task forces and organically improving the quality of membership as they pledge.
Physical:
*Still make them do a lot of the grunt work (helping bros/sorors move furniture, help do heavy lifting before after events, clean up the university grounds etc..grunt work with a purpose and value to all stakeholders involved)
*Daily exercise, where each org creates a demanding daily physical regimen for all pledges (crossfit/interval training). Treat them like spartans…We need to be the brightest and healthiest examples in our communities.
—I wouldn’t trade my experience with (traditional pledging) with anything in the world..So rather than replace that, I think we need to refocus…make the process hard MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY (make pledges better physically in the end) so that they come out better contributors to their universities and communities. The mental stress and strain that comes with the educational stage, coupled with the physical fitness stage will truly weed out the weaklings. I played football a number of years and formed some of my closest bonds with teammates during hell month (two a days)…many quit during this period but the ones that didn’t were better for it.
I’d be interested in hearing any feedback..maybe this forum could be the start of an actionable plan rather than an ongoing debate that has yet to lead to any measurable results.
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Let’s continue to make D9 elite groups of involved and informed students. Also, please forgive the many grammatical/spelling errors in my post. I wrote this quickly and didn’t proofread before sending.
Let’s continue to make D9 elite groups of involved and informed students. Also, please forgive the many grammatical/spelling errors in my post. I wrote this quickly and didn’t proofread before sending.
PS..I’m rethinking the whole ‘testing’ idea..the problem with that is what’s to stop someone from cramming for the test and forgetting everything he/she’s learned as soon as they’re done? The problem with testing, especially if we’re talking about some sort of standardized test is how do you exhibit the practical implementation of this gained knowledge? Well the answer to that is you teach they learn they act…so goes in line with the whole task force idea as an example. Teach them the basics of problem solving..let them focus on a particular problem that ails the chapter…they come up with an actionable plan to fix said problem. They make it through..as neos they are charged with implementing that problem and documenting the success (show the before and after)..that gets to nationals and if it’s a widely dispersed problem, others can implement or compete with said chapter to create a frat wide skeleton of how to solve said problem. So rather than test we encourage implementation of lessons learned in the intake process. Again the Physical aspect is meant to education our educated black community about how we can stay healthier..we take that education throughout life but we challenge our members to teach others in the community..
Ya’ll are going to kill me for another post but I think the worst thing we can do is toss our hands up and give up…we need to show those outside the black community that we can fix our own problems. We are equipped, with the ability to change the existing ideology and pull our orgs up by their existential boot straps. Lets not allow this to be another case that perpetuates the notion that we can’t build grand/sustainable organizations unless we enlist the aid of outside influences. Just my two cents, but feel free to express your thoughts.
—I wouldn’t trade my experience with (traditional pledging) with anything in the world..So rather than replace that, I think we need to refocus…make the process hard MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY (make pledges better physically in the end) so that they come out better contributors to their universities and communities.
Mike Larry this is why the BGLO’s are facing lawsuits today. Are you stating that your organization’s candidates are not mentally and physically strong at the beginning of their membership intake process? I have been a member of a BGLO for over thirty years and pledging didn’t make me physically or mentally stronger. I have been active with my sorority since I pledged. This mindset is causing great harm to individuals, chapters, and furthermore our beloved organizations. I guess it doesn’t bother you that people have lost their lives and or have serious internal injuries when pledging. Something isn’t right with this picture. We need to work together and cease hazing! Members will want to fulfill their lifetime obligation when they receive a positive and rewarding experience. Violence and mental torture is NOT the answer.
This is a great conversation that is long over do for the “black greek” world. Thank you for starting it.
Hazing must stop immediately. We have seen over that over years it does not make a member a better contributor to a Greek organization and the risk is to great. I was made 41 years ago the traditional way and accepted it at the time but times have changed. Each organization must develop means to assure a no hazing policy is followed. There are other means to evaluate a candidates potential loyalty to an organization including requirements of community involvement programs, mentoring, fund raising , monetary contribution , etc. before they are admitted into a organization. This evaluation period could also be extended to a timeframe of 8 to 10 weeks. We must evaluate potential members based on how we expect them to contribute to the organizations fundamental purpose before they become members and hazing has nothing to do with it and must be banded forever. Remember slaves were beat buy there masters! That is not what Black Greek organizations should be remembered for if they are band from colleges.
History has shown us that anytime an establishment has attempted to stop a group of people from participating in a common form of activity, resistance would always occur. This notion that Hazing must be stopped simply because “Times Have Changed.” is both impractical & unrealistic. At the end of the day people are going to do whatever they want to do. However I don’t think these incidents should be used as an indicator of what normally happens with intake processes. I can speak for not only my Chapter but plenty of other Chapters in my area & province; that hazing has always been the norm for bringing members in and we consistently are successful in doing it without extreme injuries or incidents. Mainly the reason for this is because we consistently reach back & incorporate the older brothers in our bond to assist and advise.
Bottom Line is…..the only way you stop Hazing is if there is no organization to pledge. So unless your interested in seeing D-9 groups go into extinction our only option is to come together and find a way to prevent hazing incidents from happening through collaboration & communication.
America couldn’t prevent its citizens from drinking Alcohol during the Prohibition era.
Throughout history America has also tried to prevent people from using Weed & participating in prostitution. And yet people still reguraly participate in these activities, even two of them are still illegal in most Countries. So why should we believe that Hazing is any different?
Good read. But how did you put Zeta Phi Beta being gone before Alpha Kappa Alpha or Delta Sigma Theta? How did you conclude that, if you don’t mind answering?
We have to move away from the pledging narrative. Our organizations must began to focus on membership development and not always associate our current state of affairs with how someone pledged. Every time we have conversations about our fraternity/sorority’s ability to a remain viable entity we often looked to the induction procedures as the reason why things are the way that they are. We must began to develop the leaders that we so passionately claim to have within our organizations. Times have changed, and we must become nimble in order to remain a viable entity within our communities.
The way to stop hazing is for more black people to continue to die by the hands of whites, and for the spirit that brought these organizations to resurrect itself. I seriously doubt in early 1900s that we were hazing each other, when “ole whitey” is lynching us, killing us, and demeaning us was a blatant norm in society at that time. Who has time to hurt your people in the battlefields of war? Who cares about accolade when they set the standard to the rules play and live by? What does black lives matter mean, when the oppressor everything we know now, and the haves ostracize themselves on pedestals projecting that condescending air of “divine right” in legacies. History just repeats itself and unlike our founders we don’t want to make the sacrifice we all know we need to make in order to usher in the change. I call bluff on every comment posted. Why are we so afraid? Why are we afraid to stand united and go in the opposite direction? All this knowledge obtained and the application of such is used for the transcendence of individuals, and not US.
Do some of you imagine what it was like in the 1900s? The secret meetings. The reasons why we have those codes. The reasons why we have those roles in leadership. All the old heads talk about letter wearers. Eye say many are like that. I’m just not fooled by mansions, pension plans, 401ks, trips, and cars. That’s not making it family. It’s illusion to make us think we are really making it. We gave $1.1 trillion spending power. We have more graduates walking across that stage every decade. We have everything that our founders and esteemed leaders sacrificed their LIVES for us to have in this touchpoint in time. It is time for us to step up and carryout the next level of walking on golden roads carrying the eternal flame on the underground railroad to eternal freedom.
It always sounds nice to have scholarly discourses about society problems as it pertains to us after we integrated into the oppressed society that grants us the leverage we stand on today. But the question is, are we rising or perpetuating the lifestyle of the oppressor? Forgive my harsh expression, but eye believe, in many ways, we are are own oppressor. White people taught us well after they eliminated our leaders after the civil rights movement. All the leaders we have know stand on status and accolade and have lost sight of the vision. The standards of life as an African-American is already a hazing process, when we known the adversity and challenges we face without that added process.
We were chosen to be the ones to lead the way. What happened to us?
The PHI of the center of knowledge. The IVY that’s fruitful and spreads life. The BLUE of balance and peace . The DELTA of infrastructure and order. The diamonds that prism the light. The lanterns that protect that light. The RHO of interpersonal well-being and connection. The centaur symbolizing the creation of transcendence and transformation.
WE ARE CHOSEN TO BE THE MOTHERSHIP THAT TAKES US BACK HOME. WE USHER IN THAT KINGDOM AND FREEDOM THAT ONLY WE KNOW IN THE MOST INTIMATE WAY. IF YOU GUYS REALLY WANT TO SETTLE FOR THAT LOST, SO BE IT. BUT THERE ARE MANY US THAT STILL BELIEVE. PLEASE DON’T LET THEM INFILTRATE US AND CONTINUE TO DERAIL US AWAY FROM WHO WE ARE BEYOND SLAVERY AND OPPRESSION.
THE SPIRIT IS ALIVE.