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10. The Harms and Hazards of Hazing: Medical, Sociocultural, and Legal Perspectives
- The University Press of Kentucky
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279 10 The Harms and Hazards of Hazing Medical, Sociocultural, and Legal Perspectives Richard J. Reddick, Kelso Anderson, Terrence L. Frazier, and Derrick Jenkins Arguably, the most prominent aspect of black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs) in the past twenty-five years is the harrowing tragedy of hazing incidents that have cost the lives of college students. Since 1989, at least five young men and women have died as a result of hazing gone awry as they attempted to join BGLOs.1 These deaths, of course, are the pinnacle of the spectacle; in many other cases, new or aspiring members have suffered severe injuries, and journalists have reported beatings that led to hospitalization, critical bruising, broken bones, and even organ failure.2 The legacy of BGLOs—one based on civil rights, academic achievement, and excellence in public service, business, and the arts—is in danger of being replaced by lawsuits, jail sentences, and tragic deaths.3 This chapter discusses several aspects of the phenomenon of hazing. First, it delves into how hazing harms individuals—aspirants, new members, and the perpetrators of the crime. Next, we present public perceptions of BGLOs in the current era, in light of the high profile of nationally recognized hazing incidents. We supplement this with new research that surveys the responses of colleges and universities to hazing incidents. The chapter concludes with a discussion of case law relating to hazing incidents. Together, these aspects constitute a well-rounded presentation of the issues and concerns regarding hazing and its impact on BGLOs in general and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in particular. Hazing: A Definition and History The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), the coordinating body of the nine historically African American fraternities and sororities, defines hazing as follows: 280 Reddick, Anderson, Frazier, and Jenkins Any action taken or situation created that involves or results in abusive, physical contact or mental harassment of a prospective Fraternity or Sorority member; . . . any such action is considered hazing, whether it occurs on or off the Fraternity or Sorority premises, campus or place where chapters or prospective members meet; and . . . hazing has also been described to include any action that results in excessive mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment or harassment; . . . such activities include, but are not limited to paddling, creation of excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shock, morally degrading or humiliating activities, late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities and any other activities inconsistent with fraternal law and regulations and policies of the affiliated educational institution and federal, state or local law.4 Hazing, historically termed pennalism, has roots dating to the Middle Ages.5 Pennalism was practiced in ancient Greece, North Africa, Europe, and the United States, and it involved mental and physical browbeating, bullying, and intimidation.6 It was thought that “students needed to be ‘groomed’ before graduating a university.”7 In modern times, the custom of hazing has lost no traction, particularly among university students seeking membership in fraternities and sororities.8 Institutions, often acting in loco parentis, have responded to these behaviors from the inception of higher education. As early as 1684, for example, a Harvard student was expelled for hazing, less than fifty years after the venerable institution’s founding.9 Interestingly, however, the first documented hazing statute in the United States sought to prohibit hazing in a military institution in 1874.10 Even the most revered institutions in American society have had to confront the issue of hazing. Hazing’s Harm to Individuals Research on hazing has focused on the physical and psychological harm to aspirants and new members. Physician Michelle Finkel created a typology of twelve hazing methods and the types of injuries associated with those methods (table 10.1).11 Whereas Finkel’s research is concerned primarily with educating physicians on the physical trauma caused by hazing, other work has examined the psychological impact of hazing. For instance, those who have been hazed may perpetuate such behaviors when they move into leadership positions. As Alfred University director of counseling Norman Pollard states, “One of the things we find is that the teammates who perpetrate the hazing are the ones who suf- [44.221.83.121] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 10:08 GMT) Table 10.1. Finkel’s Typology of Hazing Methods and Injuries Method Definition Injuries Alcohol binge drinking Forced comsumption of excessive alcohol to the state of intoxication Aspiration, coma, death Beating Blunt trauma to the body Internal organ damage, internal bleeding, brain damage, broken bones Blood pinning Forceful insertion of...