This is fortunately a declining problem in the Greek system, yet unfortunately, in those circumstances where Hazing is occurring it is usually brutal, and sometimes fatal.
I have no problem with initiation rituals and physical requirements, or even embarrassments being involved in becoming a member of an exclusive organization. I especially understand this in Military organizations, US Navy Seals and SERE schools leap to mind! But in the case of Colligate Fraternal Organizations extremes are not necessary.
From the New Jersey Real-Time News
The young pledge said she was told the beatings would "humble" her, that each flesh-rending strike with a wooden paddle would build love and trust between sorority sisters.
It wasn’t hazing, she said they told her. The women of Sigma Gamma Rho at Rutgers University didn’t condone hazing.
For seven nights the beatings went on, she said. In all, she was struck 201 times. On the eighth day — unable to sit, her buttocks covered with blood clots and welts — she went to the hospital. Then she reported it to the university.
Seven Nights? Wow… yeah its a good thing its NOT hazing!
The pledge said she was eager to join Sigma Gamma Rho, an African-American sorority founded in 1922, because of its history of community service. On Jan. 18, eight pledges gathered in an apartment in Rockoff Hall, she said.
…Rutgers police said they had arrested six members of the sorority on charges of aggravated hazing, alleging they repeatedly beat at least three pledges between Jan. 18 and Jan. 25.
…Charged Tuesday were Vanessa Adegbite, 21, of Jersey City; Joana Bernard, 21, of West Orange; Kesha Cheron, 20, of Newark; and Llana Warner, 20 of the Bronx. Each was charged with aggravated hazing, a felony that carries up to 18 months in prison. All four were later released from the Middlesex County jail on $1,500 bail.
Shocked!… Shocked I tell you… Hazing is one thing… But hazing in an African American Greek house?… Nevah!
"They told us there was no hazing, that they didn’t believe in it," she said.
Nooooo… We don’t haze pledges, do you see any Bush Supporter’s here? I don’t see any water boards… do you?
Then the paddles came out. The pledges, clad in sweat pants, were instructed to wrap blue and gold tape around the wooden paddles, each a foot long and 6 inches wide, she said.
She was struck 19 times that night, she said. Four sorority members delivered the blows, the pledge said, while two others supervised. She said the group was told the beatings would "humble" them and would get them to rely upon one another.
I was unaware of Sigma Gamma Rho, so I did a few searches on them and yep the results were a “Shocker”… (for those of you who know… ya know… ;-) )
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