Researchers Seek To End Violent Hazing At Historically Black Colleges
On Nov. 19, 2011, Robert Champion stood at the front of his marching band’s bus and prepared himself for pain. Then 26, Champion already commanded respect as an esteemed drum major in Florida A&M University’s world-famous “Marching 100,” which has performed for presidents, at the Super Bowl, in Coca-Cola commercials, and with Kanye West at the Grammys.
But in order to earn his bandmates’ admiration, Champion had to “cross” Bus C, a hazing ritual in which he had to try to reach the back of the percussionists’ bus while his bandmates hit, kicked, and pummeled him with drumsticks. An hour after he made it through, Champion died of blunt-force trauma.
At the time, FAMU was the largest HBCU in the country, and the Marching 100 was often described as the best marching band in the world. Champion’s death was a severe blow to its reputation. Enrollment dropped nearly a quarter from 2011 to 2014, knocking the Tallahassee, Florida, school down to third place, and is still on the decline. The band was suspended for two years and now has half the members it did when Champion marched. FAMU risked losing its accreditation, the university president and marching band director were both forced out, and 15 former members of the band were criminally charged, with the student accused of organizing the hazing receiving a six-year prison term.
READ MORE: http://www.buzzfeed.com/katiejmbaker/resea...
But in order to earn his bandmates’ admiration, Champion had to “cross” Bus C, a hazing ritual in which he had to try to reach the back of the percussionists’ bus while his bandmates hit, kicked, and pummeled him with drumsticks. An hour after he made it through, Champion died of blunt-force trauma.
At the time, FAMU was the largest HBCU in the country, and the Marching 100 was often described as the best marching band in the world. Champion’s death was a severe blow to its reputation. Enrollment dropped nearly a quarter from 2011 to 2014, knocking the Tallahassee, Florida, school down to third place, and is still on the decline. The band was suspended for two years and now has half the members it did when Champion marched. FAMU risked losing its accreditation, the university president and marching band director were both forced out, and 15 former members of the band were criminally charged, with the student accused of organizing the hazing receiving a six-year prison term.
READ MORE: http://www.buzzfeed.com/katiejmbaker/resea...
It saddens me that HBCU's can't escape the 'slavemaster's whip' mentality. Why not do what the nonBlack Frats do... have Toga parties and drink themselves to oblivion or run through the campus butt naked?!