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Teen Commentary: "Walking the Walk"
Hazing
by : Alexis Golling
"Walking the Walk" is an unfortunate hazing story that no youth should ever have to endure. While reading this story I was deeply saddened and went through a range of emotions that left a lot of unanswered questions that only Rebecca can answer. When parents send their young adults to college, they wish for them only the best for their safety and education. Unfortunately, for some like Rebecca, harm was done to her and it may be a possible ‘Reality’ for many others.
Hazing is NOT A MYTH; it occurs at colleges and universities all around the country as their best-kept 'Secret', yet so widely known. Despite prohibition of hazing, it still happens. This puts all college students at risk.
Sorority and Fraternity life is desirable for many who have been exposed to its “family-likeness”, its glamour, or its exclusiveness. Many students want to be a part of the “brotherhoods” and “sisterhoods”. However, they are not immediately exposed to what lies beneath. Rebecca was ABUSED physically and mentally. There is no excuse or justification for what happened to her and the others. I’ve read other cases of hazing which includes being abused sexually and incidents that involve alcohol and drugs; some of them even result in death. Once a prospective member has gotten in too deep, it becomes hard for them to refuse the challenges for many reasons. It’s so easy to get caught up into something like this.
This happens with college students as well as high school students. Can you remember the last time you gave into peer pressure? Was it to let someone else drive your car only for them to later have a car accident? Did you help someone cheat on a test and you got caught? Did someone encourage you to try drugs or alcohol, and when your parents found out you suffered the consequences? Peer pressure is only going to get more extreme when we enter college life. Making the right decisions 100% of the time will save you from the hazing. Let’s make a unified choice to change; to be the generation of people who take a stand on things that we know are wrong! You don’t have to go around ministering about it; all you have to do is, do the action for yourself. This will set a bigger example than any “preaching”. Know that you can never be ashamed to say 'No' to something you know is wrong. And, that does not make you a quitter; it makes you the bigger person. Pray for strength to always make the right choice. What kept Rebecca from contacting higher authority? Only Rebecca knows. The cruelty of her “big sisters” was clearly depicted. A way to take action could have been to write a letter, anonymous if preferred, which may have been the difference between her suffering or contributing a valiant effort to reform the sorority.
I myself will be entering college life next year. I have given some thought about pledging or not for myself. I know there will be many different opinions and suggestions from others. I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to hear Rebecca’s story, which is one of many, and I plan to make a well thought out decision. Here is something I’d like you all to think about. If you or your son/daughter is aspiring to pledge into a sorority/fraternity, action needs to be taken. Ask yourself:
Is it worth the risk of your health, education, or your dignity to suffer humiliation, pain, or extreme peer pressure for the sake of the “family”?
Would a true “brother” or “sister”, who claims to care for you, encourage these things on you?
And for all of the young people, prepare. There will come a time where you will be tested.
What decisions will you make?
Click here to Blog About This Article. Teen's what will you be thinking about when you are faced with the decision to Pledge?
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