Young Black Professional Guide

While it is undoubtedly one of the more controversial aspects of Greek life, especially historically Black organizations, pledging is the reality of initiation. Ranging from a conservative ‘two weekends’ to an excessive 12 weeks, its roots can arguably be traced to our fathers and mothers college days when it was ‘legal’ to haze aspirants publicly.

Today’s article on CNN, however, paints an entirely different story. Two members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity were sent to prison, one two weeks from graduation pursuing an engineering degree, because of their torture of a 20 year old man. You didn’t misread that last part.

I won’t get on a soapbox about the ‘historical significance’ of pledging. There are others to do that for me. I simply offer simple words of advice for those considering membership and those initiating members.

1. No one deserves nor should tolerate excessive forms of abuse. It is wrong. It is torture. There is no logic into getting beat into unconsciousness to become part of an organization that you may never survive its initiation process.
2. Many members and chapters of all organizations have individuals who completely ignore the ‘historical significance’ and purpose of their initiation processes. It’s meant to ascertain aspirants who understand the core values of the organization. Community service. The betterment of mankind. Service of others.
3. Watch your back. Always have a confidant who you can use as a moral compass to any ‘questionable circumstances’ you may be involved in, preferably one who is already a member of the organization.
4. Don’t be afraid to be alone in your decision to not be involved. Even the most meaningless forms of initiation can have deadly consequences. Do not take any situation for granted. Be on your toes, consider the broad scope of your current situation, and ‘keep your head’. If you have to drive home after being awake until 6am, what risks are you taking? If someone is being beaten to excruciating levels of pain, what must you do to stop it?
5. Always remember: Every action has consequences. That is life. Whether its disobeying your initiates, going against the popular opinion with your ‘line’, or making a poor decision and ending up in jail, a consequence will exist. You have to be strong enough in the head to take the right course of action.

Some critics may try and point out that I am a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and am trying to slander a rival fraternity’s name by highlighting the above article. If that is the case, then you’ve obviously missed the point. Improper forms of judgement are everywhere.

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