Hazing: A Rite of Passage or America’s New Epidemic

Once such case occurred in 1995 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The activities in question involve three “prop blast” ceremonies. (Gregg K. Kakesako, pg.1) These prop blast ceremonies – named after an electrical jolt that emanated from the propellers of a C-47, which paratroopers felt as they jumped from the aircraft – is considered an Army tradition whereby electrical shocks are administered to its officers, they are forced to wear lipstick as camouflage, and a select few must wear a dead fish around their neck for a 24 hour period. Concluding their investigation, the XVIII Corps has suspended all prop blast ceremonies and has adopted policies to ensure the well-being of its soldiers; Soldiers are not to be shocked, made to wear lipstick or have food products placed on their person.

While the deaths of Kenitha Saafir and Kristin High are tragic, and there is sufficient and credible information that should be utilized in the prevention of future occurrences, situations similar in nature are not being limited to the university setting.

It has been reported that nearly ten minutes into the yearly hazing ritual things took a turn for the worst when paint cans, bottles and plastic bins became airborne. “The senior girls were kicking and pushing the junior girls, kind of beating them up…” reported Zac Blum, a senior at Glenbrook North High School who attended the melee. (Qtd. in “Powder Puff Melee,” pg.1). It was later reported that one female senior took position behind a seated circle of girls and proceeded to walk behind them and slap each of the underclassmen on the back of the head while another held a pig’s intestine to their faces before wrapping it around the neck of an underclass participant. Additional reports included the use of paint and feces, which was smeared about the face and head, of Tabasco sauce, vinegar and urine being thrown over bodies and in eyes, of fish entrails being projected, and the force of mud into the mouths of the younger participants. One of the injured girls described the event by stating that, “Basically it started out as a fun hazing like our initiation into our senior year. About ten minutes into it, everything changed – buckets were flying…people were bleeding. Girls were unconscious.” (Qtd. in, Initiation Turned Hazing Investigated, pg.1) Another added, “When I looked up and saw blood, I knew this wasn’t right.” (Qtd. in Initiation Turned Hazing Investigated, pg.1) No one seemed willing to help the younger girls. In fact, the ritual became so intense that young men – spectators in the crowd – became involved as well.

Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on the evening of September 9, 2002, seven young women – four Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority hopefuls and three of the chapter’s acting members – arrived at Dockweiler State Beach near Playa del Rey, California, adorned in jogging attire and tennis shoes for a grueling set of rigorous night calisthenics after days of lost sleep performing self-deprecating chores for other sorority members. Kenitha Saafir, a twenty-four year old studio art major, and twenty-two year old moth

Some topics in this essay:
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