Hazing- PBS Independent Lens

[*winter*]

Bumping cause I just saw this again.

FYI they do mention non Greek hazing, specifically the marching band death at that school in Florida. That was tough to watch, but I’m glad they included it. People always ask why people don’t just walk away when it’s Greek life, but what about a case like that, or athletics, where your main purpose in college and/or funding is tied up in that membership?

He focused pretty heavily on the NPHC process, which, according to Byron Hurt was less about binge drinking and more about activities that defined one’s role as a young man entering manhood. I’ve heard this brought up on GC before- that often men are seeking a “process” more so than women- kind of a baptism by fire. It was interesting to hear the men speak on their process and what it means to become a man and how you’d accomplish that without hazing.

Probably what hit home to me was when he said that if people had to be really honest, they’d have to face the fact that they did a lot of that stuff for nothing- that it didn’t really matter in the end. That’s a tough pill to swallow in life, but I can definitely relate. Some of the hardest things I’ve fought for in the military and professionally, years later, looking back, I’ve felt that same way…even though I would have literally given anything for it in that moment.

It’s probably the most gut level honest thing I’ve ever watched on hazing. It’s really, truly well done.