i have been following this story since it first broke in the early part of this week. when i posted the first new story, i was somewhat wheary about the entire situation. there were general quotes in the story, but i figured it was fishy since the official university spokesperson had not yet been notified. well using my acquired journalism skills i got to work asking questions. the university then went on to release statements regarding the investigation, so then it was made official that something must have gone terribly wrong. i cannot imagine how the family of this young brother might be feeling with the sudden lost of him. overnight i spoke with a few people about the issue, and it seem to me that people are more concerned about all membership intake activities being suspended indefinitely by president george c. wright. that is not where the focus should be. i spoke with a friend who is a member of the organization in question just to be supportive, know they are probably catching it from so many ends. this morning i watch a clip on abc13 from a interview with the victim's father, which really alarmed me.
according to the victims father his son was very scared, and terrified of members of this "sorority" yes he did say sorority, and out of respect for his late son he never reported anything, however, for those of us that are familiar with hazing, if you are a active participant, you are just as guilty as the people doing the hazing. i personally could not imagine going to my mother and being terrified about anything and her not taking the initiative as a parent to do something, it blows my mind, and i find it hard to believe that his son was so terrified of members of this organization he would tell his father, and his father would just sit back and let nothing be done.
another issue that i have with this story is the fact the victim was just taken to Cypress, and dropped off at the hospital. what does that say about those that were with him, no matter what the circumstances are when you are with someone, and they become ill, or whatever the case may be it's you responsibility to contact the proper officials, and give statements to aid in the treatment of the individual. personally when i was going through the membership education process for my organization we were there for each other, as were the big brothers.
there comes a time when you just have to be real, and the time is now, pvamu is known for greek life, it's a part of the rich tradition of the institution dating back to 1968 when then president alvin thomas established the national pan hellenic council, however it's not the reason praire view exist, and i think people often forget that. prairie view was established to produce successful african-american students in the state of texas, when the unknown 8 stepped onto the grounds of the alta vista plantation in waller county, letters, and colors didn't exist. change can be hard but it's often needed, i think over the past few years the administration of prairie view have done a wonderful job at turning the image of the school around and we not attract some of the worlds brightest students, i would hate for this isolated incident to cast a cloud over all the good pvamu stands for. i am saying a special prayer for the victim's family and firends, and a prayer for the organization in question, justice will prevail, for i believe.
related links
university official response to students death
houston abc 13 coverage
houston
chronicle story
khou coverage
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