The Blame Lies Not Only on the Fraternity Leaders

Sa Madaling Salita
by aLfie vera mella

The Blame Lies Not Only on the Fraternity Leaders

(On the Accountability and Underlying Reasons in Joining a Fraternity)

"The dreams of a freshman law student of San Beda College abruptly, violently ended on a farm in Dasmariñas City.

“Mark Andrei Marcos was the latest fatality in an apparent case of fraternity hazing.

“Police said the bruised body of  Marcos, 21, was brought to De La Salle University Medical Center in Dasmariñas City, Cavite province, at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday by two women— identified as Marlen Guadayo and Soledad Sanda—and two unidentified men. Marcos was pronounced dead on Monday.”—Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2012

That’s another widely reported casualty of hazing in the Philippines.

According to Wikipedia, “hazing is the practice of various rituals and other activities involving harassment, abuse, or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group. Hazing is seen in many different types of social groups, including in gangs, sports teams, schools, military units, workplaces, and fraternities.”

Personal Responsibility and Unresolved Issues

While I express my condolences to the loved ones of the casualties of fraternity hazing, I will not hold myself from expressing also what I think about those who join fraternities. While I denounce the irresponsibility and powertripping tendencies of many if not all fraternity leaders and favoured members, I think that victims of hazing are responsible as well for what befell them—because the moment they decided to join a fraternity, they knew that the risk of death or, at the least, getting badly beaten or injured during the initiation rites will always be there.

Yes, peer pressure is also a factor, so as the desire to belong to a faux brotherhood; but I think individuals who join fraternities have some degrees of insecurity and a yearning for power, belonging, and to boost their self-esteem, seeking these in the company of supposedly future brothers.

On the other hand, every blow of the paddle of many if not most fraternity leaders is an expression of their frustrations, repressed negative emotions such as hatred, insecurities, and powertripping.

Better Alternatives

I know a lot of people—friends and acquaintances—who survived highschool or university/college life without getting lured into joining a fraternity, and they turned out fine if not better individuals. Most often, these individuals are more talented and have more useful skills, worthwhile hobbies, and sets of good friends.

Sa Madaling Salita
Maraming mas kaaya-aya at produktibong paraan para mapunan ang pagnanasa ng isang tao na makilala sa kanyang komunidád at maramdaman ang pagkalinga ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Kung susumahin ang mga positibo at negatibong naidudulot ng pagsali sa isang pakikipagkapatiran, mas hamak na lamang ang pagkawalang-kuwenta sa pagsali rito—pakikipagkapatirang karaniwang pinamumunuan ng mga taong handang manakit, manakot, mangmaliit, at maglaro sa dignidád ng mga nagdesididong sumali rito.

Or, in Simple Words
There's nothing noble, substantial, nor special in joining a fraternity especially if we are to weigh in the risks and degradation every neophyte or aspirant has to endure to be able to survive the initiation rites inevitably involved in completing his membership in a fraternity. There are many more worthwhile, more productive, and less risky ways of curing one's insecurities, boosting one's self-esteem, and gaining a sense of power—activities, passions, hobbies, and preoccupations that do not rob a person of his life, dignity, and respectability.

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”—Lord Acton (1834–1902), British historian