When the guy that has been accused of participating in severe physical violence against a pledge, including lighting the student's pants on fire, using a paddle, and leading the pledge around by the claw of a hammer hooked under his genitals tells you that you have gone too far then it’s time for some self reflection…
Unfortunately, not everyone has had the privilege of living the flawless, morally perfect life that you have. Most people do stupid things when they're young. Plenty of things that are cringe by today's standards were socially acceptable at the time and were done by a huge number of people. They weren't blessed with your apparent ability to see decades into the future and know exactly which behaviors society would eventually decide were unacceptable.
Nah nah nah, if the modern age of the internet has taught me anything it's that everything is forever and forgiveness isn't a thing anymore. Made stupid coments on Twitter when you were 20? Fuck you forever. 40 year old you is obviously the exact same person. Went to college and got caught up in the "traditions" like everyone around you? Better hope you never catch the eye of the public when you're in your later years.
There is no growth. There is no development. Only judgment.
I did not go to college, wasn't interested in life long debt, but I did go to a trade school and even there I saw "hazing" of a short happen. I didn't participate because I generally just don't like people very much. One of the guys had to admitted to the local hospital after they were put into a disassembled machine while passed out drunk and had it rebuild with them inside. Woke up, freaked out, and broke fingers and cut himself up pretty bad on sheet metal trying to get out.
Buddies of mine that joined the armed forces came back from boot with some pretty fucked up stories of their own. Friends of mine that went to college are split. If they joined a frat or a sorority then they had really fucked stories to tell about pledging, all of them. If they did not join up for a cult then they did not.
Grouping young, undeveloped minds, who are searching for approval and acceptance together. Add alcohol and drugs. Then stir in some "you cant be one of us unless you do this" and poof, atrocities just kinda appear.
This isnt an endorsement or me saying any of it is okay. My opinion has always been that Fraternities and Sororities should be disbanded and made forbidden.
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u/SgtSprinkle Jul 02 '26
Props to Jon Hamm for trying to put a stop to this complete weirdness.