When stupidity governs Florida

Recently Florida A&M University has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of the tragic death of Robert Champ.  Champ was the victim of hazing from his fellow band-mates following a Rattlers football game last season.  No one will disagree that the death of this caliber is inexcusable.  Few critics have been more vocal in the rebuke of FAMU for the governing of its organizations and handling of the investigation than Rick Scott.  The unpopular Republican governor has taken every chance to drag this issue out into the public and ensure that it remains at the forefront of his press releases and interviews.  His undaunting pursuit of the university has caused it to cease all marching band activity for two years.  Not to mention the allegorical "book" thrown at the thirteen students charged with Felonies for the attack.  A Historic Black College and University, A&M was a federal land grant recipient in the 19th century.  The Marching One Hundred has been a central institution.  It will remain a significant point of pride, a source of esteem and strength for for the students, faculty, and community.  To the students and greater community of Florida A&M University, the isolation and persecution of this institution is a known and regrettable truth of its hallowed past.  Anti-reconstruction, anti-civil rights, and anti-President Obama hysteria are all supple atmospheres for the conservative Right to undermine the ability of this institution to thrive and prosper. 

Republican Rick Scott is a man with an agenda.  The Trayvon Martin case has once more introduced Florida politics to the spotlight of the national media.  The case has become a pivotal issue for the conservative Right as they make the necessary moves to defend any attempt to rescind the legislation. Even questioning the legality of the "Stand Your Ground Law" has drawn ire from the Republican elite.  Scott, following NRA orders one can only assume, took every precaution in ensuring that those who could best defend the bill were present on the nineteen member panel to judge its ruling.  For Scott, the ability to use the Florida A&M death as a political token in order to draw attention from the fact that the state already condones violence in actively utilizing the death penalty and the de jure pass for any person to kill another in the name of self-defense. 

Let me reiterate, hazing is a terrible practice.  In its most horrific instance, individuals like Robert Champ tragically lose their life.  At the same time it is important to understand that since 1970, at least one college student a year enrolled at an American university has died as a result of hazing.  The current state law of Florida which mandates all Greek organizations on the practice of hazing is named after Chad Meredith.  A student at the University of Miami, Meredith was "hazed" to death in 2001.  The following is a list of victims and their universities for only the last ten years.

(courtesy of hazing.hanknuwer.com)

(2012) Vinicennes University -William Torrance
(2011) Robert Champ
(2011)Cornell University Geroge Desdeunes
(2010)Radford, Samuel Mason
(2009)Prairie View A&M, Donnie Wade Jr.
(2009)SUNY Genesco, Arman Partamian
(2008) Caly Poly, Carson Starkey
(2008) Utah State, Michael Starks
(2008) Lenoir Rhyne, Harrison Kowiak
(2008)Wabash College, Johnny Smith
(2008) University of Delaware, Brett Griffin
(2007)Rider University, Gary Devercelly Jr.
(2006) University of Texas, Tyler Cross
(2005) University of Texas, Jack Phoummarath
(2005) University of California, Kenny Luong
(2005)Chicago State University, Matthew Carrington
(2004) University of Oklahoma, Blake Hammontree
(2004) University of Colorado, Gordon Bailey
(2003) Bradley University, Robert Schmalz
(2003) Plymouth State University, Kelly Nester
(2003) Rocester Institute of Technology, Jerry Hopkins
(2003) Plattsburgh State, Walter Dean Jennings
(2003)Yale University, Nicholas Grass, Kyle Burnat, Andrew Dwyer and Sean Fenton
(2002) University of Maryland, Daniel Reardon
(2002) University of Nevada, Albert Santos
(2002) California State Los Angeles, Kenitha Saafir and Kristin High
(2002) San Diego State University, Brian Jimenez and Zachary Jacobs
(2002) Alfred University, Ben Klein

Hazing is a sad, brutal truth within the American social fabric.  From high schools to United States Military institutions, among men and women alike hazing is truly the unspoken offspring of a culture that condones violence.  It is the family member at the reunion that everyone will forget when the scene has died down.  I believe it is necessary to explore the death of Robert Champ much in the same way we continue to question the tragic loss of Trayvon Martin.  Both deaths highlight a violent pattern in our society, in which the value of human life is placed second to the adoration of pride and property.

some hazing links
Stop Hazing.org
Florida State University Hazing Information
National Rifle Association on Trayvon Martin