The death of Robert Champion from a band hazing ritual demands a firm resolve to stamp out this insidious tradition now

 

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.

Rockstat7376@aol.com

December 18, 2011

 

As the mainstream media continues its’ sometimes sensational coverage of Florida A&M University and its’ famed “Marching 100” Band following the hazing death of one of its’ drum majors, Robert Champion, Jr., one thing has become abundantly clear.

 

The time for business as usual in regards to hazing within college organizations has come to an end, especially at Florida A&M.

 

The incessant media coverage statewide in Florida and nationwide via television, print and Internet, has thrown this incident into the glaring spotlight of the public, who are already transfixed and repulsed by the burgeoning sex abuse scandals at Penn State and Syracuse.

 

But the death of young Mr. Champion (ruled a homicide) and the resulting investigations by law enforcement and the media, uncovered more incidents this year prior to that fatal November afternoon, and brought into sharper focus a deeply ingrained subculture within the storied marching band, one enveloped by secrecy that has resulted in prior lawsuits and countless severe injuries to band members dating back years.

 

And if that wasn’t enough for the Florida A&M family to endure, there now appears to be a power struggle of sorts brewing between the current administration, Board of Trustees, and various factions in state government headed by Governor Rick Scott, turning already difficult situation at FAMU into a virtual circus – all in the midst of ongoing criminal investigations.

 

This has some FAMUans gritting their teeth, wishing the State of Florida’s political and educational factions would butt out, for fear of losing control of the school.

Unfortunately, when Mr. Champion suffered his untimely death, it signaled that control of the Band had been lost, given the hazing history of the 100, and that interally, things appeared to be escalating out of hand.
It should be noted that countless rules and regulations are in place; hazing education programs have been ongoing at FAMU to address all campus organizations; offenders when found, have been prosecuted and expelled, but until the students in the Band specifically refuse to submit to hazing, it will never end.

 

Now President James Ammons, band director Julian White and other leadership team members at FAMU may pay with their jobs over this, and even the Marching 100 may be forced to take a knee for a time, because in the eyes of the general public, which supports and funds Florida A&M University with its' tax dollars, things are not under control and something must be done.

Some Rattlers may resent the intrusion of politics and the media into this situation, but FAMU had chances to end these dastardly practices and secret traditions BEFORE things turned deadly.

Now hard choices have to be made to keep the good name of Florida A&M University from being tarnished further, because now everybody is watching on this one.

After the dust settles, perhaps the Band may get to play on in 2012, but given the tragic events of November 19, perhaps a year of silence might best honor this fallen member of the 100, to show both the proper sense of remorse over the loss of a precious life, and a firm resolve to say from the bottom of our hearts: "NEVER AGAIN..."