one too many deaths

“As I took my Zoology final exam, the proctor, sensing some dread was about to happen at the corridor, had to rush and closed the doors of the room. News enveloped the area that a rumble was about to come up, and a classmate of ours happen to be part of the warring fraternities. Nice for that classmate not to show up at all that day. I did not know which made me sweat more – the exam or the brawl that could have ensued.” – snippet from my memories at UP.

Again, another student has been seduced into the lure of a fraternity that have been instrument of his pointless death. It is confirmed that Chris Mendez, 20 year old graduating student of UP died of hazing a week ago.

As all other deaths brought about by fraternity violence before, truly, this is another senseless killing.

Maybe deaths have considerably lowered these days. Reports of deaths due to hazing have not been as prevalent during the past decades. But I am sure that hazing as a tradition has not been eliminated at all. Afterall, hazing is most valued tradition particularly among the male fraternity members. The violent acts involved are supposedly to prove allegiance and steadfastness among the recruits. Thus the vow of secrecy among those involved is necessary.

But in the course of the initiation, the worst happens. There lies a lifeless body. Now the standard rite has turned into a spectacle of an offering to the fraternity gods.

But this is just not a simple killing. Not just a snuffing out of a young potential. But this is a bludgeoning of parents’ hope and aspiration into nothingness. Now feel the pain of the parents.

My proposition then is to outlaw the implicated organization from the university. Banish the instituted organization that kills and maims the young. Forget the long list of illustrious members. Forget the prestige the fraternity gives to the university. Forget the goodwill it shows to society. The fraternity as a whole should learn its lessons – not only the erring members. Afterall, the traditions and customs of these fraternities give leeway to the culture of violence.