Chris Hayden #10
PHIL 1030
Dr. Oliver
Final Report pt. 1
Fraternities have a veil in front of them. They seem like collegiate centers of personal betterment and career advancement but are they? A hub for networking and friendships. Place of focus, studies, and daddies suit. Well this essay might be an eye opener. The article that spurred this essay was provided by Dr. Oliver and can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/opinion/pledges-fraternities-violence-deaths.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region&_r=0
These snake pits are breeding grounds for peer pressure and misconduct. MTSU is no stranger to these offensive behaviors as you can see in the following article from 2015. http://wkrn.com/2015/08/25/mtsu-fraternity-removes-freshman-girls-info-center-banner-from-house/ There are multiple quotes from students in this article that are for and against these actions but regardless this type of behavior is not acceptable.
Drug use is also a huge issue in these frat houses and at unofficial off campus houses which should also not be allowed. It’s not just marijuana but hardcore drugs too like cocaine and LSD as well which can be read about in this article from 2016. http://www.wsmv.com/story/32944489/mtsu-fraternity-on-probation-for-drugs-but-no-charges-filed Simply the need to fit in can be a gateway to these horrible incidents and a frat house environment naturally creates these feelings in young minds. Hazing is also noted in the previously mentioned article. Many dangerous actions have been required of pledges that can be read about in the first article from Dr. Oliver and the following article. http://www.dnj.com/story/news/2015/11/04/mtsus-sigma-nu-suspended-after-hazing-alcohol-inquiry/75175194/
Of course, we want to be careful not to paint with too broad a brush. Most frats conduct themselves appropriately most of the time (I hope). But these life-altering and life-ending incidents recur with alarming frequency, too often to be dismissed as anomalous. Something should be done. A scary phrase, as "Secretary McCord" said recently, because it indicates that nobody knows what to do. But maybe you do, Chris? Looking forward to your next post.
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