The misuse of power and lack of respect and unity leaves one historically black college without dance moves and music to grove too. Florida A& M University has lost both their band and dance team due to hazing.
Florida A&M University Interim President Larry Robinson stated, “Everyone on campus needs to be unified in the fight against hazing. We have zero tolerance for hazing. It’s deplorable and will not be tolerated. It is unconscionable that a student organization would participate in any hazing activity considering what has transpires in the past year.”
FAMU lost their band 10 months ago following the hazing death of their drum major, Robert Champion. Many would have liked to believe that the death of the drum major was enough of an insinuative to end hazing; however, that was not the case.
FAMU’s Torque Dance Team was suspended on the eve of a series of anti-hazing workshops at FAMU allegedly some freshmen were forced to drink alcohol and run up a hill.
“Hazing is wrong in every way shape and form. It’s just another way to disrespect and abuse people,” said Grambling State University’s Orchesis dancer, Jamila Mamon.
FAMU’s interim president plans to keep holding anti-hazing workshops to help end hazing on their campus and place a standard for other schools to follow.
Grambling State University band director, Larry J. Pannell agreed with the need of anti- hazing workshops.
“This is a situation where it will take a village to raise a child. We need to educate the students on what their doing. The kids are not stupid, their just ignorant to the fact of what their doing and this lack of knowledge can be fixed by various educating workshops,” said Pannell.
GSU’s World Fame Tiger Marching Band will be celebrating its 86 year as a band this year.
To assure that the legacy of The World Fame Tiger Marching Band continues some band alumni have formed Alumni Band Members Against Hazing (A.B.M.A.H). A.B.M.A.H has talked to current band members about the importance of preserving their legacy. “You do not need to tear down something in a twinkling of an eye that has taken 86 years to build,” stated Pannell.