The Florida lawmaker hopes to put an end to the sometimes deadly tradition.
The tragic death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion in November has led educators and lawmakers to pay closer attention to bullying and hazing, from elementary school to the university level. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Florida), a former school principal, plans to introduce a federal anti-hazing bill when Congress reconvenes in January that will aim to end unnecessary cruelty and in extreme cases, death.
“Hazing is demeaning, dangerous, and, sadly, deadly,” said Wilson. “It’s time that we put an end to this horrible and humiliating ritual once and for all, so that no more students suffer the way that Robert and others have.”
Wilson earned the nickname “The Haze Buster” because of her efforts to end hazing on college campuses during her tenure as the South Atlantic regional director of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She is working with the HBCU community to develop the anti-hazing legislation.
“I am having policy discussions now with presidents of historically Black colleges and universities, band members and presidents of Greek-letter organizations so that we will be able to craft a strong bill for introduction next month,” Wilson said.
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