In the midst of the negativity stemming from the death of our fallen Rattler, Robert Champion, a 26-year-old drum major, positivity must come to light on Florida A&M’s campus. On the night of November 19, 2011 investigators proved it factual that Champion collapsed and died after the Florida A&M University & Bethune Cookman University Classic at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. Upon speculation of hazing being the cause of death there has been much talk of the “hazing culture” at FAMU. The hazing incident and its results have been presented on a global scale and the cause of death has been examined as well. The results of Champions death include: Dr. White, the Marching 100’s director temporary leave status, suspension of the Marching 100 and all other music-related activities, Gov. Rick Scott’s reccommendation that President Ammons be suspended during the investigation and the state examiner’s autopsy results of Champion’s cause of death. Each of these results is important and Gov. Scott’s opinion caused a march by Florida A&M students to the Governor’s mansion in Tallahassee. Immediately following the protest, on Monday the FAMU Board of Trustees voted against the suspension of President Ammons.
Respectfully, Champion’s mother and father have been speaking out about his death which is now described as a homicide. According to My Fox Atlanta, Pam Champion has said, “It hurts to know that this happened to my son. It hurts to know that the mentality, the way people think this is OK. It’s obvious things are so hushed and quiet. The secrecy – it definitely hurts.”
The culture of hazing is not an issue which only takes place at HBCU’s in the United States which is what I want readers to understand. It pains me to understand that Gov. Scott wished to suspend President Ammons; this would have only added to the controversy and issues arising from Champion’s death. That Friday night, approximately 500 Florida A&M students gathered and marched to the Governor’s Mansion in protest of Gov. Scott’s demand that President Ammons be suspended during the ongoing investigation. Marching and voicing their opinions on social networks such as Twitter are the actions of Florida A&M students that I witnessed firsthand on Friday night. The energy which surrounded the students and leaders such as SGA President, Breyon Love and Vice President, Troy Harris was positively incomparable. Our differences didn’t matter during our journey to express our feelings on Gov. Scott’s opinion on what FAMU’s Board of Trustees decision should be. Our common goal was proving why the governor shouldn’t step into our campus affairs in a time of negativity.
With over 500 students willing to come together to speak through their actions I believe this is a beginning. The start of something new, the hazing culture at HBCU’s, nationwide and globally must change. The change must come from the “tuition-payers” at these institutions of learning. Our march is the starting point of the change which must take place at numerous universities who choose to partake in hazing practices and activities. Hazing must not be an unspoken subject which students are afraid to talk about. The solution is stricter hazing consequences and policies being enforced and watched closely on university campuses worldwide and specifically nationally. With this solution, students must mentally be ready to change their mindsets as well and understand that hazing is wrong and must not take place on their campuses or other locations; this is the positivity we will seek to change mindsets on our campus.
Following the march numerous students tweeted their opinions:
1) Freshman Candace Daymond from Tallahassee, Fl. stated, “I marched because I believe that rash decisions shouldn’t be made without concrete evidence and further slander [to] the university.”
2)Senior English student, Miguel Rivera says: “I think the fact we got Rick Scott engaging in a dialog is an accomplishment. The rally also spread information to students.”
3) Jeremy Latimore, a senior social work student believes, “One must be willing to make a change, than putting that change in action… All starts with you.”
4) Gregory Flowers Jr., a senior computer/electrical student says: “Personally I believe in FAMU. We have the ability to represent our African American culture with love, respect [and] intellect.”
Please visit these FAMU related-links below!
CNN iReport
AC 360:Â Champion’s Parents Speak Out
AC 360: Champion’s Parents Speak Out 2
CNN: Gov.’s Reccommendation
Please visit these links below to expand your knowledge of hazing!
Stophazing.org
Hbcudigest.com (@HBCUDigest)
Hazing.hanknuwer.com