Dr. Walter Kimbrough, a leading researcher on Black fraternity hazing, says that Hobbs is completely wrong about Marcus being under duress. He notes that “the entire pledge process is deliberately designed to brainwash pledges and put them under tremendous psychological pressure to conform to what the group wants them to do. That’s why pledges are nearly always blindfolded and beaten, never told the truth about when the process will actually be over, and punished as a group if one person fails or resists.”
Several Kappa officials refused to comment. However, one national officer who asked not to be identified predicted a quiet out-of-court settlement. “We’re between a rock and a hard place,” he said, “If we lose, Kappa pays big dollars. If we win this time, it sends the message that hazing is OK because some pledge consented. I’m glad Florida made hazing a felony. Maybe the sight of those two FAMU brothers being taken to prison in handcuffs will finally change some minds about this.”
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