The Many Casualties of Hazing

“They were given a choice to participate, and they ultimately decided it was worth risking their life, health, individuality, and future for a chance to be a part of a group of people who ultimately couldn’t care less about them.”

Benjamin Brennan was just an ordinary San Diego State University student pledging to become a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. However, one day in April of 2021, Brennan was told by fraternity members to consume 750 mL of hard liquor within 30 minutes and was given recreational drugs as well. Eventually, he was taken to a hospital. As he lay there in a coma and intubated, he fought for his life.

According to his family and lawyer, his life has been greatly altered even after his recovery, and he is now suing the fraternity and nine of its former members.

But it is not just Brennan’s life that has been altered by hazing.

Jordan Hankins; Stone Foltz; Max Gruver; Danny Santulli; George Desdunes; Armando Villa.

These are just a few of the names of young people tragically harmed by Greek life and hazing in recent years. However, when the press presents these stories, journalists typically explain these events in a black-and-white manner. The stories are often presented as a tale of villains and victims. However, as is often the case, other dynamics are involved.