It doesn’t end in death.
September 3rd, 2007
I first heard of hazing back when I was in grade school. I saw it on the prime time news when I came home, then read about it again on the next day’s morning paper. Months passed and then it was forgotten and buried by the public, and life went on again for the rest of us. Back then, I didn’t understand why anyone had to die that way.
Its been twelve years after that day, and more deaths are still being reported each year. Till now, I still don’t understand why the vicious cycle of deaths caused by hazing continue. When the death is new the media is all over it, then when the hype is gone, one by one they leave in search for the next story to tell.
I thought I understood what brotherhood meant, but given the deaths that have been happening on these “brotherhoods”, I went to the FreeDictionary.com and looked it up. This is what I found,
broth·er·hood
1. The state or relationship of being brothers.
2. Fellowship.
3. An association of men, such as a fraternity or union, united for common purposes.
4. All the members of a profession or trade.
Looking at each entry, it seems my comprehension of the term “brotherhood” was right. Why then do people keep dying when they partake in initiation rites for these “brotherhoods”?
It baffles me.
If I was to join an association united for common purposes, I would think my safety and my preservation of life would be one of those common purposes. Also being called a brotherhood, one would think that the members treat each other as brothers. To be our brothers, do we really need to subject individuals to pain and suffering before we admit them into our arms as one of our own? I thank God that I don’t have to get beaten and paddled just for my family and friends to accept me and love me as one of their own.
No matter what reasons these “brotherhoods” present for subjecting initiates to suffering, pain, and even death, I will never understand the sadism of their actions. I will not want to inflict pain on my brother, either directly or indirectly. My conscience would not permit me to do so. Isn’t the purpose of a brotherhood to protect its brothers? How could one expect protection from the very people who subject them to such beatings and humiliation?
Brotherhood, doesn’t end in death. Ironically, for the ones left mourning, it doesn’t end in the victim’s death either. For their families, the searing pain of each unanswered question and the cold numbing pain of loss has just started. No one knows for certain when it will end. Or, if it will end at all.
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My condolences to Cris Anthony Mendez’ family.
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September 3rd, 2007 at 3:27 pm
[...] It doesn’t end in death. “Brotherhood, doesn’t end in death. Ironically, for the ones left mourning, it doesn’t end in the victim’s death either. For their families, the searing pain of each unanswered question and the cold numbing pain of loss has just started. No one knows for certain when it will end. Or, if it will end at all.” [...]
September 4th, 2007 at 3:27 am
oh yeah, i watched it sa news din last night. naawa ako sa mother ni CAM…tragic talaga yun nangyari. sana makulong lahat ng involve dun!
no one deserves to die that way…pinatay din nila pati yun pangarap at pag-asa ng buong pamilya nia. kalungkot.
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September 4th, 2007 at 5:58 am
very meaningless death indeed! if you go to a forum in peyups.com you will see other students wondering why did this need to happen. bright young people bludgeoning themselves to death. what a waste of talent!
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July 28th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
[...] It doesn’t end in death. “Brotherhood, doesn’t end in death. Ironically, for the ones left mourning, it doesn’t end in the victim’s death either. For their families, the searing pain of each unanswered question and the cold numbing pain of loss has just started. No one knows for certain when it will end. Or, if it will end at all.” [...]