Collapse of the Bamboo Ceiling: Hazing in the Asian American Fraternity Community:
Jack Phoummarath, a young freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, dead at 18. Kenny Luong, a vibrant student at University of California, Irvine, dead at 19. Michael Deng, an energetic freshman at Baruch College, dead at 19.
Did strangers kill them? No. Did they die from horrible diseases? No.
Here is what they all had in common: they died trying to become members of Asian American fraternities.
My heart sank on Wednesday when the news of Michael’s death was brought to my attention. I just returned from theAssociation of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors Annual Meeting in Orlando, where we attended sessions on fighting hazing and how to move forward as culturally based organizations. I closed my eyes and thought to myself, ‘Not again. Another young Asian American college student died a senseless death.’
Then I became enraged. How are we going to explain this to Michael’s parents, who sent their son to college four months ago? Another thought emerged. How am I going to go home and explain this to my 80-year-old father, who still does not understand the concept of fraternities and sororities?
Since joining my sorority seven years ago, I am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to network with other Greek leaders who are just as passionate as I am about the Asian American political movement. I was the Executive Director of a multicultural Greek conference and traveled the country to share my life story and Greek experience. Even though I work in fraternity and sorority life, my father still does not fully understand it. How do I explain this to a man who has been through World War II, was beaten nearly to death by fighting for his rights and then was paraded publicly throughout his hometown as an example to not defy the government?
That is just my story. What amazing opportunities and leadership positions could Jack, Kenny, and Michael potentially experience if their lives were not taken away? We will never know. As much as I am challenging our fraternities, I am not letting my fellow Greek sisters off the hook either. As women, we have put our pledges through some unthinkable situations. Will it take a death in our sororities for us understand the severity of hazing?
So I invite my fellow brothers and sisters in Asian-interest Greek lettered organizations to reflect on this with me. How do we use this opportunity to take a closer look at our culture and traditions to find a way to end this behavior?
WAKE UP.
This generation’s priorities are out of order, and some think they are invincible.
“A death in a hazing incident? That can never happen to us!”
“We don’t haze as bad as the other organizations!”
“We pledge hard in this chapter. This is how we produce good members.”
Do not get me wrong. Physical discipline is not a new concept for Asian Americans. As children, many of us were often beat by wooden feather dusters or required to kneel on rice for a long time due to low-test grades or disobedience. We are taught to be strong in a mental, physical, and emotional aspect. As Asian Americans, we have also struggled with our identities. Through cultural expectations, being Asian means fulfilling filial obedience, coming home with good grades, and mastering the violin and piano by the time you are two years old. Exploring our American side means testing the boundaries by listening to punk or rap music and joining student organizations like the drama club, which is doing nothing to contribute to our parent’s dreams for us to become lawyers, doctors, or engineers. We have always struggled with acceptance. When we go to college, joining Asian-interest Greek lettered organizations seems like the perfect balance of being Asian and being American.
“Jiā” is the Chinese word for home and family. As members of Asian-interest Greek lettered organizations, we emphasize the importance of service and academic excellence to our interested men and women. What sets our organizations apart from student clubs is the ability to gain a bigger “jia” of sisterhood and brotherhood through membership. How do we continuously talk about promoting “jia” when we take people away from theirs?
We are lucky to have fraternity and sorority advisors who care about the development of Asian American students and institutions who invite us to be guests on their campuses. What if we woke up one day and our schools decided that our organizations were no longer relevant? Hazing is illegal. Our states, universities, and national headquarters all have policies against hazing. If we are going to demand the same respect and resources that our other Greek counterparts receive at our respective institutions, we need to earn it and show them why we deserve it. Trust me, a hazing case is not going to help you win a trophy at Greek Awards.
How many Jack Phoummaraths, Kenny Luongs, and Michael Dengs will it take for us to see the negative impact of hazing? This is a call to action to the Greek community, especially my brothers and sisters who are members of Asian-interest Greek lettered organizations. Is it worth it? Would you haze your parents the same way you haze your pledges? Many of us are first-generation college students. It is difficult enough to explain the concept of fraternities and sororities to mama and baba. How do you explain to them that their child died while trying to “earn” some Greek letters?
Here’s how we can turn the momentum.
1. Invite your founders or charter members to have dinner with your chapter. One of the best things about being a part of younger organizations is that our founders are still alive. Ask them about the struggles of bringing the organization on campus and early chapter history and traditions.
2. Create an atmosphere between the brothers/sisters and the pledges to discuss the process. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says, “I want to take a life today.” Pledges can share their thoughts without discipline, and this will create fewer opportunities for members to haze.
3. Reach out to your advisor in the fraternity and sorority life office and ask questions about what training they can provide for your chapter regarding risk management and hazing prevention. You would be surprised about the knowledge and resources that they possess.
Rho Psi was founded in 1916 at Cornell University as the first Asian American fraternity. The organization was founded to “promote and perpetuate friendship among members, to develop congeniality and brotherhood in the fraternal life, and to cultivate the spirit of cooperation and self-sacrifice.” What was your fraternity and sorority founded on? Bringing forth Asian awareness, promoting scholarship and service, or beating your members senseless?
Being hazed does not make you a stronger person or a better member of the organization. Trust me, I have seen mediocre pledges become stellar presidents of their chapters and inspirational leaders in their communities. Let’s uplift each other and bring awareness to the world through our voice and stories. I do not expect members of Greek-lettered organizations to be perfect. I expect you to be better.
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Victoria L. Chan is pursuing her master’s degree in the College Student Affairs program at the University of West Georgia, where she is a graduate assistant in Fraternity and Sorority Life. She received her degree in Political Science and African American Studies at Syracuse University and is a member of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated.