Customer Reviews

Black Haze: Violence, Sacrifice, and Manhood in Black Greek-Letter Fraternities (African American Studies)

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R.L. Jones has produced an exceptional book. His scholarship and presentation are pioneering and expert. Speaking as a reader who has "survived" the brutality of hazing while pledging a chapter of Omega Psi Phi, this book brought back many recollections about the 'process'. Prof. Jones has written about some of the very things that motivated my line brothers and I to endure such harsh treatment. To be "made right" and not be "cat" or an "Eternal Lamp". Making illogical and inhumane treatment seem totally acceptable and even caring or 'loving' on the part of our Big Brothers. The author talks of what contributes to the cycle of the abuse. For many folks 'on line' often dream about what hell they will be able to put others through when they in turn attempt to gain membership in the fraternity after them.

I found the book lacking (only somewhat) in several areas:

1. A more detailed analysis of intraracial ("light skin or dark skin") African American conflict and how it effects membership, economic class and even attraction of black individuals to certain Black Greek Fraternities and Sororities.

2. A discussion of Homosexuality and Black Greek Male Societies. The Homophobia that permeates the African American Community is often magnified in these groups which are founded on Christian heterosexual mores. Every group that I have come across on the Eastern seaboard at various campuses has always spoken negativly about gays while certain members have to remain 'closeted'. These men in turn may even be more brutal hazers as they attempt to prove to themselves that they are "real men" and quell any suspicions about their own sexuality. But as said, these groups mirror society.

3. More details in the Appendix of actual BGF hazing incidents were needed. Names and exact dates if possible so that those who want to research those incidents further (parents of students entering some of the institutions named for example).

But the book is very good and well worth the cost (softcover). I also recommend:
Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing
by Hank Nuwer and The Color Complex: The Politics of Skin Color Among African Americans
by Kathy Russell

I am such a big fan of the movie "Stomp the Yard," but when asking Greeks about the movie, there was an immediate lash at how the movie was not accurate as to how Greek life really is. I was told that people who were Greeks or who knew anything about Greek life would understand how "stupid" the movie was, so I got curious. In undergrad, I thought about pledging into one particular sorority, but after seeing only ONE Kappa member cross at my school (when there were initially at least 30) and a neophyte having his crutches snatched away from him and Omega members demanding that he hop before he crossed, I quickly changed my mind. I firmly believe in the logo "Slap me and I'll slap you back" and there was absolutely no way I was just going to let someone beat the hell out of me to join their organization. But after speaking with a very dear relative of mine about joining a sorority, I tried to understand the good parts about Greek life. Sadly, the more she told me, the more I concluded that it was not for me. And then I found this book while searching online for material to change my mind about pledging in the graduate chapter.

There is not a doubt in my mind that I absolutely will never pledge now. The horror stories in the Appendix were so utterly evil to the point where I was begging this book to fiction. But as I know from watching the few experiences at my own alma mater and seeing Greeks go offline so many times, I'm sure they aren't. I'd spoken with Greeks BEFORE I read this book, so much of what the author left out, I knew and REALLY wanted him to reveal, but being a Greek, I knew he wouldn't.

Pros: The author was brave to even write this book, considering he is a Kappa. I thought he should be commended for that, specifically the anecdote about the pledge whose butt was split. Jones takes on an analytical look at the process of pledging; tries to come to some conclusion as to why pledging has increased and become more brutal; why black men feel like they have to have a right of passage through gangs, violence, Greeks, the military, African tradition, etc; and discuss some of the history of hierarchy within these organizations. The author gave readers a more detailed view of why pledging and hazing have become intertwined and why it is so difficult to get other Greeks to stop. I was satisfied that he did point out that a lot of these crazy traditions come from those of the military, and from the family member I spoke with who also agreed on that, it was good to know that he did understand the history of how it is being passed down. Overall, it was very well-written and definitely interesting throughout.

Cons: Jones has a habit of repeating the same points over and over again. He repeatedly made comments about the rights of passage and how Greeks didn't feel "paper" members were real. I went through a couple chapters like "Didn't I read this already?" I wanted him to bring up new points but he seemed to rely on those few that he felt strongly about. If I were a high authority member of the Greeks, after reading this book, I still wouldn't really know how to make hazing stop but keep the pledging tightknit so it wouldn't be just hit-happy folks having the time of their lives during the pledging process. He does make a statement about "paper" members becoming high ranking members, but obviously from the gist of this book, the Greeks do not respect them, so it seems all but impossible for a "paper" member to reach the top. Blaming the lack of punishment on predominantly white universities still does not excuse the black authority members who KNOW things are going on. To say that the white universities need to come down harder says nothing to the BLACK people who are letting it go on. I was looking for a way for the author to explain how potential pledge members could respect an organization without any physical contact, but it seems that the author is a little confused about that as well.

Final thoughts: I'm SO glad I never pledged. This book along with my own unofficial interviews tells me it's just not worth it. I have a blood brother, and he never had to beat me up to make me feel like I love him dearly and would protect him from any harm. Comraderie and trust are much more powerful than a paddle or a skillet to the face.

This is my 2nd review of the book. I wrote one back in July, and now I'm writing from the perspective of a person who has gone through a process and made it through to join a BGL fraternity. Dr. Jones needs to be commended for writing a book of this nature. One thing about some of the incidents in the book is there are some brothers and sisters who get carried away and do reckless hazing, but those are a few out of the majority. The ones who brought me through were more concerned about what I would bring to the fraternity and what I planned on doing with my life from here onward, and that is what it is about. It is unfortunate that there are some individuals, such as the ones described in the book, who go to unnecessary lengths and put their respective organizations at risk. I, like many other people who are in Black greek-letter frats and sororities, do not want to see our demise due to foolishness and other events which could easily be prevented. I don't know if there is a solution which could be applied across the board to make sure some of this can cease; it may take something being done chapter by chapter, because it is pretty much impossible to monitor what everyone is doing at the same time. For anyone who plans on going Greek, or who is already Greek, I strongly recommend this book.

Before becoming apart of an organization one must have a real view of themselves in order to accept the POSITIVE (there is negative) change that some of these organizations have to offer. I appreciate this book because it gave me the basis to converse about change and being better role models. We come from different backgrounds and to be able to mesh personalities for the greater good of the community is a wonderful thing. Although I disagree with physical hazing to the extent of pain one should be educated on the benefits of physical wellness (one could do push ups and be a leader of a group which in turn may give him/her the tools necessary to being a leader in their community. Nevertheless, it was a nice book.

My son loaned the book to several friends and they all commented on how well the information about Black Fraternities was presented... timeless. Makes me proud of the jouney that we are on and the accomplishments made.

This book is more than just stories about violence through fraternity hazing, it's also an insightful look at the history of Black America and how these organizations played an important role. I recommend this book to all those that are interested in the history of Black culture and its progression from post disenfranchisement to today.

This book, though limited in its breadth addresses some fundamentals, that surprisingly has little to do with hazing but African American male psyche. I give kudos to the author for taking the risks, and for amazon, for being one of the only places to get this book. Though full, this book is small enough not to be overwhelming.

This book is a blunt account of how black fraternities and the evoloution of the pledge process snce they were founded in the early 20th century. I reccomend this book to all greek aspirants as well as current black frat members. It will open your eyes to the process and insight on how to solve the problem.

After my 2nd month on line, which included 1 month "underground," I one day woke up with an epiphany. As I changed the bandages on my ribs, I realized how absolutely stupid I'd have to be to ever want to turn to the people who inflicted that much violence on me and call them "Brother." I knew my history inside and out, I was loyal to a fault, and I still, in the name of "Brotherhood" had to endure whatever my line "brothers" endured at the hands of some pathetic individuals who called themselves "men." Fortunately for me, I dropped and never looked back. Today I'm a lawyer, husband, and father of two; never once having to wonder what "The Mysteries of Omega" would've offered me. What it GAVE me was a permanent sinus condition due to a broken nose, a bruised larynx from a punch to the throat, and the aforementioned cracked ribs.

The emphasis on academia? What a delightfully humorous and boldfaced lie. I know for a fact that 11 of my 14 line "brothers" had their transcripts doctored by an employee in the registrar's office; who also happened to be the wife of the frat's president. I'm confident ... make that positive ... that a simple comparison of that line's transcripts that were submitted to the National Chapter to the transcripts at the college would prove it.

Rename the book in a truthful manner: "Black on Black Crime: The Black Greek Experience"