Black Haze

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Black Haze
Violence, Sacrifice, and Manhood in Black Greek-Letter Fraternities

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Ricky L. Jones - Author

SUNY series in African American Studies

N/A
Hardcover - 176 pages

Release Date: January 2004

ISBN10: 0-7914-5975-6
ISBN13: 978-0-7914-5975-1

N/A
Paperback - 176 pages

Release Date: January 2004

ISBN10: 0-7914-5976-4
ISBN13: 978-0-7914-5976-8

Link to Black Haze, Second Edition

Summary

The first book solely devoted to the subject of black fraternity hazing.

As a fraternity member, past chapter president, and former national committee representative, Ricky L. Jones is uniquely qualified to write about the sometimes deadly world of black fraternity hazing. Examining five major black Greek-letter fraternities, Jones maintains that hazing rituals within these fraternities are more deeply ingrained, physically violent, and imbued with meaning to their participants than the initiation rites of other ethnic groups.

Because they do not see themselves as having the same political, social, and economic opportunities as other members of society, black fraternities and their members have come to see the ability to withstand physical abuse as the key ingredient in building and defining manhood. According to Jones, hazing in black fraternities is a modern manifestation of sacrificial ritual violence that has existed since ancient times, and the participants view such rituals as an important tool in the construction of individual and collective black male identity.

“…provides valuable insights into the reasoning behind hazing, a practice that extends into the realms of sports and even high school, and is relevant for not only fraternity members and officials, but the general public as well.” — The Griot

“…an important contribution … because of the skillful manner in which Jones incorporates and critically analyzes relevant literature and other related scholarly writings … Jones, himself a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, offers personal observations as well as first-hand views and perceptions of hazing.” — Journal of College Student Development

"In Black Haze, Ricky L. Jones skillfully analyzes the culture of pledging and hazing within the ranks of black Greek-letter organizations. Too often, the leaders of these fraternal organizations have tried to prevent the destructive hazing behavior of their members without adequately researching the origins and the systemic reasons for the behavior in the first place. Jones's new research will not only illuminate the subject in the eyes of national fraternal leaders, but will also be a clarion call for action on the ordinary fraternity and sorority member level. For this, Jones's work is invaluable and I highly recommend it." — Lawrence C. Ross Jr., author of The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities

"Ricky L. Jones does a masterful job in identifying the reasons behind the seemingly unstopped cycle of violence in black fraternities. It is my hope and prayer that fraternity leaders and campus administrators will read Black Haze to begin a meaningful process to face this challenge." — Walter M. Kimbrough, author of Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities

"Black Haze is at once a work of scholarship and a book of practical use for all who work with fraternities and sororities. Jones's research is impeccable, his theories are sound, and his ideas are enlightening. Black Haze is a brilliant and most compelling reading experience." — Hank Nuwer, author of Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking

Ricky L. Jones is Associate Professor and Chair of Pan-African Studies at the University of Louisville.

Table of Contents

PREFACE

1. THE PROBLEM AT HAND

Concern, Change, and Questions
The Influence of the Ancient and Modern World on Black Greek Violence
Falsehoods and Failure: The Epistemic Domino Effect and Ethics in Greekdom

2. OLD PROBLEM, NEW APPROACH

Habermas, the Public Sphere, and a Critical Approach to the Media

Problems with Habermas

BGFs, Social Movements, and Identity
The Politics of Personal Involvement: Gazing through Fraternity Men's Eyes

3. THE HISTORY OF BLACK GREEK-LETTER FRATERNITIES

American Greek-Letter Fraternalism
Black Entrance into American College Life

The Exclusion of Blacks from White Greek Life

The Founding of Black Greek-Letter Fraternities

Alpha Phi Alpha
Kappa Alpha Psi
Omega Psi Phi
Phi Beta Sigma
Iota Phi Theta

BGFs' Political Involvement
The Depoliticalization of BGFs

4. THE PLEDGE PROCESS AS SACRIFICE

Violence Vehicles: Rituals as Social Stabilizers
The Commonalities of Modern Fraternity Ritual
Hazing and the Symbolic Journey
The Lure of Liminality: The Ritualistic Remaking of the Self

5. THE HEGEMONIC STRUGGLE AND DOMINATION IN BLACK GREEK-LETTER FRATERNITIES

Violence, Power, Hegemony, and Domination
Educated Gangs? To Pledge or Not to Pledge
Conservatism and Domination
BGF Ruling Blocs and the Membership Intake Epidemic

6. ACCEPTANCE, FREEDOM, AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION IN BLACK GREEK-LETTER FRATERNITIES

Formations of the Black Male Self

Economic Anxiety
Black Identity Fragmentation

The Self, Selves, and the Victory of Consent

Akrasia and Choice

Substitution of the Fraternal Self

7. BEYOND THE FRATERNAL SELF

APPENDIX

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

Related Subjects

African American Studies
Political Science
Violence

42017/42018(MR/JB/FK)

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