Members of the Rutgers University chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho told their pledges that they didn't condone hazing, but over the course of seven days in January, one pledge says that women of the sorority beat them so severely with paddles, she had to go to the hospital because her buttocks was covered in welts and blood clots, and she couldn't sit.
Six sorority members have been arrested and charged with aggravated hazing for their roles in paddling at least three pledges and restricting their diets over an eight-day period. Police told the Newark Star-Ledger they may identify more victims and more suspects.
Hazing methods, such as paddling and diet restriction, are certainly not uncommon in sororities and fraternities. In recent years, after hazing caused death and serious injury to students across the country, college administrations and fraternity and sorority organizations have taken a hard public stance on the practice and are quick to suspend students and shut down chapters.
Photographer Harrison Funk was with Michael Jackson and his brothers during the Victory Tour. He was in the studio with Michael and Quincy Jones while when they laid down the tracks for 'Bad.' He watched the King of Pop hobnob with the likes of Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela. He was there for it all, and he has the photos to prove it.
As Jackson's personal photographer from 1983 to 1995 (he would work with him off and on for the next12 years), Funk had the great privilege of capturing the legendary performer's meteoric rise with his camera lens. Funk shared some of these photos with Black Voices -- many more can be found in the August issue of the Source -- and offered commentary on each one.
After the jump, check out the photos and listen to exclusive commentary from Funk, who was tapped by the Jackson family to produce the program and on-stage visuals for Jackson's memorial last month. Hear him talk about the day Michael decided to rip open his shirt on the Victory Tour, Michael and Randy's jumping contest during performances of 'Shake Your Body Down to the Ground' and a touching moment between the star and Jesse Jackson.
As a marketing executive involved with the 50 Million Pound Challenge, a national weight-loss initiative, Pam El (VP of Marketing for State Farm) has spent the past few years traveling the country to help Americans who are struggling with obesity. Until a year and a half ago, El was one of the very same people she was trying to help. In fact, during her first year touring the country for the challenge, she gained 20 pounds. Her life changed when she saw herself -- at 5-foot-2 and 217 pounds -- on a promotional video.
"The moment for me was when I saw myself on one of the videos, standing there on the stage telling people to get healthy," she told Black Voices, "and I realized I looked like the poster child for obesity. From that point in my journey, a year and a half ago, I'm down from that 217 to 147."
El joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge in earnest, journaling her exercise and diet habits, getting a workout partner and finding inspiration in the stories of other challengers on the Web site. Fast-forward to today and El, along with 50 Million Pound Challenge founder Dr. Ian Smith, is celebrating a milestone -- more than 1 million people have signed up for the challenge at 50millionpounds.com.
There's an oft-quoted joke from Chris Rock's infamous 1996 comedy show 'Bring the Pain,' in which Rock, after listing to a variety of alleged infractions the murdered Nicole Brown Simpson had committed against O.J. Simpson, says "I'm not saying he should have killed her, but I understand." Hilarious, right? I probably laughed at that once. But it's not funny at all.
Lately, I've seen this quote invoked in comments across the blogosphere in reference to the Chris Brown-Rihanna saga. Apparently, it's not so much a joke as it is a popular and accepted attitude toward violence against women in our community and beyond, particularly when the alleged assailant is a celebrity. Although we've seen the photo of Rihanna's bruised and bloodied face, to be clear, no one knows exactly what happened between Brown and Rihanna in their rented Lamborghini on that February morning, and our laws state that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. We may never find out -- it's been rumored that Rihanna will decline to press charges and that the two are back together. But based on anecdotal evidence gathered from blogs and in conversations with friends and acquaintances, most people readily believe that Brown's fists did indeed cause those ugly marks on Rihanna's face. But many of those people also seem to believe that, if Brown beat Rihanna, she had to have been asking for it in some way.
A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.
Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.
Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.
Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.
MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.
Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age
Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.
Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.
Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.
Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!
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Members of the Rutgers University chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho told their pledges that they didn't condone hazing, but over the course of seven days in January, one pledge says that women of the sorority beat them so severely with paddles, she had to go to the hospital because her buttocks was covered in welts and blood clots, and she couldn't sit.
As a marketing executive involved with the 50 Million Pound Challenge, a national weight-loss initiative, Pam El (VP of Marketing for State Farm) has spent the past few years traveling the country to help Americans who are struggling with obesity. Until a year and a half ago, El was one of the very same people she was trying to help. In fact, during her first year touring the country for the challenge, she gained 20 pounds. Her life changed when she saw herself -- at 5-foot-2 and 217 pounds -- on a promotional video.
