Hazing- PBS Independent Lens
 

Offical trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyHI2WgDGp8

2nd teaser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LWhVtbI-z4

https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/...es/hazingfilm/

FEATURE | United States | 103 MINUTES | English |
HAZING
Drama, Sports

Weaving his own personal experience with hazing into larger narratives, director Byron Hurt posits the function, politics, and consequences of pledging rituals in the documentary Hazing. Hurt begins his focus on BGLOs (Black Greek Letter Organizations), but expands his scope as he navigates what necessitates these membership practices. Through a series of intimate interviews with victims' families, survivors, and his fellow fraternity brothers, Hurt and his subjects go past the provocative headlines into the dangerous and careless realities of hazing.

At times heartbreaking, Hurt is uniquely empathetic to those who fall victim to group-think, and extends this grace to the viewer. This project examines the intricacies of those who chose to engage in pledging culture, by engaging in a discussion of both the joys and perils of affiliations with exclusive groups. Taking a stark look at the psychological, societal, and historical components of hazing, Hurt sparks a captivating conversation around the anxieties and expectations of belonging—and what will be sacrificed to achieve it.--Shakira Refos

This looks interesting especially since its really looking at hazing broadly across different orgs, now I just need to figure out if it will air online or on my local PBS station. I will add this to my list of things to watch. I just enjoy documentaries in general.

This is going to be extremely interesting and I'm looking forward to watching it.

PBS is pretty good with putting their shows online for free. I anticipate this one will be available after it airs.

OT but If you enjoy documentaries, PBS Frontline is an amazing way to spend a day bingeing on non garbage TV.

The best part is they put most of Frontline on Youtube for free!

OT: frontline is the best! I’m just disappointed that over the past few years, the episodes have just focused on regurgitating the news. Or maybe I’m just at the point in my life where I cannot fathom watching a documentary on COVID or the election.

I hope he reported on hazing in other orgs(band, football, lacrosse, etc)., in addition to Greeks.

Yeah! Remember the Florida A&M band and the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets?

I've seen the promo on Instagram. I will check it out.

HA! That doesn't fit the narrative that's being pushed.

In the trailer they are going to go over hazing in the military, marching bands, and sports groups.

Going to search for “Hazing” and DVR it.

Really good documentary and I recommend everyone give it a watch.

I won't spoil but let's say the end really broke my heart.

I made it ten minutes into it and wanted to cry. Truly heart wrenching.

The player is being weird on my phone…any little thing I do makes it completely start over. I just gave up after a while but I’m going to try to watch the whole thing tomorrow.

I recorded the program on DVR last night and just finished watching. I think the documentary did a great job of being transparent, balanced and objective. The director didn't focus only on GLOs. One of the main story lines was the Florida A&M Band hazing death. The director also focused heavily on his own fraternity and his own participation in hazing others. He was truthful and sincere in his efforts.

The part of the film that got me was the adult son of Kristin High bursting into sobs of grief while his aunt was giving a speech about his mom. :(

Do watch the film if you have a chance.

To say that I am heartbroken is an understatement.

I remember the night it happened. I'm in San Francisco. I got word the same night it happened via the greek grapevine. :(

I never knew one of those girls who died in the ocean had a child. How absolutely horrific. I also choked up when he was crying at the ceremony.

I hope this wakes people up! This show isn’t even about the “gray areas” of hazing- this is straight up stuff that can kill or seriously injure people. It has no place in any law abiding, values promoting organization.

I haven't watched it yet, but for anyone like me who only uses the internet and streaming services, you can catch it here: https://www.pbs.org/video/hazing-uiisvk/

Thoughful programs such as this one make me glad I subscribe to public television. :D

Seriously, how hard is it to not do something that will cause legal problems or harm someone?

Thanks for posting this. I hope to check it out sometime this week.

Bumping cause I just saw this again.

FYI they do mention non Greek hazing, specifically the marching band death at that school in Florida. That was tough to watch, but I’m glad they included it. People always ask why people don’t just walk away when it’s Greek life, but what about a case like that, or athletics, where your main purpose in college and/or funding is tied up in that membership?

He focused pretty heavily on the NPHC process, which, according to Byron Hurt was less about binge drinking and more about activities that defined one’s role as a young man entering manhood. I’ve heard this brought up on GC before- that often men are seeking a “process” more so than women- kind of a baptism by fire. It was interesting to hear the men speak on their process and what it means to become a man and how you’d accomplish that without hazing.

Probably what hit home to me was when he said that if people had to be really honest, they’d have to face the fact that they did a lot of that stuff for nothing- that it didn’t really matter in the end. That’s a tough pill to swallow in life, but I can definitely relate. Some of the hardest things I’ve fought for in the military and professionally, years later, looking back, I’ve felt that same way…even though I would have literally given anything for it in that moment.

It’s probably the most gut level honest thing I’ve ever watched on hazing. It’s really, truly well done.

FYI it’s free right now on the PBS app.

:( Byron Hurt is speaking not too far from me this weekend but I don’t feel well enough to go