Blindfolds as Hazing?

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Not to diminish her death in any way, however, what did the blindfold have to do with her death?

If she wasn't blindfolded, maybe she could have avoided flying out the rear window to her death.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by naraht

The use of Blindfolds in this case is specifically as part of the Nationally designated rituals and the caveat about school rules and state laws is written in the ritual.

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

As for hazing, to me it depends on how and when the blindfolds are used. I might have a problem with it other than in rituals, and then assuming they are strictly controlled with no chance of harm.

Yep.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by OTW

If she wasn't blindfolded, maybe she could have avoided flying out the rear window to her death.

I didn't recall this story, so I've been reading up on it. It looks like the lack of seatbelts and the fact that ten women were piled into one car contributed more than the blindfolds. While I don't believe the blindfolds had anything to do with her death, I also don't think there's ever any reason to blindfold people outside of specific ritual as mandated by an organization.

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I didn't recall this story, so I've been reading up on it. It looks like the lack of seatbelts and the fact that ten women were piled into one car contributed more than the blindfolds. While I don't believe the blindfolds had anything to do with her death, I also don't think there's ever any reason to blindfold people outside of specific ritual as mandated by an organization.

Are you kidding me?

While I don't know if not being blindfolded would have saved her life, at least she would have been alert and aware of her surroundings, enabling her to do whatever was necessary to not fly out of that window.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Not to diminish her death in any way, however, what did the blindfold have to do with her death?\

ETA: CLEARLY hazing was involved, but the blindfold seems to be rather minor given that the other women were able to escape from the car.

Originally Posted by Kevin

But your argument is that they were hurt while blindfolded and possibly could have been hurt more because of the blindfolding.

Do you not see that the fact that someone could be hurt doing something doesn't make that thing hazing? It could be dangerous, but not hazing.

But really... having a national rule because of something that happened one or two times ever is just silly.

The above was kind of what i was getting at. RaggedyAnn, I didnt mean to mock the situation (and may the girl RIP) but considering the additional pieces to the story, i think the blindfolding is further down on the list of hazards.

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I didn't recall this story, so I've been reading up on it. It looks like the lack of seatbelts and the fact that ten women were piled into one car contributed more than the blindfolds. While I don't believe the blindfolds had anything to do with her death, I also don't think there's ever any reason to blindfold people outside of specific ritual as mandated by an organization.

Originally Posted by OTW

Are you kidding me?

While I don't know if not being blindfolded would have saved her life, at least she would have been alert and aware of her surroundings, enabling her to do whatever was necessary to not fly out of that window.

Hmm, i'm going with PJ on this one. being blindfolded may or may not have saved her life, but wearing a seatbelt and not being crammed in a car wouldve been more essential. but you dont see Nationals telling chapters to take the bus to rituals versus driving, now do you?

I just think the reaction is a little off. That accident couldve happened blindfolds or not.

[AOII Angel]

Blindfolding in and of itself may not be that dangerous, but unfortunately blindfolding is OFTEN associated with other activities that are. I personally don't see what is wrong with blindfolding for a ritual if the national organization finds that it is not hazing when considering risk management issues. Being blindfolded for a specific, non threatening event may not be a big deal. The blindfolding in the specific case above was just the icing on the cake. I think in that case if you tried to argue that blindfolding wasn't hazing, they would laugh you right to jail.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I personally don't see what is wrong with blindfolding for a ritual if the national organization finds that it is not hazing when considering risk management issues. Being blindfolded for a specific, non threatening event may not be a big deal.

This answers the OP's question.

Blindfolding when performing a nationally sanctioned ritual is one thing. If it's something nationals gave the OK on, you can probably assume that you'll come out of it without a scratch, and that it has a purpose.

Blindfolding for a local big-little ceremony or a candle pass? Probably hazing per HQ (if it's not a sanctioned ceremony) but personally, fine with me.

But blindfolding people just to intimidate them? Blindfolding them and walking them across campus? Or blindfolding and putting them in a car and dropping them off in the forest? Hazing, and do not do.

It's normal to feel freaked out, scared, and that you are being hazed in the third situation. If you feel that way in the first two - i.e. if you are in fear every moment of your pledge period and you don't trust the sisters/brothers at all - then you should probably stop pledging that GLO post haste.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

then you should probably stop pledging that GLO post haste.

... and seek therapy and medication.