Am I my brother's or sister's keeper?

For thousands who have pledged historically black Greek-letter organizations, the answer is a resounding yes. Black Greeks never become former members, and members who have never met have an instant connection and network that begins with the correct answer to a greeting, handshake or hand sign.

Becoming a member of these organizations has not been a cakewalk. Stories abound of people who spent weeks or months "on line" in an effort to join one of eight Black service organizations operating from college campuses throughout the nation. Pledging was a test of many things, including unity, leadership and problem-solving skills. Academics and community service are hallmarks of all the organizations.

"I can remember an incident where I was going to class late, and a professor who also was a big brother told me he knew my father, he had gone to school with my father, and if I ever came to class late again, he was going to call my father," said Harry Schuler, who pledged Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1976. "They cared enough to keep you remembering your number one reason for being there was to be a student."

Schuler said parts of his four-week pledging process could have been considered hazing by today's standards, but he believes the definition is too broad.

Southeast Missouri State University Dean of the College of Health and Human Services Dr. Paul Keys, who in 1978 pledged the Omega Psi Phi fraternity graduate chapter in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., agreed it's hard to get a handle on the definition of hazing in a realistic context.

"They've gone overboard somewhat on the description," said Keys. "There were lots of mind games, but fear of the unknown could be put in that category of hazing, and who can control what goes through a person's mind?"

"Old head" Greeks like Schuler and Keys remember when pledges were made to dress alike, walk in lines and do other activities to show they had started the process to become a member of a fraternity or sorority. As they did so, they were expected to maintain good grades and internalize the history of the organizations in which they sought membership.

Pledges were told by their big brothers or sisters that the actions of one represented the group, and one mistake resulted in consequences for all. And the pledges believed the big brothers and big sisters because they held the key to entry into the mostly-secret societies.

Somewhere along the way, the "mind games" pledges expected began to become physical, and people started getting hurt. Although opinions vary as to the actual start of physical hazing, several local people said they don't like the resulting bad reputations their organizations have received.

"It's not a reflection on our organizations, it's a reflection on the backgrounds of some of the folks who are in the organizations," said Karla Cooper of Kennett, who pledged Delta Sigma Theta sorority at Southeast Missouri State University in 1989. "The organizations are ultimately suffering because of the stupidity of a few people."

Cooper was on one of the first Delta lines accepted into the organization after a one-year moratorium called by all black Greek organizations in 1988. The moratorium was called after older members realized the pledging process needed to be revamped to empower pledges and stop what seemed to be some bad traditions. The result was a much-shorter membership intake process that restricts many activities in an effort to hinder hazing.

The problem is, the definition of hazing includes many things that can and have helped individuals, said Cooper. Part of becoming a fraternity or sorority member is assuming leadership responsibilities, and a person has to be groomed to accept those responsibilities, she said.

"Nationwide, much of the leadership in the black community are members of black fraternities and sororities, and you wonder did pledging help them overcome a small thing," she said. "As I look back in retrospect over my process, there are things I did and that were done to me that really helped me and shaped me today. Those little mid-teasers we had to figure out, I've really applied some of those concepts to my everyday life."

Cooper said she doesn't consider herself a victim of hazing. She knows the definition well because she monitors Delta chapters in seven states in her role as regional director for the central division.

"We take those allegations very seriously," she said. "There's an investigation, and if there are cases of hazing going on, we will take action against the members."

Zeffelin Wrice, who pledged the Southeast Missouri State University chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in 1989, was one of only three chapter members on campus not charged when Kappa pledge Michael Davis died as a result of hazing in February 1994. Wrice said incidents such as Davis' death cause people to consider his organization and others "collegiate gangs" whose members are all out to hurt other people.

"They forget all the community service events and support to non-Greek students and good things done through these organizations," he said. "The best reason not to be physical and not to take anyone's life is because that's not what these organizations stand for it's not what we're built on."

Even so, Wrice admitted his pledging experience resembled that of a football game. "Sometimes there were hard knocks, sometimes there were not," he said.

Wrice said the experience was equal to his expectations and was a challenge of faith to him. "I wanted to know that I could be taken to hell and brought back."

Wrice's definition of hell likely equals what other black Greeks termed hazing. They said their definitions centered around physically hurting a person by forcing them to do and endure something.

Physically hazing people is bad for everyone involved, but the responsibility must be shared between the control freak causing the harm and the pledge who allows himself or herself to be hazed, they said.

"The applicant is just as responsible for allowing herself to be subjected to any type of hurting or demeaning acts. That empowers them to take control," said Cooper.

Cooper said pledges who blow the whistle on hazing might be considered tattletales or ostracized, but their responsibility is to protect themselves and others. "Their responsibility is to say they're not going to do this."

Felecia DeMyers took that responsibility when she pledged the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Lincoln University in Jefferson City in 1993. Although officially she was part of the intake process, DeMyers said some things she encountered could have been considered hazing under legal standards.

However, she said the physical harm was the leading point in her definition of hazing.

"I don't feel like I was hazed by my definition because I was not going to let them hit me," she said. "I don't see what hitting a girl upside her head has to do with sisterhood."

At one point, DeMyers said she refused to do something she was "ordered" to do, and a member got in her face. She held her ground and was later applauded by other big sisters for thinking independently.

"My line name is "Little Thunder", and I got that name because I went up against the biggest big sister," said DeMyers, who is petite. "They were all hugging me and telling me how proud they were of me, and I was crying because I was so mad."

While DeMyers was congratulated, she and her line sisters still had to face consequences for her actions. "We still got in trouble because the others didn't help me stand up to her," she said.

Black Greeks said more people need to stand up for themselves and think independently in order for physical hazing to stop. Pledging can be a good experience during which people develop lifelong bonds with others, but misplaced traditions can cause irreparable harm, they said.

"I think one of the main things we're missing are the role models to show that wasn't how it was done in the past," Schuler said. "We were a unit, and there were certain expectations on what you were expected to do and how you were expected to behave.

"You don't see that anymore," he said. "Those expectations aren't there anymore like they were, and the philosophy behind what was going on is getting lost. We were and still are our brother's keeper."

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PHYSICAL HAZING

"Hazing builds pledge class unity."

FACT: Unity is created within the pledge class, but the pledges will be unified against the chapter. the end result is a number of unified groups within one disgruntled chapter.

"The pledges want to be hazed."

FACT: If this is true, then why not publicize the chapter's planned hazing activities during rush and see how many pledges arrive?

"I went through it. Now the pledges have to go through it."

FACT: Ask yourself, would you go through it again? It only takes one class to break a tradition. Founders and early members were not hazed. Why treat today's pledges differently?

"If a greek organization eliminates hazing, it will be just another social club. It will be a cakewalk to become a member."

FACT: A truly well-organized, positive and educational program will require more time, dedication and energy than a hzaing program. The resulting difference will be intiates who are better prepared to work for the chapter and who can better serve as leaders.

"The military thinks hazing is good. They do it, so why can't we?"

FACT: The hazing in the military that is allowed is regimented and done by professionals. It is done to prepare soldiers for their disciplined lifestyles. Military personnel are trained for unusual circumstances and to put their life on the line for their country. Greek organizations don't ask that of their members.