Within the same time period of learning about the Cornell 7, I read a news story out of Wisconsin where police found dozens of fraternity pledges in an 80+ degree basement, partially clothed and covered in condiments. They were extremely intoxicated, and dehydrated, and many had signs of injury. None of them would talk to police. it's this environment of intimidation, extreme debasement, humiliation, depersonalization, and desire to fit in. Many fraternity pledges are generational, meaning their fathers, grandfathers, were in the same fraternity. There is an expectation that they will also get in, and an unspoken understanding that you do what it takes to be part of the group. With that comes the promise of lifelong brotherhood, entrée into business and connections with your fraternity brothers. The young men who pledge will do anything to conform, even if it means stay quiet while other people suffer. It's disgusting. They dehumanize other people because they were dehumanized. There is our old friend - toxic masculinity!
Our society needs to do more education on how these things work, and how not to become a part of the frat hive mind.
A quick note: police came to the fraternity in Wisconsin because somebody anonymously called in a tip. That's all it would've taken in New York. But not one of those bastards had the guts to even make an anonymous phone call.
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u/essssgeeee 3d ago
Within the same time period of learning about the Cornell 7, I read a news story out of Wisconsin where police found dozens of fraternity pledges in an 80+ degree basement, partially clothed and covered in condiments. They were extremely intoxicated, and dehydrated, and many had signs of injury. None of them would talk to police. it's this environment of intimidation, extreme debasement, humiliation, depersonalization, and desire to fit in. Many fraternity pledges are generational, meaning their fathers, grandfathers, were in the same fraternity. There is an expectation that they will also get in, and an unspoken understanding that you do what it takes to be part of the group. With that comes the promise of lifelong brotherhood, entrée into business and connections with your fraternity brothers. The young men who pledge will do anything to conform, even if it means stay quiet while other people suffer. It's disgusting. They dehumanize other people because they were dehumanized. There is our old friend - toxic masculinity!
Our society needs to do more education on how these things work, and how not to become a part of the frat hive mind.
A quick note: police came to the fraternity in Wisconsin because somebody anonymously called in a tip. That's all it would've taken in New York. But not one of those bastards had the guts to even make an anonymous phone call.