FAMU aftermath: DeKalb suspends all high school marching band activities
I have been talking to experts on hazing in the wake of the FAMU scandal, and one shared conclusion is that college hazing rituals have spread to high schools.
DeKalb County Schools apparently is concerned about that possibility, announcing today that the district is suspending all marching band activities pending an investigation of “possible inappropriate activities” among band members, alumni advisers, band directors and others.
Hazing has dominated the headlines because of the death last month of FAMU drum major Robert Champion. Metro Atlanta sends a lot of students to FAMU, so the death has been felt here, no where more acutely than Southwest DeKalb High school from which Champion graduated.
System spokesman Walter Woods said officials started asking questions at Southwest DeKalb High School because of connections to alleged hazing incidents at FAMU. Robert Champion, the FAMU band member who died, and another member, Bria Shante Hunter, who was injured, graduated from Southwest DeKalb. Two of three FAMU band members charged with injuring Hunter also hailed from the high school.
The system investigation unearthed some troubling finds, Woods said. He was not willing to disclose their nature yet.
Marching band activities countywide, except in special cases such as an upcoming Martin Luther King Day parade performance, will be suspended.
“Our concern is that student safety needs to be assured,” Woods said. “And we have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or any other inappropriate behavior.”
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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216 comments Add your comment
mem
December 14th, 2011
5:32 pm
For may of these students, a band scholarship to FAMU, Southerm, etc is a very big deal. When the marching band no longer defines or helps fund the institution, then things might change.
Papa J
December 14th, 2011
5:33 pm
Again, I raise the question: Why has no one else expressed concern about or commented on the type of people who could do this to others? Am I missing something here? Is it some sort of “sacred cow” to question what it is that has given rise to a culture that has seemingly embraced the physical beating of others? Why? To quote Robert Burns: “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.”
Understanding Atlanta
December 14th, 2011
5:42 pm
I’m interested in what steps univeristies could take to rid themselves of hazing in all organizations. With a culture of silence and many incidents taking place off-campus how can administrators keep track of what going? Football coaches have a difficult enough time keeping up with a team of players, many of which are totally dependent on football, and keeping them out of trouble – and they have a dedicated staff. Talk about 4 – 5 directors doing the same for 300 – 400 people. I’m interested in tangible solutions.
Dekalbbandparent
December 14th, 2011
5:43 pm
@Roll Tide…just wondering what qualifies you to critique the band program at MLK or any other school. MLK has a established a great band program since the school
opened. Jealous much?
I do think the suspension of all band programs in Dekalb is an over reaction. Do an investigation if it is necessary, root out the wrong doers but leave the bands alone.
mem
December 14th, 2011
5:48 pm
@PapaJ, I think the question should also be, what is so missing in these children’s lives that they want to beat on someone else for no good reason? Maybe lack of self-worth for many. In this instance, SWD is the high school version of FAMU (with Stephenson & MLK close behind) and the kids want to be them. FAMU and SWD are like celebrities and being in the band a major achievement for these kids, that also translates to the sub-groups who are big men/women on campus with their special jackets, etc. You can only understand the attraction if you’ve been around the HBCU style bands and seen the reaction. Not excusing, but just explaining how easily it can happen. Most of these kids spend more time with the marching band that in class and parents aren’t involved enough.
mem
December 14th, 2011
5:53 pm
@UnderstandingAtlanta, part of the problem is that the band directors from the top down also come out of the culture. You need to change the mindset and expel people when these incidents happen. If FAMU had a policy of expulsion, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Since many kids in the band get scholarships, mommy/daddy won’t be happy if you come home and they now need to find the money.
Lee
December 14th, 2011
6:14 pm
“The system investigation unearthed some troubling finds, Woods said. He was not willing to disclose their nature yet.”
Keywords: UNEARTHED TROUBLING FINDS
What would you have them do? Ignore the findings until the investigation is complete and hope somebody doesn’t die in the meantime? Or do you take steps to protect the innocents?
another comment
December 14th, 2011
6:28 pm
Southwest Dekalb Players play dirty in several sports as well. Two years ago our best friends son was delibertly elbowed in the left temple when he was defenseless comming down from taking a goal shot in a soccer game against them. Marist was winning something like 9-2. The kid and SW Dekalb was pissed that Marist was ahead. So this kid just violently assaulted our friends son. He suffered a fractured skull. He was lucky to live. His mother rushed him to Piedmont, where they took him into the ICU, he ended up having to have a plate put into his skull. Now he can never play any contact sports again.
Marist was taping this game. The Father pointed out to the Marist Coach how this was no accident. But when the Marist Coach went to talk to the SW Dekalb coach he met resistance.
Their is alot of Dirty violent behavior at SW Dekalb. All sanctioned by the coaches, etc.. We almost lost a dear one because of these thugs. I would hold my child out of a game against them.
Sera Thomas
December 14th, 2011
6:45 pm
I am in marching band, and I go to Lakeside High in DeKalb county. I have never heard of any hazing situations in our band, never was subjected to any, and have never heard of anyone in the band being subjected to hazing. Marching Band has really made high school a different place. It is the single, best part of my High school experience thus far. We are a very close community, and not every school in DeKalb county deserves to have their program smeared, much less suspended. Hopefully, this will be solved and passed over. What happened in FAMU was very unusual, and it is just an unfortunate coincidence that those students involved were members of our school system. Our school does not deserve to go under such extremes as to almost accuse us of something that we haven’t even in the slightest partipated in.
@ pmuckle
December 14th, 2011
6:49 pm
Get rid of the new super?? Are you an employee of Dekalb. She may not have been all over the news bragging and boasting about what she has been doing, but she has made some changes & improvements. I can respect a superintendent that is willing to meet with teachers on EVERY grade level ACROSS the COUNTY and listen to their concerns. I do agree with the Cunningham comment though. He def needs to go!!
hmmmmmmm......
December 14th, 2011
6:56 pm
@another comment,
You’re judging an entire school based on 2 people. One being a child & the other being an adult. So because of these 2 people (im a school of about 1500) everyone at SWD is a thug?!? Is that really your perception?
Mama Thirst
December 14th, 2011
6:57 pm
@HS Public Teacher>>>It is this type of thinking that causes some children to be cast out. Not all children are programed to love reading, writing and math. Some children are gifted in other areas and school is suppose to be an area of development. I do not believe in hazing at all, but this needs to be linked to education. There are some cultures that have “rights of passage” for certain age groups to show they have reached a level of maturity to be classified as a young man or woman. This was the institution of what is now known as “hazing”, taking an oath, battling on an instrument with the best person on the line to see how you measure up, these were once used when people joined an organization, but because we have allowed integrity to be made obsolete, you don’t see a healthy system of joining an organization. Hazing is a form or bullying, and bullies need to be dealt with. But don’t take away, for the young people who truly have a love and gift for an instrument, simply on the basis of “what might be”.
What was found that prompted and entire halt of a program for an entire County? We as parents of these students deserve an explanation as well as the students themselves.
just a thought
December 14th, 2011
7:15 pm
I commend Dekalb Co. for taking a stand now. The first priority of any school system is to provide a first rate education. Anything else is fluff…sports, band, etc. With so many connections between the band members involved at FAMU and the Dekalb Co Highschools, the County should take a serious look to ensure the culture at FAMU has not manifested to the highschools it feeds from. It’s our jobs as ADULTS to do things sometimes that our youth will not always understand. For a change, let’s support the school system in their decision.
catlady
December 14th, 2011
7:17 pm
I had 3 kids in band, and I understand that it is a wonderful activity. At least, until it gets hijacked by thugs!
I don’t understand how we can be raising young folks who don’t have more pride in themselves, more self-confidence, to REFUSE to be a part of such rediculous ways of behaving! You want to show you are tough? REFUSE to be treated in such a way!
There are things you want terribly badly, but if they require giving yourself away, at what point will you say, “H3ll, no!”? THESE are the best and brightest? Really? How sad!
If there is evidence that any program in Dekalb or elsewhere has been a part of this, close THEM, but leave the respectable programs alone! You should not be killing the rats with a nuclear bomb.
And why was the band director at FAMU reinstated? If the band is suspended, there is no need for a director. Now, if he is a tenured music professor, you need to parse out how much his culpability affects his professorial duties. I would think it would totally negate his ability to profess and lead with integrity.
Anonmom
December 14th, 2011
7:22 pm
I give Dr. Atkinson an A for taking action to start looking into a connection between what’s happened at FAMU and any possible ties at SWD. I think the temporary across the board suspension, although harsh, may be a necessary way to start addressing an issue that has been brewing for a while with DCSS’ director of music being heavily involved with SWD, productions with Drumline, maybe with the incident last year (or 2) with the SWD chorus teacher being removed, and doing other things that might not be on the “Up and Up.” DCSS has lots and lots of problems and to have someone finally starting to look into them is absolutely amazing…. go and get things straight for the kids! If you think things are “terrific” in band, really watch the culture of the kids revealed in the Marta bus video and see it at work….. I really think its a cultural thing although I wonder what a 26 year old was doing in a college band (was he a grad student?).
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2011
7:27 pm
The bands were suspended because a student who graduated in 06 from SWD and currently attended FAMU was killed. But the thing is…NONE OF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS! He was like 26 years old and he graduated in like 2006. Dekalb bands are being unfairly punished, they literally didnt do anything wrong.
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2011
7:31 pm
BOTH students involved were in COLLEGE! They got hurt trying to cross band sorritoies nd paternities FOR COLLEGE! It has nothing to do with DeKalb bands. They only correlation between the two is that they graduated from SWD. ALL of the hazing they encountered happpened in COLLEGE. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DEKALB.
bootney farnsworth
December 14th, 2011
7:31 pm
what a profoundly stupid over reaction. but what else can one expect from DCPS?
if you have rogue elements in a school, remove THEM. you don’t nuke the entire school without a long established record of abuse.
course you also have to toss out the enablers (ie, parents, boosters, ect) who allow this crap to go on.
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2011
7:33 pm
And another thing, BOTH students put themselves into a position to be hurt. They both CHOSE to go to the place so they could feel like they belonged. They both made poor decisions and as adults we all suffer for our bad judgements. FAMU is right to suspend the band.. BUT DEKALB?? Come on man. You are punishing high school kids who didnt have ANYTHING to do with ANYTHING going in Famu. Your punishing kids for the mistakes of adults……ADULTS IN ANOTHER STATE
bootney farnsworth
December 14th, 2011
7:33 pm
@ public HS teacher.
if you are, then you should know that band kids are responsible for their entire costs. only thing the school pays are the teacher’s salaries.
bootney farnsworth
December 14th, 2011
7:36 pm
I’m really curious why his age is such a big issue to so many here.
Is he any less a crime because he was older?
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2011
7:46 pm
@bootnet farnsworth. They are probally mentioning his age because he is to old to be affiliated with what high school bands are doing. What does FAMU problems have to do with Dekalb county
Dekalbite@former MLK Band Mom
December 14th, 2011
7:52 pm
” You must a teacher of one of the ‘Core’ subjects and are afraid of losing your job; your comment is just crazy!”
So true. Those “Content Area” teachers. Someone who teaches reading, writing, math, science or social studies – only the skills that our children are sent to school to learn – the skills that EVERY child will need to be successful in life.
Content area teachers are the single most important employees in the educational system. Without them, we might as discontinue our educational system. If your child can read, write, compute, understand the scientific principals that govern the world they live in, and can participate in the democratic process, then thank a “Content Area” teacher.
im in band
December 14th, 2011
8:04 pm
im a highschool student in a marching band, and nothing has ever happened. im also on xc and swimming and i have a friend in cheerleading, and we have never heard anything about hazing, nor have we meet any victims. just becuase some people are stupid dosent mean we all have to be punished. this isnt fair.
yes i am worried
December 14th, 2011
8:08 pm
Maureen
Will the students get to practice for the MLK parade? Are band classes cancelled or just marching band practices? If they do get to practice for MLK parade, who will make sure the students are safe, if they are really concerned?
@Principal Skinner
December 14th, 2011
8:10 pm
It says this was made by the SW DeKalb Drum Majors? Where we’re their mothers when they made this video? Didn’t anyone teach them to respect women?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQTuYo6HmiQ
William Casey
December 14th, 2011
8:21 pm
When in doubt, panic! School systems are sooooooo good at this! CYA!
Dekalbite
December 14th, 2011
8:25 pm
From DeKalb County School Watch:
Here’s the e-mail band directors received today:
==========================
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
==========================
To: High School Principals & High School Band Directors
From: Ms. Kendra March, Deputy Superintendent, School Leadership and Operational Support
Through: Dr. Cheryl L. H. Atkinson, Superintendent
Subject: Marching Band
Date: December 7, 2011
Please read the important information below from Ms. March and forward this information on to your Band Directors.
Effective immediately! ALL Marching Band activities must cease and desist, pending further investigation regarding possible inappropriate activity involving Band Directors, Advisors, Volunteers and Band students.
If there is an after school band performance or practice scheduled within the next 30 days, you must receive approval from Ms. Kendra March, Deputy Superintendent in order to proceed. This does not apply to Band classes during the instructional day.
There will be a mandatory meeting for ALL High School Band Directors and High School Principals following the winter break. The date and time with be forthcoming.
Kendra D. March
Deputy Superintendent, School Leadership and Operational Support
Doesn’t sound like all practices are stopped. Sounds like the bands need approval for practices until the county develops some rules that must be followed. This sounds logical to me. They must have gotten some very distressing information that made them say they need to institute some rules and regulations governing the bands in DeKalb. Dr. Atkinson is doing the right thing. I lived for band (first chair flute and a majorette) when I was in school, but this has nothing to do with music and everything to do with power and extreme bullying. Dr. Atkinson is right to develop policies against this.
Another Band Member
December 14th, 2011
8:35 pm
I really dislike this. Especially the fact that the 3rd person arrested was an Alumni of my school but he was the person trying to stop the girl from being beaten! Not every school in Dekalb County hazes. I can understand why they would be inclined to investigate one or two schools but not every Marching Band program in the county.
that's muffican jam
December 14th, 2011
8:40 pm
hazing happens at all levels and in different extra curricular activities i.e football, baseball etc. and Dekalb County is being proactive before they get a knock on the door from a rep from Montlick and Assoc. not mad at them about that, it’s the world we live in. God forbid something would happen to a band student and the county knew about it and did nothing about it. haven’t you all been keeping up with PennState and all the hell they are catching and will continue to catch for years to come? no question some of the best bands in high school are in dekalb county and many of their directors hail from HBCUs were there is a culture of hazing abdn members. the school board is making sure none of the “traditions” are handed down before someone gets hurt. so if you want to place blame, find a lawyer and slap ‘em. LOL
fultonschoolsparent
December 14th, 2011
8:43 pm
It’s the end of the marching band season for the most part. Any bands performances that I’m seeing are for holiday concerts, not marching? That said, it’s still an over reaction.
Mr. Groovy
December 14th, 2011
8:57 pm
Ridiculous. Champion was 26 years old and one of 6 drum majors for next year? Surely he knew what he was getting into. And to shut down all DeKalb County HS bands? Even schools like Dunwoody and Chamblee? Really?
crystal
December 14th, 2011
8:58 pm
Hazing happens in all kinds of youth programs, including churches. Many people don’t understand what it is. If someone has something physically done to them without their permission or is required to do something humiliating, and is expected to laugh or joke about it afterwards, that is hazing. Often, adults encourage this kind of behavior by treating it like it’s a big joke or with a “kids will be kids” attitude. The worst part is, that the parents often do not report what happened to their kids because they want to fit in as well and not be confrontational. It’s really much better to seek out youth programs where you and your child will be respected and expected to respect others, and to not worry about the need to belong.
that's muffican jam
December 14th, 2011
9:08 pm
@fultonschoolparent…better to over react than not at all.
@Mr. Groovy, if they are in the Dekalb system then the rule applies to them.
People, what do you think Penn State’s exposure will be from their situation? Millions will be paid out plus figure in the millions that will be lost due to the football program not bringing in the much needed revenue. Several recruits have already de-committed. Dekalb’s exposure would be the same as FAMU/or Penn State’s. Dekalb County school system does not have the luxury of saying “it can’t happen here.”
Public HS Teacher
December 14th, 2011
9:18 pm
@MLK Band Mom – LOL! I guess that is why MLK is a top academic school? LOL!
By the way, maybe you should try attending a “core” subject English class. It should be “too” and not “to.”
Old Physics Teacher
December 14th, 2011
10:26 pm
@MLK Band Mom and Others,
Do not confuse correlation with causation. Just because SOME brilliant people play music does not mean that playing music causes kids to be brilliant any more than playing football makes kids large and very very fast and always say , “uh… you know” in every sentence. Now if you want to say, “Playing music makes kids well rounded,” then that’s another story. But get off the kick that playing in a marching band improves learning, because well… that’s just wrong. Good students make good grades irrespective of playing football, baseball,or being in any extra-curricular activity.
that's muffican jam
December 14th, 2011
10:31 pm
Public HS Teacher…might I remind you that Ga. is almost last in the country when it comes to education. So what role did you play in making that great achievement possible!!
that's muffican jam
December 14th, 2011
10:37 pm
old physics teacher…you should know first hand there have been many studies showing a correlation between music students and their ability to excel in math. just google if you don’t recall. It can be argued also that colleges like to enroll students that are well rounded in many different areas and not just academics. c’mon you’re not that old…
stay on topic people, this was about hazing and the Dekalb County school taking measures to stem any lawsuits that would surely come their way should a band student become injured either on or off campus.
Dr. John Trotter
December 14th, 2011
10:43 pm
Total overreach and a PR ploy, me thinks.
Bobby
December 14th, 2011
10:44 pm
Fun fact: I probably would have dropped out of HS if it were not for being in the Marching Band. Today, I have a college degree in Computer Science and have been working in the field I love for 12 years.
So, killing all “non-core” activities in school would have actually done the opposite in my case in terms of “teaching the subjects our kids need to succeed in life.” The only reason I stuck around to learn the “core” subjects was because of looking forward to being in band.
It made me a more well-rounded person in my HS years, and the college band experience actually made me a better person socially. I would be a totally different person, and most likely worse off, if Public HS Teacher got her wish around the time I was in HS.
English Teacher
December 14th, 2011
10:49 pm
@ Old Physics Teacher: “Irrespective” is not a word. Duh.
Dr. John Trotter
December 14th, 2011
10:50 pm
I wonder if the superintendent would have suspended all football activities in DeKalb had some players from DeKalb signed with Alabama and got into some very bad trouble later while playing football for Bama. Hmm. Now I love college football and also a good marching band. SWD and other DeKalb high schools have great marching bands. I think that this action was reaction and does not serve the children well.
Dr. John Trotter
December 14th, 2011
10:54 pm
I think that the new superintendent may have stepped in big do do on this one. Band parents are more supportive of their children’s program than football parents. My prediction? This edict will be reversed very soon.
Dekalb taxpayer
December 14th, 2011
10:57 pm
Hw did these SWD students get away with using the DCSS band uniforms in this disgusting video? What does this say about Southwest DeKalb and what does it say about DCSS? What disrespect for women. Look at the video and you’ll see why DCSS needs some rules and regulations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQTuYo6HmiQ
Kelvin Wright
December 14th, 2011
11:03 pm
Former MLK band mom……I agree with you wholeheartedly. Kids that study the arts do tend to do better in school and that’s considering all levels too. I think that instead if punishing the entire group that they should get the police involved and let the kids know that it is illegal to haze/threaten anyone.
Dekalbite
December 14th, 2011
11:09 pm
I remember the band director used to come around the elementary school and find out who the gifted students were. I once asked him why and he said they make the best band members so he actively recruited them. So perhaps it’s the other way around. Gifted students make good musicians rather than music making you gifted.
Jason Holt
December 14th, 2011
11:09 pm
This is crazy I graduated from M.L.King and I was head drum major. There is no reason to suspend high-school band because of hazing in college. They are two different worlds.
Circa1978
December 14th, 2011
11:09 pm
It is well known that many of the top band directors/administrators are products of FAMU and similar band programs. Maybe the County has a question about whether those leaders are letting hazing activities go on in their high school programs. The news is reporting that the County is investigating possible hazing incidents that occured over the summer. While it may seem heavy-handed, I would prefer for DCSS to take this action now instead of reacting after a child is injured.
I think that it’s sad that these kids are willing to subject themselves to physical violence in order to belong. I thought pledging was supposed to involve running errands, learning/reciting history, being blindfolded, etc. What does being beaten have to do with brotherhood or sisterhood?! Why don’t these children have a greater self-worth?
I was in the DCSS when Dr. Freeman was Superintendent and I just don’t remember it being as violent or materialistic/ghetto-fabulous. Failing AYP (or whatever the metric was back then) was unheard of. Maybe I was sheltered.
P.S. I don’t know why some people think Mr. Champion’s age is relevant, but it is my understanding that he took semesters off to work and earn money to help pay for school.
that's muffican jam
December 14th, 2011
11:13 pm
Kelvin…that sounds as crazy as Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign. Sorry for the old school reference I’m sure you’re too old to remember her. Anyway, I say shut the bands down until they all have a full understanding of the seriousness of the issue. Most of the good bands in Dekalb are led by former HBCU band members where some form of hazing was and is part of the band culture. Nip this in the bud. Is it fair that all suffer because of the potential actions of a few–no. But, that’s life. Grow up and get over it.
Top School
December 14th, 2011
11:24 pm
hazing??? isn’t that the Atlanta Way? Buckhead vs Midtown? Phipps vs. Lenox? Red bottom vs. Pay less? Atlanta zip-codes? ipad? phone? #twitter followers? #facebook fans?
Most parents subconsciously modeled hazing to their children. What do they expect? The bully / hazing starts at home. It’s called honesty, integrity, ethics and concern for others. The lack of it in our current society is reflecting the results in our children.
What do you …the parents… expect?
The mirror does not lie.