My heart has been heavy ever since I received the devastating news of Caleb Wilson’s death.
Wilson was a 20-year-old Southern University student pursuing a degree in Engineering and a talented member of the renowned Human Jukebox marching band. Like many of us, he was also simply a young man trying to find his place, seeking connection and brotherhood on his college campus.
In pursuit of those connections, Wilson entered the process of joining Omega Psi Phi, one of the Divine Nine historically Black fraternities. Sadly, instead of gaining a brotherhood, he fell victim to the dark underbelly of hazing, a toxic tradition that has claimed too many lives.
Despite Louisiana’s strict anti-hazing laws and mandatory hazing prevention courses on university campuses, hazing continues to happen in secret and for Wilson, that secrecy cost him his life.
According to police reports, Wilson and other pledges were brought to an isolated warehouse and subjected to abuse. Wilson was punched in the chest at least four times before collapsing, seizing and ultimately dying.
The gruesome nature of this incident is heartbreaking, but what’s even more painful is knowing that those involved allegedly attempted to cover up what happened as if his life didn’t matter. However, the truth always comes to light.
Hazing has been a plague in organizations for centuries, often swept under the rug by members who seek to protect the reputation of their group rather than protect human life. Wilson’s death forces us all to confront the evil that lurks behind closed doors — the violence, humiliation and degradation that too often accompanies these so-called rites of passage.
This case painfully reminds me of the movie “Burning Sands,” which follows a young black man in college who endures horrific abuse while pledging a fraternity — from eating dog food to being punched in the ribs to being stripped and paddled.
I remember when that film first came out, the backlash was loud, especially from those who felt the movie “misrepresented” black Greek life. But what many refused to acknowledge is that “Burning Sands” was inspired by real stories and testimonies from people who lived through those horrors.
And now, looking at Wilson’s story, it’s undeniable that there is a darker side to this world that so many people idolize.
Let me be clear — I am not saying that every fraternity or sorority is abusive. I know many Greek organizations do positive work for their communities and uplift their members. But what I am saying is that hazing is a very real issue, and it’s one we don’t talk about nearly enough. And when another life is lost because of it, I can’t help but grapple with my faith in humanity.
What’s been especially disturbing to me are some of the reactions I’ve seen to Wilson’s murder. Imagine hearing that a young man was killed during a fraternity ritual, and instead of mourning that life, some people’s first instinct is to defend the fraternity. Where is the empathy? Where is the accountability?
Sometimes, I wonder if we’ve all lost our sense of compassion. I have my own theory about these reactions, but I’ll just say this: Take the mind, and you control the body, but in this case, the heart as well. There is no need for an explanation; just observe and analyze the reactions I speak of, and you will see this truth play out.
This piece is not meant to deter anyone from joining a fraternity or sorority. I know that many people seek connection, family and community, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, you have to find love, peace and belonging within yourself first, so you don’t end up searching for it in spaces that won’t return that love.
Joining an organization should never require abuse or cost you your life. That’s not brotherhood; that’s violence. If the goal were really “brotherhood,” then Wilson would still be here.
To Wilson’s family, friends, and all who loved him, I am sending you love, light and strength. May Wilson rest in peace, and may those responsible, including bystanders, never find peace until justice is served.
Amyri Jones is a 23-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge, La.