BRUISES AND BROTHERHOOD written by: Sukito

“A true companionship is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress”, a scripture once told. How is it nowadays? Is “brod” thicker than water?

It’s an unexplainable kind of brotherhood. Viewed with different meanings, awakens deep loyalty, a tradition turning as necessity, a hidden academic requirement, where passing of aching muscles becomes a rule, a sadistic yet satisfying kind of friendship, a painful ladder to success…?

Fraternity, sorority, or whatever way you call it. It is a killer in camouflage. Seducing young dreamers aiming for success, support, belongingness and companionship. A secret act yet a visible image made legal. Trying to blend in normally inside and outside the campus. Aren’t they taking advantage of one’s weakness who’s seeking for what they claiming that they provide? Attracting freshmen and newcomers with famous names of those identities who are in the peak of their careers or those who already established a name in their field. Those they say as their pillars and protectors.

Actually, I don’t get the point of hurting someone down to its grave if you really want to help him/her reach his/her dreams or just simply being a good friend who’s ready to catch a bullet in times of desperate need. We cannot also blame those brotherhoods because folks joining them are really willing to do it knowing that the paddle will be the one to entertain them together with other forms of torture once they get in. Besides, they are not just ordinary youth… but smart ones. Students who excel academically. Brave intelligent people that’s making risky decisions. Some do succeed as they passed the test or should I say the “hazing”. Try to realize that it was not their intelligence that’s being tested but their survival instinct and their endurance to pain. Afterwards… what’s next? What’s the sense of it and what’s its connection of being a true blue companion? Can’t we be a loyal “brod” without black eyes and bruises? Do we have to mourn in the name of friendship?

I have no right to say anything against all those brotherhoods and sisterhoods out there because I’m not into it. I mean no offense to brotherhoods and others of its kind because fraternities wayback long time ago are not that “deadly”. It was the act of “hazing” that I condemn and not the companionship it offers! I also don’t blame the “victims” and the “almost victims” who decided to join in its attractive claws because all of us are entitled to make our own decisions and be responsible enough for it! I respect it because it was what they think that can shape their future into a good one. It was always with the best intention that the worst thing can happen. Symphaty and prayers for a blind justice who doesn’t look who’s big and small is all I can offer.

Anyways, BRUISES and BROTHERHOOD… no connection, nothing in common. Only just, they both starts… with a letter “B”!

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED FOR ALL THE VICTIMS OF FRATERNITY/SORORITY/GANG TORTURE AND HAZING!!!