I've Been Thinking A Lot About...

A round-up of important news stories in Black America

left to right clockwise: Southern University student Caleb Wilson, musicians Roy Ayers, Angie Stone and D’Wayne Wiggins, Rep. Al Green

Greetings OIB Readers and Subscribers!

A lot has been happening since my last piece, mainly getting settled into my new residence in New Orleans. My wife and I relocated from Maryland to New Orleans three days before the Super Bowl took place here and in the thick of carnival season. After weeks of unpacking, attending parades and other social gatherings, job searching, and getting reacclimated to life in South Louisiana, I have finally been able to find time to put words to a variety of headlines that have been at the forefront of Black culture for the past few weeks.

I’ve been thinking a lot about several stories as of late. These are but a few:

Caleb Wilson

Caleb Wilson | photo courtesy of Southern University's Human Jukebox

Tragedy struck my alma mater, Southern University, on February 27 when Caleb Wilson, a student and member of the famed Southern University Human Jukebox marching band, died as a result of hazing while pledging to become a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Caleb, and his line brothers were participating in an initiation ritual at an off-campus warehouse that involved pledges receiving punches to the chest by current members of Omega. The assault resulted in Caleb collapsing and having a seizure, and not receiving immediate medical attention.

He was later brought to a Baton Rouge area hospital and left unattended where he succumbed to his injuries.

Caleb’s death made national headlines and reignited discussions around young people who have lost their lives while pledging Greek-letter organizations. The 2017 death of Louisiana State University (LSU) student, Max Gruver, who died as a result of an alcohol-induced hazing ritual, prompted the state of Louisiana to introduce The Max Gruver Act, a law that escalates the act of hazing to a felony if the victim dies or is seriously injured. Three Southern University students have been charged in the death of Caleb Wilson with counts ranging from manslaughter to hazing. The Max Gruver Act will be used to prosecute them.