Brazil: Should we abuse incoming students?
In many parts of the world, students undergo different kinds of ‘rites of passage’ when they enter university. Sometimes the rites are fairly innocuous – wearing embarrassing clothing, eating strange food or going without sleep. But often the ‘fun’ (called hazing in North America and Europe, ragging in South Asia) is much more intense, involving consumption of huge quantities of alcohol, racism, sexual abuse, illegal acts and intense humiliation.
Students with ABUB Brazil decided they should take a stand against these rites of passage, known locally as trote. As in other parts of the world, trote has caused severe physical hurt and psychological trauma, and in a few cases, death.
What made these students decide to take action? They were attending a three-week leadership development programme early this year where they studied the book of Acts. The theme of the event was from the first chapter: ‘… and you will be my witnesses.’ When challenged to view Acts as an ongoing book to which they were contributing, students decided… to act!
First, an open letter to the university was written and signed by 56 students. In it they proclaimed themselves as taking a strong stand against trote:
‘As students that witness to Christ in the university, we want to express in this open letter our complaint and disagreement with any kind of violent, demoralizing and prejudiced action guided by the hierarchical values on which the abusive practices of trote are based. We refuse to go along with the oppressive logic that legitimizes an aggressive and humiliating treatment with those who join academic life or those who are already students.
Rites of passage are not the problem, but the way they happen and the meanings they assume in the university context are. The university is a space that should be accepting and welcoming, but instead this ritual promotes oppression, demoralization and violence.’
ABUB Brazil students at Uberaba-MG University hold a welcome picnic, encourage celebratory photos and offer free hugs to first year students.
The letter was circulated among ABUB groups around the country. Students responded by initiating alternatives to trote. One group, with the official support of the university, created a guide for incoming students with information about the university and also ABUB. Some groups also organised a variety of activities – juggling, drama, bands and food.
Several groups sponsored ‘Trote Hug’ – free hugs and a manual about university life. Other groups just tried to be present and available to help, while also talking about their faith and handing out Bibles.
Ana spoke about the fruit of welcoming new students:
‘After meeting the first year students, many came to us asking for information about accommodation. This is a great way to keep in touch. Last year, one student who came to us this way starting going to our meetings and accepted Christ.’
The open letter concluded: ‘We are called to be agents of reconciliation, and to take the power of love and life that is in Christ to university and its practices ruled by “forces of death.”’
Please pray for ABUB students as they seek to be those who welcome new people and promote reconciliation. And as universities in the northern hemisphere begin in this month and the next, please pray for IFES movements to take a stand against injustice, abuse, racism and hatred in whatever for it takes, even if that means taking an unpopular stand against hazing.
Thank you for your prayers.
Written by Penny Vinden for IFES