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The family of Caleb Wilson, a student who died following an alleged hazing incident, is raising awareness about the issue. They rented billboards in New Orleans to draw attention to Wilson’s death and to hazing. Wilson, a Southern University student, died earlier this year after an alleged, unsanctioned Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc. initiation event for the Lambda Alpha chapter.

“Remember, while you celebrate… remember Caleb…” a billboard unveiled on Poydras Street on Thursday reads. It also includes a checklist with a single marked item: “Funeral and Burial.”

Caleb Wilson’s family is using billboards to raise awareness about hazing

The billboard was unveiled the same week members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity gathered for their annual district meeting.

“These billboards are a public declaration of our grief, our love, and our fight for justice,” the Wilson family said, according to FOX 8. “They speak to what Caleb lost—but also what the world lost. We want every student, parent, educator, and community member to understand the real cost of hazing. This is not tradition—it’s trauma. And we will not allow it to continue to go unchecked.”

A bill against hazing was introduced in Louisiana

State Representative Delisha Boyd has been in contact with the Wilson family since his death. She introduced the Caleb Wilson Act to the House Education Committee, which would require members of student organizations to take a hazing prevention course for a semester.

Boyd is hoping the billboards will raise awareness surrounding hazing and also send a message to members of the fraternity.

“No one from the fraternity has offered any condolences to the family,” she said.

“I hope that this billboard will somehow reach someone that will reach out to that family,” Boyd added. “If nothing else, just to send a note saying, ‘I understand, we’re with you. Let us know what we can do.

Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church for the past 12 years, died Monday at age 88 after a period of significant health challenges. Francis, whose background and social stances made him unique among popes, leaves behind a legacy of attempts to reorient the Catholic Church toward vulnerable populations, both internally and politically.

A history-making and unique pope

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis became pope in 2013 following the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. The BBC reported that his election made Francis the first Latin American pope in history and the first pope in centuries to take office while his predecessor was still alive. Francis was also the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order known for its missionary work and public service; he adopted the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan religious order. According to The Associated Press, as pope, Francis embodied the humility and lack of self-aggrandizement represented by these religious orders; he lived in the Vatican hotel instead of the palatial Apostolic Palace, rode in a small car, and wore simple shoes instead of the traditional red loafers of previous popes.

Progressive social views caused controversy

As pope, Francis set a progressive tone for the Catholic Church, per The Guardian. Francis promoted greater incorporation of LGBTQ+ people, women and divorced Catholics into Church life and sometimes leadership positions. While he didn’t generally change official Church doctrine concerning these issues, his tone and willingness to interpret Catholic teachings in more inclusive ways were very different from his socially conservative predecessors. While not going far enough for some progressives, Francis’ social policies drew anger and opposition from many traditionalists in the Catholic Church, including the generally conservative contingent of United States bishops who sometimes questioned his policies and leadership, according to PBS. Francis’ relationship with the U.S. branch of the Church was not all negative, however. In 2020, he appointed Washington, D.C.’s Archbishop Wilton Gregory as the first Black American cardinal in the Catholic Church.

Francis and U.S. politics

Francis emphasized care for marginalized and vulnerable people, with a particular focus on refugees and the impoverished. His stances brought him into heated political debates around the world. Francis enjoyed a cordial relationship with President Barack Obama, Politico mentioned, with whom he agreed on issues such as addressing climate change and mass incarceration reform. Francis clashed with President Donald Trump during the latter’s first administration. CNN reported that Francis publicly criticized Trump’s pledge to build a border wall between the United States and Mexico.

“Those who build walls will become prisoners of the walls they put up,” the pope said.

Francis had a much closer relationship with President Joe Biden, the second Catholic president in U.S. history; during his final days in office, Biden awarded Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom, NPR reported. Although Francis had been critical of the immigration policies of the current Trump administration, The Associated Press reported that the pope met briefly with Vice President JD Vance, also a Catholic, on Easter Sunday.

With the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world have lost one of its most prominent voices for progressivism and inclusivity. The process will start soon to choose a new pope who may continue the agenda set by Francis or attempt to forge a new path, but for now, world leaders and Catholic faithful across the globe are mourning Francis and acknowledging his legacy.