Fraternity Closes Chapter After Members Sing Racist Song Pledging No Black Members Ever
Sigma Alpha Epsilon has closed its University of Oklahoma at Norman chapter after a video surfaced showing members singing a racist pledge.
The Facebook page for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the University of Oklahoma at Norman says the group has been “Inspiring men to become True Gentlemen since 1909.”
That inspiration clearly was not on display when members of SAE were filmed on a bus singing a vile and racist song pledging to never admit Black members.
“There will never be a n****r at SAE,” the members chanted.
The video was published to YouTube and Twitter by another campus group, Unheard:
Racism is alive at The University of Oklahoma. @President_Boren pic.twitter.com/eAvnPD8jxA
— Unheard (@OU_Unheard) March 8, 2015
Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s national headquarters responded quickly, issuing a statement late Sunday night that it had closed the chapter, adding, “all of the members have been suspended, and those members who are responsible for the incident may have their membership privileges revoked permanently.”
We apologize for the unacceptable and racist behavior of the individuals in the video, and we are disgusted that any member would act in such a way. Furthermore, we are embarrassed by this video and offer our empathy not only to anyone outside the organization who is offended but also to our brothers who come from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.
SAE’s National President offered this tweet as well:
To @sae1856 members, key to being True Gentlemen is always doing the right thing when no one is watching. Treat all with respect & dignity
— Brad Cohen (@SAE_ESA_brad) March 9, 2015
Today, University of Oklahoma President David Boren released a statement, labeling the members’ acts “disgraceful,” and gave the fraternity until midnight Tuesday to move out of the frat house.Â
“To those who have misused their free speech in such a reprehensible way, I have a message for you,” Boren wrote. “You are disgraceful. You have violated all that we stand for. You should not have the privilege of calling yourselves “Sooners.” Real Sooners are not racist. Real Sooners are not bigots. Real Sooners believe in equal opportunity. Real Sooners treat all people with respect. Real Sooners love each other and take care of each other like family members.”
USA Today reports two of fraternity’s chapter members say they’ve since received death threats.
It looks like the SAE house has been vandalized. One side of the house reads something like “tear it down.” @OUDaily pic.twitter.com/dZebbDQT2Y
— Dana Branham (@danabranham) March 9, 2015
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UPDATE – 03.10.15:
BREAKING: University of Oklahoma president expels 2 students over racist chant caught on video.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 10, 2015
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Image via Facebook
Hat tip: Gawker
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