An Oklahoma fraternity was closed down after a racist video involving some of its members was made public on YouTube. The fraternity in question is the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity from the University of Oklahoma.
It was announced by the group’s national headquarters that, once identified, the members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity will also be suspended after a video of them chanting a racist song was posted online.
After a thorough investigation, it was revealed that the contents of the video posted on YouTube were indeed real. The video shows multiple Sigma Alpha Epsilon members chanting a song containing racial slurs against black people. The song also references lynching and the fact that a black person would never be admitted to the fraternity in Norman.
The national fraternity released a statement in which it apologized by the unacceptable and racist behavior of the people in the video. They continued to say that they are disgusted that any member of the fraternity would act in such a despicable way and they offered their empathy not just to anyone outside the fraternity who is offended, but also to their members who come from a wide ranges of cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds.
Two members of the chapter told a local Oklahoma newspaper that they had received death threats and the fraternity building was vandalized with graffiti on Monday, by the writing Tear it D.
The video was posted on YouTube by an anonymous black student who attends Oklahoma University. They did not reveal how they obtained possession of the video.
David Boren, Oklahoma President tweeted a statement that condemned the video and said that the university was investigating the issue. He added:
I have been informed of the video, which shows students engaging in a racist chant. We are investigating to determine if the video involved OU students. If OU students are involved, this behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed very quickly. If the reports are true, the chapter will no longer remain on campus. This behavior is reprehensible and contrary to all of our values.
The Oklahoma fraternity was closed down on the same day as thousands of people gathered in Selma, Alabama to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when peaceful protesters who were marching for voting rights were viciously beaten by the police.
Oklahoma University has around 30,000 students and around 5% are black.
Image Source: Daily Mail
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