SAE Frat Bros Sing Racist Song About When Black People Can Join (Never)
[There was a video here]
Administrators at the University of Oklahoma are investigating a video allegedly depicting a group of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers singing an extremely racist song about when they might invite black people to pledge (the answer is never).
The video was posted on Twitter Sunday evening by a campus group called Unheard and University of Oklahoma president David Boren claimed to be investigating, writing, "If the video is indeed of OU students, this behavior will not be tolerated and is contrary to all of our values."
The fraternity appeared to confirm that its members were featured in the leaked video and promised on Twitter to punish those involved:
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is aware of the video and is both shocked and appalled at what we have seen. (Cont)
— Sigma Alpha Epsilon (@sae1856) March 8, 2015
Those types of behaviors are not consistent with our values whatsoever. (Cont)
— Sigma Alpha Epsilon (@sae1856) March 8, 2015
We are investigating the details and will sanction those who are responsible.
— Sigma Alpha Epsilon (@sae1856) March 8, 2015
Update, 03/09/15, 7:32 a.m.: Sigma Alpha Epsilon has closed its chapter at the University of Oklahoma, suspending all its members. The men featured in the video "may have their membership privileges revoked permanently." From the SAE national headquarter's release:
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.
This type of racist behavior will not be tolerated and is not consistent with the values and morals of our fraternity. We have more than 15,000 collegiate members across the nation, and this incident should not reflect on other brothers because this type of hateful action is not what Sigma Alpha Epsilon stands for. This is absolutely not who we are.
Update, 03/09/15 5:47 p.m.:
A second video of the chant:
