The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity at Oklahoma University has been closed after video of its members participating in a blatantly racist chant surfaced online yesterday. In what has to be an ultimate sign of stupidity, the fraternity members were recorded on a bus chanting the following statement according to ABC News .
“There will never be a n—-r at SAE.”
Unlike ABC , The Daily Mail , as well as other media outlets, included the actual audio of the video which included another line to the chant referencing lynching of blacks. Response to the video has been both swift and united.
Brad Cohen, president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon national organization, sent out the following tweet upon learning of the video.
True to his word, SAE’s national organization immediately closed the OU chapter and suspended all fraternity members, according to a media statement released by the organization. Cohen also praised the national board for its quick and decisive
The most negative reaction on campus was the defacing of the north wall of the SAE house with the words “Tear it D” by an unknown individual according to the Norman Transcript . University police were also on hand to provide protection as the fraternity members moved out of the house which also generated some more ironic responses on social media.
Social media reaction has run the gambit as everyone has sounded off on the video concerning OU’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Uproxx posted the following tweet highlighting the OU football team’s response to the video which can be read here .
However, not all of the football players were quite as diplomatic, as shown by the following tweet describing Oklahoma linebacker Eric Striker’s Snapchat response, which is definitely NSFW .
According to The USA Today , Oklahoma University president David Boren acknowledged that he was aware of the SAE video and that the school would investigate to validate that it did involve OU students. With the decisive action by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon national organization, that investigation should be nothing more than a formality to ensure due process. Boren also promises quick and definitive action if the video does involve OU students.
“If the reports are true, the chapter will no longer remain on campus.”
Brad Cohen, on the other hand, is calling for the SAE students to be expelled.
What do you think? Should the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity be disbanded at OU only? Or should the students be expelled as well?
[Image Source: The Daily Mail]
