University of Oklahoma fraternity closed after racist video leaks
Sunday evening, University of Oklahoma student newspaper The Oklahoma Daily posted a video of Sigma Alpha Epsilon members, dressed in formal attire and riding a bus, chanting about how "there will never be a n—er in SAE," and including an apparent reference to lynching.
The video was uploaded to YouTube on Sunday by Unheard, a black group on campus, who said that even "50 years after the events that occurred in Selma, Alabama, we still have a reason to march," adding that the language in the chant was "offensive, disrespectful, and unacceptable." SAE's national chapter agreed. Here's SAE national president Brad Cohen on Sunday night:
Dealing with the UO chapter meant shutting it down and suspending all its members. After an emergency board meeting, Cohen said in a statement, "we determined with no mental reservation whatsoever that this chapter needed to be closed immediately." If they hadn't, University of Oklahoma probably would have. "If UO students are involved, this behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed very quickly," university President David Boren said in a statement. "If the reports are true the chapter will no longer remain on campus."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
You can watch the video, offensive language and all, here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published