March 9, 2015
Current Events
The 9-second video was uploaded to YouTube by an anonymous user and provided a disgusting inside look at several fraternity members clapping and singing racist lyrics to the tune of “If You’re Happy And You Know It.” The lyrics as heard in the video are:
“There will never be a nig*er in SAE.
There will never be a nig*er in SAE.
You can hang him from a tree,
But he can never sign with me
There will never be a nig*er in SAE.”
“When we learned about this incident, I called an immediate board meeting, and we determined with no mental reservation whatsoever that this chapter needed to be closed immediately,” Sigma Alpha Epsilon national president Brad Cohen said in a statement. “In addition, 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,” he continued. “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.”
Prior to the actions by the national headquarters, University of Oklahoma President David Boren said he was prepared to permanently remove the fraternity from campus.
“This behavior will not be tolerated… This behavior is reprehensible and contrary to all of our values,” Boren said.
This is ignorant and I'm glad the fraternity and school acted fast to kick these jackasses off campus.