Many Americans still struggle with racism and this SAE video brings this complicated issue to light.
Phi Beta Sigma President, Denzell Jackson said he is not surprised by the racism displayed by the fraternity.
Oklahoma University’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity is responsible for this leaked video and as a result the chapter will no longer be active on campus.
“OU’s response to expel the students was phenomenal, it was very swift,” said Brent Chapuis, Vice President of Black at LSU.
LSU’s SAE chapter was shut down in 2012 because of a hazing incident. We contacted several members that are still at LSU, but they refused to show their face on camera or make any official comments about SAE’s racist chants. However, fraternity members not part of SAE like Brian Lazo decided to share their opinion.
“I think it was a little too harsh,” said Lazo.”The things they were saying hit everyone differently and whenever I hear that word it makes me upset, but if I was in the position of the Dean I would not expel them.”
But is there racism on LSU’s campus?
“I heard different things about just trying to get into parties,” said Chapuis. “I’ve heard racially charged comments when people were being told not to go into parties and stuff like that, but I personally haven’t experienced anything.”
Overall, many Greek members told me that OU’s SAE chapter is ruining the image of Greek life.
“It’s very shameful for Greek life as a whole, not just IFC, PHC and NPHC its like everybody because we are all together,”said Jackson. “When people think Greek they think about all the fraternities and sororities.”
LSU’s SAE chapter is working to get approval from the Inter Fraternity Council to potentially return to campus for the Fall of 2015.