Oklahoma Black Caucus Responds To OU Fraternity Video

Members of the Oklahoma Black Caucus released a response Monday afternoon to the video showing members of OU's Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity chanting racial slurs. 

3/9/15 Related Story: Fallout Continues After OU Racist Video Made Public

“I am pleased with President Boren's swift action to call for a complete investigation in response to this incident. His immediate decision to order all members to vacate the fraternity house and call for OU to cut all ties from the national SAE organization is to be commended and sends a strong message that such disgraceful behavior will not be tolerated,” said Sen. Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, and chairwoman of the Black Caucus. “As an alumnus from the University of Oklahoma and as the state's only female African American legislator, I am disheartened at the obvious lack of tolerance for diversity within these student fraternities. This is a prime example of how one incident can quickly become systemic and unravel years of hard work by many black and whites who foster diversity and tolerance.”

Rep. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa and vice chair of the Black Caucus echoed similar sentiments.

“I am disgusted and upset such racist beliefs still exist in 2015,” said Rep. Matthews. “I support President Boren's decisive action to immediately remove this group from the campus community. Intolerance has no place in a progressive society, and racism like this video depicts certainly has no place at a state-funded university.”

Rep. George Young, D-Oklahoma City said this video is a sign of an issue much larger than this particular incident.

“We do not need to be talking about intolerance and racism in 2015. We should be long past incidents like this hurtful video made by these young men of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. It's imperative that people truly understand the pain and sorrow such hurtful words and actions can carry with them. It's sad that this video comes on the heels of the 50th anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday' in Selma, Alabama,” he said.

Representative Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma, said he believes the offensive video and subsequent events can serve as a catalyst for change within the student community.

“It's my hope this will spark real and meaningful change on campus,” said Shelton. “There are numerous groups on the OU campus that are constantly working to diversify faculty and staff, and when we don't have an environment that embraces diversity, that effort can easily be overlooked. I commend President Boren for his swift actions, but simply closing the SAE house and expelling the offenders doesn't address the root of the problem. Ensuring tolerance and diversity throughout the campus requires cooperation and commitment from all members of the university community.” 

3/9/2015 Related Story:President Boren: OU Has Zero Tolerance For Racism