Viral Video: Oklahoma Fraternity Shut Down Over Racist Chant

The national office of Sigma Alpha Epsilon shut down a chapter at the University of Oklahoma when a video surfaced that showed members singing a racist chant:

Racism is alive at The University of Oklahoma. @President_Boren pic.twitter.com/eAvnPD8jxA
— Unheard (@OU_Unheard) March 8, 2015

UPDATE:

University of Oklahoma president Boren issued this statement on the scandal:

"To those who have misused their free speech in such a reprehensible way, I have a message for you. You are disgraceful.

"You have violated all that we stand for. You should not have the privilege of calling yourselves 'Sooners.' Real Sooners are not racist. Real Sooners are not bigots. Real Sooners believe in equal opportunity. Real Sooners treat all people with respect. Real Sooners love each other and take care of each other like family members.

"All of us will redouble our efforts to create the strongest sense of family and community," Boren added. "We vow that we will be an example to the entire country of how to deal with this issue. There must be zero tolerance for racism everywhere in our nation."

The members of SAE at OU were given until Tuesday night at midnight to gather their belongings and get out. Boren added that he doesn't plan on helping the displaced residents find housing.

"That's not our responsibility," he said. "We don't provide student services to bigots." He added that he'd offer to pay the student's busfare if it would help them leave the community faster.

The national SAE organization had this to say:

"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," the online statement read. "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."

I'm curious if anyone has identified any particular student in the video, and if so, what they might have to say on the incident. I always have a passing interest in how bigots justify their positions and behavior.