SAE chant aftermath an opportunity to reflect, improve

I admit watching the viral video of a racist chant on an OU fraternity party bus was immediately more than I could process. How could this be? Everyone on that bus was a member of the Millennial generation, young Americans considered to be the most tolerant and inclusive in our nation’s history. Those on the bus were privileged and possibly elite young men and women. The situation seemed juxtaposed. But it didn’t take long for those awful slurs to fully pierce my shield as the news of the sad event produced major headlines and became the lead story on network news programs the following Monday evening. The actions of those young Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) members were hurtful to African Americans at the university and beyond and produced an ugly portrait of OU and our state.

And it happened on March 7—50 years after one of the most historically significant events of the civil rights movement—the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the march from Selma to Montgomery.

Fortunately, OU President David Boren responded swiftly and decisively to the actions of the students. The former Oklahoma governor and U.S. Senator made clear his disgust for racism and bigotry in any form, expelled two students, closed the SAE house, initiated an investigation into the fraternity, met with students, appeared on national television and stood tall against racism and its cultivation of a “hostile environment” at OU and everywhere.

There is no defense for those who participated in or supported the singing on that bus. They engaged in hate speech. I suspect, however, the words of the chant will likely turn up in an old, dusty fraternity songbook once firmly rooted in the South. The two leaders have apologized and expressed their remorse. The parents have expressed sincere shock and disappointment over their sons’ poor judgment. College-age kids do immature things, but the scars of this unfortunate behavior are permanent.

We know the aftermath: harm has been done to our African American brothers and sisters and to many others, including once-proud members of the SAE chapter at OU. President Boren expressed his desire for the event to produce “a teaching moment, a learning moment.”

Hopefully, OU will respond by prioritizing diversity and inclusion on the campus and beyond. And let’s hope that in Oklahoma, this terrible event creates a watershed moment.

As much as I love my native land, I’m often disillusioned by the bias and bigotry expressed by too many people—including leaders—in our state. Much of it manifests as speech—subtle racism—that negatively labels or stereotypes groups of citizens. Far too much trickle-down political rhetoric and water-cooler talk denigrates and disrespects citizens who happen to be different than the majority—specifically those of other races, nationalities, religions and sexual orientations. And let’s be honest, most of it generates from white men, people who look like me and those young frat boys, people who were born standing on the third base of life while so many others have had to scratch and claw their way onto the field.  

Simply, we all must act more human, be more accepting and treat others as our earthly brothers and sisters. It requires a constant level of personal responsibility in our communications and teachings, and a steadfast commitment to understanding others before we judge them. After all, we are all human beings seeking the same joys in life. We are different, yet the same. 

Together, we can be better.

Remember to be gentle with each other.
We are all children of chance.
Care for those around you.
Look past your differences.
Their dreams are no less than yours.
Their choices in life, no more easily made.

The words of American author and culturist Kent Nerburn, eloquently quoted by noted Tulsa author and entrepreneur Clifton Taulbert during the downtown Unity March in response to the SAE chant video.