Tag: SAE

Genuine Apology from OU SAE Parent’s Brady and Susan Pettit

Many of us watched the News, observing a fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon students from Oklahoma University act like they had just left a Klan rally instead of heading to a formal celebration of Founder’s Day. Below is an apology from the parents of one of the students.

“As parents of Levi, we love him and care for him deeply. He made a horrible mistake, and will live with the consequences forever. However, we also know the depth of our son’s character. He is a good boy, but what we saw in those videos is disgusting. While it may be difficult for those who only know Levi from the video to understand, we know his heart, and he is not a racist. We raised him to be loving and inclusive and we all remain surrounded by a diverse, close-knit group of friends.

We were as shocked and saddened by this news as anyone. Of course, we are sad for our son – but more importantly, we apologize to the community he has hurt. We would also like to apologize to the – entire African American community, University of Oklahoma student body and administration. Our family has the responsibility to apologize, and also to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Our words will only go so far – as a family, we commit to following our words with deeds.”

We should remember as Malcom X said  “don’t be in a hurry to condemn because someone doesn’t do what you do or think as you think…There was a time when you didn’t know what you know today.” I say that to say we learn our best lessons from our mistakes.  I can accept a genuine apology, can you L.A.

OU Gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon the Boot!

Saturday, March 7, was Founder’s Day for the University of Oklahoma. And on the way to a formal celebration Sigma Alpha Epsilon partied by chanting “There will never be an n—r in SAE, There will never be a n—r in SAE, you can swing from a tree, but you’ll never sign with me… and so on. They were outed by an African-American association on campus who sent the Daily Oklahoman the video. This was heavily dialogued about in my African American family. One of the frat members is the son of a very , close friend to one of my family members. How does one deal with that. Was it a terrible mistake or are you just upset you were caught and this is truly who you are.

If it is who you are, I’d rather you stick to that. If is not, I know that young people or people period, make mistakes. And thank goodness we have an opportunity to learn and grow from our mistakes. I mean every thing young people do is FACEBOOKED, Instagramed, SnapChatted, Vined, Tweeted and whatever else. And I get that, college is difficult, you’re way from home making decisions for yourself and it is not always easy. You want to fit in. But, I wonder… what this frat, this brotherhood could tell you that would overshadow your upbringing, what your parents taught you, what friends have shown you. I really want to know. Again, I know that everyone makes mistakes and if that is what this was for you, a mistake, this is very difficult lesson, this fire that you are walking through that will hopefully help you be better a person. It will take some time but it will get better.

That being said, I have to commend the swift action on the part of the OU, they “Shut it Down” literally. Kudos to OU’s President David Boren, who stated there is know room for racists and bigots here, and that the OU community is about respecting each other. To Erik Striker and the OU Football team way to stand up. Now, we all know that society is made up of all types of people, and therefore, racists are at all the schools Arizona State University-MLK Black Party, Texas University-Bleach balloons, Alabama Racist Snapchat, the list is too way long. But, know that there are good people out there, the person that turned over the tape to the Black Student Association was probably not African-American. So, even in that fraternity there are probably some good people. Well at least I think so, What do you think, Say Something L.A.