An engineering fraternity at Syracuse University has been suspended after a racist initiation video surfaced online.
The video was deemed extremely racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities, by the schools chancellor.
The Daily Orange, Syracuses student-run newspaper, reported that Chancellor Kent Syverud announced the suspension of SUs chapter of Theta Tau via email.
“Earlier today, the University learned of extremely troubling and disturbing conduct at one of our professional fraternity chapters, Theta Tau,” the email said per Refinery29. “Videos showing this offensive behavior have surfaced online. They include words and behaviors that are extremely racist, anti-semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities. I am appalled and shaken by this and deeply concerned for all members of our community.
The video itself shows members performing racist, sexist and degrading skits. (WARNING: NSFW)
SU suspends Theta Tau fraternity after video of ‘extremely racist’ behavior surfaces
The video was obtained by The Daily Orange on Wednesday. Read more here: bit.ly/2EXzCPM
According to Syverud, the university launched a campus-wide investigation to identify the individuals in the video. On the outside, this situation appears as an isolated incident on campus, however students say otherwise.
The Daily Orange reports that, Theta Tau is the fourth fraternity on campus to be suspended this year alone due to conduct violations.
One student even told Refinery29 about experiencing racism from a fraternity on campus firsthand.
“I was out with several of my friends at the time and we were headed to a frat party and there was a long line outside of the frat house,” she said. “There was a boy who was acting as a bouncer said when we made it to the front, ‘Yeah, you guys can come in except for her.’ He was pointing to my white friends and the one who wasn’t allowed in was me.
Unfortunately incidents like this arent super rare for certain universities. I too have seen and witnessed sexist and racists incidents by fraternities. And this isnt just isolated situation for regular full-time students, Ive heard D-1 athletes being called monkeys and ni**ers and even crazier things.
Now, Im not going to sit here and say that this is a problem with all fraternities because it wouldnt be fair to generalize, every group has bad apples. But, when one apple turns rotten, it has the ability to stink up the rest of the bunch.
So, it is safe to say that reoccurring incidents of hazing, racism and sexism is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed within white fraternity and sorority organizations.
No more sweeping problems under the rug to uphold outstanding and grandeur appearances and perceptions for Universities. We must hold everyone accountable.
