The Sorority of the University of Oklahoma expels a student involved in a blackface video



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"The behavior documented in the video is odious and in no way corresponds to the ideals of Tri Delta We are deeply sorry for the students directly affected by this senseless act of racism, and we know that this is not enough", Moore , president of the OR Delta Delta section, also known as Tri Delta, said Saturday

The video broadcast on social media this week first shows a white student applying black paint on his face while creating grimaces. to the camera.

"Stop (inaudible) you have too much … it's paint, not (paint for the face)," says another student who seems to record the video.

The blackface student then raises his painted palms and says something that some have interpreted as a racial insult, although its content is unclear.

In this case, we see the other student take her in his arms and laugh by recording both.

It is difficult to know which of the two students appearing in the video was expelled.

Moore described the student solely "the woman who participated, filmed and posted the video."

Students excused themselves, according to the school

In a letter to the university community, Oklahoma University president James Gallogly condemned the students to "fail". behavior and described the video as "inappropriate and derogatory".

"We are saddened and offended that, even on the eve of such an important holiday for our country (Martin Luther King Day), we are reminded of how far we are coming in the conversation. about treating everyone with respect and dignity, "Gallogly wrote.

He also noted that both students had offered to apologize, but it was difficult to say if they would be disciplined.

Students have not been publicly identified.

Prior to the student's return, Moore had stated that the group deeply regretted the "insensitive and offensive actions" of one of its members and had promised to hold him accountable for his actions.

The president of the association of student associations of the university joined with those who condemned the video, urging students to report similar behavior and calling school authorities to take action. measures.

"In addition, I hope that the University and affiliated organizations will take the appropriate steps to ensure that these two students know that their words and actions are hurtful, degrading and hateful to the entire community. from the OU, especially the black community, "said Adran Gibbs Jr. in a statement.

Gibbs Jr. then called on the students involved to apologize to the black community.

A group of black students wants a zero tolerance policy

The Association of Black Students at the University of Oklahoma says they are not surprised by the actions of the two students in the video.

"There is a violent and painful story about the use of blackface and the reduction of black people in racist caricatures, it's unfortunate for us to be in 2019 and it's still going on." , said the group of students in a statement.

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The Group student is now asking the university to add a zero tolerance policy to hate speech, to increase the number of multicultural faculty members and staff and increase funding for African-American programs.

When asked about the video, several students reported being hurt, angry, and even confused after seeing it.

"I could never imagine being so insensitive, especially at a time when it's obviously not good," Sofia Olivas, a sophomore at the OU, told KFOR, an affiliate of CNN. "You are an adult, you know you are right wrong."

Another student, Taylor Stephenson, acknowledged that students enjoy freedom of speech, but she added that "it's also a hate speech and that's not what we advocate. here at the University of Oklahoma. "

This is not the first time that one of the minorities or fraternities of the university is under fire from critics. In 2015, the house of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon was closed and two students expelled after the screening of a video showing members of the fraternity singing a racist chant.

CNN's Carma Hassan contributed to this report.

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