The parents of the two expelled from OU release statements.

[7wo7rees]

Update 7:45 p.m.: The parents of a second local product have identified their son as being in the video. The kid's name is Levi Pettit and he's a Highland Park High School graduate. Both families have released statements. The Rices' is attributed to Parker. The Pettits' is attributed to Levi's parents, Brody and Susan.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2015/03/racist_frat_boy_leader_of_ou_chant_is_dallas_jesuit_grad_school_says.php#more

from Levi's parents, a snip to the end:

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.

To our friends and family, thank you for your kind comments and prayers. They are very comforting in this difficult time.

We ask that the media and public please respect our family's privacy as we come together to heal and determine next steps.

from Parker:

another long snip at the end....

I know everyone wants to know why or how this happened. I admit it likely was fueled by alcohol consumed at the house before the bus trip, but that's not an excuse. Yes, the song was taught to us, but that too doesn't work as an explanation. It's more important to acknowledge what I did and what I didn't do. I didn't say no, and I clearly dismissed an important value I learned at my beloved high school, Dallas Jesuit. We were taught to be 'Men for Others.' I failed in that regard, and in those moments, I also completely ignored the core values and ethics I learned from my parents and others.

At this point, all I can do is be thoughtful and prayerful about my next steps, but I am also concerned about the fraternity friends still on campus. Apparently, they are feeling unsafe and some have been harassed by others. Hopefully, the university will protect them.

For me, this is a devastating lesson and I am seeking guidance on how I can learn from this and make sure it never happens again. My goal for the long-term is to be a man who has the heart and the courage to reject racism wherever I see or experience it in the future.

Thank you for your consideration of my deepest apologies for what I did.


Parker blames it on alcohol, Levi's parents'? Not sure, they just want us all to respect their privacy while they deal with this.

As I said earlier, in other posts, Highland Park, North Dallas. This did not just happen. This is life in Dallas. Land of GW Bush.

It is sad.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Their words are certainly appropriate.

I hope we will be able to see how their actions follow.

It IS sad.

[7wo7rees]

3. very kind words peggy.

We shall see.

Having lived here for so long I see this as a whole lot of PR and CYA. One can hope but the cynicism runs deep. I am deeply saddened by this affair, not at all surprised.
Very sad for Dallas and the state of Texas.

[elleng]

2. 'He's such a nice boy.'

[7wo7rees]

4. Yes elleng, this affair has made me feel the same way. Neither one of them are nice, maybe this

will change them.

As I said to Peggy above, one can hope.

I doubt it though. Not from this bunch. Solution = leave town till it blows over..... release statement, done.

Very few on that bus acted responsibly. There were more than the two leading the chant.

[elleng]

5. For anyone to be 'changed' requires, imo,

a STRONG and BROAD consensus from society, especially around them, that it is WRONG. I thought we had that consensus in the U.S. some years ago, but it appears it's significantly damaged. I'm very discouraged, 7wo7rees.

[7wo7rees]

6. Agree and feel the same. Very discouraged, disappointed and ashamed. Again.

Curse I guess for living in Dallas. Keep hoping for more, for some change and it just seems stuck or on a really fast track to hell.

[uponit7771]

7. its oklahoma...look at the voting map....one of the most racist states in the union

[elleng]

8. Yes, and President David Boren, of OU, was Senator and Governor,

suggesting it hasn't always been that way.

A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 21st governor of Oklahoma from 1975 to 1979 and in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1994. He is currently the 13th president of the University of Oklahoma. He was the longest serving chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Currently, he serves as co-chair of the nonpartisan U.S. President's Intelligence Advisory Board.

The Boren family has a strong interest in public policy and three generations of public service. His father, Lyle Boren, served in the U.S. House of Representatives (OK-04) from 1937 to 1947. His son, Dan Boren, served in the U.S. House of Representatives (OK-02) from 2005 to 2013.

[7wo7rees]

9. The two young men expelled were from Dallas. Families are in Dallas. They were both recent graduates

of two very elite high schools in Dallas.

So yes, they were a few miles north, 1st year at college in Oklahoma. Your point?

[uponit7771]

12. that they would have been comfortable wtih the chant in california? hell no

[Saucepan of Kerbango]

19. Bunk

This kind of stuff goes on, un-filmed, everywhere. Your notion that California is somehow magically imbued with understanding is beyond a pipedream.

[kcr]

24. The notion that the level of racism in every region is the same is bunk

It's not magic. It's history. The regions do not share the same history and therefore do not suffer the same cultural scars as a result. I did not expect the culture shock when I moved there and those that never have simply do not understand and will sometimes nod their heads with those who claim it's the same everywhere because they don't want to broadbrush. But they're wrong. People who've lived their whole lives in the south don't realize it isn't like that other places and are mistaken when they see what they think are examples that prove them right. I didn't realize that just because I'd seen racism growing up in the north that it was the same everywhere and was in for the shock of my life when I moved to a region where it was entrenched culturally.

[kydo]

25. No, not really. What's bunk is your statement.

It may happen in many places but that does not excuse it. When it happens it needs to be called out. The argument of "well they do it too," is a lame excuse for being a crappy human being. Of course there are many racists that try to keep their nasty little secret amoung themselves as a way of saying there is no more racism, cause you know Obama some how proves there is no more racism. But that is bunk too. There is still racism and from the looks of it we gots along way to go before we are anywhere close to even slowing down racism.

[Saucepan of Kerbango]

32. Agreed

Nothing excuses racism. But to make the blanket statement that some geographic areas are not racist is bunk.

[Midnight Writer]

10. Parker says "Yes, that song was taught to us"

So who is teaching this song? Is it Commie Pinko tree-hugging homo Leftist college professors, the ones our conservative media claim are leading our youth astray? Or could it be someone else?

The media should be following up on this to get at the REAL root of the problem.

[Midnight Writer]

11. "Yes, that song was taught to us"

This is not a case of rebellious youth speaking out. These are conformists who are mimicking what they have been taught. This came from the established powers, and our free American media should be investigating this.

Who sponsors this fraternity? Who are their alumni? Are they people of power (judges, politicians, businessmen)? Is this the norm in other chapters? Who determines the membership of this frat? Who decides who is "in" and who is "out"? Who owns the fraternity house? Where do they get their funding?

The journalistic bottom line is "Follow The Money". There is a deeper story here that I suspect we will never know.

[tblue37]

17. One prep school classmate of Parker Rice said Rice was always a follower

and conformist who did what he thought was expected for fear of being excluded if he didn't. That sounds like the sort of motivation that encourages in group/out group prejudice and keeps it renewing itself down the generations.

[groundloop]

27. I believe that's the case with the majority of frat members (once upon a time I was one)

The dynamic in a fraternity is that there are a handful of vocal 'leaders' and the rest are followers. It's far far easier for the most hateful 'leaders' to be heard, and it's hard for anyone who doesn't agree with them to stand up against them.

The other comments are correct, the media and school administration should dig deeper into this and look at the SAE leadership. They are more than likely laying low right now counting their lucky stars that their names aren't on the news.

[RobertEarl]

13. Hopefully some healing can begin?

I've always said: Let them speak; for then you shall know what is on their minds.

They spoke, we know, they are shamed. Healing for everyone is now the only proper course.

[Oktober]

14. It's important to prayerful is it?

Maybe Jesus will hit you with a big lightning bolt of not being a racist fuckstick...

What a tool...

[delrem]

15. It read as a sincere rethinking.

Not a politician's "I'm sorry if I offended anyone" non-apology.
Whether the rethinking is true? Who knows. But it's a start.

[yeoman6987]

16. Highland Park in Dallas is very wealthy

I imagine the parents have money to pay off another school to take him.

[KamaAina]

31. Why would they have to?

I'll bet Bob Jones is already recruiting them!

[Sienna86]

18. I agree, the words seem appropriate

I hope this is an enlightening moment for many.

[Adrahil]

20. Well, I'll say this...

Neither tried to weasel out of it or try the old "I'm sorry if you were offended" passive aggressive bullshit.

Maybe they will see how insidious latent racism is in this country, particularly in red states, and make a change. That's to be hoped for.

The social pressures to conform are immense, and even more so in a frat. I'm not a fan of the Greek system, and this kind of thing is why.

[groundloop]

28. I hope you're right

I got that feeling from the letter also, that just maybe these kids had a big enough kick-in-the-ass that they'll open their eyes to how hurtful words can be. Only time will tell.

[Gothmog]

21. Highland Park is a snotty school

When my kids heard that a Dallas student was involved, they guessed Highland Park

[Paladin]

22. Highland Park was my guess, as well. (nt)

[Mr Dixon]

23. Very Sad

I must admit that have always had great hope for the generations behind mine, that they would break the chains of ignorance, treat each other fairly because they have grown up in a more diverse era. Seems as if my hopes were more dream then reality.

[Arugula Latte]

29. I don't know, I think overall your hopes are well-founded.

There are still pockets of racist cretins, though, of course, even amongst college kids, but for the most part these younger generations are much less racist and are more progressive.

[Mr Dixon]

33. Agreed

Agreed i guess it takes time

[riderinthestorm]

26. I'm actually pretty impressed. These are thoughtful apologies

I hope this experience has changed them. I hope they have learned. Time will tell I guess. I really am surprised at the direct apology, without any weasel words.

Who taught these boys this song? That needs to be explored.

[trumad]

30. Thoughtful yes...

But I can pretty much guarantee that the nut doesn't fall to far from the tree.