Fraternity member seen in video apologizes for racist chant

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Fraternity member seen in video apologizes for racist chant

| March 10, 2015

DALLAS (AP) — A former University of Oklahoma fraternity member who was shown in a video chanting a racial slur has apologized.

Parker Rice apologized in a statement emailed to The Associated Press by his father.

Rice said the incident "likely was fueled by alcohol," but "that's not an excuse." He said he was "deeply sorry" for the performance, calling it "wrong and reckless," ''a horrible mistake" and "a devastating lesson" for which he is "seeking guidance."

He said he withdrew from the university Monday. He also said threatening calls to his family has prompted them to leave their North Dallas home.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Fraternity-member-seen-in-video-apologizes-for-6126727.php

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[center]

Parker Rice, University of Oklahoma SAE[/center]

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. …. 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.

http://heavy.com/news/2015/03/parker-rice-expelled-racist-ou-freshman-university-of-oklahoma/

[center]

John Cleese, as a twit.

[/center]

[George II]

2. I'm not perfect but I try to conduct myself in a manner that won't put me in a position.....

...to have to apologize.

[cstanleytech]

3. "Rice said the incident "likely was fueled by alcohol," but "that's not an excuse.""

So it was likely fueled but its "not" and excuse? Cue the scene from Robin Hood Men in Tights where they cough and say BS.

[arcane1]

11. I love that he said it was "likely" fueled by booze. Implying that it could've happened sober.

And that would not surprise me.

As a former young and ignorant person, I feel for him in a way, but only a little

[Orsino]

37. And yet they all knew the words. n/t

[cstanleytech]

38. Thus its bullshit.

[Journeyman]

4. 19 Year Old Dumbf*@k. This'll haunt him the rest of his days, no matter what type person he is . . .

Reflecting on my own misspent days of youth, I "thank my lucky stars" YouTube didn't exist when I was young. My errors weren't cruel, like this fool's, but I certainly wouldn't want them dogging me to this moment. If he is as he now describes himself, and honestly seeks guidance for improvement, I hope he can make a better start on the rest of his life than he did his young adulthood. He'll never put this incident behind him but I hope he finds a way to rise above it.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

33. What you said, every word.

^^^^^ This applies to me. I never went this far, but I am so relieved there was no YouTube back then.

[KG]

5. 'Parker'

of course.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. North Dallas

This kid doesn't have a clue. Probably has a free ride from Mommy and Daddy. Notice the Polo with the logo,yah right. Just another smart as rich kid.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Aww, the little shit (of course his name is "Parker") doesn't like his life being ruined ...

[arcane1]

8. Interesting that most articles seem to focus on the slur more than the lynching "joke"

I'm not sure why. Maybe to avoid drawing the attention of other assholes who might do the same thing?

[JonLP24]

9. That's about as good as an apology you can possibly give given what he is apologizing for

Whether he means it or not, time will tell.

[dawnie51]

10. Parker, Tucker....

what's the difference? He runs home to Dallas and his family will see to it that he is buffered for now. But he will always be that guy on the bus. Always. For life. Good luck with that.

[geomon666]

12. Hope he gets the help he desperately needs.

[2naSalit]

13. Too late toad.

Should have thought about that before hand. Too bad for you... I hope it stings for a very long time.

[Nye Bevan]

14. Weird. No matter how many beers I have, I never start yelling racist chants.

I guess alcohol affects people in different ways.

In any case, Parker Rice, meet Google. For the rest of your life.

[lib87]

15. Correction: He's Sorry He Got Caught

The turd needs to be exposed. His family more than likely taught him his racist ways and are covering for him. Miss me with the faux apology.

[cstanleytech]

16. It doesnt always come from family, my younger brother is a perfect example of that as he

was fine (or atleast has fine as someone can be with borderline mental retardation) until he started hanging around with certain "friends" of his and now I can barely tolerate him at times because he has become such a racist asshole, I love him still though because after all he is my brother and if someone was to hurt him I would be sorely tempted to try and hurt them but I just cant tolerate his racist assholeness.

[malokvale77]

20. "His family more than likely taught him his racist ways and are covering for him."

It is the prevailing attitude in North Dallas.

[Telcontar]

17. Just once I'd like to see someone take ownership

Stand up and admit it! Say "yes I said it, and I mean every word. Don't like it? Suck it up, its a free country."

At least then I would believe. Hell, I might even respect the little bastard for being an honest racist.

[skypilot]

40. Then you should check out...

...the Youtube message boards. A fairly close paraphrase of a recent post I saw over there:

"I don't like black people and I'm not embarrassed or ashamed about it. Anyone who doesn't like it can suck my dick".

[Telcontar]

41. Self identifying assholes are so much better, aren't theyn

My wife made the mistake of wading into the cesspool of Youtube comments. She was crying and shocked, had to explain to her that anonymity brings out the worst in some peole

[Stargazer09]

18. "I'm sorry I got caught."

Drunk or not, they weren't sorry about singing their frat's anthem with enthusiasm.

They are only sorry that they got called out for it.

[susanr516]

19. And who was providing alcohol to minors? nt

[mountain grammy]

21. I would like to think maybe he has learned something.

He grew up in Texas where stuff is tolerated. No excuse, but spend time in Texas, people are very racist.

The immediate response of the president of the University of Oklahoma should be a lesson to everyone. No fucking around with "investigations," just get the letters off the building and get your crap out by midnight. Act fast, be decisive, give swift, appropriate punishment, and this shit will end quick.

I hope the swift justice whacked all these kids upside their heads. They're young. Let's hope they learned something. We'll see.

[adieu]

22. At least the apology is more genuine than the usual

non-apology apology that right wing a-holes normally offer. You know, the "if you were offended..." conditional that they add to it. So, if you're not offended, we're good, right?

[7wo7rees]

23. oh for f's sake. l just told my so that his family had

Already left Dallas.
There was nothing left for them to do.
Leave for as many months as is necessary till this all just dies down.

Southern, privileged, Assholes with lots of money.

This has been amazing to watch.

Better than any wreck ever, even on the icey roads.

I would bet his older brother is none to pleased.
Dad and Mom arent either.

[Judi Lynn]

24. Interesting! Maybe they can send racist messages back to their friends to keep in touch! n/t

[Lefta Dissenter]

25. No matter HOW drunk I have been

and I have been drunk many times in the last four years (thanks Scott Walker) there are some words and ideas that simply wouldn't come anywhere near my thoughts or my lips.

It's unimaginable to me. Maybe that's MY form of privilege.

[lobodons]

26. Giving him the benefit of the doubt

It could be chalked up to being apart of a group and group mentality and trying to fit in and doing what the group does. You don't want to rock the boat and not be seen as fitting in. This would be more the fault of the Fraternity for enabling this song/chant to be a "thing". Even College students are young and impressionable. At best, this will be/could be a life lesson for the young man.

But damn, he did seem to to be having way too much fun with the song.

[Skittles]

28. these people are extremely weak and have sheep mentality

that seems to be common with fraternities

[heaven05]

30. lynch mobs

are a group........

[tblue37]

27. I am reminded of the young men who were outed by Curt Schilling after they tweeted incredibly

brutal and disgusting threats of rape and other forms of violence against his 17-year-old daughter. All of a sudden their bad behavior was not just being paraded proudly to be admired by friends or like-minded individuals, but being exposed in front of the whole world. And now, because of the internet, that ugliness is on display there forever, so the rest of their lives they will have an indelible stain on their reputation. It will damage their future in so many ways, both professional and social.

I imagine a lot of young people do this sort of thing because they get a thrill out of being transgressive, and the more transgressive they are, the more attention they get to fuel their narcissistic need to be noticed. But having grown up with the internet, with cell phones, with selfies and videos online, they don't realize that if something goes viral, they are on a world stage, and that everything they say and do can become public knowledge--widespread and permanent.

I suspect at least some of today's young people will end up having to change their names to escape the shameful internet record they have created under their original identities.

[Skittles]

29. excellent analysis

yes indeed

[geek tragedy]

31. Who taught them the lyrics? nt

[Brickbat]

32. They're always sorry when they're caught.

[Jefferson23]

34. I don't get how drinking gets you where he and his racist friends went. Was he drunk when he

learned the words to the song too, or was that after?

Hateful fuckers.

[Paladin]

35. So where did little Parker's family decamp to, after leaving Highland Park?

A family place in Aspen, perhaps? Maybe a fishing lodge in the Bahamas? Don't expend any sympathy on people like this; it's wasted on them.

[Alkene]

36. S.O.P.

It seems like pretty standard timing to begin in on the apologies to the court, to the family, to Oprah or whomever.

I'm just not sure how I would phrase an honest apology: I'm sorry I got blitzed and said what I think on camera, and I'm REALLY sorry someone uploaded it.

http://www.apologyletters.net/apology_letter_for_behavior.php

[Monk06]

39. Nice 'Young Repubican' haircut ya have there Stimpy.