My racist SAE fraternity brothers broke my heart

[n2doc]

WRITTEN BY

William Bruce James II

There will never be another black SAE. I wish there had been one less.

My former fraternity broke my heart this week. A video posted over the weekend allegedly showing members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity’s Oklahoma Kappa chapter chanting a disturbing song has once again evoked the images of deep hatred and cruelty that we too often choose to ignore in our country. To say it was racist is not enough. It hit me in the very core of my soul.

I know those bus rides well. I was a member of this chapter 14 years ago. The second black man to be initiated in those halls. We had our own songs—different songs—but songs we sang on every bus trip to every date party for four years. We didn’t know where the songs came from or who made them up or even what some of them meant, but we sang them so often we all knew them whether we wanted to or not.

Now, 14 years later, my “brothers” sing this song. This is what gets their spirits united for a great night out with their friends and their dates (one of which, thank God exposed them). This is what binds them. But I remember what binded us. I remember the True Gentleman.

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http://qz.com/359809/my-racist-sae-fraternity-brothers-broke-my-heart/

[AverageJoe90]

1. Good article.

I only wish there was something I could say or do to ease his pain.

[appalachiablue]

2. The shame is all on this organization. Very sorry for the betrayal of your hopes and expectations.

And the time and commitment you gave to SAE. Thank you for sharing your experience with this writing. There are many institutions, places and people I once thought were progressing toward a better world that are now deep into ultraconservative regression. It's highly disappointing and shocking.
Dad was an SAE although he never talked about it much or identified with it overly. I have his pin that he gave me with his military insignia from WWII when I was in college, and I have his bronze star. Mom was also in a sorority, a real sisterhood back in her day. My father could take a lot, but this racist shame at SAE and the massacre and then student beheading incident at VA Tech where he graduated would really disturb him if he were alive.

[n2doc]

3. Please note I am not the writer n/t

[appalachiablue]

4. Then sorry for the brother's disappointment. Appreciate the article.

[Alwayskatie]

5. I feel your pain...

Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing this.

[Spider_Mann]

6. SAE is suing OU

http://kfor.com/2015/03/12/ou-sae-to-sue-ou-possibly-president-boren/