Racism in post-racial America 

We've all probably heard it by now, the Sigma Alpha Episilon's (largest fraternity in U.S.) racial chant at University of Oklahoma was captured on video and uploaded to Youtube. Even though the president of the university shut down the chapter, and is in the deliberation of disciplinary actions against these students, this incident evoked a national discussion on the racism on college campus, and in the younger generation of Americans.

I think there is a certain set of stereotype and prejudice that people maintain in their everyday lives, it's deeper within our psyche that evolve with our experiences and our worldview. Normally it's only manifested behind closed doors, but sometimes, like on this occasion, it comes out, usually in a way that rages through media and demands attention in a negative way. It's not surprising to see this, but it serves to remind us that we are far from a racially and discriminatory free campus, especially within the Greek system.

There is something that must be done, but what? President of University of Oklahoma has expressed his determination to ban SAE from the campus, at least until after he leaves the university. He also proclaim to expel the students that were involved in this incident, but that remains to be seen as the first amendment may prohibit him from doing so (Apparently, as I was writing this, two students have been expelled by the university). Other reports of SAE’s racist chant has surfaced from chapters within the state of Texas, apparently, it is a well-known chant that members rehearse and, despite the national headquarter claiming that it is not a racist, sexist or bigoted fraternity.

I believe that the focus on the Greek systems may not be the right approach to this. True, this happened at SAE, but by only focusing on sororities and fraternities, we lose an opportunity to have the whole campus involved and engaged on this topic of diversity.