What is it with White Greek letter organization Sigma Alpha Epsilon? They garnered attention last month for a racist frat song on a bus and now the fraternity is in the news again. This time it involves a chapter located at Clemson University in South Carolina.
The members of the fraternity decided to host a Black-themed Christmas party and called it “Cripmas.” Fraternity members dressed as gangbangers with red and blue bandannas and fake tattoos on their body. But according to Clemson University officials, they were not alone, several White female sorority members decided to join the festivities dressed as “b—-es” and “h–s.” The group of students even decided to post the photos of the party to Instagram and other social media sites with the slogan “Merry Cripmas to all, and [to] all a hood night.” That’s where they messed up and university officials became aware of their antics. Now the embattled fraternity is being punished by being kicked off campus for two years.
Clemson University president James Clements issued the following statement via email:
“At a time of year when our thoughts are turning to family, holidays and the start of a new year – all the things that unite us and bring us joy — it is discouraging that so many events and issues are causing division and hurt, and making many students feel unwanted at this great university. ‘It hurts to read disrespectful and just plain mean comments in social media. Last night’s ”Cripmas” party, which the university did not sanction, raised more concerns about the campus climate. Clemson is better than this. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion about events in Ferguson, Staten Island and the protest rallies that those events have spawned. Great universities are built on the free expression and exploration of ideas. But the free expression of opinion must not cross the line and become harassment or intimidation, just as rallies and protest marches must not cross the line to lawlessness.”
