Arizona State University suspended a fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, after members organized a Martin Luther King Day “Black Party,†mocking African-Americans. The fraternity urged guests to show up wearing hoodies, baggy basketball jerseys and bandannas and then share photos of themselves on social media platforms, using hashtags #blackoutformlk, #ihaveadream and #mlkparty.
The party created outrage on campus and around the country as photos of young white people in their attire, holding watermelon-shaped cups, went viral. The Rev. Jarrett Maupin and other local civil rights activists held a news conference urging the expulsion of the students and calling for university officials to ban the fraternity, which is now suspended, pending an investigation.
In a statement, the university said that Tau Kappa Epsilon had been on disciplinary probation with the university since 2012. “The party TKE held last weekend was not held on campus and was not a sanctioned university event,†the statement said. “Because of the latest incident, ASU has suspended chapter operations, can and will take additional action against the individuals involved, and is meeting with the national TKE organization today to take further action against the chapter. ASU has one of the most diverse student bodies of any major university in the country, and it is unfortunate that a few misguided individuals held an offensive party at a time when ASU, the state and the nation are celebrating Dr. King’s achievements and legacy. â€
Ja-Han Jones, the president of the African American Men of Arizona State University, wrote an open letter to the “brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon†on his blog, calling the party “your most recent egregious act of denigration toward the African American community.â€
I am concerned that your organization’s self-professed mission to “aid men in their mental, moral, and social development for life†eludes you with such heinous acts as your most recent “MLK Black Partyâ€. I am concerned that your fraternal structure is transforming into an echo chamber for racism. And further, I am concerned that not a man stood among you brothers with the foresight to predict the shame such an event would heap upon your organization. Again, I must ask: “Why?†Why would a man degrade himself to such lows â€" degrade his organization to such lows â€" for such paltry praise. Perhaps, I â€" we of the AAMASU community, of the African American community, of the national community, and of the global community â€" may never know.
Alex Baker, a spokesman for Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity in Indiana, issued an apology for “any offensive actions that a few of our members might have participated in.â€
The statement said the fraternity “does not condone or support any actions by its members that would be defined as racist, discriminatory, and/or offensive. Social events with ‘party themes’ that are defined as such have no place in our fraternity’s mission or purpose. It is with embarrassment and regret when a few individuals within our organization make decisions that do not align with the values and principles of Tau Kappa Epsilon.â€
A member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity professional staff is currently at Arizona State University to begin an investigation.
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