MSU's Only African-American SAE Member: Racism In Oklahoma 'Didn't Come As Much Of A Shock'
EAST LANSING (WWJ/AP) -- While the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter no longer exists at the University of Oklahoma, the one at Michigan State University is thriving.
Sophomore Charles Willis is the only African-American member at the chapter and said that he is not surprised by racism in the Sooner State.
"In Oklahoma -- obviously -- it's a little different," Willis said. "I just think that they're one of the many that actually do practice things like that, but it really doesn't affect me that much, it didn't come as too much of a shock to me."
The president of the University of Oklahoma severed the school's ties with a national fraternity on Monday and ordered that its on-campus house be shuttered after several members took part in a racist chant caught on video.
President David Boren said he was sickened and couldn't eat or sleep after learning about the video Sunday afternoon. The video, which was posted online, shows several people on a bus participating in a chant that included a racial slur, referenced lynching and indicated black students would never be admitted to OU's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Willis said that he's been asked what things at SAE have been like since the racist video came out, but the Bangor, Michigan-native reiterated that his experiences have been nothing but positive.
"Ever since I became a brother it's been a great ride for me," Willis said. "I've enjoyed every minute of it."
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