In mid March, a video went viral of the Oklahoma University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) on a bus laughing, pumping their fists, and clapping as they chant, “There will never be a ni**** in SAE. You can hang him by a tree but he will never sign with me. There will never be a ni**** in SAE.” It was similar to the well-known tune, “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” The students were later forced to move out of their frat house and expelled from the chapter. Many students, parents, and faculty were displeased with this video, because it displays not only racial discrimination, but violence towards African Americans. Kevan Hatamzadeh, junior finance major with a minor in political science and also former president of the University of Memphis chapter of SAE spoke on the incident.
DH: Why did you decide to become a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Inc.?
KH: I was looking for a group of people that I could come together with. My situation was kind of special, because with my pledge class we came together to make SAE something of our own and mold it into something better.
DH: Would you consider yourself a proud member of your fraternity?
KH: I am a very proud member of my fraternity. However I do realize that there are certain incidences that sicken me, especially the one in Oklahoma. It’s times like that where it’s hard, but you have to know at the end of the day that it’s not the ideals of the fraternity. Our motto is, “The True Gentleman” and that is why I’m proud to be in SAE.
DH: How did you feel when you found out your fraternity had been caught singing the racist chant?
KH: I was actually out of town when I first saw the video and immediately I was disgusted. Myself, not being from the United States and being of a different ethnic background found it despicable.
DH: Would you say that this chapter follows traditions of Sigma Alpha Epsilon?
KH: Absolutely not.
DH: In the public apology that was issued by one of the members in the video he stated, “I admit it likely was fueled by alcohol consumed at the house before the bus trip, but that is not an excuse. Yes, the song was taught to us, but that too doesn’t work as an explanation.” Was this chapter here at the University of Memphis taught that same chant?
KH: We’ve never heard it before. I have never heard it before.
DH: Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded in 1856. During this time racial discrimination was a huge issue, therefore African Americans were not allowed to be members of your fraternity. Do you believe much has changed as far as your selection process goes when it comes to inducting new members, since some brothers believe that there should be no African Americans in SAE?
KH: Our motto “The True Gentleman” was created in 1896. Someone who “thinks of the rights and feelings other than his own.” That really resonates with me. The creed was written after the finding of the fraternity and we later adopted it later, so whatever ideals (not saying we have racist ideals or anything like that) but the fraternity has changed immensely. For example last year around this time we cut out pledging completely, because of hazing allegations and in the past year SAE has pretty much eradicated hazing from the ground up, so we are a fraternity of change.
DH: Do you believe that these incidents happen a lot behind closed doors with not only SAE, but other predominately white fraternities?
KH: I can’t comment on that. I don’t know what happens behind closed doors. I have never partaken in any racist incidents.
DH: As you probably know, this is not the first time SAE has been caught participating in racial incidents. In fact, in 2006, two SAE members were expelled after harassing another member, because he brought his African American girlfriend to the chapter’s house. Do you believe racism still exists in the chapter present day?
KH: Absolutely not. In fact, our chapter has made great stress to be culturally diverse. We have brothers of all kinds of racial, ethic, and religious backgrounds.
DH: As stated in the media the members who were involved in the incident were forced to move out of their frat house, later being expelled from the chapter. Do you believe that this was too harsh or not harsh enough?
KH: Absolutely not. Anything racist, or degrading of another brother or person should be responded in the harshest way possible, which is being expelled. We don’t have room for that in our fraternity. The True Gentleman does not reflect that.
DH: In my previous question, I explained the punishment that was given to the members. Some people may believe that the public apology was forced or a “PR move” for the university so they won’t lose money. Do you believe that forced apologies are sincere?
KH: It’s a case-by-case situation. I can’t comment on it, because I don’t know the person. I do hope that he was sincere.
DH: It is obvious that quite a few people were very disturbed by the video. Is there anything you would like to say to them?
KH: I just want to say that SAE does not condone this behavior. We are disgusted by it. It is not part of our culture and it is an isolated incident and it was handled to the best that it could be handled. It just sickens me to by stomach that people have that sort of mentality of chants. I am not in a leadership position anymore to really speak on behalf of our chapter but we were all outraged by it.
DH: For the individuals that believe that one student or in this case a group of students represent the entire fraternity’s beliefs and values what would you like to say to them?
KH: All chapters are different. We may have the same title SAE but certainly there are chapters that do terrible things and they caught and get dealt with, but we are not one of those chapters. We don’t condone in that behavior. We are disgusted by it and we combat it.
