Students accuse fraternity of using racial slur during event

Audience members at Pi Phi Karaoke Night on Friday have accused a Sigma Phi Epsilon member of using a racial slur during the fraternity's performance at the event.

A member of Sig Ep said "I'm just trying to chill with my (racial slur) in Paris" before performing, according to multiple sources. 

Jessika Williams, a sophomore at the University of Memphis, attended Pi Phi Karaoke Night and was sitting in front of other members of Sig Ep when the incident occurred. 

"I immediately alerted them (the other members of Sig Ep) that their actions were beyond inappropriate and wrong," Williams said in a statement she made on Twitter. "The members responded with, '(Expletive) you' and 'Y'all are making it a big deal.'"

After this occurred, Williams said Pi Beta Phi, the host of the event, did not acknowledge the incident and did not stop the show due to it. After the event, she said she and some others who were in attendance approached a Pi Phi member to ask about the incident. 

"We were told, 'We told them not to say it, and they have been disqualified,'" Williams said.

Ashton Toone, a student at the U of M, said she was with Williams when it happened and also heard the explicit remarks Sig Ep members said in the audience. Toone said Sig Ep's actions prompted her to contact staff members.

"I immediately texted Sally Parish and Jennifer Williams from SLI (Student Leadership and Involvement) to see if any staff were present, and they said weren't," Toone said. "So I informed them about what happened. Sally said that she was texting with other staff to take action."

Toone said the situation was frustrating and made her feel isolated. She also said she is encouraged that other students are speaking against it, but it does not erase the memory of the incident.

"It's extremely frustrating as a student leader and a black student to have been in that situation," Toone said. "I try to think of myself as someone that advocates for all students at the university and this is one of the first times where I have felt uncomfortable on campus while trying to be active and engaged in my campus community."

The U of M released a statement about the incident Saturday and said they were made aware of the accusations involving Sig Ep using the racial slur at the event.

"Racism and bigotry will not be tolerated," the university said in their statement. "All allegations are currently being thoroughly investigated, and if found to be accurate, immediate steps will be taken to address the behavior with the individual, local chapter and national organization. The University of Memphis takes seriously all such behavior and has the strongest of commitments to continuing efforts to educate our campus community."

Abby Huber, a U of M student and member of Alpha Gamma Delta, said on Twitter she was embarrassed and upset about the incident.

"If it is that easy for you to say that word so comfortably as an accident, then there are some major problems," Huber tweeted. "And to completely dismiss it afterwards and not take it seriously is almost as bad."

Huber also said on Twitter the incident was a huge step back for the Greek community.

"Anyone defending what happened tonight needs to completely reevaluate themselves and recognize how tonight was extremely detrimental to any productive relationships," Huber tweeted.

Antonio Scott, another student at the U of M, tweeted after the incident calling for more advocates for minority students in student leadership and school administration.

"I look forward to seeing our school administrators respond," Scott tweeted. 

The NAACP, the National Pan-Hellenic Council — the organization for historically African-American fraternities and sororities — and other minority student organizations will host a silent protest on campus from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday in front of the University Center in response to this incident.