University Of Alabama Chi Omega Chapter Expels Second Member For Racist Snapchat Using N-Word

The Chi Omega sorority at the University of Alabama is under fire yet again for a racist Snapchat message sent to sorority members. For the second time, a Snapchat post has been sent by a member that includes the n-word.

The Daily Mail reports that the first racist Snapchat message happened last year during rush when a Chi Omega pledge posted an image of three white pledges bragging that no black women were accepted into the house.

The caption said, “Chi O got no n*****!!!!!”

The pledge was expelled from the organization after a screenshot of the image was circulated. However, it seems that the chapter is under fire yet again due to the use of the same racial slur.

This time the image was sent by a Chi Omega member, not a pledge. An image of a PowerPoint presentation congratulating the Nu Beta chapter of Chi Omega on getting off probation was placed on Snapchat with the caption, “Off probation n****!” A screenshot of the photo was captured and given to the Crimson White, a University of Alabama student paper.

The school paper notes that the member has been expelled from the organization and referred to the University of Alabama’s student affairs office for further counseling.

“The University of Alabama is extremely disappointed when any student uses language that is disrespectful or offensive to any segment of the UA community,” said Deborah Lane, associate vice president for university relations, in an emailed statement to the Crimson White. “Behavior, actions and choices that disparage other students are particularly reprehensible and do not represent the values or meet the expectations of our University community.”

The University of Alabama has been marred by a past of racial contention within the Greek organizations. It is noted that many black women feel that their chances of getting into the Greek community at rush are slim. In fact, the issue was discussed by the university student paper back in September 2013 when it was noted that black women were “systematically blocked from receiving bids from sororities at the university.” Others called it an “almost impenetrable color barrier.”

Many commenting on the issue note that the Snapchat message could not be classified as a “racial slur” because it was not used in reference to any one person or group of people. Instead, it was being used as “common vernacular.” Though this may be true, others point out that Chi Omega has certain standards for members to abide by and that the expulsion from the organization was likely a result of those bylaws.

What do you think? Is the expulsion of the student from Chi Omega enough or should the school step in and take further action? Was the caption racist?

[Image Credit: Facebook/ Chi Omega Nu Beta]