UI Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority made a racist comment on Instagram ?

anongreek · #1 10-08-2019, 03:56 PM

“We are writing to emphasize the comment made by this individual was unacceptable, and the Panhellenic community does not stand for this,” according to a message to chapter presidents from UI Panhellenic President Elah Shulruff and UI Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers.

UI officials did not disclose details of what the sorority member wrote on Saturday on the social media platform Instagram. But, in a separate statement from the Panhellenic Council, leadership disavowed the comment and the “racist ideology” it promoted and stressed it “will not stand for nor tolerate these unacceptable comments.”

Please see full article below.

https://www.thegazette.com/subject/n...gamma-20191008

This is truly so sad that things like this keep happening, and it negatively impacts the whole Org and university. Now I know why our chapter officers beat it into our head repeatedly that what we posted on social media directly affected the image of the chapter. Nobody worked harder than our standards board. Bless them.

Jen · #2 10-08-2019, 04:22 PM

Nice that Kappa made a comment about it immediately, however vague. At least they condemned it.

I'm still waiting for Alpha Phi to make one about the incident at OCU, but I'll be waiting forever because I don't think they care.

anongreek · #3 10-08-2019, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

Nice that Kappa made a comment about it immediately, however vague. At least they condemned it.

I'm still waiting for Alpha Phi to make one about the incident at OCU, but I'll be waiting forever because I don't think they care.

YES! I always think it looks so much better for the org to come out and condemn the incident or clarify that that member's remark is not a direct representation of their values. It looks worse to me when they refuse to comment at all.

Rod D · #4 10-08-2019, 04:45 PM

Well before we get our pitchforks and torches, we should know what was actually said. Just a thought.

anongreek · #5 10-08-2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod D

Well before we get our pitchforks and torches, we should know what was actually said. Just a thought.

Oh no! No pitchforks and torches necessary. We were just commending them, because it is honorable that Kappa released a statement condemning what was said. Not every Org does that, but I think it always honorable when they do. The UI Panhellenic President also addressed it, which was a noble move. I commend both entities both for being so prompt to address & take action.

thetalady · #6 10-08-2019, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod D

Well before we get our pitchforks and torches, we should know what was actually said. Just a thought.

Here you go..... "The Instagram post Saturday, which showed members of the sorority all dressed in white, received a comment by a member that said “join the kkk” but then added “I mean the kkg.” Both comments were circulated around Instagram."

UI Greek council addresses racist Instagram comments

anongreek · #7 10-08-2019, 05:03 PM

Oh Lord in heaven above.. WHAT?...it hardly seems that was an innocent typo either.
Why do these girls not think before they post racy comments on socials?
--Sigh.

BossLadyAKA · #8 10-09-2019, 10:31 AM

Or, why don't people stop being racists? Either way.

(not calling you a racist, but I think a lot of times we worry about the behavior, and forget to address the cause.)
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by anongreek

Oh Lord in heaven above.. WHAT?...it hardly seems that was an innocent typo either.
Why do these girls not think before they post racy comments on socials?
--Sigh.

anongreek · #9 10-09-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossLadyAKA

Or, why don't people stop being racists? Either way.

(not calling you a racist, but I think a lot of times we worry about the behavior, and forget to address the cause.)
__________________

Oh no, I totally agree.
I more or less meant what is even going through these girls heads AT ALL. I have never even thought something of that sort, much less posted it on social media.
Have I said some things that were inappropriate when I was young that I didn't fully understand what I was saying.. I am sure I have. But girls this age are old enough to know better.

I definitely understand what you meant. I just wish I knew how we could halt the mentality entirely. Unfortunately, racism seems to be a trait that is learned. Not a trait people come into the world with, so perhaps the real issue starts at home. How we correct that, I am not sure. But the school & org are doing the right thing by saying they will not tolerate it.

talksalot02 · #10 10-09-2019, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetalady

Here you go..... "The Instagram post Saturday, which showed members of the sorority all dressed in white, received a comment by a member that said “join the kkk” but then added “I mean the kkg.” Both comments were circulated around Instagram."

UI Greek council addresses racist Instagram comments

I've heard that the particular member may have had more than the Instagram post.

Jen · #11 10-09-2019, 12:32 PM

Whenever a sorority or fraternity acts like racist douchebags, they deserved to be called out and punished.

I am getting tired - tired of racist pieces of shit joining our organizations and spewing this garbage everywhere.

Tired of old, whiny white dudes making apologies for racists.

LaneSig · #12 10-09-2019, 05:03 PM

My 2 cents. I don't think the comment was necessarily meant to be racist. In my opinion, the member saw a picture of her sisters dressed in white, and tried to make a stupid joke that failed.

She saw a picture of sisters all dressed in white and said "Join the KKK" and immediately followed it with "Oops, KKG." It wasn't an accident, but she didn't say, "I love the KKK and I hate all minorities!" She did not attack any groups. She did not use any disparaging remarks about other ethnicities. Again, to me, it looks like she tried to make a stupid joke and it failed. Now, she's getting pulled through the ringer, the Kappa chapter is getting spotlighted, and it's not like she burned a cross on the front lawn.

33girl · #13 10-09-2019, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaneSig

My 2 cents. I don't think the comment was necessarily meant to be racist. In my opinion, the member saw a picture of her sisters dressed in white, and tried to make a stupid joke that failed.

She saw a picture of sisters all dressed in white and said "Join the KKK" and immediately followed it with "Oops, KKG." It wasn't an accident, but she didn't say, "I love the KKK and I hate all minorities!" She did not attack any groups. She did not use any disparaging remarks about other ethnicities. Again, to me, it looks like she tried to make a stupid joke and it failed. Now, she's getting pulled through the ringer, the Kappa chapter is getting spotlighted, and it's not like she burned a cross on the front lawn.

That’s kind of what I thought too. Just because you mention the KKK doesn’t make you a racist. But the fact that her brain would automatically “go there” just because a group of any kind is dressed in all white is a little off.

Sororitysock · #14 10-09-2019, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaneSig

My 2 cents. I don't think the comment was necessarily meant to be racist. In my opinion, the member saw a picture of her sisters dressed in white, and tried to make a stupid joke that failed.

She saw a picture of sisters all dressed in white and said "Join the KKK" and immediately followed it with "Oops, KKG." It wasn't an accident, but she didn't say, "I love the KKK and I hate all minorities!" She did not attack any groups. She did not use any disparaging remarks about other ethnicities. Again, to me, it looks like she tried to make a stupid joke and it failed. Now, she's getting pulled through the ringer, the Kappa chapter is getting spotlighted, and it's not like she burned a cross on the front lawn.

Oh yes, it's hilarious and not racist at all to make a joke comparing your organization with one that has oppressed and murdered people of the "wrong" color, background or religion for over 150 years. Wearing white does not compare to membership in the KU Klux Klan, even in a joking manner, in a normal non-racist's brain. This is exactly the kind of aggression that makes us appear unwelcoming and non-inclusive.

At least Kappa did address it right away, so they have one up on Alpha Phi.

Kevin · #15 10-09-2019, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sororitysock

Oh yes, it's hilarious and not racist at all to make a joke comparing your organization with one that has oppressed and murdered people of the "wrong" color, background or religion for over 150 years. Wearing white does not compare to membership in the KU Klux Klan, even in a joking manner, in a normal non-racist's brain. This is exactly the kind of aggression that makes us appear unwelcoming and non-inclusive.

At least Kappa did address it right away, so they have one up on Alpha Phi.

Let's not confuse aggression with microaggression. I very much doubt the [former?] sorority member woke up that day with the intent of publishing something on her Instagram which would prompt an apology from her national office.

I do not understand this need to completely destroy a kid for making a dumb joke--even if the joke hurts some folks' feelings.

These kids are 18-19 years old. Their brains aren't fully developed yet. I would hope that the community practice would be to educate these kids rather than wishing death, pain, and misery upon them. In your lane, maybe you knew that joking about looking like Klansmen was not okay. You don't know where she comes from, and at that young an age, she's not fully responsible for what she thinks and says yet.

I'm not saying an 18/19 YO lacks agency, but I am saying they are very new to exercising it and we ought to give them a mulligan or two.