One fraternity at the University of Chicago, Alpha Epsilon Pi, has gotten themselves into some deep sh*t after a bunch of racist emails they sent amongst themselves leaked. Buzzfeed obtained the AEPi emails from a current AEPi brother who became tired of the “toxic culture” within the fraternity and then published them on their site today.
As is the case with pretty much anything racist, it is not a good look for the brothers or the national fraternity as a whole. That’s probably why AEPi’s Nationals are in the middle of an official investigation regarding the issue. Here’s what their national spokesman Jonathan Pierce had to say after Buzzfeed reached out to them:
As a Jewish fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi is especially sensitive to hate speech and behavior towards any minorities,” Pierce said. “Especially during these troubling times of increased anti-Semitism on college campuses, we are very aware of the harm that negative speech towards minority groups can do. We will investigate and, if necessary, work to educate the individual members about this issue.
As a reader of this site, you’re probably familiar with AEPi and the fact that it’s traditionally a Jewish fraternity. That might help to explain their constant references to Palestine.
The emails you’ll read below were sent between 2011-2015, and do everything from call Muslim students terrorists to drop n-bombs and talk about celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with 40s, fried chicken, and Black Dynamite.
Like we said: not a good look.
If you take one thing from reading this article, stop being racist. If you take two things from this article, stop being racist and definitely don’t send stupid stuff on email or anywhere else it can be saved and forwarded.
Brothers—
It is with a great sense of somber pride that I am organizing this important and annual event to be held at the AEPi house. Reverend Marathon Luther King Jr. did more for our civil rights than any other leader during the civil rights era. Following the horrors of prohibition, the puritanical powers in control of the United States successfully stigmatized day drinking. This travesty flavored American life in many ways, leading to increases in domestic abuse, legitimate rape and worst of all oppression. MLK took a stand. He had a dream. He led a million man march on Washington in order to make his dream a reality.
In his honor I will be hosting a celebration at the house. We will begin day drinking at 9:00AM sharp. …At 7:00PM, to a meal of Harold’s and your third 40 rack we will watch Black Dynamite. If you wish to participate, respond to me…
Let us honor this Great American.
Hezbollah
But they weren’t done with the whole “let’s make fun of black people thing.” The AEPi brothers apparently gave one of their brothers a nickname that included the “N word.”
As you may have noticed in the photo at the top of this article (it’s a Google Maps picture of their actual house), there’s a large and vacant lot next to the house. This lot is referred to as “Palestine” by the AEPi brothers.
Admittedly, the Palestine reference isn’t as inflammatory as, say, the brothers referring to Muslims as “Towel heads” or “terrorists.” It’s not like the emails didn’t contain those words or sentiments, we just didn’t include them in our article because Buzzfeed should get the credit for publishing the story. To see more, go to their site.
Again. If you take one thing from reading this article, stop being racist. If you take two things from this article, stop being racist and definitely don’t send stupid stuff on email or anywhere else it can be saved and forwarded.
