Families come forward with apologies for roles in racist OU fraternity video

One Dallas-area man and the family of another have come forward to apologize for their roles in a racist video that has caused a firestorm at the University of Oklahoma after going viral.

The video, posted online Sunday, shows several people on a bus participating in a chant that "included a racial slur, referenced lynching and indicated black students would never be admitted to OU’s [Sigma Alpha Epsilon] chapter,” according to the Associated Press.

On Tuesday evening, the Dallas Morning News printed apologies attributed to Parker Rice and Brody and Susan Pettit, the parents of Levi Pettit.

Rice, a recent graduate of Jesuit College Preparatory School, offered his apology as relayed by his father via a statement.

“I am deeply sorry for what I did Saturday night. It was wrong and reckless. I made a horrible mistake by joining into the singing and encouraging others to do the same."

Rice's message went on to say that he had withdrawn from school on Monday. He confirmed he had been drinking before the event while shedding little light about the song's origin.

“I know everyone wants to know why or how this happened," Rice said. "I admit it likely was fueled by alcohol consumed at the house before the bus trip, but that’s not an excuse. Yes, the song was taught to us, but that too doesn’t work as an explanation. It’s more important to acknowledge what I did and what I didn’t do," Rice said.

Pettit's parents insist their son made a "horrible mistake, and will live with the consequences forever. ... He is a good boy, but what we saw in those videos is disgusting."

“We were as shocked and saddened by this news as anyone," the Pettit statement continued. "Of course, we are sad for our son — but more importantly, we apologize to the community he has hurt. We would also like to apologize to the entire African American community, University of Oklahoma student body and administration. Our family has the responsibility to apologize, and also to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.

Earlier Tuesday, university president David Boren said two students involved with the incident had been expelled, but Boren didn't identify them by name, citing confidentiality policies.

"There is zero tolerance for this kind of threatening racist behavior at the University of Oklahoma" Boren tweeted on Tuesday, one day after announcing that the Sigma Alpha Epilson fraternity had been banned from campus.

No word yet on what Rice's future plans are. The Dalllas Morning News published a picture showing a sign that reads "Racism is taught" sitting in front of the family's house in northwest Dallas. Threats to the family have caused them to leave the house. Parker Rice's father, Bob, says the family is not conducting interviews at this time.

Meanwhile, Sigma Alpha Epsilon members faced a deadline to vacate their chapter house in Norman by late Tuesday. Activity there was scant by afternoon.

“At this point, all I can do is be thoughtful and prayerful about my next steps, but I am also concerned about the fraternity friends still on campus," Parker Rice said. "Apparently, they are feeling unsafe and some have been harassed by others. Hopefully, the university will protect them."

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