Former OU students show they are worthy of forgiveness

Levi Pettit, the former University of Oklahoma student demonized and ostracized for leading his fraternity brothers in a much-publicized racist chant, has proven to be a humbling, heroic figure who is teaching America a powerful lesson in contrition.

This young man should know that I, a black man who has been the victim of racism, accept his apology, and I had forgiven him long before he bravely returned to Oklahoma last Wednesday to meet with African-American leaders and offer a public statement of regret.

I also salute Oklahoma state Sen. Anastasia Pittman, who coordinated the meeting between Pettit and the group of black ministers, community activists and politicians, leaders who said they felt Pettit’s apology was sincere.

The young man earlier met with OU’s football team leaders, who he said also had accepted his apology.

Video of the chant that caused a national outcry showed 20-year-old Pettit and 19-year-old Parker Rice, both from the Dallas area, enthusiastically leading members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon: “You can hang them from a tree, but they’ll never sign with me; there will never be a n----- in S-A-E.”

The university reaction was swift. President David Boren ordered the SAE chapter closed and its fraternity house shuttered.

Both Pettit and Rice were to be expelled, but an attorney for the fraternity said the two students withdrew from school before the actual expulsions.

Boren said Friday that SAE Oklahoma members learned the chant at the fraternity’s national “leadership” event four years ago and “formalized” it at the Oklahoma chapter.

He said 25 more students will be disciplined besides Pettit and Rice.

Pettit, a graduate of Highland Park High School, said Wednesday, “Some have wondered why I hadn’t spoken out publicly. The truth is I have had a mix of pain, shame, sorrow and fear over the consequences of my actions. I did not want to apologize to the press or to the whole country until I first came to apologize to those most directly impacted.”

Shortly after the incident, Rice, who graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, issued a written statement that said, “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. … My goal for the long term is to be a man who has the heart and the courage to reject racism wherever I see or experience it in the future.”

Whether you think their expressions were heartfelt or simply well-designed but insincere acts, they must be given credit for at least speaking out.

While the national outrage over the racist escapade was appropriate, there is no reason that these two young men should not be given the opportunity to complete their education and be allowed to pursue their goals, understanding that they have forever been changed by this incident.

This has been an incredible teaching moment for them and for the entire country.

The learning, however, must not stop with a couple of public apologies.

The unfortunate behavior forever captured on video should be a reminder to this fraternity, which is rooted in the Old South and its discriminatory ways, that it needs to continue re-examining itself.

I’ve said many times that racism sadly is part of the American fabric and is not going away anytime soon.

We must continue to fight it wherever and whenever it raises its ugly head.

If, as I believe, Pettit and Rice truly repent of their actions, then it may be that we have two strong comrades in this never-ending battle.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 8:37 PM with the headline "Former OU students show they are worthy of forgiveness."