Warning: Footage contains offensive language
Two white sorority sisters from different universities are reportedly under fire for videos in which they repeatedly used racial slurs.
Footage posted on social media shows the female students — identified as William Paterson student Jasmine Barkley and Penn State junior Kaitlin Listro — saying the N-word in two separate clips, The Daily Collegian reported.
In the first video, Listro repeatedly used the N-word while blasting a song from her phone. “If you’re offended, s–k my d–k,” the Alpha Chi Omega sorority sister clad in Penn State gear said in the clip.
Barkley, a friend of Listro’s, also shared a video to Instagram where she asked her followers “whether it was appropriate for me to say n—-r if it’s in a song and I’m singing the lyrics.”
Both videos incited backlash after Penn State student Seun Babalola reposted them on Twitter, condemning their conduct as “ridiculous.”
“I don’t tolerate racism. Period,” Babalola told the college newspaper. “I will always do whatever it takes to ensure that my community is treated with respect here at PSU. That is one of my primary roles as an activist.”
The wave of criticism led Barkley to double down in a response posted to Snapchat.
“If you have a problem with what I have to say then you should just not watch,” she said in a video.
Barkley later shared an apology on Instagram, claiming she posted the poll because she was “upset that my friend was harassed” for singing the lyrics to a song.
“I am not a racist,” she said. “I believe in equality and respect among all. The videos [have] been misconstrued in many ways across the media.”
Penn State and William Paterson University released statements that said they don’t condone the incident.
“Penn State’s embrace of diversity and inclusion, and opposition to prejudice and hate, are clear,” the university said in a statement. “We condemn racist messages, as they are hateful and violate our institutional values. We cannot, however, impose sanctions for constitutionally protected speech, no matter how offensive.”
A William Paterson University administrator confirmed the school is investigating the incident and noted the behavior “does not reflect our values.” The school said it is determining whether to discipline Barkley, who has reportedly been kicked out of her sorority Delta Phi Epsilon, according to the Daily Collegian.
The sorority announced in a Facebook post that it is looking into the matter.
“Delta Phi Epsilon will not tolerate racism,” Delta Phi Epsilon said. “Our organization was founded by 5 Jewish women who were discriminated against. They stood up for social justice, and we continue to stand for that today.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh9teHMDVMd/?taken-by=jasmineee_b13