OU fraternity member seeks forgiveness for racist chant

The former University of Oklahoma fraternity member caught on film leading a racist chant apologized publicly on Wednesday, saying he is deeply sorry for his involvement and embarrassed that he failed to stop it. Several Oklahoma City civil rights leaders stood by Levi Pettit as he made the apology after a meeting at a Baptist church on the city’s east side, a predominantly African-American community. The apology has sparked discussions on reconciliation and forgiveness in regards to racial issues.

“Some have wondered why I hadn’t spoken out publicly,” Pettit said. “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.”

The chant under question referenced lynching, used racial slurs, and indicated how blacks would never be allowed to join Sigma Alpha Epsilon. It was recorded on video and caused significant backlash at the university and surrounding community, resulting in the expulsion of two students and eventually, the disbanding of the fraternity. The university conducted further investigations into the role of fraternity leaders. The results are to be released tomorrow.

Pettit declined to say where he learned the chant.

“The truth is what was said in that chant is disgusting … and after meeting with these people I’ve learned these words should never be repeated,” Pettit said. The school expelled Pettit and fellow fraternity member Parker Rice after the incident. Both are from the Dallas area.

Local black community leaders have expressed their respect for Pettit and faith in the sincerity of his apology. He also met with leaders of the school’s football team, who accepted his apology.

“I admire his courage of reaching out to me and saying: ‘I want to meet with you face-to-face and apologize to you directly,’” State Sen. Anastasia Pittman, chair of Oklahoma’s Legislative Black Caucus said. “I believe he is sincere.”

Anthony Bradley, an evangelical leader and professor of theology at The King’s College in New York City, tweeted his support for Pettit yesterday, saying: “#LeviPettit is being unfairly slammed post-apology. His sincerity shouldn’t be doubted.”

The tweet received some pushback, with critics saying they didn’t “buy” the apology. Bradley responded by pointing to Christ’s example of forgiveness and redemption: “Thankfully God is gracious. He ‘buys’ our repentance even though we repeat the same sins again. Why not show him the same grace?”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.