Syracuse Frat Suspended For Anti-Semitic And Racist Video
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
(JTA) — Syracuse University has suspended a campus fraternity after a video surfaced of members using racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic and ableist slurs.
In the video, discovered by the Daily Orange, Syracuse’s student newspaper, a member of Theta Tau gets on his knees and repeats an oath with slurs against blacks, Hispanics and Jews, among others.
The school’s administration suspended the fraternity, whose members attend the engineering school, after confirming the video’s authenticity on Wednesday.
“I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart for n***|**s, spcs and most importantly the f*|in’ k*kes,” a member repeats, phrase by phrase, using slurs for black, Hispanic and Jewish people, respectively. Soon after he yells, “You f*|in’ kkes, get in the f***|in’ showers,” a reference to gas chambers during the Holocaust, as other members laugh and applaud.
The video also shows members simulating sexual acts and mocking gay people. Another video features more anti-gay language, as well as a slur against people with disabilities.
“I am appalled and shaken by this and deeply concerned for all members of our community,” Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud wrote in an email to students, according to the Daily Orange. He added that the school is committed to “fostering a community where all our students feel welcome and are treated with dignity and respect. This behavior is unacceptable and contradicts our moral standards.”
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
