This kid is crazy. He's going to get skewered.
- Thread starter JConXtsy
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Sounds like something positive to me. If he follows through then he has learned a very valuable lesson. Sometimes kids just do stupid things. I used to preach leadership to my two kids. I would tell them that a true leader was one that listened and then thought about what they were going to do and not following the crowd.
Between his Junior and Senior year in high school he was staying with his grandmother for a few weeks. We warned him about another kid who lived close and told him to be very wary. One evening my son slipped out late at night and went to a party. He and a friend got talked into going into town with this kid and another friend. It turned out really bad as the Sheriff showed up on my mothers door step the next day. After this kid had brought my son and his friend back home he went back to town and did some breaking and entering.
My dad and brother had to take him to see the local DA. The DA was a friend of the family and he quickly discovered that my son and his friend hadn't participated in the B&E. My dad told the DA to put the fear of God in his grandson and he did. At the end of his stay he came home. He told me that he finally understood what I had been saying about being a leader instead of a follower. Sometimes just blind luck helps us parents with out children.
Between his Junior and Senior year in high school he was staying with his grandmother for a few weeks. We warned him about another kid who lived close and told him to be very wary. One evening my son slipped out late at night and went to a party. He and a friend got talked into going into town with this kid and another friend. It turned out really bad as the Sheriff showed up on my mothers door step the next day. After this kid had brought my son and his friend back home he went back to town and did some breaking and entering.
My dad and brother had to take him to see the local DA. The DA was a friend of the family and he quickly discovered that my son and his friend hadn't participated in the B&E. My dad told the DA to put the fear of God in his grandson and he did. At the end of his stay he came home. He told me that he finally understood what I had been saying about being a leader instead of a follower. Sometimes just blind luck helps us parents with out children.
I heard about this, this morning in Dallas. I think it's terrific. This contrite confession, and I think what is ahead is a moving toward forgiveness, is absolutely vital in mending old old habits and bringing about real change.
I applaud the lady who is taking real leadership in an area where it is sorely needed. Real contrition, followed by real forgiveness is the only way any sort of healing can come to pass. And the healing is how real change can come about.
We all screw up. I can't imagine a better scenario out of this mess. Instead of anger, he's been met in the way someone who screws up in a major way ought to be dealt with.
We'll see how it plays out. But right now, I'd say Bravo!
I applaud the lady who is taking real leadership in an area where it is sorely needed. Real contrition, followed by real forgiveness is the only way any sort of healing can come to pass. And the healing is how real change can come about.
We all screw up. I can't imagine a better scenario out of this mess. Instead of anger, he's been met in the way someone who screws up in a major way ought to be dealt with.
We'll see how it plays out. But right now, I'd say Bravo!
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Well, that's why the high road is just that.
Hard to get to, seemingly unattainable.
I think that in the long run this will pay dividends for this misguided fellow. At least he can go forth knowing he's done all that was reasonable and proper.
(whew, wouldn't want to walk a mile in his shoes...damn)
Hard to get to, seemingly unattainable.
I think that in the long run this will pay dividends for this misguided fellow. At least he can go forth knowing he's done all that was reasonable and proper.
(whew, wouldn't want to walk a mile in his shoes...damn)
It's amazing how quickly this country will forgive and forget about things like this if the person(s) involved simply own up to thier mistakes and ask for forgiveness. This is no doubt the correct move on this kids part. It's not going to be easy, but like fitty said, in the long run it will pay dividends to own up to a mistake, and move on and live your life and put it behind you.
If he is truly willing to apologize, ask for forgiveness and take this mistake head on like a brave young man, he'll enter the front door with his head held high and do the right thing. His future actions will determine, if he was truly sincere about it.
Your principles appear to be completely out of whack after reading your comments in this thread imho.
You think he is crazy for owning up to his mistake?
Worried about him getting skewered?
What's the point?
Enter the back door?
I suggest allowing him to deal with his mistake as his parents taught him. He appears to be more adult about reaching out to those he believes were affected or offended unlike cowards that hide and run waiting for it to all blow over.
It's refreshing to see how this situation has evolved into a positive lesson learned for students at the University of Oklahoma.
This post was edited on 3/25 6:36 PM by JMISASANO
His actions are speaking louder than his words. I hope one of the team leaders sees this and reaches out to him or vice versa. Let the healing process begin for everyone.
I'm going to take the kid at his word. Although it could be simply the appearance of contrition, I think the kid may have actually learned something. I have no doubt that he had never, as he said, considered himself a racist. Even after he made the statements, his parents issued a statement that their son was not a racist. His statement today recognized that his actions had been totally racist. When he was chanting that song, I doubt that he thought of himself as a racist. Few people do. He was one of the good guys. But, coming from his background, he had never thought about it.
If he had sung that song at Highland Park, the home of the "Cash beats Trash," sign that provoked comments of racism, he would have just been one of the boys, or girls. He was probably totally shocked that someone would object and think of him as a racist. Most people haven't really thought that their attitudes and actions are racist. Nobody is a racist. It reminds me of the Richard Widmark cynical statement in Judgement at Nuremburg that, "there are no nazis in Germany. There have never been any Nazis in Germany."
I think the kid got a wakeup call. Now, we'll see if he really does mean it. We'll see if he really does get involved with solutions to racism. This could be his most valuable lesson from college if he is serious.
If he had sung that song at Highland Park, the home of the "Cash beats Trash," sign that provoked comments of racism, he would have just been one of the boys, or girls. He was probably totally shocked that someone would object and think of him as a racist. Most people haven't really thought that their attitudes and actions are racist. Nobody is a racist. It reminds me of the Richard Widmark cynical statement in Judgement at Nuremburg that, "there are no nazis in Germany. There have never been any Nazis in Germany."
I think the kid got a wakeup call. Now, we'll see if he really does mean it. We'll see if he really does get involved with solutions to racism. This could be his most valuable lesson from college if he is serious.
When athletes are allowed to stay at oklahoma (and other universities including mine) for doing far worse acts to society it makes no sense not give this kid a strict path to reinstatement.
Well, it didn't take Nostradamus to predict this. Anyone with a pulse could predict that any contrition from this kid would not be well-received. He tried, but I'll stand by my words that it was pointless (only self-serving). I don't think he made anybody feel better about what he did. More than likely, he's just making last ditch efforts to show some remorse in hopes that he can complete his university studies elsewhere. The whole apologize thing just seems really self centered to me. My opinion on that certainly doesn't show any lack of principles on my behalf. What it shows is my cynicism towards these all-too-common, manufactured responses by people that have f'd up royally.
In the end, he didn't really admit to what he did as being driven by racial prejudice. He took the political way out by claiming that he was caught up in the activities and "didn't know what (he) was doing." Pppppfffffffffffffffffft. Stupid.
SKEWERED - just take a look at Twitter or the comments sections of any news piece written about the event yesterday. Op-ed columns and the sincerity (or lack thereof) will be following surely.
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/former-sae-fraternity-member-apologizes-racist-chant
Pettit's apology was less well-received on Twitter, where many expressed incredulity toward his mea culpea. "You don't get to use Black people as a force field and expect me to believe that you're sorry," wrote #SAE chant was. Sure. I can see how "you can hang them from a tree" can be ambiguous.
I think most are taking a wait and see attitude. But this was a great first step.
The story of his apology and meeting yesterday with black leaders in OKC was the lead story above the fold on the front page of the DMN this morning. Both reactions were represented.
There was someone from OKC who wanted to be in the meeting, but wa not included, who was unhappy that he would not take reporters questions. Given what I know about most reporters, I think that was a good idea.
The story of his apology and meeting yesterday with black leaders in OKC was the lead story above the fold on the front page of the DMN this morning. Both reactions were represented.
There was someone from OKC who wanted to be in the meeting, but wa not included, who was unhappy that he would not take reporters questions. Given what I know about most reporters, I think that was a good idea.
I thought it was a honest apology up till the point where he said this below...the dude was made to do this by his parents and he is a coward fro not saying who and why they taught him the song. If it s a SAE thing at OU, then it is at UT, A&M and every where else and they all need to shut down.
Pettit and another student, Parker Rice, were expelled, and the frat was shut down. Parker has apologized and said the song was "taught to us," sparking questions about whether the song was more widespread.
Pettit would not answer questions about where he and other members of the SAE chapter learned the song.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/levi-pettit-frat-member-sae-racist-chant-video-deeply-sorry-n330226
Pettit and another student, Parker Rice, were expelled, and the frat was shut down. Parker has apologized and said the song was "taught to us," sparking questions about whether the song was more widespread.
Pettit would not answer questions about where he and other members of the SAE chapter learned the song.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/levi-pettit-frat-member-sae-racist-chant-video-deeply-sorry-n330226
I don't know whether the kid is sincere or not, but that actually suggests the opposite to me than it does to you. By now, every reporter and every news organization has made it clear exactly where these songs came from. We know that not only was this song a part of this SAE house at this time, it has been at other SAE chapters. We are aware that this and other songs have been at other fraternities as well, probably at sororities as well. We also know full well that these kids probably grew up thinking this was acceptable and cute.
I thought he made it clear that he had never thought of himself as a racist, but that this had caused him to think about it because that song was a racist thing to do. If you had asked every kid on that bus a month ago if he was a racist, he or she would have said no, probably with indignation. Even now, they would say no. They probably think this is an overblown reaction to a bunch of kids who meant no harm.
But, I thought the cowards way out was to blame someone else for teaching him the song. I doubt that SAE found a whole pledge class of freshmen who just happened to know the lyrics to that song. It was obvious who taught them the lyrics. But, that doesn't excuse it. At least he had the "guts," whether sincere or instructed, to take the blame himself. "I'm innocent. I was taught by my SAE chapter," doesn't cut it.
We won't know whether he is sincere until we see his future moves. They will tell the story.
he isn't just taking the blame, he is taking the fall for upper classmen teaching him the song as well as others. Watching them on that bus tells me all I need to know about that group, they were having a blast with it and if they had not got caught they would still be teaching and smiling and singing that song. U are right, he did come out and we will see how he repairs his future but make no doubt that if he and his group not been caught it would be business as usual at SAE.
What if some parents (or other relatives) of the kids at SAE are big donors of OU.....could Boren's actions mean cuts in funding by these parents ? These parents have to be very upset, not only with their kids, but with OU as well.
We may be seeing just the tip of the iceberg on this situation.
We may be seeing just the tip of the iceberg on this situation.
CT, do you really think OU policy should be based on whether some donor should be upset over Boren's actions on this issue?
I would say to hell with them if that would be their attitude. I don't think OU needs these types, period. I don't think you meant your words as being "political". However, doing what you suggested wouild be taking the political way out and that is the problem as to many in the past have just used politics as an excuse.
It's taking the fall? He's not throwing the blame on a chapter that is dead? He's not outing someone who has already been outed? His apology needed to be about him. We already knew that the SAE and other such organizations were doing this. We didn't need him to tell us.
Allowing those offended to vent, question your sincerity and expect greater future actions than just words are all part of the healing process. Who didn't expect that?
So, simply take it like a MAN, own up, lead by example and hopefully learn from your mistake!
Perhaps you believe in running, hiding and letting it all blow over?
Take it like a COWARD, be afraid, live in the shadows and hopefully forget about your mistake?
Is that the advice you would give him?
If he was smart he would blame it on alcoholism or sex addiction and go to rehab. Works for politicians and golfers.
True big donors understand just how delicate this issue is to the university as any lack of immediate action by Boren would have turned OU's campus into a protest alley with hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters bused from around the country.
Name donors or alumni that want that environment at OU.
No other members will be suspended, according to some reports.
The Frat was immediately suspended by their national charter, so they were gone regardless of Boren's actions towards their Frat.
Boren handled this crisis with a textbook crisis management approach and the fact nobody assembled against the university was proof of its success. The only assembly was against racism, which should be applauded.
So I'll take it that you think having a family that is beyond rich and able to afford one of the most expensive "crisis and issues management" consultants in the state to coach you up and write a speech for you is being a MAN?
I never once commented on what he should do. I only stated what he shouldn't do, give a meaningless, manufactured, televised speech as a publicity stunt.
What was the purpose to give a speech if he wasn't going to talk from the heart or answer questions? I know how to read. He could have just given his speech to the media to print like Coletti (oops, I mean his parents) did.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/billcoletti
Oh, and those op-eds skewering his sincerity are making it to the press now. The internet is now littered with them.
That's the last I need to say on the matter.
I disagree. He was there for his own contrition. If he answers that question, it doesn't difuse. It pours gasoline. Ratting out even lousy other human beings doesn't solve the problem. If he was truly contrite, and I take him at his word that he was, and forgiveness was offered in light of that, then that was what was called for here. Talking about others only passes his guilt elsewhere. There might be a future time for him to testify against others. This wasn't the day for that.
Somebody sorta famous I think said something like "Let he who is without sin throw the first rock"...
He answered questions that were relevant to his error.
He wasn't there to throw anybody else under the bus in the process.
Those skewering him have the right to do so, regardless of his approach. Not everyone is going to be onboard with it, but he was a MAN that took a major step. He wasn't a COWARD hiding from his errors.
Oh, sure and by all means just give lip service and play the political games with this issue, right?
That is exactly what you are suggesting. And, that is the reason we are still in this situation. And, it is the same thing that got Penn State in the mess they were in with the Paterno situation. They were more interested in donors and playing politics than taking care of a cancer of a pedophile on their campus. They crawled into a hole and covered the situation up with crap ... and what did that get them.
I am proud of David Boren for tackling this issue and taking no nonsense, no tolerance on what happened at OU. Who wants a donor who wants to sweep this crap under the rug.
Roy, I'm not suggesting a thing. I have said from day one that Boren had no choice in making his decision. I was only throwing out a scenario that might be looming based on things I have heard. OU will survive from this event one way or the other.
You mean no donor can out spend the Feds ability to borrow money and run up the national debt?? lol
Findings were just released. Excellent investigation, and U guys have a great leader in boren, Hang onto him.
For those that have not read yet.
The racist chant that members of the University of Oklahoma Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity were singing on a bus earlier this month was learned during a national leadership cruise sponsored by the national organization, President David Boren said.
Boren said during a news conference Friday that the chant was learned four years ago and brought back to the local chapter of SAE. He said officials conducted 160 interviews to uncover the chant's origin.
"The matter cannot be closed, in our view, until the culture at the national level is addressed," Boren said.
Aside from SAE members, high school students and potential recruits were also on the bus when the chant was started, Boren said.
Overall, Boren said 25 students have been disciplined for their involvement with the chant, including officers of the SAE chapter.
http://newsok.com/boren-racist-sae-chant-learned-at-national-leadership-cruise-25-students-disciplined/article/5405096
This post was edited on 3/27 2:15 PM by madcow12
For those that have not read yet.
The racist chant that members of the University of Oklahoma Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity were singing on a bus earlier this month was learned during a national leadership cruise sponsored by the national organization, President David Boren said.
Boren said during a news conference Friday that the chant was learned four years ago and brought back to the local chapter of SAE. He said officials conducted 160 interviews to uncover the chant's origin.
"The matter cannot be closed, in our view, until the culture at the national level is addressed," Boren said.
Aside from SAE members, high school students and potential recruits were also on the bus when the chant was started, Boren said.
Overall, Boren said 25 students have been disciplined for their involvement with the chant, including officers of the SAE chapter.
http://newsok.com/boren-racist-sae-chant-learned-at-national-leadership-cruise-25-students-disciplined/article/5405096
This post was edited on 3/27 2:15 PM by madcow12
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