Crowdfunding Raises Money For Unemployed SAE Fraternity Worker After Racist Chant
NORMAN, Okla., March 10 (UPI) — Crowdfunding donors have raised nearly $40,000 for the now-unemployed chef at the University of Oklahoma’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, who was banned from the school campus amid a racism scandal.
The Indiegogo fund site was established for Howard Dixon on Sunday, after a video was published by the student newspaper, The Oklahoma Daily, purportedly showing members chanting: “There will never be a n***** in SAE.”
The crowdfunding site, which had $37,225 toward the $50,000 goal by midday Tuesday, was established by former student Blake Burkhart.
“Those of you who lived in the house, undoubtedly came to love Howard and his infectious smile (if not his chili dogs). He was always there to chat with you and more importantly, to take care of (house mother) Mom B.,” Burkhart wrote.
University of Oklahoma President David Boren said Monday the school is working to identify students involved in the chant on a bus. The university has severed all ties with SAE and is considering expelling fraternity members involved in the chant and taking action under the Civil Rights act of 1964.
“Would I be happy if they left the university as students and were no longer our students? You betcha,” said Boren. “I’d be happy. We don’t have any room for racists and bigots at this university. I’d be glad if they left.”
