The University of Oklahoma has responded after a video of two students in blackface went viral and drew outrage last week.
A Twitter user named Gabby on Friday uploaded a video filmed from Snapchat which saw students she identified as Olivia Urban and Francis Ford put black paint on their faces and proclaim they’re Black using a racial slur. The girls laugh at the statement.
“Some girls that attend OU thought it would be funny (especially Olivia Urban and Francis Ford) to put black paint on their face and say ‘I am a n—–‘ @UofOklahoma #whatareyougoingtodo ????” the user said of the clip she posted on Twitter Jan. 18.
Some girls that attend OU thought it would be funny (especially Olivia Urban and Francis Ford) to put black paint on their face and say “I am a nigger” @UofOklahoma #whatareyougoingtodo ???? pic.twitter.com/ccWGnG4L7N
— lil durk jr. (@GabbyHahaa) January 18, 2019
The women in question have since made their Instagram accounts private and their Facebook pages are unsearchable. However, many on Twitter have been calling for the students to be expelled.
“They need to be expelled immediately. I’m usually not someone who rushes to any judgments, but this is just not ok. Good riddance to them both.”
“hope these two girls are always recognized for this on campus. they should be expelled, but if that won’t happen then we need to share their pictures everywhere.”
“As an alumna of OU, I hope these girls are expelled immediately.”
Officials at the university have issued a statement saying an investigation has been launched into the matter.
“We have been made aware of an inappropriate and derogatory video circulating on social media posted by an OU student,” read the statement, which was also echoed in a separate one released by University President Jim Gallogly Jan. 19. “The University of Oklahoma abhors such conduct and condemns the students’ actions and behavior in the strongest terms possible. While students have the freedom of expression, the negative impact on such conduct cannot be underestimated. The university is following up with the students. Our goal is to be a welcoming and inclusive community and we condemn any behavior whose goal is to diminish or belittle other members of the OU community.”
Additionally, Tri Delta, the sorority one of the women is part of, said they are “taking appropriate action” in response to the clip. An updated statement released Saturday confirmed the woman who took part in, filmed and posted the clip is not part of the organization any longer.
