African American students on the University of California, Irvine campus continued to express anger about a video released by an Asian American fraternity of one of its members in blackface, reports ABC News.
The fraternity, Lambda Theta Delta, has apologized for the video and removed it from You Tube.
“I feel personally offended at that act whether it was for ignorance, whether they just didn’t know about it, I feel like that’s not an excuse,” Ayana Baines, member of UC Irvine’s Black Student Union told ABC News affiliate KABC-TV.
Some students say the fraternity knew before hand the video would be offensive, pointing out the group prefaced the video with a disclaimer that no racism was intended.
Lambda president said the blackface was meant to distinguish the character playing Jay-Z from the other performers.
“Lambda Theta Delta sincerely apologizes for the extremely racist content of the ‘Suit and Tie’ video. The use of black face in the video is incredibly offensive as well as insensitive. This behavior is simply unacceptable and the individuals responsible for the video have already been reprimanded.”
Campus administrators say they are investigating the incident.
Comment from @Fleursdumai via Twitter re blackface video: "Despicable."
Comments from @HagerstownSteve via Twitter Re: blackface video: The politically correct crowd grows more disgraceful by the minute. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Response to @hagerstownSteve re: blackface video: The term PC is used by those who no regards for others, for those who thinks its OK to be rude
Re to @AsAmnews re blackface video via twitter from @HagerstownSteve: "The term PC is used by people with a sense of humor, and doesn't think comedy should be attacked by self righteous, bad reporters."
From Sean: re Blackface Video: I am a black male and not offended by the blackface in this video. probably because it is 2013 and I do not simply get angry at the same things my parents or grandparents would be angry by. its not like they lynched anyone in the video