Another day, another racist fraternity has been exposed, this time at the University of Maryland, College Park. AJ Hurwitz, who is a member of the university’s chapter of Kappa Sigma, sent an email to fellow fraternity members about rush week. As you can see from the email above, racist terms were used to describe the type of women they did not want invited. But who’d want to be invited to anything that involves what he’s talking about?
The email, which was sent last January, made its way around social media on Friday, on the heels of SAE’s controversy. In response to the email, university president Wallace D. Loh released this statement:
On Tuesday, March 10, 2015, the University of Maryland became aware of an email dated January 2014, 15 months ago. The vulgar language in the email expresses views that are reprehensible to our campus community. We immediately met with the individual involved and a University investigation is currently underway, led by the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct. We are in contact with the University chapter of Kappa Sigma and they have taken swift and decisive action in this matter. At their request, the University has committed to provide educational training on diversity and respect for the entire fraternity. The University of Maryland remains committed to our core values of respect for human dignity, diversity, and inclusiveness. We are deeply saddened by the impact this email is having on our community.
In its statement, the Kappa Sigma national organization said: “The language and views expressed in the email were inexcusable and are in stark contrast to the values of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. They are counter to everything Kappa Sigma stands for. Upon learning of the email, the individual was immediately suspended, pending an investigation. The individual subsequently submitted a letter of resignation from Kappa Sigma. The undergraduate chapter at the University of Maryland is also presently engaging in proceedings to formally expel the individual from Kappa Sigma.”
Friends of Hurwitz even had the audacity to come to his defense.
UMD varsity football player and Quince Orchard alumni, Alex Twine, an African-American. Twine, a Gaithersburg native, is a senior education and American Studies major at UMD. “I’ve known AJ Hurwitz for years,” Twine told The Bottom Line, “He’s never been a bad person or racist. He’s an idiot for that email, and I don’t know why he would ever say something like that. The email was very wrong and there should be consequences, but let’s not ruin his life. He is not the only person that has ever sent something like that; he’s just one of them that have been exposed.”
Another was Corday Thomas, also an African-American friend of AJ. Thomas, like Twine, graduated in the same 2011 class as Hurwitz. He said, “I think it [the email] was taken out of context, but it is just unacceptable to say things like that. I’m not so much offended as I am disappointed and embarrassed for him. Racism is never okay, and you should never refer to women like that.”
Thomas also acknowledged Hurwitz for an act of generosity in the past, “Freshmen year of college, when my family moved to New York, I had no place to stay for spring break. He let me stay with him, fed me, hooked me up; I’ve chilled with him countless times, and I know he’s not a racist. However, he has to learn from his mistakes.”
Just another day in racist fraternity life exposed.
March 14, 2015 -
So reprehensible and unfortunate. Audacity is right for those ‘men’ (and I say that loosely) coming to his defense. This is not only racist, but an attack against women as well.
March 16, 2015 -
That’s one thing that I’ve notice, when it comes to these types of incident: whenever a POC comes to the defense of an accused racist, it is always a man.
I wonder if any of his defenders are student-athletes.
March 14, 2015 -
This is weird because at one level, these people are reprehensible sexists and racists, not to mention immature, but is there fundamentally wrong with saying who they want to invite to their party? More to the point, now that the email is public, what self respecting woman would want to come to their party?
The more fundamental issue is that the use of racial slurs is only a symptom of truly deep cultural and institutional racism. Would we feel any better if they had managed to say the same things without overtly racist and sexist language?
March 14, 2015 -
My sentiments exactly.
The email speaks for itself. Hurwitz is a racist and a sexist without question. It is truly a shame that some “Brothers” are trying to defend Hurwitz’s “character” when Hurwitz made an inexcusable email. It is a shame that 2 black men want to try to lie and say that Hurwitz’s email was taken out of context. It was not. When a white racist disrespects a black woman, that racists disrespects all black people. When a racist makes a slur about a Sister, that person is talking about all in our community as well. We should never tolerate this as a people. His email shows the viciousness and vile evil of racism. Many of these bigots head corporations and continue the system of institutionalized racism, sexism, and injustice in general. So, Hurwitz ought to be held accountable for his actions.
March 14, 2015 -
Why are so many AA men so effing weak , no matter what the offense You can find some black men to put on their cape and come to the offenders defense
” it was taken out of context ” ? how does one take this out of context ??”
“He’s just one of them that have been exposed.” ?? Huh so its Ok as long as it not made public gothcha
I swear the pathological need for so many AA men to be accepted by whites by any means is going to be AA downfall
March 14, 2015 -
Right!!
March 15, 2015 -
“I swear the pathological need for so many AA men to be accepted by whites by any means is going to be AA downfall”
I don’t understand this either. Maybe it’s pride. Perhaps it’s because they were given certain margin of acceptance, but don’t want to admit it when they get played. It’s that house negro mentality that is seen everywhere from the playground to the board room.
March 25, 2015 -
Why is it a bad thing for people to overcome racial divisions and come to the defense of someone over what people don’t seem to realize only comes down to the use of a fucking word. Should he have said it? No. Is he Hitler? Also no.
March 14, 2015 -
Another SMDH moment
March 14, 2015 -
I thought being educated was supposed to open one’s mind and to challenge close minds.
March 14, 2015 -
Exactly.
March 15, 2015 -
Education doesn’t cure stupid.
March 14, 2015 -
That email is is vomit inducing and how can any black man defend that kind of misogyny?
March 14, 2015 -
What is with all the misogyny on the college campuses?
March 15, 2015 -
“ziggy you’re girl can come she’s cool.” Wonder who and what is ziggy’s girl? And did she go?
March 15, 2015 -
” … don’t invite any ‘nigger’ gals or curry monsters or slanted eye chinks … remember my ‘niggas’ … ” can’t make any excuses for this. it’s straight forward and to the point.
March 17, 2015 -
oh no the evil white people are sending emails
Meanwhile in Ferguson