On Halloween night, the FarmHouse fraternity at Troy University engaged in a skit that, at best was incredibly insensitive, and at the worst, a belligerent act of racism . Regardless of how anyone on an individual level feels about the skit, for this to occur through a Greek organization at an international university is completely unacceptable.

The Snapchat videos that were released show several fraternity brothers performed a skit dressed as President Trump, border patrol agents, and a Mexican immigrant. The border patrol agents chased the immigrant dressed in a sombrero and poncho over the wall as the Donald Trump figure followed behind screaming for him to get out of the country. The border patrol agents then arrest the immigrant as he screams “pesos accepted”. In the Snap videos, the captions for the skit include “when you ask them to build the wall” as the immigrant ran and “got him” when the immigrant was arrested.

I completely understand that this was not meant to hurt anyone; however, FarmHouse, you guys really should have thought about the consequences that could arise from making a public mockery of Hispanics and other minority groups while in a representative, leadership position.

The skit was performed during a fraternity party with a student audience.

The skit was performed on the campus of an international university with a huge population of international and minority students.

The skit was performed and recorded on FarmHouse property, which not only represents part of Greek life at TroyU but the FarmHouse organization on a national level.

Aside from those facts and the controversial nature of the skit, the president over the FarmHouse fraternity cast himself as President Trump, the same President pushing for mass deportations and is known to make many racist and inappropriate slurs at minority groups (especially Hispanics).

The fraternity members did not follow the conduct codes for their national organization nor did they follow the ethical codes of the university they are supposed to represent. They did not think about the consequences of staging a skit that is blatantly racist and quite crude.

Sorry to say it, but you guys have not only made national news because of your poor decisions, but embarrassed many TroyU students, made several minority students openly uncomfortable, gave your fraternity a bad rep, and helped increase the racial divides that are already weakening this country as a whole. So, at the end of the day, a big L needs to be tossed your way.

As a Greek organization and Troy Trojans, representing positive leadership and encouraging cultural respect and acceptance should be a TOP priority, especially during a time when racial tensions are still problematic both on and off campus. The LOWEST priority should be staging something that is insensitive and easily considered racist to get some kicks at a party. Actually, that should be common sense to not be a plausible idea at all.

For those who say the skit was “meant to be funny” and people need to “stop being so sensitive,” think about it from the perspective of showing leadership, promoting respect for others, and the importance of institutional representation before jumping on all the political bandwagon bull. This isn’t about trying to indirectly bash the President or any, one political platform. This is about higher accountability for the individual and adhering to Troy University's policy about showing compassion and respect for other cultures.

This is an international university that is proud to embody so much diversity. Embracing anything less than love and acceptance for that won’t be tolerated, especially by the men who are supposed to be leaders on this campus. Think a little harder about what you stand for next time; gents, and let this be a lesson to everyone else who thinks that social media posts, racist slurs, and questionable ethics are protected by free speech.

Just because our president says something does not make it right. Be leaders in your own way by respecting the differences of those around you. Next time, let's make national news by being progressive and breaking down walls instead of helping set the foundation to build one up.

“If you want to be a great leader, remember to treat all people with respect at all times. For one, because you never know when you'll need their help. And two, because it's a sign you respect people, which all great leaders do.” – Simon Sinek