VICE documentary exposes racial divisions at University of Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A new documentary from VICE examines racial divisions at the University of Alabama following allegations that traditionally white sororities denied two Black women membership because of their race.

University of Alabama sorority racial discrimination allegations

The controversy sparked campus protests and forced university President Judy Bonner to publicly acknowledge that the school’s Greek system remained segregated.

The dispute began after The Crimson White, the university’s student newspaper, published an investigation Sept. 11 detailing allegations that two Black women were rejected by all 16 traditionally white Panhellenic sororities.

According to the investigation, some sorority members supported admitting the women. However, members alleged that alumnae and advisers intervened in the recruitment process and blocked their membership.

The revelations prompted hundreds of students and faculty members to take action.

According to the Associated Press, several hundred people marched across campus to protest racial segregation among fraternities and sororities. Demonstrators gathered outside the university administration building, calling attention to the racial divisions within campus Greek organizations.

Bonner also addressed the controversy in a video statement released Sept. 17.

“Our Greek system remains segregated,” Bonner said, acknowledging that sorority recruitment decisions had been based on race.

She announced changes to the recruitment process, including allowing sororities to extend membership invitations throughout the year. The university also increased the maximum membership size for the organizations.

VICE Documentary Highlights Student Activism

Now, VICE is bringing the controversy and the student response to a wider audience through its short documentary, Black, White & Greek.

The film examines the racial divisions students experience at the university. It also highlights efforts to challenge segregation within the Greek system.

It also features the student activism surrounding the controversy, including the September campus protest.

The documentary focuses on students working to change a system that has remained divided along racial lines, despite decades of progress toward integration.

As the university faces growing pressure to address the issue, Black, White & Greek offers a closer look at the students challenging the status quo.

Check out the documentary here.