The University of Texas looks like it is about to join the growing list of schools where frat boys wear blackface to parties, offended students complain, and administrators take unlawful disciplinary action in order to prove the school's commitment to tolerance. UT is investigating Kappa Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta for throwing parties where members and guests were photographed wearing "racially offensive" costumes. Such parties took place last Halloween, and, more recently, at the end of January. There are photos of students dressed as rappers with exaggerated lips, and another of a white man covered in black paint, with a chain and padlock around his neck. UT has not announced what disciplinary action it is considering, but the fact that it is investigating a constitutionally protected--if offensive--form of expression as if it were a crime does not bode well.

FIRE has put together a fascinating collection of stories of campus blackface incidents. Their archive demonstrates in stark terms not simply the rote quality of fraternity racial pranks, but the equally rote character of adminstrative reactions to them. These reactions routinely involve violations of the fraternity members' individual rights; on some occasions, they also involve fraternity members suing their universities--and winning. Check out the Auburn and George Mason cases, and then watch to see whether UT admins have learned from their peer instititions' mistakes.

Thanks to reader Chuck H. for the link.