The Delta Sigma Phi fraternity chapter at the University of Michigan had what it thought was a delightful theme—antiquity on the Nile—for a party kicking off the school year. They invited guests to come as a “mummy, Cleopatra, or King Tut, it doesn’t matter to us. Get your best ancient Egyptian robe and headdress and be ready to party in the desert.”
If you’ve been paying any attention to college life of late, you know where this is headed.
A poobah with the university’s Egyptian Student Association objected, writing a long Facebook post decrying the event and accusing the fraternity of cultural appropriation. The “party is extremely offensive and disrespectful,” wrote Yasmeen Afifi. “I take pride in the grandeur of my people’s legacy and will not allow my culture to be appropriated for your entertainment.”
Having clearly learned what happens to people who run afoul of the campus identity police, the young men of Delta Sig at Michigan reacted to Afifi not with guffaws but with groveling. “It quickly came to our attention that the party theme was insensitive to various groups, especially those of Egyptian descent,” read a statement from the chapter’s abased executive board. “Upon hearing that our party was seen as appropriating Egyptian culture, the event was immediately cancelled.” The press release included repeated apologies, including to anyone “offended by the event” and “anyone who was hurt by the theme choice.”
Just in case that was insufficient cringing, the brave lads of Delta Sig blubbered, “We completely accept all responsibility for this ordeal.” That’s right—ordeal! “We will begin an education effort to teach ourselves how our actions have an effect on people from a wide variety of backgrounds.” They recognized that this is “a very teachable moment.” Very true, if what they were being taught was how to appease even the smallest of social media mobs.
The best was yet to come. The local chapter’s self-flagellation was soon followed by an official statement of apology from Delta Sigma Phi national headquarters “to reiterate and expand” on the local’s apology. “Cultural insensitivity and appropriation have no place in our organization,” thundered Patrick F. Jessee, executive director and CEO of Delta Sigma Phi. “The theme of this party called into the spotlight stereotypical tropes of Egypt that perpetuate myths about the Egyptian people.” Those stereotypes come from “popular media and Hollywood blockbusters,” he sniffed.
What Jessee failed to mention, as he tossed his young charges under the bus, is that the boys in Michigan actually got the idea to use “stereotypical tropes” from no less than Delta Sig headquarters itself. The imagery of the organization he helms is a preposterous mélange of Egyptian and Ottoman icons. The fraternity’s official symbol, atop its official crest, is the Sphinx; its official color is “Nile green”; well-behaved chapters are awarded the “Pyramid of Excellence” (illustrated on the national headquarters website by a photo of the Giza Necropolis); Their Greek letters—themselves a lamentable cultural appropriation, don’t you know—are displayed on fezzes.
Denial ain’t just a fraternity party in Michigan.
