A Back to the Future Part III parody sparked outrage for its use of Mexican cultural items as props.
The parody, featuring Marty McPhi traveling back to the Old West to confront Case del Spartans, a group of outlaws in Mexican serapes and sombreros, was supposed to be part of a skit from Phi Delta Theta at Case Western Reserve University.
Students from the Latinx organization did not like a sketch making fun of millennials and High School Musical, either. They wrote an open letter signed “Concerned Latinx Students” which begins by referring to “the negligence” of those involved in the skit for allowing it to go on and awarding it sixth place.
There were also complaints about how “triggering” the performance was, and they referenced the “cultural appropriation” of the sketch:
The letter makes demands of the fraternity and the Greek Life Office, Greek Week Steering Committee, and judging panel, including:
- A public apology
- “A commitment to refrain from culturally appropriating ANY marginalized group culture in the future”
- Eliminating Phi Delta Theta from Greek Week awards or recognition
- Place under review their placing in the Variety Show
- Participation in “diversity education and training”
- That Phi Delta Theta submit to sanctions
- “An investigation and written report” regarding the approval of the skits
- An assessment of “future initiatives to create an inclusive environment for Latino students in the Greek community.”
The letter in part closes with a “hope to start a continued dialogue,” a sentiment that is shared by another open letter coming from Interfraternity Congress (IFC) President Will Oldham and Panhellenic Council (PHC) President Gina Belli.
“We ask our Greek community, and the larger CWRU community, to recognize this moment as a time to listen deeply and be willing to be changed by what we hear,” the letter read. It mentions University Counseling Services students can use.
The sentiment was echoed by University President Barbara R. Snyder. Part of her campus-wide email was shared by the Observer.
“My email and all of my remarks have been talking about the importance of dialogue, talking to each other, listening to each other,” she said in an interview with the Observer. “That does not mean that I am trying to prohibit anybody from speaking his or her mind. I also want to speak my mind about what I think is important and what our values are,” she continued with.
Another student organization, La Alianza, did not endorse the letter, as they felt it “polarized the Hispanic community.”
The Phi Delta Theta chapter is being investigated by the national chapter, university officials, and local alumni.
