University of Michigan frat scraps Nile River-themed party after cultural appropriation outcry

By Douglas Ernst - The Washington Times - Monday, August 21, 2017

A fraternity at the University of Michigan has torpedoed a Nile River-themed party to start the school year due to charges of cultural appropriation.

Wolverines who wanted to dress up in costumes for an upcoming Delta Sigma Phi party will no longer have that option due to the Egyptian Student Association. “Delta Sig Presents: The Nile” was abandoned after ESA President Yasmeen Afifi complained on Twitter of “white umich back on their bull—— & culture appropriation.”

An early advertisement for the party encouraged students to arrive as a “mummy, Cleopatra, or King Tut.”

“We completely accept all responsibility for this ordeal,” the group said in a press release, The Washington Free Beacon reported Monday. “We will begin an education effort to teach ourselves how our actions have an effect on people from a wide variety of backgrounds,” they continued. “This situation will serve as a very teachable moment for every Brother of our chapter by beginning a very important dialogue with those affected. … We have learned our lesson.”

Delta Sigma Phi’s president Samuel Finn declined to comment for a piece published Aug. 19 in the school newspaper.

“As an Egyptian, and one that has respect for various cultures and civilizations, this party is extremely offensive and disrespectful … I take pride in the grandeur of my people’s legacy and will not allow my culture to be appropriated for your entertainment,” Ms. Afifi wrote Sunday on her Facebook page.

“Imagine being one of the most advanced civilizations that has shaped the world we live in today with our architectural genius, literature, science, astronomy, mythology, religion, and mathematics just to be disrespected for white people’s entertainment. What exactly is your contribution to society?”