A fraternity at one of the top universities in the United States has canceled an ancient Egyptian-themed party after receiving backlash and accusations of "cultural appropriation."
The Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at the University of Michigan issued a press release over the weekend, announcing the party would be canceled and apologizing for being "insensitive."
"It would never be the intention to make anyone from any group, especially a group that has been the victim of oppression for many generations, feel unwelcome or uncomfortable," the group said in an official statement posted to Facebook.
Social media backlash arose quickly to the party, which was titled "The Nile" and invited students to celebrate the group's "newly built pyramid."
The Facebook event invited attendees to wear their "best ancient Egyptian robe and headdress." It also said students should be "ready to party in the desert."
Many tweeted their frustration
Before the party was canceled, some suggested students crash it
The President of the university's Egyptian Student Association responded.
"Not only are these stereotypes extremely offensive as a whole, it is more saddening to see students from the top public university in the United States engaging in these stereotypes. As an actual Egyptian, my roots are more than a costume or a lame party," Yasmeen Afifi said, according to The Michigan Daily.
"My culture will not be appropriated for your entertainment," she said.
The university's student branch of the NAACP stood in solidarity
A group called Students4Justice also called out the party as well
"What the bros at Delta Sig don't know is that those Egyptians still exist today and their legacy runs through our veins. You can't justify your culture appropriation and Cleopatra costumes because you think ancient Egypt was a mythical civilization of the past. Egyptians still exist, we aren't mythical creatures that vanished in fairy dust," Afifi said.
Cultural appropriation has become a hot-button issue in the United States in recent years. Usually, it is raised in reference to celebrities and individuals who appropriate styles and aspects of Black culture, however it has extended to other minority groups as well.
Egyptian culture and history is no stranger to appropriation in the West. Ancient Egyptian costumes and themed parties have long been popular. Many celebrities have gotten in on the problematic trend as well.
Explaining why such appropriation is offensive, Afifi said: "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."
With hate crimes targeting minorities and White Supremacist groups on the rise in the United States, inaccurate representations, stereotyping and cultural appropriation have an added weight of danger.