A Sigma Alpha Epsilon event held on campus in April and attended by more than 100 people has drawn sharp criticism for what the Greek community itself has called racially insensitive and otherwise derogatory themes.
Two letters obtained by The Daily suggest the event has been widely condemned by the Panhellenic Association and others in the Greek community.
In a letter read aloud by chapter presidents to sorority members following the event, PHA condemned the event’s “derogatory language and actions based on race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.” A letter from SAE president and Weinberg sophomore Casey Shamma suggested the event may not be held next year.
“We acknowledge there was a lack of coordination and oversight in planning this event, and recognize that should we deem it appropriate to hold Paddy Murphy week in subsequent years that we must reevaluate its structure and overarching purpose,” Shamma wrote. “Should the event continue, we will work with the Panhellenic community to restructure Paddy Murphy Week to better fit its original purpose.”
Paddy Murphy Week is an annual philanthropy event that honors the legend of an SAE member of the same name who died during the Prohibition era.
Panhellenic sororities competed against one another in athletic games and other events from April 9 to 14 to raise money for SAE’s beneficiary, the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston.
At an event called “Paddy’s Widow,” which was held April 13 in Harris Hall, representatives from each sorority performed in front of SAE members and members of other sororities, impersonating the late Paddy Murphy’s wife. The performances included a talent portion and a eulogy for the deceased husband.
According to several sorority members, some of these performances included racially insensitive material and jokes referencing male homosexuality.
Medill sophomore and Kappa Delta member Tegan Reyes attended Paddy’s Widow and said during one of the talent sections, the performer translated “ghetto speak” to “proper English.” Clara Grayhack, a Medill sophomore and member of Gamma Phi Beta, remembered the performer introducing herself by saying she “was ‘from the South Side.'”
Like Reyes, McCormick freshman and Pi Beta Phi member Hayley Blythe attended Paddy’s Widow and said she also witnessed this performer, who, along with making translations, was wearing an illustration of a teardrop on her face, which can symbolize murder or imprisonment. Blythe said one of the performer’s statements, when “translated,” meant: “Can I get any cocaine or drugs from you?”
Blythe said another performer made references to a homosexual Paddy Murphy.
However, SESP sophomore and Pi Beta Phi member Kayla Hutchings said she did not think this performance negatively portrayed homosexuality.
“She was actually insinuating that Paddy Murphy was gay,” Hutchings said. “I don’t think that’s homophobic in its natural form. She didn’t say anything disparaging about gay people.”
In addition, event participants repeatedly made explicit and crude references to male genitalia and sex, according to a number of sources.
“Everyone (at the event is) trying to be really funny,” Grayhack said. “I don’t think it was focused on stereotypes as much as sexual innuendos.”
In response to the Paddy’s Widow event, PHA sent a letter to NU chapter presidents expressing disappointment in the conduct of sorority members and its consequential misrepresentation of Greek women.
“This disappointing behavior is inconsistent with what it means to be a Greek woman,” PHA wrote in the letter.
The letter asked sorority members to reflect on supporting one another and on how individuals’ actions demonstrate the “shared values of Greek women.”
“Intolerant and insensitive behavior and speech is so damaging to the type of community we are striving to build, and oppressive language and attitudes will not be accepted or allowed,” the letter said.
The presidents of PHA and the Interfraternity Council, Communication junior Emily Jordan and McCormick junior Patrick Schnettler, declined to comment on the event or subsequent actions, as did Dominic Greene, the director for Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Dean of Students Burgwell Howard did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday afternoon.
Although Shamma also declined to comment to The Daily, his letter apologized on behalf of SAE. It said the offensive actions do not represent the values of any of the groups particpating in Paddy Murphy Week.
“These actions do not reflect the values and ideals of the people and organizations involved in this philanthropy,” Shamma wrote.
In an April 24 email, Jordan said PHA will be engaging in a series of conversations with SAE about the future of Paddy Murphy Week.
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