As a governing body comprised of historically black Greek-letter organizations, the National Pan-Hellenic Council responds with a heavy heart to the incident regarding the NC Mu chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the usage of the N-word. This rhetoric is not to be tolerated nor promoted by any members of the Elon University community, especially within Greek life, due to the systemic hatred and pain that is deeply rooted within the history of the word.
We acknowledge the apology issued and feelings projected by the former president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. However, it is important to note that “it’s not what happens to you that counts, it’s how you respond to it” (Viktor Frankl) and this response was not tasteful. Anyone who has ever used the N-word in a social setting, to intentionally negatively impact a person of color, or while singing the lyrics to a specific song, is also guilty of this.
To Austin Meekins, those who have de-brothered from Sigma Phi Epsilon and all Black students on Elon’s campus, we stand in solidarity with you. While these words and actions are not tolerable, we hope that illuminating this issue will foster conversation amongst the greater Elon community. Please feel free to reach out to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (elon.nphc@gmail.com) or its president Janaé Williams (jwilliams75@elon.edu) if you would like to discuss ways in which we can further combat usage of the N-word.
Striving for the betterment of the overall Elon community,
The National Pan-Hellenic Council