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After complaints, U. of Oklahoma dean apologizes for wearing Muslim clothing

Dean Charles Graham of the University of Oklahoma’s College of Architecture “took an appropriate step” by apologizing for donning “clothing associated with Islam at a back-to-school meeting” on August 20.

What did Graham wear? A white thawb and a red keffiyeh.

The college’s press secretary said that “three or four people anonymously contacted the president’s office” after the meeting to complain about Graham’s attire.

The Oklahoma Daily reports:

In his apology, [Graham] said he purchased the garments when he went to Dubai. According to the apology, he asked “a number of [his] Muslim friends around campus and in Norman to see if [his] wearing the attire would be offensive in any religious way,” to which the answers were “all resoundingly ‘no.'”

Graham described himself as “always striving to be inclusive and considerate of others in every context” in his apology, and said his Muslim friends thought wearing the attire would be “a nice gesture of diversity and acceptance of other cultures.”

The College of Architecture has a study abroad program in Dubai which explores building design and construction within the city. The program has sent more than 30 students there in the past couple of years, Graham said in his apology.

Dean, dean, dean. What were you thinking? That wasn’t a “nice gesture of diversity,” that was cultural appropriation, sir!

Read the full article, which includes the dean’s letter.

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About the Author
Associate Editor
Dave has been writing about education, politics, and entertainment for over 20 years, including a stint at the popular media bias site Newsbusters. He is a retired educator with over 25 years of service and is a member of the National Association of Scholars. Dave holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Delaware.