well i was more taken a back by your statement that you don't learn much about asian culture by hanging with asian groups. as someone who was active in several different asian cultural organizations, i know for a fact that we threw food festivals and cultural festivals during the year. we also roadtripped to other schools for cultural conferences in our region. trust, i learn a whole lot during those times.

Well, comparing to a person who has lived in asia for half of my life, things we learned there of course would be more cultural based then what you experience here. But again, because I was brought up there, I see things differently.

I agree with cutie_cat. Just because one only has Chinese friends, listens to Cantopop, speaks Cantonese and drinks bubble tea doesn't mean that one knows much about (traditional) Chinese culture.

of course you would.

much of what is learned at this conferences and festivals is not only "traditional" but also very much fused with what makes asian americans just that....americans.

Bubble tea makes the world go 'round.

Especially mango bubble tea.

As long as the hippie coffee shop doesn't put those gawdawful tapioca bubbles in them. :mad:

For Asians and whites it's usually more of segregation by choice unless they are forced into segregation based on language or economic barriers.

For blacks and Hispanics it's usually forced segregation based on socioeconomic barriers, with some choice for people who aren't relegated to low income housing and schooling.

As far as not learning about Asian culture from fellow Asians, your point is accurate only if the group as a whole is assimilating and are therefore less identifiable, culturally. However in many areas there are pockets of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generationers who still mingle in exclusive ethnic settings, eat ethnic foods all day everyday and still closely identify with the language and culture. Many of these group members interact and identify with American culture for work and school commitments only.

There are quite a few Asian groups so whatever cultural identification means to that group while they are in America is what it means, period. Many of these individuals also participate in traditional celebrations and holidays, as well as do their best to learn history and culture. But every group begins to separate itself from aspects of traditionalism and identifiability to an extent.

So I don't know what the culture-o-meter would be as far as you are concerned but the point remains the same.

Good point. Many Asians and Asian Americans self-select to either fully assimilate into American society or maintain linkages to their ethnic heritage. I'm Filipina on my mom's side and several members of the family still speak Tagalog (and Cebuano), eat traditional Filipino foods, participate in Filipino festivals like Simbang Gabi and incorporate Filipino traditions in our weddings and funeral celebrations. The degree to which an Asian is assimilated into American (or white) society has to do with the individual person; their isn't necessarily a collective Asian ethos to try to assimilate and lose touch with their heritage and culture. It is not surprising to me that many Asians would seek out Asian based organizations esp. if they wish to retain their culture.

Language, religion and culture play a significant role in how people develop relationships and the same holds true for how they pick an organization to join. Yes, there are some African Americans joining Latino frats and sororities but I would argue that is primarily based on regional differences. Blacks and Latinos live and work in close proximity to one another on the East Coast and in Chicago but the same doesn't hold true on the West Coast.

Say, if I grew up in Spanish Harlem and wanted to join a sorority and found things in common with a Latina sorority made up of primarily Puerto Ricans, I would argue that this is more about someone feeling more in common based on familiarity of the culture than BGLOs on the whole making folks feel uncomfortable. Yeah, it's certainly possible that the guy in the article was turned off by an Omega demand to bring beer and chicken but to make it seem like Blacks are headed to Latino/s orgs en masse because these incidents are so common is nonsense. The more likely conclusion to draw is that some Black folks feel comfortable with Latino/as and people have more choice in their selection of a frat or sorority to choose from.

I don't know but I was a bit uncomfortable with the tone of the article...Like the opening example was trying to lay blame from this increase of Blacks joining Latino orgs at the feet of the D9 instead of the individual person.

It was trying to lay blame at our feet. As if the "chicken and brew" comment was necessary.

If people want to join whatever organization that's their business. But when they throw jabs at other organizations or types of organizations to support their choices, I wonder if the organization of choice is really in their heart or if they are just temporarily disgruntled. Will the "chicken and brew" guy want to come back to the frat and try to get down at the grad chapter level, for example?

Yes. :D

Well his name's out there so they should put him on the banned from membership roster. :D

It doesn't? I've never heard nor observed this before. :confused:

Take a look at cities like Compton, Inglewood, and Hawthorne, just to name a few in Los Angeles County (let alone the rest of the state).

Exactly. He didn't need to call out the other organization. He should of just focused his comments on the organization he was interested in.

Your location states that you're in SoCal...but did you grow up here? Do you live in the Los Angeles area? Hell I grew up in Alhambra...high concentration of both Latinos and Asians. I also lived in the city of Los Angeles....went to Horace Mann Jr. HS, the entire population of the school were Af-Am and Latinos....

Hell all my life my best friends have been Latinas

so I question this statement and say ITS WRONG!