[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

What I meant by taking anybody is that the multi cultural orgs I've seen often tend to value the "multi cultural" aspect than anything else, and thus just take anyone who wants to be a member.

I see. I haven't personally observed this phenomenon.

Regarding the cultural issue, I'm not quite sure I follow. What I meant is that people like myself, who were in all white fraternities, who prefer upper class neighborhoods with fewer minorities, are often considered to be hiding from the world, or "uncultured."

I think my question was regarding your definition of uncultured. I believe I understand. If "uncultured" is a nice way of saying "discriminatory," I understand what you're saying. To that I would say people are comfortable where they are comfortable. The basic reasons you gravitate toward upper class neighborhoods and a white fraternity are probably the same basic reasons that I gravitate toward orgs like Theta Nu Xi. To each his own. My problem comes when you don't acknowledge the value of my organization to me when I acknowledge the value of yours to you. Of course, there may be other negative issues under the surface that caused you to make the choice you made. I can honestly say that the reason I didn't seriously pursue a Panhell org was because of the high number of white women. But that doesn't devalue my organization or my commitment to it. I'm continually growing. Even as I've come to terms with my personal issues, I still haven't had any desire to renounce my membership and pursue a Panhel org.

What people fail to see is that many, if not most of us, are better educated and traveled than the large majority of people.

I won't deny this, but I will ask what you are doing with this privilege to affect change for the better? I do believe this is everyone's responsibility, especially in the U.S. where we have so much. I by no means have a socialist/communist bent, but I am compassionate. You shouldn't be made to help, but if you don't, I'd like to know why.

We're not hiding in our own corner of the world, or unaware of the big world out there. We've seen it, and we also have found a part we prefer.

Ok. Again, I don't think the issue is that people consider you ignorant, but that they consider that you do know but are still discriminatory/elite. And again I'll say, to each his own. I don't think it's appropriate for anyone to question your reason for joining your org. You are where you are in your life and, regardless of the way others may feel about that, you are where you're supposed to be. The rest of us can go jump in a lake. But, I have to say again, your attitude toward organizations not like your own is certainly the catalyst for the negative attitudes of others who are not in similar organizations. I would also say to you that you don't have all the answers and you have not finished growing, no matter how old you are. Your opinions could change with new experiences. Don't get wedged into one way of thinking. That would not only be a pity but it would also be a disservice to your future self! There are things you can't understand (and may never understand). If you realize this and are willing to step into the shoes of people unlike yourself, you'll go a long way in understanding why people might have a negative perception of you.