ZChi, I am an anthropolgy major, too. My organization is predominantly white, nationally speaking. But my chapter, though not called so, might as well be what you call a "multi-cultural" organization. And as I said in another post, most of my feelings for my organization come from my experiences with my chapter even though it is a national org.
Now to those who think it is so "sad" that I, a black woman, pledged a (nationally) predominantly white organization, I neither desire nor need the sympathy. No, I never thought that not talking about race meant race was not an issue. It was never our policy in our chapter to not talk about race. Our chapter mostly consisted of people who, in the US, are numerical minorities, and our individual cultures were very visible in our daily lives and we made no attempt to hide them, diminish them, or ignore them. Nor do I think that joining a black organization means race is no longer an issue in your life.
I'm sorry, but I have to speak my mind (we all say "i'm sorry" when we are about to be honest/possible offensive, but I don't think any of us are really sorry). I get downright angry when people say that black people who spend a lot of their time outside of the black community don't know what it is to be black or don't know the black experience or are trying to be white (that's basically what people mean when they use that nice term "assimilate"). How could those of us who so often end up the only or one of the few black faces in the room forget we are black? That idea is ridiculous. It is impossible to forget, and I doubt most of us would want to, anyway. Not only do we not forgot, but we can see the contrast because we are in the prescence of others from different cultures. I know that atmosphere bothers some, and if they feel uncomfortable or that they cannot have a tight bond because of it, then so it is. For them.
We are told that there is no need to be defensive or that no one is being offensive, but frankly, I see it all the time on this board. Just because it is said nicely doesn't mean it isn't offensive. Just because someone goes back and says "i didn't mean any harm" doesn't make it not an assault on someone's beliefs and values. Just because one says it ain't doesn't really mean it ain't.
I strongly value the fact that my chapter (which is, in all truth, where I will have 99% of interaction with my sorority) had so many different colors, countries, languages and what not represented in it. It was one of the reasons I chose it, and the same has been said from other sisters who joined us. I gained so much from that fact. I learned so much that I would not have learned otherwise.
And with that said, I'm done.
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