UGa Chi Phis declared 'open season' on black women?

[shinerbock]

But its important to note that just because a place is overwhelmingly white does not make it homogeneous. White people are from a lot of different backgrounds obviously, we're all just lumped into a single category.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

But its important to note that just because a place is overwhelmingly white does not make it homogeneous. White people are from a lot of different backgrounds obviously, we're all just lumped into a single category.

LOL. Of course whites are not homogeneous. No group is, although we can always make generalizations based on the norms of a particular context.

But you all were specifically talking about racial and ethnic diversity. White people are lumped into one category racially and ethnically because white people have chosen to assimilate into one category--as opposed to remaining distinctly Italian American, Polish American, Irish American, etc.

The link I provided has information on demographic breakdowns beyond race and ethnicity because I know that diversity is a broad category. Many Universities boast about being diverse, but they are only talking about the diverse backgrounds of their white students (most often social class and region).

[shinerbock]

And I think that diversity within groups of white people is no less advantageous than racial diversity. I mean, black people and white people growing up in the same area under similar conditions are likely to bring similar things to the table. Meanwhile a white kid like me, and a white kid from Berkley whose parents lobby for PETA are likely to bring very distinctive viewpoints and experiences. I fail to see that black people, simply because they're black, bring something more to a university. I imagine that a white kid from New Mexico probably would bring more diversity to UGA than a black kid from Decatur, but I think schools get too caught up on how diversity looks in the Princeton Review breakdown.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

And I think that diversity within groups of white people is no less advantageous than racial diversity. I mean, black people and white people growing up in the same area under similar conditions are likely to bring similar things to the table. Meanwhile a white kid like me, and a white kid from Berkley whose parents lobby for PETA are likely to bring very distinctive viewpoints and experiences. I fail to see that black people, simply because they're black, bring something more to a university. I imagine that a white kid from New Mexico probably would bring more diversity to UGA than a black kid from Decatur, but I think schools get too caught up on how diversity looks in the Princeton Review breakdown.

I agree.

And as far as white people "assimililating" into one group, it depends where you are - there are still people around here who identify themselves as ____-American and are very immersed in the culture.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I agree.

And as far as white people "assimililating" into one group, it depends where you are - there are still people around here who identify themselves as ____-American and are very immersed in the culture.

Ditto.

I'm Italian-American (as well as just plain American) and I have a Nonna instead of a grandma. I can make pasta al dente and I know that the whole throwing it at the wall thing is bunk. It should always stick to the wall, but only taste will tell you if it's done.

But I also see myself as "American."

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Ditto.

I'm Italian-American (as well as just plain American) and I have a Nonna instead of a grandma. I can make pasta al dente and I know that the whole throwing it at the wall thing is bunk. It should always stick to the wall, but only taste will tell you if it's done.

But I also see myself as "American."

You're a white person who is well-connected to your Italian heritage.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

You're a white person who is well-connected to your Italian heritage.

That's the definition of an "ethnic group" I'm not ethnically white, i'm racially white. I'd have more in common with a black italian-american than a white guy from Iceland.

You can be racially black and ethnically Carribbean or African, or European, or just plain American.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I agree.

And as far as white people "assimililating" into one group, it depends where you are - there are still people around here who identify themselves as ____-American and are very immersed in the culture.

No, it doesn't matter where you are. These groups are classified as white ethnic groups for a reason.

There are still people who identify as ______ by choice but many of these people identify as ________ situationally/contextually. You won't find too many of these people say "No, I'm not white, I'm Italian American." In other words, these people are well aware of their "whiteness" and the advantages associated with "whiteness" within a larger context.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I mean, black people and white people growing up in the same area under similar conditions are likely to bring similar things to the table.

Conventional wisdom would say "yes" but research indicates that whiteness generates cultural and social capital and (in general) gives the white people some advantage. This is because when the common denominator is human capital (what we bring to the table), what propels people to the top will be racial differentials in cultural capital (valued identifiers like race, speech, style of dress, etc.) and social capital (who you know/networks). In general, this propelling has occurred when the white person is connected to a white person in a blue collar hiring position or gets access to a suit and instructions for entering the labor market.

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Meanwhile a white kid like me, and a white kid from Berkley whose parents lobby for PETA are likely to bring very distinctive viewpoints and experiences.

Yes, differing viewpoints and experiences are all over the place. The true test is in determining whether the different viewpoints and experiences translate to substantially different capital investments and returns. You and the Berkley student are likely to have similar capital investments and returns despite other surface differences. Now if there are social class differences, you or the Berkley kid will have some catching up to do.

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I fail to see that black people, simply because they're black, bring something more to a university. I imagine that a white kid from New Mexico probably would bring more diversity to UGA than a black kid from Decatur, but I think schools get too caught up on how diversity looks in the Princeton Review breakdown.

Where have you been looking?

There are commonalities across race, gender, region, class groups, etc. They do not have to translate to things that are observable on the surface level.