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

[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.

[shinerbock]

Right, but what I'm talking about is the idea that diversity adds something to a university. I really don't see how black people lacking some advantage enjoyed by whites would add anything overly valuable. Diversity to me would mean an array of ideas and backgrounds. I simply fail to see how raising the black population of a school from 6% to 10% would accomplish that. Sure, the additional black students may have different ideas and backgrounds, but so would the white people they're replacing. I'm not attempting to make this into an affirmative action debate, I just think our society's ideas about diversity are fairly skewed.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Sure, the additional black students may have different ideas and backgrounds, but so would the white people they're replacing. I'm not attempting to make this into an affirmative action debate, I just think our society's ideas about diversity are fairly skewed.

Do you automatically think "affirmative action" when you see blacks at predominantly white institutions?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

That's the definition of an "ethnic group" I'm not ethnically white, i'm racially white.

Of course. I've been talking about race the whole time--the social construction of race categories and how European ethnic groups (often referenced as white ethnic groups) assimilated into the white race category.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'd have more in common with a black italian-american than a white guy from Iceland.

Ethnically and culturally, yes, as long as you're in touch and loyal to your specific background. But when it comes time to simply be "white" and identify as such, you and the Iceland-American will potentially have a great deal in common.

So what you're saying isn't in constrast to what I said so I will remember not to repeat myself.

[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.