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

[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?

[shinerbock]

No, but I automatically think "affirmative action" when discussing universities trying to increase the on-campus diversity.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

No, but I automatically think "affirmative action" when discussing universities trying to increase the on-campus diversity.

That isn't always a safe assumption, since most people don't know the specific methods universities use to get a more diverse student body. Sometimes it is as simple as opening recruitment to predominently black or Hispanic high schools whose students have the test scores and grades but no one comes to talk to them about colleges. Also, some universities offer grants and scholarships that attract a more diverse student body.

The whites don't own those applicant slots in the first place. So a literal "replacing" of whites is taking place but that wording is a bit disturbing to me.

But truth be told "affirmative action" (in the broad sense) has been used for decades to keep some institutions predominently white.

[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.