More Black students joining Latino Greek organizations

[tld221]

Originally Posted by cutie_cat_4ever

Though to be honest, there's pratically not much you can learn about asian culture by hanging out with asian groups. You live in America, you eat the same food like Americans do, you listen to the same songs and etc. So to me, it's more like they feel they cannot relate themselves to others cultural groups. It's not just asians but other groups as well. So that's why it's not surprising to see people are still segregated in a way.

i hope youre calling this a generalization cause thats EXACTLY what it is.

[cutie_cat_4ever]

Originally Posted by tld221

i hope youre calling this a generalization cause thats EXACTLY what it is.

Well, this is just my observation. You don't have to agree with it, but this is how "I" see. Yes, it is "general" but it does exist in general, right? How "I" see it is that people tend to feel more comfortable in their own circles, and part of it can be cultural. You can't deny the fact that segregated groups do exist. Not because they are forced to, but people choose to affiliate with groups by choice.

Again, it's just my own opinion. Nothing to feel offensive about.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by cutie_cat_4ever

Well, this is just my observation. You don't have to agree with it, but this is how "I" see. Yes, it is "general" but it does exist in general, right? How "I" see it is that people tend to feel more comfortable in their own circles, and part of it can be cultural. You can't deny the fact that segregated groups do exist. Not because they are forced to, but people choose to affiliate with groups by choice.

Again, it's just my own opinion. Nothing to feel offensive about.

well i was more taken a back by your statement that you don't learn much about asian culture by hanging with asian groups. as someone who was active in several different asian cultural organizations, i know for a fact that we threw food festivals and cultural festivals during the year. we also roadtripped to other schools for cultural conferences in our region. trust, i learn a whole lot during those times.

[cutie_cat_4ever]

Originally Posted by starang21

well i was more taken a back by your statement that you don't learn much about asian culture by hanging with asian groups. as someone who was active in several different asian cultural organizations, i know for a fact that we threw food festivals and cultural festivals during the year. we also roadtripped to other schools for cultural conferences in our region. trust, i learn a whole lot during those times.

Well, comparing to a person who has lived in asia for half of my life, things we learned there of course would be more cultural based then what you experience here. But again, because I was brought up there, I see things differently.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by cutie_cat_4ever

Well, comparing to a person who has lived in asia for half of my life, things we learned there of course would be more cultural based then what you experience here. But again, because I was brought up there, I see things differently.

I agree with cutie_cat. Just because one only has Chinese friends, listens to Cantopop, speaks Cantonese and drinks bubble tea doesn't mean that one knows much about (traditional) Chinese culture.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

I agree with cutie_cat. Just because one only has Chinese friends, listens to Cantopop, speaks Cantonese and drinks bubble tea doesn't mean that one knows much about (traditional) Chinese culture.

of course you would.

much of what is learned at this conferences and festivals is not only "traditional" but also very much fused with what makes asian americans just that....americans.

[DSTCHAOS]

Bubble tea makes the world go 'round.

Especially mango bubble tea.

As long as the hippie coffee shop doesn't put those gawdawful tapioca bubbles in them.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

I agree with cutie_cat. Just because one only has Chinese friends, listens to Cantopop, speaks Cantonese and drinks bubble tea doesn't mean that one knows much about (traditional) Chinese culture.

There are quite a few Asian groups so whatever cultural identification means to that group while they are in America is what it means, period. Many of these individuals also participate in traditional celebrations and holidays, as well as do their best to learn history and culture. But every group begins to separate itself from aspects of traditionalism and identifiability to an extent.

So I don't know what the culture-o-meter would be as far as you are concerned but the point remains the same.

[PhDiva]

As far as not learning about Asian culture from fellow Asians, your point is accurate only if the group as a whole is assimilating and are therefore less identifiable, culturally. However in many areas there are pockets of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generationers who still mingle in exclusive ethnic settings, eat ethnic foods all day everyday and still closely identify with the language and culture. Many of these group members interact and identify with American culture for work and school commitments only.

Good point. Many Asians and Asian Americans self-select to either fully assimilate into American society or maintain linkages to their ethnic heritage. I'm Filipina on my mom's side and several members of the family still speak Tagalog (and Cebuano), eat traditional Filipino foods, participate in Filipino festivals like Simbang Gabi and incorporate Filipino traditions in our weddings and funeral celebrations. The degree to which an Asian is assimilated into American (or white) society has to do with the individual person; their isn't necessarily a collective Asian ethos to try to assimilate and lose touch with their heritage and culture. It is not surprising to me that many Asians would seek out Asian based organizations esp. if they wish to retain their culture.

Language, religion and culture play a significant role in how people develop relationships and the same holds true for how they pick an organization to join. Yes, there are some African Americans joining Latino frats and sororities but I would argue that is primarily based on regional differences. Blacks and Latinos live and work in close proximity to one another on the East Coast and in Chicago but the same doesn't hold true on the West Coast.

Say, if I grew up in Spanish Harlem and wanted to join a sorority and found things in common with a Latina sorority made up of primarily Puerto Ricans, I would argue that this is more about someone feeling more in common based on familiarity of the culture than BGLOs on the whole making folks feel uncomfortable. Yeah, it's certainly possible that the guy in the article was turned off by an Omega demand to bring beer and chicken but to make it seem like Blacks are headed to Latino/s orgs en masse because these incidents are so common is nonsense. The more likely conclusion to draw is that some Black folks feel comfortable with Latino/as and people have more choice in their selection of a frat or sorority to choose from.

I don't know but I was a bit uncomfortable with the tone of the article...Like the opening example was trying to lay blame from this increase of Blacks joining Latino orgs at the feet of the D9 instead of the individual person.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by cutie_cat_4ever

Well, this is just my observation. You don't have to agree with it, but this is how "I" see. Yes, it is "general" but it does exist in general, right? How "I" see it is that people tend to feel more comfortable in their own circles, and part of it can be cultural. You can't deny the fact that segregated groups do exist. Not because they are forced to, but people choose to affiliate with groups by choice.

For Asians and whites it's usually more of segregation by choice unless they are forced into segregation based on language or economic barriers.

For blacks and Hispanics it's usually forced segregation based on socioeconomic barriers, with some choice for people who aren't relegated to low income housing and schooling.

As far as not learning about Asian culture from fellow Asians, your point is accurate only if the group as a whole is assimilating and are therefore less identifiable, culturally. However in many areas there are pockets of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generationers who still mingle in exclusive ethnic settings, eat ethnic foods all day everyday and still closely identify with the language and culture. Many of these group members interact and identify with American culture for work and school commitments only.