Theta Nu Xi?

[SWTXBelle]

Thank you, preciousjeni. That clarifies a great deal.

Tnxbutterfly, I don't know that anyone has played the "my glo is better than yours" card - the "my glo is more multicultural/diverse card" has been played, but I believe at this point everything has simmered down. We need to be able to discuss issues if we are ever going to reach a point where we aren't constantly misunderstanding one another.

From my perspective it would just be nice to have our (NPC groups) efforts to be inclusive acknowedged, and not be subjected to this belief that we are all white glos. From yours, I imagine you would like to be taken as a glo who has more to offer than just a variety of races and cultures represented. The best way to achieve that goal is by dialogue, which is hampered when someone or some group feels disrespected.

So rather than just agree to disagree, I think we should ALL take the time to admire what we can about the other GLOs, and bear in mind that ultimately we are all interested in developing members of character. Is that fair?

[DSTRen13]

It seems like PJ already answered a lot of you all's questions in her above post:

-----
Originally Posted by preciousjeni View Post
We've seen many, many threads that ask this question and have it answered, but I wanted to see a thread that is easily searchable.

Why were multicultural organizations started? What is the purpose of multicultural organizations?

Feel free to offer your comments, positive or negative.

Multicultural GLOs did not start in an environment in which membership, in the current GLOs, was unavailable for "multicultural people." We recognize this. We have a different purpose altogether.

We are not here because we were rejected by our desired organizations, nor are we here to hurt other orgs - and we certainly do not exist because we believe that other organizations are not open to diverse membership!

How audacious it is to me for some to assume that we discourage people from checking out ALL GLOs to find their match, simply because we "think" that other GLOs are discriminatory. As a general rule, this is not the case.

We were started by and for multiculturally-minded people. If you want to join an org that caters to needs of all people and actively works toward equality across the board, you can find that in a multicultural organization.

Other organizations do offer those qualities, but multicultural orgs are set apart in that they exist with the primary function of promoting multiculturalism. In theory, even if a "multicultural" organization were all-white/black/latino/asian/etc. but the members worked toward equality of ALL people, the organization could potentially be considered multicultural.

If, however, the thrusts and foci of that organization were primarily directed at a particular interest, that organization by definition cannot be "multicultural." It can have multicultural membership but it cannot be a "multicultural organization."
----

She specifically said that it isn't the race of the members that is important, it is the mission and vision of the organization - promoting multiculturalism. Not that how any organization chooses its members is anyone's business but their own, but based on what Jennis is saying here, a scenario of an all-white (or all-black, or all-Asian, etc.) pledge class would be entirely possible.

Any organization that has focii puts on events towards those goals. If a sorority's primary focus is multiculturalism, then they would put on events toward that end.

I really don't get what's so offensive or hard to understand about that, but maybe the term "multicultural" means something else to some people that I don't get?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

So there's no actual program that creates multiculturalism? That being said, it's very unlikely that even just the white Greeks would come together, so what makes you think that the WHOLE campus would come together? Wouldn't this be off better as just a regular RSO? The campus has tons of diversity initiatives.

At what point does this become "multi-cultural"? Isn't it just like the other fraternities and sororities on campus that have alot of one race and perhaps a few of another? Historically black sororities allow hispanics in (I'm told at least, though I've never seen it)...would this not be the same thing?

Couldn't you do that in an RSO?

In all your defense, you haven't shown how it's "multicultural" other than it's based mostly on the color of the participants skin, which doesn't seem like a good way to define a sisterhood/brotherhood.

I don't know that I was defending my organization. Theta Nu Xi can stand on its own feet without my comments. I was simply responding to your question. Anyway, to answer your question about being an RSO, you know full well why one would join a Greek organization over an RSO.

[SWTXBelle]

It may be that the term "multi-cultural" is really subject to a variety of interpretations, one of which could be simply a variety of races and cultures in the membership. I don't know that I can think of a better term, but I think some of the confusion is based on the exact definition of "multi-cultural".

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

It may be that the term "multi-cultural" is really subject to a variety of interpretations, one of which could be simply a variety of races and cultures in the membership. I don't know that I can think of a better term, but I think some of the confusion is based on the exact definition of "multi-cultural".

"Multicultural" is a type of Greek organization, just like Black GLO, Latin/Latino/Latina GLO, Asian-interest GLO, etc. The title "multicultural" relates specifically to the core values, purpose and mission of the organization.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

It hasn't even been verified that the person you quoted is even a member.

Update: Now verified and being dealt with in-house.

[AOE2AlphaPhi]

I don't want to get into the whole argument, but I am interested in what activities Theta Nu Xi does that are multicultural. You said you have conversations about it, but what else do you do? Like, my sorority went ice skating a few months ago and we had a brunch for our families today, would a chapter of QNX do that, or are all your activities multicultural in nature?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by AOE2AlphaPhi

I don't want to get into the whole argument, but I am interested in what activities Theta Nu Xi does that are multicultural. You said you have conversations about it, but what else do you do? Like, my sorority went ice skating a few months ago and we had a brunch for our families today, would a chapter of QNX do that, or are all your activities multicultural in nature?

Not sure if you saw this:

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

...if they see the Greeks are segregated to the point that they don't interact, they'll put together an event that incorporates all Greeks and encourages them to get a better understanding of each other. Theta Nu Xi is also currently tackling issues of gender identity and sexual orientation on a national level. We're very serious about "setting the record straight" and understanding the truth behind the way people act when they are confronted with situations that make them uncomfortable. We are a socially and politically active group of women. Our programming centers around our five tenets: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, Leadership and Multiculturalism.

The majority of our activities have a multicultural emphasis. You may also see chapters throwing club parties as fundraisers and doing other activities that are traditional to Greeks on a particular campus. A chapter might go ice skating together as a sisterhood builder and we certainly do have family events (BBQs, brunches, formal dinners, etc.)

As I mentioned, most of our activities have a multicultural emphasis. A family BBQ might include food and activities related to one or more cultures. Here are some of the activities that one of our undergraduate chapters recently put on:

-----------------------

Interracial Relations Part II (With Delta Theta Psi Sorority, Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., and Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.):

This is a forum for people of different genders, races, and backgrounds to talk about interracial intimacy and sexual stereotypes. While most people will readily recognize that there is a certain “type” that they are attracted to, they rarely examine the societal influences on this seemingly personal feeling. Through dialogue about personal experiences and the broader social context surrounding issues of intimacy and sexuality, you'll gain insight into otherwise unrecognized stereotypes you might hold.

-----------------------

Deaf Culture 101 (With Hearing Impaired Students Organization (HISO) and Michigan Sign Club):

Join us for a screening of "Breaking Through the Silence," a film which sheds light on the lives of students at U of M with hearing disabilities. Check out technology geared towards Deaf individuals, learn some American Sign Language, and talk with hearing impaired students about what Deaf culture truly is.

-----------------------

Paranormal Phenomena:

Famed Psychology and Religious Studies professor Dr. Richard Mann will be discussing personal experiences and research on ESP, remote viewing, telepathy, and other paranormal phenomena. Get a chance to experiment with spoon-bending and other "out of the ordinary" experiences.

-----------------------

A Taste of Diversity

Come enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet with foods from around the world, and top it off with chocolate fondue for dessert! Get a chance to spend time with people you wouldn't necessarily otherwise meet, and bond over a meal. Recipient of our $200 TNX Scholarship will be announced!

-----------------------

The Art of Interconnection:

View artwork created by student and local artists all reflecting themes of inclusiveness, multiculturalism, and celebrating diversity. Work in a variety of mediums will be displayed, including sculpture, comics, poetry, drawing, photography, and painting. Select pieces will be available for purchase through a silent auction, and food & drink will be served.

-----------------------

Pollution Prevention:

Join us as we help beautify Ann Arbor by cleaning up West Park, located at Huron & Chapin St.

-----------------------

And a write-up about a rather unique event...the chapter brought a filmmaker to campus for a private screening of Akira's Hip Hop Shop:

More here: http://www.popcultureshock.com/akira...egorized/feed/

[SWTXBelle]

Chocolate fondue knows no cultural boundaries!

[Drolefille]

Wow this thread went boom!

And though this has mostly been talked about and I disagree with Kevin's statement as a general rule, there are orgs out there, multicultural, non-traditional, etc. that market specifically from a mentality of "unlike those other sororities we actually care about service/diversity/friendship instead of money/boys/parties."

Those are the organizations that should be getting the bad rap, IMO.

/Late to the game but something that I wanted to say nonetheless.

[SWTXBelle]

well said, drole. And I still believe in building bridges through a mutual love of chocolate.

[AOE2AlphaPhi]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Not sure if you saw this:



The majority of our activities have a multicultural emphasis. You may also see chapters throwing club parties as fundraisers and doing other activities that are traditional to Greeks on a particular campus. A chapter might go ice skating together as a sisterhood builder and we certainly do have family events (BBQs, brunches, formal dinners, etc.)

As I mentioned, most of our activities have a multicultural emphasis. A family BBQ might include food and activities related to one or more cultures. Here are some of the activities that one of our undergraduate chapters recently put on:

-----------------------

Interracial Relations Part II (With Delta Theta Psi Sorority, Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., and Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.):

This is a forum for people of different genders, races, and backgrounds to talk about interracial intimacy and sexual stereotypes. While most people will readily recognize that there is a certain “type” that they are attracted to, they rarely examine the societal influences on this seemingly personal feeling. Through dialogue about personal experiences and the broader social context surrounding issues of intimacy and sexuality, you'll gain insight into otherwise unrecognized stereotypes you might hold.

-----------------------

Deaf Culture 101 (With Hearing Impaired Students Organization (HISO) and Michigan Sign Club):

Join us for a screening of "Breaking Through the Silence," a film which sheds light on the lives of students at U of M with hearing disabilities. Check out technology geared towards Deaf individuals, learn some American Sign Language, and talk with hearing impaired students about what Deaf culture truly is.

-----------------------

Paranormal Phenomena:

Famed Psychology and Religious Studies professor Dr. Richard Mann will be discussing personal experiences and research on ESP, remote viewing, telepathy, and other paranormal phenomena. Get a chance to experiment with spoon-bending and other "out of the ordinary" experiences.

-----------------------

A Taste of Diversity

Come enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet with foods from around the world, and top it off with chocolate fondue for dessert! Get a chance to spend time with people you wouldn't necessarily otherwise meet, and bond over a meal. Recipient of our $200 TNX Scholarship will be announced!

-----------------------

The Art of Interconnection:

View artwork created by student and local artists all reflecting themes of inclusiveness, multiculturalism, and celebrating diversity. Work in a variety of mediums will be displayed, including sculpture, comics, poetry, drawing, photography, and painting. Select pieces will be available for purchase through a silent auction, and food & drink will be served.

-----------------------

Pollution Prevention:

Join us as we help beautify Ann Arbor by cleaning up West Park, located at Huron & Chapin St.

-----------------------

And a write-up about a rather unique event...the chapter brought a filmmaker to campus for a private screening of Akira's Hip Hop Shop:

More here: http://www.popcultureshock.com/akira...egorized/feed/

Thank you so much! I did see that post that you had quoted but your examples clarified beautifully! It sounds like you ladies have a wonderful organization, and now I understand it a little better!

[tnxbutterfly]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

well said, drole. And I still believe in building bridges through a mutual love of chocolate.

Chocolate makes everything better!!

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by tnxbutterfly

Chocolate makes everything better!!

..... except when chocolate is grown in extremely labor-oppressive conditions and with extremely poor environmental precautions all over the globe!

I'm just kidding.... but I'm also just sayin'.

[SWTXBelle]