Does Bi-cultural = Multicultural?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I agree with this, but take it even further to suggest that bicultural organizations would specifically exclude anything they consider to be colonial or imperial (white) ideology. I am sure they would take a white member who was down for liberation and such, but the way that exemplify their ideals (say for example, Malik) is militant to the point of alienation.

I don't know about this so I can't speak on it. I don't consider the perceived militance of Malik to be indicative of bicultural organizations, in general.

Originally Posted by Senusret I

This might be contrary to the underlying "feeling" of multicultural organizations, but I would still consider bicultural orgs to be multicultural by virtue of intentionally uniting multiple cultures and having programs to that effect.

Welllllllll, if an organization like Malik would be militant toward members of the white diaspora, they would not be multicultural. Whites also have a race, ethnicity, and culture. There's no multiculturalism if you aren't open to white folks joining you and your purpose doesn't include being open to the white diaspora without white folks constantly feeling like the offspring of colonialists and imperials.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I agree with this, but take it even further to suggest that bicultural organizations would specifically exclude anything they consider to be colonial or imperial (white) ideology. I am sure they would take a white member who was down for liberation and such, but the way that exemplify their ideals (say for example, Malik) is militant to the point of alienation.

Beta Kappa Sigma just initiated a woman *I believe* is their first white member at Ramapo College. From my understanding, she has close ties to the members of the organization, which initially prompted her interest. I can't say with certainty what her more developed reasons are for joining. (Not that she doesn't have good reasons... just that I am not privy to that information.)

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Beta Kappa Sigma just initiated a woman *I believe* is their first white member at Ramapo College.

It looks like on their website that at least one of their founders was white. http://www.betakappasigma.net/#!about

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

It looks like on their website that at least one of their founders was white. http://www.betakappasigma.net/#!about

I don't know enough to know for sure, but I am certain that a big deal was made of having a white member on the SP11 line. I've been under the impression that the "Caucasian" listed on the site referred to members with Caucasian ancestry, rather than actual white members. I could certainly be wrong though.

[Senusret I]

Yes, they literally would still be multicultural. They would not be pancultural.

[agzg]

Also, I would imagine it would be hard to be expressly "pancultural." That's a lot of cultures, and where does it stop? How deep does it go? Is there a recognition that Canadian culture may be different than American culture?

[Senusret I]

And programming wise, how many multicultural organizations focus on majority culture with the same fervor as minority culture?

Are multicultural organizations truly multicultural, or are they "celebration of minority cultures" organizations?

Why do multicultural organizations probate/emerge/step and not have "Presents" or other traditions from majority cultures?

These are just questions.... I'm not sure that multicultural orgs necessarily include white cultures any more than bicultural orgs do.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

And programming wise, how many multicultural organizations focus on majority culture with the same fervor as minority culture?

Are multicultural organizations truly multicultural, or are they "celebration of minority cultures" organizations?

Why do multicultural organizations probate/emerge/step and not have "Presents" or other traditions from majority cultures?

These are just questions.... I'm not sure that multicultural orgs necessarily include white cultures any more than bicultural orgs do.

But is that getting into a:
Q: Why is there no International Men's Day?
A: Because International Men's Day is the other 364 days of the year.

Type of thing?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by agzg

But is that getting into a:
Q: Why is there no International Men's Day?
A: Because International Men's Day is the other 364 days of the year.

Type of thing?

Possibly. I don't disagree. But what of the white people who do join multicultural organizations? I would say there's nothing wrong with a white person wanting to see their individual culture(s) reflected in the programming of their own organization, without feeling bad about it.

(I am sure each organization handles this issue in its own way)

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by agzg

But is that getting into a:
Q: Why is there no International Men's Day?
A: Because International Men's Day is the other 364 days of the year.

Type of thing?

Yes, we already know that whiteness is the mainstream and dominant.

However, since whites also have race, and ethnicity, and culture it would be fitting that white cultures are celebrated. Whiteness as an assimilated ideal doesn't have to be celebrated but the different cultures that have assimilated into whiteness could be celebrated. There are campus organizations and cultural celebrations that do that at some schools. Students (including first generation Americans and those whose great-great grandparents immigrated to America) from different white diasporic cultures attend cultural events in which they wear traditional attire and share traditions. This has often been reserved for nonwhites except in cities that have cultural events for white ethnicities.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

However, since whites also have race, and ethnicity, and culture it would be fitting that white cultures are celebrated. Whiteness as an assimilated ideal doesn't have to be celebrated but the different cultures that have assimilated into whiteness could be celebrated. There are campus organizations and cultural celebrations that do that at some schools. Students (including first generation Americans and those whose great-great grandparents immigrated to America) from different white diasporic cultures attend cultural events in which they wear traditional attire and share traditions. This has often been reserved for nonwhites except in cities that have cultural events for white ethnicities.

I don't disagree. But since I'm not a member of those groups I don't necessarily get a say in what they do or don't do, and the reasons why they do or don't do them. They certainly won't get a "but that's not faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaair" from me, and I'm sure that they do the events and things that their membership wants to do.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by agzg

I don't disagree. But since I'm not a member of those groups I don't necessarily get a say in what they do or don't do, and the reasons why they do or don't do them. They certainly won't get a "but that's not faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaair" from me, and I'm sure that they do the events and things that their membership wants to do.

We're just typing in a GC thread, right?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Why do multicultural organizations probate/emerge/step and not have "Presents" or other traditions from majority cultures?

These are just questions.... I'm not sure that multicultural orgs necessarily include white cultures any more than bicultural orgs do.

Bicultural and multicultural organizations contain more browns and blacks than whites. Beyond the Roberts Rules of Order and other logistics, these browns and blacks are going to do what they consider cultural and historically relevant to them.

There are reasons why BGLOs, for example, adopted some NIC and NPC traditions and not others.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

And programming wise, how many multicultural organizations focus on majority culture with the same fervor as minority culture?

Are multicultural organizations truly multicultural, or are they "celebration of minority cultures" organizations?

Why do multicultural organizations probate/emerge/step and not have "Presents" or other traditions from majority cultures?

These are just questions.... I'm not sure that multicultural orgs necessarily include white cultures any more than bicultural orgs do.

I was debating whether or not to post as a member of a multicultural sorority, but decided I would. I'm speaking only for Theta Nu Xi.

And programming wise, how many multicultural organizations focus on majority culture with the same fervor as minority culture?

Our programming largely centers around two things. 1) The cultural experience of the members at the local level and 2) Topics of import for the local campus or community. You'll find Theta Nu Xi chapters highlighting issues and topics that are relevant to whites.

Are multicultural organizations truly multicultural, or are they "celebration of minority cultures" organizations?

Theta Nu Xi's membership is predominantly African American followed by Caucasian and Latina. The next largest classification is Multiethnic, which includes women who identify as Biracial. We have a sizeable Asian/South Asian representation as well.

The majority of our membership speaks English only, but we also have a large number of women who speak Spanish (20%) as well. Around 40% of us speak at least one language other than English.

Most of us are heterosexual, but around 10% are Lesbian/Bisexual/Questioning/Other. And, a segment of our membership identifies as Gender Queer or other on the spectrum of gender fluidity.

The vast majority of our membership is registered to vote, while some are not. Of those who are not registered, many cannot register.

To ask if multicultural sororities are truly multicultural is to suggest that there is a definition of "truly multicultural," which (despite the debates) there isn't.

To answer in another way, Theta Nu Xi celebrates the particular identities of our members, whatever that means in context. We are also critically aware of the voices of those who are disadvantaged and it is inherent in our mission to speak out for them. These efforts translate into programs that tackle the criminal justice system, the sex trade, the tribulations faced by undocumented citizens, etc.

Why do multicultural organizations probate/emerge/step and not have "Presents" or other traditions from majority cultures?

Theta Nu Xi has adopted traditions from across the spectrum of Greek Life. We "probate" but with a Theta Nu spin called the "Emergence." Our Emergences tend to reflect the cultures of the line/chapter in some way. Most multicultural sororities include a cultural element to their surfacings/coming out shows.

Theta Nu Xi also has Big and Little sisters in the same way that you would expect to see in an NPC organization. These relationships have a very specific function for us.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

To ask if multicultural sororities are truly multicultural is to suggest that there is a definition of "truly multicultural," which (despite the debates) there isn't.

If this is true, do I have to stop clowning organizations which sound like Shmigma Slambda Bamma for being Mlatinacultural?