Does Bi-cultural = Multicultural?

[DrPhil]

I think the purpose of multicultural isn't to have members from every single culture before considering yourself multicultural; or explicitly listing all cultures that you include or welcome. It is to be open to different cultures and to have a purpose that stresses such openness.

In that sense, biculturalism would be different than multiculturalism (despite being used interchangeably sometimes) because biculturalism implies specific cultures that are included. In contrast, multiculturalism often includes and even lists different cultures in an "including but not limited to..." fashion.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

In that sense, biculturalism would be different than multiculturalism (despite being used interchangeably sometimes) because biculturalism implies specific cultures that are included. fashion.

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.

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.

[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.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

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.

Makes sense!