Latinamerican joining Fraternities

[JohnnyCash]

Why is it so hard to believe that the OP, someone born and raised in Latin America, would not want to be part of a latino fraternity?

LGLOs have very little to do with the actual customs and cultures of Latin countries and more with imitating the traditions and customs of NPHC organizations and Black culture in general. Often times their members don't even know Spanish. Someone coming from Latin America wouldn't understand it and would not feel comfortable in such an organization.

I am not trying to belittle the history of these organizations but let's be honest here.

If latino fraternities were really all about their culture they would be sending their members to do service in less fortunate Latin countries, donating money to charitable Hispanic organizations, teaching English to inner-city Hispanic children, things of that nature. Not using their time to step and stroll in the student union.

Before you try to rip me a new one and label me racist, I'm Hispanic.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCash

Why is it so hard to believe that the OP, someone born and raised in Latin America, would not want to be part of a latino fraternity?

LGLOs have very little to do with the actual customs and cultures of Latin countries and more with imitating the traditions and customs of NPHC organizations and Black culture in general. Often times their members don't even know Spanish. Someone coming from Latin America wouldn't understand it and would not feel comfortable in such an organization.

I am not trying to belittle the history of these organizations but let's be honest here.

If latino fraternities were really all about their culture they would be sending their members to do service in less fortunate Latin countries, donating money to charitable Hispanic organizations, teaching English to inner-city Hispanic children, things of that nature. Not using their time to step and stroll in the student union.

Before you try to rip me a new one and label me racist, I'm Hispanic.

I don't think anyone found it unbelievable. It was him referring to non-IFC fraternities as un-American that upset people.

[FIA1931]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCash

Why is it so hard to believe that the OP, someone born and raised in Latin America, would not want to be part of a latino fraternity?

LGLOs have very little to do with the actual customs and cultures of Latin countries and more with imitating the traditions and customs of NPHC organizations and Black culture in general. Often times their members don't even know Spanish. Someone coming from Latin America wouldn't understand it and would not feel comfortable in such an organization.

I am not trying to belittle the history of these organizations but let's be honest here.

If latino fraternities were really all about their culture they would be sending their members to do service in less fortunate Latin countries, donating money to charitable Hispanic organizations, teaching English to inner-city Hispanic children, things of that nature. Not using their time to step and stroll in the student union.

Before you try to rip me a new one and label me racist, I'm Hispanic.

Nobody in the thread mentioned having a problem with his desire to be a part of a mainstream fraternity. They were just clearing up a few misconceptions evident in the way he expressed himself. Everyone has a preference in the type of org they seek and it should be respected.

Your post on the other hand, is filled with ignorance and assumptions. Yes, LGLO have borrowed traditions from NPHC orgs; that's a fact. I'm not sure how you jump to the conclusion that they have "very little to do with Latino culture and only seek to emulate NPHC and Black culture in general." The statement alone shows a lack of knowledge on what the organizations do on campuses across the nation.

Are there members who don't speak Spanish? Yes...and? This doesn't mean that they can't relate at all to Latin Americans. I have MANY brothers who were born and raised in Latin America. You can find people that would love this and experience and others who would not.

As one of my older bros who pledged in the 50s said: "We essentially, have a mission; to serve Latin America. However, today the United States is part of that mission." http://bit.ly/hmvDGx ...There are Latin Americans and Latinos who agree with this concept across most/all LGLO. I based that assertion on programs and community efforts we all engage in.

Speaking on my org alone; we DO have brothers/chapters that engage in service work in Latin America, donate to charitable Latino AND non-Latino organizations, teach English to recent immigrants, etc. I've never came across a LGLO that does not engage in some type of endeavor within the Latino community. Many of our orgs(not mine) do step/stroll and embrace the practice as a way to honor their African heritage. I hope your not dismissing the fact that the majority of enslaved Africans went South of the United States. Yes, it is an NPHC tradition, but again this is where LGLO have borrowed from established traditions. An organization can step/stroll and serve the community at the same time.

Belittling our organizations is exactly what you attempted to do with that post. Identifying as Latino doesn't get you a pass. Wrong is wrong regardless of who says it.

[voLTAgeDEuce]

Originally Posted by FIA1931

Your post on the other hand, is filled with ignorance and assumptions. Yes, LGLO have borrowed traditions from NPHC orgs; that's a fact. I'm not sure how you jump to the conclusion that they have "very little to do with Latino culture and only seek to emulate NPHC and Black culture in general." The statement alone shows a lack of knowledge on what the organizations do on campuses across the nation.

Speaking on my org alone; we DO have brothers/chapters that engage in service work in Latin America, donate to charitable Latino AND non-Latino organizations, teach English to recent immigrants, etc. I've never came across a LGLO that does not engage in some type of endeavor within the Latino community.

Belittling our organizations is exactly what you attempted to do with that post. Identifying as Latino doesn't get you a pass. Wrong is wrong regardless of who says it.

Thank You for informing him!!

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna: Yes, I'd say you are definitely Hispanic. Maybe one day you will learn enough to become Latino

I love that ^^

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCash

Why is it so hard to believe that the OP, someone born and raised in Latin America, would not want to be part of a latino fraternity?

Read before you post.

LGLOs have very little to do with the actual customs and cultures of Latin countries and more with imitating the traditions and customs of NPHC organizations and Black culture in general. Often times their members don't even know Spanish. Someone coming from Latin America wouldn't understand it and would not feel comfortable in such an organization.

Because IFC fraternities are overflowing with Central/South American culture? We all know that the litmus test for respecting cultures is speaking the language. That's why all African-Americans speak African.

I am not trying to belittle the history of these organizations but let's be honest here.

Fail.

If latino fraternities were really all about their culture they would be sending their members to do service in less fortunate Latin countries, donating money to charitable Hispanic organizations, teaching English to inner-city Hispanic children, things of that nature. Not using their time to step and stroll in the student union.

Are you in an LGLO?

Before you try to rip me a new one and label me racist, I'm Hispanic.

Oh, OK. Disregard my previous posts. This makes it OK. Also -- some of my best friends are black.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

That's why all African-Americans speak African.

OMG. You owe me one new keyboard.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Oh, OK. Disregard my previous posts. This makes it OK. Also -- some of my best friends are black.

And one new monitor. My company will be sending you an invoice.

So wait, what was the point of all this?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by agzg

And one new monitor. My company will be sending you an invoice.

We have a new billing contact: Kissmaass Enterprises

We'll cut a check as soon as possible.

So wait, what was the point of all this?

Silencing the angry minorities

[agzg]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Silencing the angry minorities

Ugh. Why don't they just STFU, amirite? It's not like they're American or anything.

[Little Dragon]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCash

Why is it so hard to believe that the OP, someone born and raised in Latin America, would not want to be part of a latino fraternity?

This is not the issue. Read and get a context.

LGLOs have very little to do with the actual customs and cultures of Latin countries and more with imitating the traditions and customs of NPHC organizations and Black culture in general. Often times their members don't even know Spanish. Someone coming from Latin America wouldn't understand it and would not feel comfortable in such an organization.

Wrong! First, you are falling in the trap of imposing uniformity to all Latin American cultures. Second, the Caribbean culture (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) is mainly African culture mixed with Spanish, so many BGLO traditions are also LGLOs, just for the common heritage (which is common also with Central American and Northern South American countries), not to speak of the many similarities between Latin American indigenous cultures and African culture, that makes stepping and strolling (just to mention a couple) as latino as they are black. So, I would find the opposite rare, that a Latin American doesn't relate to LGLO's. BTW, Latin American immigrants and their descendants many times feel more proudly about their heritage that many Latin American living in their country of origin; they feel pride even without speaking Spanish.

If latino fraternities were really all about their culture they would be sending their members to do service in less fortunate Latin countries, donating money to charitable Hispanic organizations, teaching English to inner-city Hispanic children, things of that nature. Not using their time to step and stroll in the student union.

So, a SOCIAL fraternity should only do service and ignore everything that is SOCIAL. Is that what you are saying? Mine and many, if not all, LGLO's do that kind of service you talk about, but they also have a social aspect, be that stepping, strolling, saluting, dancing salsa, or whatever. Your comments clearly identify you as non-LGLO, since you are speaking mainly about stereotypes.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCash

I'm Hispanic.

Yes, I'd say you are definitely Hispanic. Maybe one day you will learn enough to become Latino.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Yes, I'd say you are definitely Hispanic. Maybe one day you will learn enough to become Latino.

*Oh Snap Gif*

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Yes, I'd say you are definitely Hispanic. Maybe one day you will learn enough to become Latino.

In all seriousness - what is the difference between the two? I've never understood if it's just preference, if it's a geographical issue, or what. We don't have a huge population of {whatever I should say} in these parts.

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Yes, I'd say you are definitely Hispanic. Maybe one day you will learn enough to become Latino.

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

people who choose to identify as "Hispanic" are generally those who want to distance themselves as much as possible from their roots, choose not to educate themselves about their origins or become educated about issues that impact the community, etc.

I am sorry I have always had problems with this kind of mentality. I personally do not see a difference between being called Hispanic or Latina. I know that there may be historical difference, but that is about the origin of the word. As you can see most people don't even know the difference and don't mean any harm when they say one or the other. I am both and I am neither... I am a person! Why do we always have to attach a label to people?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Mevara

As you can see most people don't even know the difference and don't mean any harm when they say one or the other.

I thought the point of this discourse was to show that it's about self-identification, not about what others said.

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I thought the point of this discourse was to show that it's about self-identification, not about what others said.

It is but I just had to say something about LatinaAlumna's post

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Maybe one day you will learn enough to become Latino.

It is one of my biggest pet peeves. No matter what the person identifies as, no one else should say what the person is or is not.