Latino Greek Letter Organizations

[DrPhil]

That was very edumacational and informatative.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Ynyc

The mainstream experience was not right for me, and being raised in a VERY multicultural area made me realize that these latina-based orgs play a huge role in uniting people of all cultures.

Not from where I'm sitting, though. The latina-based groups that I've been exposed to do a great job of uniting those of latino/a culture. The claims of unity across culture is why we began discussing what is "latina" in this thread. It is important to understand culture, ethnicity, and race if we want to talk about multiculturalism and any other catch word.

Before people present these organizations as being the great equalizer or educational tool, remember that it depends on the area. These orgs are not prevalent or prominent enough in most areas to make claims that extend too much beyond people's personal experiences.

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by Ynyc

Although I am not a member yet, I do have an opinion, b/c my search was lengthy! I initially skipped over a few great seemingly all latina groups because of the exact reason that I was not a latina. The mainstream experience was not right for me, and being raised in a VERY multicultural area made me realize that these latina-based orgs play a huge role in uniting people of all cultures. The orgs at my school also participate heavily in cultural events and campus events, showing that unity is so much easier. Theres nothing wrong with sticking to a group of people who share your heritage, your upbringing, or even just a cultural fascination, as long as you feel comfortable with them. Its easy to see that the U.S. and college campuses across our country is/are quickly becoming full of people with different backgrounds, and cheers to the greek orgs reflecting the need for cultural awareness.

A college campus is very insular. Just because you see something on a college campus doesn't mean that is what the org is nationally. I know plenty of chapters of culturally specific orgs (Latina, Black, Asian, etc.) that on a chapter level are VERY diverse. But that doesn't mean that nationally their programs, aims, and goals reflect multiculturalism. It just means that at that chapter or maybe even in that region, the organization is open to all women.

One of the main issues in this thread, imho, was that some orgs were flip-flopping for the sake of numbers and/or reputation. And that in talking to one member they'd be a culturally specific organization, and when talking to another they'd be multicultural. Or nationals would say on thing and individual members would have a different stance.

Interests need to know what they are getting into beyond the "chapter at their school" because your membership in whatever organization you join extends well beyond the college years.