NALFO Orgs. Changing Focus

[Monarca7]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

I know, right? I wonder what the founders think, too.

Mine would go nutz....

[Monarca7]

I was going to start a new thread but this one seemed to fit anyway…sooo…

Question...why have so many Latino orgs made this "We are actually a multicultural now" move. I'm not saying that its bad or good that each individual organizations choice...but why? When you look at other relatively young culturally organizations like Asian orgs, Native American orgs, and Non-NPHC African American orgs they have not changed at all. However, you constantly here of Latino orgs that change their designation from Latino/a to Multicultural. So my question isn't why specific orgs have done it but why its seems to be more prevalent amongst Latino orgs that other orgs

[Little Dragon]

Originally Posted by Monarca7

I was going to start a new thread but this one seemed to fit anyway…sooo…

Question...why have so many Latino orgs made this "We are actually a multicultural now" move. I'm not saying that its bad or good that each individual organizations choice...but why? When you look at other relatively young culturally organizations like Asian orgs, Native American orgs, and Non-NPHC African American orgs they have not changed at all. However, you constantly here of Latino orgs that change their designation from Latino/a to Multicultural. So my question isn't why specific orgs have done it but why its seems to be more prevalent amongst Latino orgs that other orgs

My first guess is that it is due to the fact that Latino is not a race.

You might be from any country in East Asia, but you are clearly Asian. You might be from any country in South Asia, but you are clearly South Asian. You might be from any Indian Nation, but you are clearly Native American. You might be from any of the 50 states, but you are clearly African American (even with the diverse skin tones). The country, state, county or city might change, and so the customs for each, but the race is the same for all (I know there are differences and I am generalizing, so bare with me.)

In the case of Latinos, I just remember a census application I filled some years back. The choices were: White (non Hispanic), Black (non Hispanic), Asian (no Hispanic), Hispanic, Native American. The only thing that join Latinos together as a group are the language and the similarities in cultures (regardless of the many differences between the countries).

As an example, group X has a pledge class with a Asian-Peruvian, Black-Dominican, White-Argentinean, Mixed-Puerto Rican, etc... to name a few. For whatever reason, the Peruvians befriends other Asians, the Dominicans befriends Caribbeans and the Argentinean befriends some Europeans (Just due to first impressions based on race, and may be due to similarities in tastes). From the friendship, these other friends decide to join group X. Try that for several years, so that even though you have Latino pledges, you also have more and more non-Latino pledges.

After a few years, the non-Latinos are easily a third (being kind with the numbers, they could be more). The fraternity might not change focus and might still work towards the Latino empowerment. The non-Latinos know it and agree (they knew before they join). It is not a fraternity that due to the diversity in campus accepted some members from other cultures. It is now a fraternity where a good portion of its membership is multicultural. Does it mean that It'll need to refocus? No. The non-latinos will not ask it. Yet, the Latino brothers might want to be inclusive of their brothers, and this is how a chapter of LGLO, became multicultural. Just a thought.

Sorry, I didn't think it would take me this long. I know there are exaggerations and so forth, but you get the idea. An LGLO is multiracial just for our own diversity. Multiracial may soon become, although not necessarily, multicultural.

[preciousjeni]

^^^That's how it's been explained to me, though I believe yours is the best form of the explanation I've seen. Good post! I think the core of the issue is the definition of multicultural and a desire to take advantage of the "clout" true multicultural organizations have built.

[Monarca7]

I take issue with this theory. (I know it just an example but I don't think it is exactly plausible)

1. It assumes that that recruitment and the befriending of interest would break down along racial lines. I am Black although Latino I should recruit and hang out with black people. I am a white Argentinean I should hang out with white people, ect. Sharing of similar "taste" because people are of the same race despite being from totally different cultures seems extremely farfetched.
2. It assumes that the Idea of what race you are takes precedence over culture for example Although, you, LatinaAlumna, and I are likely 3 difference types of Latino, likely grew up in 3 different parts of the country, and I assume are 3 or 4 different nationalities (I’m Half Dominican and half Venezuelan) We all new what was meant when she posted the picture of the chancla…terrifying
3. Given #2 It does not reason why this has not happened across the board. In Asian orgs, Native American orgs, and Non-NPHC African American orgs who likely have members of multiple cultures as well.
4. It still wouldn't make it a multicultural organization. Just organization that is diverse. Working for Latino empowerment would show that you are a Latino organization.


I know you were just making up examples and nothing is factual or based on anything but I just don’t think it is that it simply about race and making people feel comfortable.

[Monarca7]

New question!!!!

So why is this so predominant in the Westcoast founded and South founded organizations and rare amongst East coast founded orgs?

[LatinaAlumna]

^The only west-coast founded org. that I know of that is now calling itself "multicultural" or "Historically Latino" or "Latino founded multicultural" is NAK. Gamma Zeta Alpha, Lambda Theta Nu, Alpha Pi Sigma, and Phi Lambda Rho have not changed since their founding.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

^^^That's how it's been explained to me, though I believe yours is the best form of the explanation I've seen. Good post! I think the core of the issue is the definition of multicultural and a desire to take advantage of the "clout" true multicultural organizations have built.

Which is?

I sincerely ask because I don't know.

I am aware that multi-cultural orgs are on the rise, so I see the basis of your statement.

ETA - Are you saying that people no longer want to be pigeon-holed into a group based on the major ethnic / racial majority of that group?

[Monarca7]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

^The only west-coast founded org. that I know of that is now calling itself "multicultural" or "Historically Latino" or "Latino founded multicultural" is NAK. Gamma Zeta Alpha, Lambda Theta Nu, Alpha Pi Sigma, and Phi Lambda Rho have not changed since their founding.

I stand extremely corrected I asked without researching it first now that I did LOL there is no other way of saying it...lol I'm just wrong. Apologies

[Little Dragon]

Originally Posted by Monarca7

I take issue with this theory. (I know it just an example but I don't think it is exactly plausible)

1. It assumes that that recruitment and the befriending of interest would break down along racial lines. I am Black although Latino I should recruit and hang out with black people. I am a white Argentinean I should hang out with white people, ect. Sharing of similar "taste" because people are of the same race despite being from totally different cultures seems extremely farfetched.
2. It assumes that the Idea of what race you are takes precedence over culture for example Although, you, LatinaAlumna, and I are likely 3 difference types of Latino, likely grew up in 3 different parts of the country, and I assume are 3 or 4 different nationalities (I’m Half Dominican and half Venezuelan) We all new what was meant when she posted the picture of the chancla…terrifying
3. Given #2 It does not reason why this has not happened across the board. In Asian orgs, Native American orgs, and Non-NPHC African American orgs who likely have members of multiple cultures as well.
4. It still wouldn't make it a multicultural organization. Just organization that is diverse. Working for Latino empowerment would show that you are a Latino organization.


I know you were just making up examples and nothing is factual or based on anything but I just don’t think it is that it simply about race and making people feel comfortable.

I agree with you 100%. I was just shooting at an answer. Still, I do believe that the phenomeno has not spread to other cultural GLO's, or at least not as strong (Sigma Beta Rho was founded South Asian and now is multicultural) because those cultures mainly do concentrate on a specific race. An LGLO is a multiracial organization due to the fact that no matter your race, what makes you a Latino is the Spanish language (yours or your parents or grandparents). From being multiracial to becoming multicultural, given specific circumstances, is just a step.

[Monarca7]

Originally Posted by Little Dragon

I agree with you 100%. I was just shooting at an answer. Still, I do believe that the phenomeno has not spread to other cultural GLO's, or at least not as strong (Sigma Beta Rho was founded South Asian and now is multicultural) because those cultures mainly do concentrate on a specific race. An LGLO is a multiracial organization due to the fact that no matter your race, what makes you a Latino is the Spanish language (yours or your parents or grandparents). From being multiracial to becoming multicultural, given specific circumstances, is just a step.

I know you were just shooting out a theory or a possible step and we both agree it is much more complicated than that and thank you for adding

Btw although it is true word Latino is derived from people who speak languages that derived from Latin that is far from what makes you Latino. It is generally accepted that Brazilians who speak Portuguese are Latino although they do not speak Spanish while some people argue whether Spaniards are Latino and the people of Equatorial Guinea are almost never mentioned as being Latino, although they speak Spanish. It is an over simplifications to say it is a language but just one of the factors. Which include food, music, dance and history.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

Which is?

I sincerely ask because I don't know.

I am aware that multi-cultural orgs are on the rise, so I see the basis of your statement.

ETA - Are you saying that people no longer want to be pigeon-holed into a group based on the major ethnic / racial majority of that group?

Not at all. I'm saying that groups want to take advantage of the recruitment benefit of calling themselves "multicultural." To a large extent, non-NPC/NIC/NPHC organizations are competing for the attention of similar pools of people.

Some organizations figured out that they can broaden their appeal by going beyond simply highlighting their diversity.

[Monarca7]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Not at all. I'm saying that groups want to take advantage of the recruitment benefit of calling themselves "multicultural." To a large extent, non-NPC/NIC/NPHC organizations are competing for the attention of similar pools of people.

Some organizations figured out that they can broaden their appeal by going beyond simply highlighting their diversity.

Agreed. I can definately see that as one of the reasons.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Not at all. I'm saying that groups want to take advantage of the recruitment benefit of calling themselves "multicultural." To a large extent, non-NPC/NIC/NPHC organizations are competing for the attention of similar pools of people.

Some organizations figured out that they can broaden their appeal by going beyond simply highlighting their diversity.

Okay! I get it.

(I had to read it twice. )

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by Monarca7

I stand extremely corrected I asked without researching it first now that I did LOL there is no other way of saying it...lol I'm just wrong. Apologies

Accepted.