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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have found that with some White people, this idea of integration and inclusion is a sham.  The reason being that the “default” standard for integration is based on White norms.  In other words, Whites want POC who integrate to meet them on their playing field – meet them in their safe space.  The question I have for Whites who somehow think these types of ceremonies are divisive is whether you are willing to “cross the aisle” in the name of inclusion and integration.  Would you join a Black church?  How about a Black sorority?  Would you join an Asian chamber of commerce organization? Or is it that you expect POC to abandon their traditions and norms to integrate with you?  Just curious.  Instead of condemning these ceremonies, ask if you can attend.  My grad school roommate was Asian and I attended the university’s  Asian celebration to support her.  Her family and others there appreciated that I was willing to embrace what they were doing and support her. [/quote]

There is just the norm, not the black or white or brown norm. And yes, the norm today is predominantly driven by the historic prevalence of white culture, but that is changing fairly quickly (relative to the past). So you can take a seat at the table and put your imprint on how the norm will evolve or you can have your own table in the dining hall, your own fraternities, your own ceremonies, etc. Nobody is saying that every minority group shouldn't be loud and proud about their own culture and celebrate any way they choose, but you seem intent on segregation. And your false equivalencies about the "crossing the aisle" are just infantile. BTw, you might want to study how the LGBTQ community managed to change the norm in a remarkable fashion regarding same-sex marriage. It wasn't too many years ago that Obama, Clinton and the entire democratic establishment were firmly against this issue. But by engaging with the mainstream and educating and socializing, the LGBTQ community has now made same-sex marriage part of the mainstream ideology. That's called progress. What you're advocating is a regressive, dead-end approach. But go ahead and hold steadfast to your belief, witness zero progress towards racial unity and then blame everybody but yourself.[/quote]

You actually just proved my point.  And the "infantile" remarks and the like are totally un-called for.  But that is the DCUM way.  I disagree with you personally, so let me insult you.  Cool.  Just realize that is more a reflection on you than it is me.

What is racial unity?  Define it.  Because based on comments like this - that is "whitewashing" (no pun intended).  What I want is the acceptance and embracing of diversity. We are different. There is not a dang thing wrong with that.  But our differences do not make us inferior or superior to one another.  And we can appreciate the differences that we have and the resulting different experiences and perspectives.   Being pro-POC is not being anti-White. It's not that hard.

I am not intent on segregation. [b] What I am intent on is being able to celebrate my tradition without someone accusing me of wanting segregation.  Instead of sitting there criticizing me, come sit at MY table and participate.  But you would rather me come to your table or you would rather stand there and criticize me for having my own table.  [/b]

Ironically, my DD's college had a LGBTQ student graduation celebration also.  Guess that was wrong too.[/quote]If there was a DCUM applaud icon, I would gladly give it to you.  Settle for a + million instead.[/quote]

+1 Love this.  LoooooooVe it!![/quote]

I'm going to respond to the bolded text above because there seems to be a disconnect. Or more likely, you trigger too easily and view comments through the lens of a victim which twists even benign comments into imagined racism which frankly makes having a civilized dialogue rather difficult. But setting that aside let me state that nobody is saying that special interest groups shouldn't celebrate their own culture. Nobody is saying that there is any difference between AAs and other special interest groups. Nobody is saying that Harvard grads don't have the right to host their own celebration. We should be in agreement up until this point. But here's where you're getting the analogy wrong. You've created a construct where there is an us vs. them. An imagined balkanization of society where there is a white table, a black table, etc. That wasn't the point at all. The point was that there is an our table (not a white table) which comprises a diverse majority, and then there are a whole host of special interest tables. It is incumbent upon the majority table to create an environment that encourages inclusion, the safe and open exchange of ideas, etc. And it is incumbent on the special interest groups to join that table whilst maintaining a position at their own. It's a specious argument to suggest that non-AAs insert themselves into the AA table. Would I be welcome if I applied for membership to Jack & Jill, an AA fraternity, the AA house on campus or the like? Of course not and nor should I be...those are safe spaces that by design are created to provide support to the AA community. [/quote]

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