<p>diehldun: you went to a private school, which would normally suggest that the student body is probably upper middle class at least. Things in urban and even some suburban high schools are very different.</p>
<p>As for why minorities "stick together", it's usually just a matter of comfort level. If you grew up around other Asians, Latinos, or Blacks, you'd be more comfortable around them and could probably identify with them more easily. When you see minorities with white people, more often than not, those minorities grew up in predominantly white neighborhoods.</p>
I beg to differ. It has been my experience that minorities who grew up in predominately white neighborhoods or with predominately white friends tend to reach out to those of their same race even more. I know a lot of black people who were shunned by the black kids in high school because they were high-achieving and therefore acting white. These same black kids thus had white friends in high school, but alsways felt just a little bit out of place (in terms of cultural issues, hair stuff, music choices, etc.) with their white friends. So, when they got to college and met people like them, black people who didn't have too many black friends in high school, they were elated and constantly hung out together because for once they had someone who could share their interests fully.</p>
<p>"So, when they got to college and met people like them, black people who didn't have too many black friends in high school, they were elated and constantly hung out together because for once they had someone who could share their interests fully."</p>
<p>Amen...and to this
"felt just a little bit out of place (in terms of cultural issues, hair stuff, music choices, etc.)"</p>
<p>I would add family issues as well as often these kids don't quite fit into their extended families either...</p>
<p>naj7488, that's an interesting point you make. Though for me, I'm Asian and grew up in a preominantly white neighborhood/school, so the majority (but certainly not all) of my friends were and are white, with no regrets. It depends on each person, I guess, and whom you feel most "comfortable" with. I just hope that the "stick-with-your-race" mentality at Cornell isn't nearly as bad as many people here at CC seem to portray; it seems like many people on CC keep talking about this! It certainly hasn't been the case here at USC so far.</p>
<p>A Cornell, I think that a lot of the Asian kids that hang out together are international students. South Koreans are the biggest international group here. Coming to another country is a culture shock especially between the US and S.Korea, but then having to taught classes in a different language that is a lot foreign from you own...I know they all expected this coming to Cornell, but people should understand that maybe hanging out with other South Koreans is a little comfort from home. I know that if I were in Italy, I would hang more with other English-speakers because I can't speak Italian all that well. That my reasoning for the Asian "self-segregating".</p>
<p>As for other groups Black people, Latinos, etc...wait no one said white people but they are always in big hordes together and no one says anything. Why is that? Are white people and what they do now considered the accepted norm? For us to not be considered self segregating, must we go out of our way to hang out with white people, and not the other way around? This is a two way street if you want to be friends with us[minorities] so bad come up and talk to us. We won't turn you away because you're not "one of us".</p>
<p>I know quite a few koreans, actually. All of the ones I know are totally fluent in english, mostly as a result of having moved when they were younger. </p>
<p>My korean friends tell me all of this stuff about the 'korean mafia' at Cornell and how they even go as far as judge other Koreans on how 'exclusive' they are. The more "whitewash" you are (ie - the better english you speak, the more american you eat, the race of people you hang out with), the more likely you'll be ostracized from the group in a negative fashion. They've done some really hurtful things to my "whitewash" friends, some pretty aggressive backstabbing and such. </p>
<p>I have absolutely no problem with similar 'races' hanging out with the same group of people for comfort reasons (like languange and so forth) ... but the above example is just stupidity (and IMO, arrogance - and perhaps a form of, ahem, racism) at its finest.</p>
<p>
[quote=gomestar]
I have absolutely no problem with similar 'races' hanging out with the same group of people for comfort reasons (like languange and so forth) ... but the above example is just stupidity (and IMO, arrogance - and perhaps a form of, ahem, racism) at its finest.
Are you referring to my comment, because I'm not sure how it is racist, ignorant, or stupid...</p>
<p>I do agree that the main racial groups that do stick together are asians. But most people definitely mix..so don't think that bcuz ppl are giving examples of the opposite that Cornell is all like that...cuz its DEFINITELY not. It's very diverse.</p>
<p>he was referring to his own example. And gomestar, I think that that is an extreme example, one that you could in any group. For example, the KKK would be comparable to the Koreans you're talking about, but everyone knows that not all white people are part of the KKK</p>
<p>"KKK would be comparable to the Koreans you're talking about"</p>
<p>to make a distinction, 99% of white people don't want to be associated with the KKK, while my friends have all tried to be a part of this racial click before being essentially rejected. </p>
<p>"I think that that is an extreme example, one that you could in any group"</p>
<p>what would we call it if the group was a bunch of white people?</p>
<p>"I don't understand why everyone makes such a big deal about it."</p>
<p>the issue came up about racism, and some have said that racism doesn't really exist but rather self-segregation. It's not entirely bad, but it does segregate some groups from the general student body. </p>
<p>that's what I was saying, gomestar, the KKK is group of extremist white people with ideas not shared by the entire white population. </p>
<p>These students are not separated from the student body either. If you want so much to meet South Koreans go up to one and introduce yourself. If you don't want to do that don't complain</p>
<p>"These students are not separated from the student body either. If you want so much to meet South Koreans go up to one and introduce yourself. If you don't want to do that don't complain"</p>
<p>Same with the KKK. This doesn't mean that their actions aren't racist.</p>
<p>All right, well not that I have any problem with it, but I just wanted to make sure that --because I happen to be Asian-- I'm supposed or "expected" to make friends or hang around exclusively with other Asians. </p>
<p>Wow, I just read that and that must sound really awkward (this whole thread is a bit wierd...)</p>
<p>there is definitely self-segregation, but you're not forced into it. after feeling strange for a few weeks, you'll get over it and just make the friends you want to make. but you will be actively recruited by all the cultural groups on campus. they'll see an asian face and drown you with quartercards and ignore your non-asian friends that you are walking with. hmm.</p>
<p>Being Korean, I see and feel the divide between Korean international students and Korean Americans every day. And it's not even just here at Cornell, but back home in NYC. It's a complicated issue. :o</p>
<p>Actually - I must say that one time, I did get a quarter card with a Hershey kiss and an invitation to an asian church (I forget if it was Korean, chinese, etc.). </p>
<p>"because I happen to be Asian-- I'm supposed or "expected" to make friends or hang around exclusively with other Asians. "</p>
<p>not in the least. I've seen it just kind of 'happen' to some of my asian friends. It just kind of depends on you, just be yourself and you'll make friends from all over campus. </p>
<p>Despite the self-segregation that happens, the campus is incredibly diverse and so large that there's plenty of mixture among different social groups on campus.</p>