<p>Okay, so I just got the e-mail, and as much as I want to visit Brown again (and again), I find the name of this very offensive. I’m Indian, which yes, originates in India, a third world country, but I live in Texas. I don’t mind minority programs, but to refer to anybody that has a heritage coming from a LDC as “Third World” is inappropriate in my eyes. What kind of “Third World” Welcome is needed? I am not just getting off the boat. I am sure Brown, being the cultural and amazing school it is, did not mean to offend anyone, but I can’t help but be slightly put off.</p>
<p>Anyways, I know we got the e-mail today, but does anyone think they are going to go?
I still want to, just so I can be there again before the fall.</p>
<p>if i get in..that is...when hell freezes over. im definetly going! Im from Haiti, which is also a Third World Country...I dont really like the connotation of the word and what it denotes but, I understand the meaning of the program after i read on Brown's website. I think u shud at least take the opportunity and judge for yourself! It would be a great way of getting to know people before classes begin and orientation :)</p>
<p>I recommend the program! I attended the third world transition program (TWTP) this past fall and it was an amazing experience. If you got accepted and invited, go!
My reaction to the name was the same as yours when I got the invitation. But my friend persuaded me to go at the last minute so I went with her.
You should attend it and discover answers to your questions..such as why the name is third world. =) You will gain so much knowledge on social issues and a better understanding of people out of it. It's also an excellent opportunity to meet people before school actually begins.</p>
<p>The "Third World" name is a HUGE huge controversy on campus. Realize that we don't use it to refer to Third World countries-- it supposed to be for all minority students, although of course they don't explicitly exclude white students.</p>
<p>Brown was not identify you as Indian and therefore of the Third World, they are identifying you as a minority, and then asking you take part in a program with a name drenched in traditional and intellectual bull that they need to realize doesn't matter when outsiders come up with their own idea about what that name means.</p>
<p>This is the link to the thread that took place here at CC a while ago. It describes a lot of the controversy that surrounds Third World Welcome.</p>
<p>when i was in college, i didn't go because i was similarly offended by the title (i'm an indian person from NJ)</p>
<p>...i regretted that decision ever since. everyone who went had an amazing experience where they met really interesting people, made lifelong friendships, and grew as people.</p>
<p>the TWC has a seemingly antiquated title, but it is rooted in a historical and political context and once you familiarize yourself with that context (bad PR aside), it is much less offensive</p>
<p>My girlfriend did TWTP last summer and I was actually on campus during the program. I was curious about the name initially, too, and found out that the term stems from the original definition of "Third-World." This from the Brown website:</p>
<p>"Students first began using the term "Third World" over "minority" because of the negative connotations of inferiority and powerlessness with which the word "minority" is often associated. Although the term "Third World" may have negative socioeconomic connotations outside of Brown, Third World students here continue to use the term in the context originating form the Civil Rights Movement.</p>
<p>Frantz Fanon, author of The Wretched of the Earth (1961), urged readers to band together against oppression and colonialism, by pioneering a "Third Way" meaning an alternative to the ways of the first world (U.S. & Europe) and also the second world (USSR & Eastern Europe). When students adopted the term "Third World", they use it in the sense of a cultural model of empowerment and liberation.</p>
<p>Brown students of color continue to use the term "Third World" in a similar fashion: to describe a consciousness which recognizes the commonalities and links shared by their diverse communities. Using the term "Third World" reminds students of the power they have in coalescing, communicating, and uniting across marginalized communities to create a safer and more open place for all individuals. This consciousness at Brown also reflects a right, a willingness, and a necessity for people of color and others to define themselves instead of being defined by others.</p>
<p>The concept of "Third World" has special meaning for minority students at Brown. It is not to be confused with the economic definition of the term used commonly in our society today, but understood as a term that celebrates diverse cultures."</p>
<p>Scaredashell--
I'm an Indian born and raised in America, and I would most definitely classify India as a third world country (using the economic definition). Yes, India has the nouveau riche in cities like Mumbai and Bangalore, and even Delhi and Ahmedabad to a lesser extent, but the vast majority of India's population lives in the poor rural regions. I'm not sure of the exact statistic, but I know that India's per-capita GDP doesn't even place it in the top 100 countries in the world economically.
And that entire argument, of course, is using your definition of Third World as signifying "poor," which is an ignorant definition used by mass media. Third World is simply used to signify all countries that didn't closely belong to the Western or Soviet blocs during the bipolar geopolitical situation of the 20th century--using this definition, which is the definition Brown employs when giving name to this program, it's indisputable that India is a third world country. And you know what the kicker is? This definition of "third world" was coined by none other than Nehru.<br>
Having pride in our country is one thing, delusions of grandeur are quite another, and ignorance is something else entirely.</p>
<p>My definition of Third World Country is not "poor". I know what the actual definition of TWC is and I know Nehru coined the term. I made my comment because many people tend to ignore the fact that while India may have large amount of poverty, it is progressing at a very high rate. From what I have seen, many people base their opinions of India by what they see on the news(many times news channels talk about how poor India is and how diseases are all over the place.) So I made my comment assuming that the OP is using the "poor country" definition. This might seem hard to understand because I typed it extremely fast, but if I get the time I'll fix this post up.</p>
<p>Third World Welcome and all other TWC events are intended for minorities, so even if you weren't officially invited, you're invited.</p>
<p>That being said, realize that whatever you designated yourself as FIRST (African American, Hispanic, White, etc.) is what the university categorizes you under, which may explain why some minority students weren't invited. </p>
<p>"Third World" programming at Brown is a great source of controversy, so as others have said, you should check it out for yourself.</p>
<p>Personally, I think it's a load of crap and I still find the term "third world" offensive (and I've been here 3 years) despite all of the justifications for the title. The third world center has been the blemish on my Brown career.</p>
<p>Go, check it out for yourself. At best, you'll find it enlightening, beneficial, etc. as some have, at worst, you get to move in early, settle in, make friends, etc.</p>
<p>My only advice: be a filter not a sponge. What the TWC teaches/indoctrinates is not necessary the prevalent attitude on campus, although it is one of the loudest.</p>