To join my uni's Pakistani Society even though I'm not Pakistani/Asian?

[Ahsoka2001]

I'm back at uni doing an MA for one year (straight after finishing undergrad, I'm 21) and wanted to join at least one society despite being very busy.

There's a few I tried in first year and didn't like (e.g. board games society only had niche games no one knew and not the classic ones) and the sports societies are all quite expensive.

In second year, I made friends with an amazing girl who had Pakistani heritage and in fact led the Pakistani society till she graduated last year. She was very proud of her culture and just knowing her has made me quite interested in learning more about the country/people. So I thought joining this society would be a nice way to do that and meet some new people. But would it be odd to do this as someone who's White British?

The website does say "This is not exclusively for Asian students, all are welcome" but I'm wondering if this is just a formality and in reality it would be a bit odd? Not sure...

That would also generally be viewed as a bit strange, yes.

I'd also say persevere with the board games society. There are some brilliant new(ish) Euro games out there which knock the likes of Monopoly and Cluedo into a cocked hat. The first one will take a little time to get your head round, but once you get the mechanics, the others will follow quicker.

Go for it
as someone from an immigrant background I would welcome other cultures from other groups
Pakistani people are welcoming
it does say it’s not just for Pakistani students
your input from an outside perspective wound really benefit in their discussions
am a bit horrified at some of the other comments here discouraging you
please do join

I don’t think it’s strange. We always welcomed other races in the African Caribbean society. Obviously trying to take over or make suggestions for events with no knowledge of or sensitivity to the culture would be strange. But joining in with the intention to learn about the culture and make friends would be welcomed. Nothing weird about wanting to learn about and integrate with other cultures.

What I found offensive is when my white friends would auto-decline to attend ACS events I invited them to, or would come and stand there visibly uncomfortable about being a minority in a room.

I agree.
The society sounds like a way of people from that culture being in a place they feel comfortable with others from a similar culture. You haven’t experienced it, you will look like a tourist

Nothing wrong with perspectives from outside of their culture benefiting their discussions
the world is a diverse place
why discourage her

Honestly, I don't think you should.

I'm have a different ethnic background, but people get quite interested and expect me to be delighted to teach them about it. Sometimes I just don't want to, and it would be one of the reasons I would joined a society such as that.

There must be other ones to join.

I think not OP. Having a white person there will probably be annoying / inhibiting for them.

A bit like when you have a friend that brings her husband along to ladies only evenings you know? It's not awful but it does change the dynamic.

Yeh ignore my previous post - I hadn’t seen this post. Don’t join if this is your motivation. They don’t need your “mutual benefit” white saviour shit.

Yes do this. Maybe suggest you'd be happy to simply attend a couple of events if they think that would be better

As PP’s have suggested, go to a couple of events ( perhaps ask your friend whether you could attend as her guest) and find out whether it’s a good fit for you. I went to several
events held by the SE Asian Society as it was called at my uni as one of my friends was a member. They were fun!

My DD joined the Islamic society at university and so did her friend (she’s white and not Muslim) who lives in the halls with her. Nobody batted an eyelid and they gave her freebies and welcome bags along with my DD. There’s also a student who is Sikh who’s joined the Islamic society because he wanted to make friends he was up front about it and was heartily welcomed aboard.

they are planning a desserts and coffee afternoon apparently and everyone is going along.

so go along and ask if you can join the Pakistani society.

it’s a fun way of getting to know other students and socialising.

Well then do that you don't have to join the society to do that

What a stupid comment
the comments from people of colour in here such as myself are encouraging her to join
what us your background?
diversity is good and plenty of us want to see other cultures join in on our discussions and worries and show interest, it’s helpful to us

seriously

Dd is in the Korean society, though that's about music and drama series I think. It will be fine but I would expect to be culturally sensitive eg conservative dress cover wise with emergency scarf in case, jeans and tunic top is fine, skimpy skirt and crop top not so much

I don't think they would be able to say its exclusively for Asian students would they?
I know we have an Asian elders group in my area and they were told they had to be inclusive so now it's just an elders group ,but an Asian one in all but the name .

I'm Indian and I don't see why not. If I was in an Indian society I wouldn't mind anyone else joining (as long as I didn't become the minority there again possibly).

It is true that if you want to join a group of minority students you couldn't expect to organise their events. It's a place for them to lead and structure as meaningful to them. I imagine you could be supportive and interested in learning, but maybe you will be restricted to taking part in some activities. You could show support by attending film screenings, but not organise them, I suppose.

You managed to put into words what I was thinking. Let them have their space to use their own language and discuss issues you don't understand.

Trying to attend is like a man turning up at a womens group.
The women might 'be kind' and welcoming but it very quickly becomes a mixed sex, women no longer have their own space and the women who it's intended for stop going.

I think finding out the focus and purpose if the group is important.
Not all societies are about people having a safe space. Some of them are more even focussed and about promoting their culture so will welcome anyone who is interested.

Can you ask your friend who was in the society last year for her advice?

Are either of you ethnic minorities? If so, did you regularly attend or help organise your university’s cultural societies? Because what you’re saying does not tally up with my experience of these type of societies. Having a respectful and open minded white person there will not take detract from the cultural space. These societies are a celebration of culture and having people from other cultures appreciate your own only brings a sense of pride.

OK, when I said about the film showing I didn't mean for profit. It would be a FREE SCREENING and we'd make no money out of them.

I don't think it's odd. Isn't the point of these societies to celebrate their culture and be open to people who want to respectfully be part of that and not some clandestine "us vs them"?

I'm a white British atheist and felt very welcome at the Islamic Society at my uni. And before anyone tries to jump down my throat for daring to join, I was doing Middle Eastern Studies and was told to join by coursemates.

@PeekabooAtTheZoo @LateAF not for profit. We'd be making no money out of it. And if that's how you feel I'll abandon this idea completely. Actually - yes, let's rub the film screening idea out. I won't be arranging anything with them.