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...

@properdoughnut I agree, let's forget the film screening. Bad idea.

Have you been in/to any of these societies?

You should join, and have fun. You’ll be welcomed there. But I wouldn’t make event suggestions at all, at least not for the first year or so of membership. That will likely rub people up the wrong way- I know it would do that to me. Ethnic minorities are always being told how to do things better by white people, that when it’s done in your own space it can be very frustrating. I’m sure they can manage to organise events themselves.

I don't see why you shouldn't go along. You'll soon find out if you're not really welcome!

I don't see the problem with screening Pakistani films either - it sounds like a great idea.

Try it and see. I find Asian culture very interesting and would be keen to join such a society if I were at uni (I’m white British too), especially as it says all are welcome.

@beastlyslumber it is a great idea but the other posters are right that I should leave it up to them rather than use it as an excuse to raise awareness of my work venue. I didn't think of it in that way and I'm sorry.

Just email them and ask, and while you're at it suggest the screening idea in the same email. That way it's all upfront and either they'll love the sound of it and welcome you in, or they'll be able to put you off without embarrassment on either side.

We had a non-Jew at our Jsoc. Called him our token Goy, all was well.

If that's what the group is for then saying "Everybody welcome" on their webpage is really fucking strange. Why do you suppose they say that?

You don't have to apologise to me! I don't really see the problem with saying, hey I work in a cinema, would it be a good idea to show some Pakistani films there? Honestly cannot imagine who would take offence to that.

@LateAF I'm Roma so yes 😊 there wasn't a roma society at my university as far as I know? I have stopped going to certain roma events because they're overrun by well-meaning white people who are 'interested' etc etc.
It's more the annoyance of having to explain x y z, or dispell certain beliefs that they have, or answer silly questions. It's not my job to educate people, I just want to spend time with people like me, away from racism or tourism.
The OP is here asking for opinions and I've given mine, I don't think there's anything the matter with that.

I honestly don't think it's odd, quite the opposite? We have similar groups at work, and everyone is encouraged to join them. There are men in the women's one, straight people in the LGBTQ+ one etc. It's all about being an ally.

Probably feel obliged to in case anyone accuses them of being exclusionary.
Just because you CAN do something it doesn’t mean you SHOULD

This, but even to join to make friends is acceptable. They can’t refuse you on grounds of race anyway, and it’s a good way to make new friends.

Its not all about being an ally at all.

You can be an ally and not invade groups of people discussing issues they have because they are a member of that group and trying to learn from those who didn't sign up to be a teacher.

Especially if you have an agenda to push, as the op does.

@MessyBunPersonified what agenda?

As they've said its not exclusive I think its fine, just remember you're a guest. @PeekabooAtTheZoo I know what you're saying (and I'm Arab, for what its worth) but the space has not been described and advertised in that way. I wouldn't advise a White person to join a group related to discussing issues specific to the Pakistani community (or the Black community, or...) but this is a cultural society. Sometimes outreach is part of what they do.

"Raising awareness" of your work venue.

@MessyBunPersonified but I've abandoned that idea now. I won't be mentioning that to them at all if I do join.

My best friend was Hong Kong Chinese at university and we we were always at the Chinese society events. I would still go if she wasn’t for whatever reason (although she was president one year).

I think it’s fine - go

Hi OP, I'm British Pakistani and was a member of the Pakistani Society at university, and you would have been totally welcome. Pakistanis are very sociable people and would love Brits or other nationalities to join.

OK, I see where you’re coming from - my experience of the uni societies is that they are very much a cultural celebration. University is very much about open mindedness and learning and integration so students have a lot of patience for those type questions. Taking over though would be just as annoying in a uni group as it would be in the Roma groups you attend.

Now as an adult I’m in a couple of groups for black families and children given we live in a very white area and the children are already experiencing racism and exclusion. So we certainly wouldn’t welcome white attendance or input in those groups because that would take away the safe space and the point of the group.

But I think university cultural societies are unique in that sense- other cultures most certainly are welcome and it wouldn’t be weird at all.

That was your initial motivation.

Invading their space to use them for your own benefit under the guise of "Oh I'm so inclusive and helpful and I just want to learn".

Happens all the time tbh.

Why not? If it’s not what you think, what you want, you don’t have to stay?
Isn’t this why we travel to other countries, listen to podcasts, watch TV programmes, to learn about other cultures ?

I’m bemused about why you feel the need to clarify that “Pakistanis aren’t really classed as black”.

Unless I missed it, I don’t think anyone suggested they are…?

But there’s no reason why couldn’t try it out.