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...

Codswallop!

Op please join- the Pakistanis in the group will be pleased to have you there as someone who genuinely wants to find out more about the country/people. Join and make your mind up then. I joined so many societies at Uni to get a feel for the people/places/interests. I stayed with the ones I liked and left the ones I didn't. No one said anything or died. Go!

Not at all! Pakistanis don't have a chip on their shoulders- they'd welcome you and be more than happy to share their Pakistani-ness with you!

I think it would be very weird for you as a non-Urdu-speaking white British person who has never been to Pakistan to join this society, and actually quite selfish and intrusive. If you want to learn more about Pakistan, plan a trip there and/or sign up for Urdu lessons.

I think this is a space for people of a similar background to discuss their experience and maybe some of the challenges they face and bond over similarities. They will probably run events as well which are generally open to other people and might be of interest to you.

If there was a womens society and a man wanted to join, I think people would be affronted by that.

I think joining would be strange but maybe I’m wrong.

You're not getting it. I'm telling you how it is and you're questioning me. Your white privilege is showing.

They're advertising so other Pakistani can join.
Plus your boss thinking it's a good idea to use these people for his business.

LIke I said, don't do it.

As others say - it depends. Some socs are open to all and have events that are fun in themselves or interesting for both those within the culture and those who want to learn more. Some are, overtly or otherwise, wanting to be more closed. I’m Jewish and once went to a lovely Friday night dinner at Oxford Chabad house. All fine until I got up to say thank you and leave and was practically asked for my hand in marriage by the chap I’d been sitting across from.

Your friend is in a good position to advise.

@madasawethen sorry. Just wondered if the group was another uni society or a different type of group is all.

Are you Pakistani?

Go for it. We had white people in the Afro Caribbean society at uni. This is something white people will tell you isn't OK but the rest of us are happy to have you!

I think sometimes there's a difference between events (open to all, get as many bums on seats as possible) and meetings if they're used for 'cultural support'.

Having said that I'm no expert, my experience of national societies (other than being invited to friends' events) was with Dutch Soc which only really involved watching football.

(As a side note, I think official university societies do have to be open to everybody. I know at some universities the CU, or Jewish Society etc, might not be an official society if they make actually being that religion a condition of entry.)

@LauraAshleyDuvetCover exactly. I think maybe my best bet would be to try out some of their social events but avoid talk sessions more designed for them to discuss their shared cultural experience (assuming they do these).

With groups like that, doesn't there tend to be both an aspect of people wanting to meet those who speak their language etc and then also general cultural promotion? So if they have a Pakistani film night or lectures from a leading historian of Pakistan, politician etc that might be more universally aimed, but ordinary social time on a wet Monday evening less so?

Cross post!

I'm a Plaid Cymru member living in Yorkshire.

You go for it if it makes sense to you!

I wish there were more students like you. You sound really open minded to other people and cultures which is just what we need.

Voting is 50/50 right now...wow

POC need/ want time with other POC who understand their lived experience. I wouldn’t want you, a white woman, at my brown sisters meet up but I wouldn’t be rude enough to say you’re not welcome. I know a lot of people at my meet up would agree

Tell them what you've told us here, and see what they say!

Personally, I think it's a great idea.

@JBLGO I totally understand, but I'm not sure if that's what this society actually is. I don't know if they do those kinds of talk sessions where it's about sharing cultural experiences. I've emailed them as other posters have suggested and will let everyone know what they say.

It's 52:48 in your favour now Op so that's a definite yes 😉 I'd say ask them and see what they say, not some bunch of randoms on mumsnet who are predominantly white so of course know exactly how another cultural group will or should think and feel. (And ask them about the films too - mumsnet is weird)

To be fair if this isn’t a uni society then it’s quite different. I’m currently part of a couple of group for my race that wouldn’t welcome white people joining as it would ruin the purpose of the group. However, the ACS society I was part of at university was not that type of group- and we welcomed all other races that came. I went along to Indian and Chinese society events as a black person and was always welcomed. It’s a completely different purpose and vibe at uni so OPs question is relevant.

You're missing the point. It's not about whether they actively discuss/share experiences, it's about being with others who they can safely assume have had similar lived experience by virtue of being a member of the same minority group. That doesn't include white British people.

How like a white person to cherry pick the answers they want and barge on in anyway 🙄

I don't think it's a bad idea to go round all the societies and mention you're looking to show screenings - and give them your business card. The societies can all decide what they want to do then.

Wow this thread is a great demonstration of Woke Racism. White person says they'd like to learn more about another culture and country. Is immediately jumped on by other white people saying "no! you must only associate with white people!" while Pakistanis on the thread are like, "cool, you're welcome."

Really it's just such a stark demonstration of racism in 2022.