OPINION | October 1, 2003

Editorial/Our View
No Song and Dance
Multicultural groups should go further than food and dances to exhibit their cultural pride

Texas has a rich Hispanic heritage, but it’s more than just the Alamo and Tex-Mex food.

It’s so much more than geographic location, but many cultural facts seem missing during the university’s Hispanic Heritage month. Where are the multicultural fraternities, societies and professional organizations? Why aren’t they showing us what their culture is really about?

The United States enjoys a rich history of international heritage, and multicultural student organizations need to embrace their countries’ traditions to help others understand viewpoints different from their own.

Cultural education should be an immersion in the social, political, religious and educational customs of the showcased country.

Social customs among cultures vary widely within the United States and even more internationally. We have seen international fashion shows, but displays concerning the arts, dating habits and generational attitudes would be welcome.

Government systems vary drastically throughout the world. We need a glimpse into those differences to shed light on why American government is so different from the majority of the world.

Although Christmas may be a common holiday embraced by many countries, its celebration differs from state to state and country to country — it would be an education to experience how others treat this holiday.

Festivals and holidays seem abundant in most cultures, but many are specific to one country. Unless this information is shared, other cultures won’t understand the reasons for those celebrations.

Throughout recorded history, religious differences have caused peace and conflict. Laws, social values and political systems have been based on religious beliefs. Student organizations need to emphasize how the various religions have shaped cultures.

Americans enjoy the privilege of education, while many cultures reserve it for a select group, and some don’t offer it at all to their citizens. Education has been named as one cure for racism.

Promoting understanding between cultures and races means taking more steps to accommodate the process. To truly grasp another’s way of thinking means to delve into his or her educational process, family and values.

We encourage multicultural student organizations and university departments to provide a more thorough experience during each cultural heritage celebration — to stray from the typical dance and food festivals.

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