Okay, I admit it. I have a wee bit of a girlcrush on ABC’s Greek star, Dilshad Vadsaria (check out her fancy site), who plays the role of Rebecca Logan. She’s gorgeous. She’s Pakistani (and also Portuguese and Indian, so I’m thinking Goan, perhaps?). Her favorite book is my favorite book. Plus, she’s kinda, sorta a Philadelphian (once a Philadelphian, always a Philadelphian, right?). So basically my alter-ego if I were to fulfill my dream of acting/waitressing/getting a nose-job/losing 50 lbs/traumatizing my parents.
What little I’ve seen of Greek isn’t compelling (men may beg to differ), but it did kinda remind me of my college time. How so? All the desi frats/sororities on college.
Before starting at Temple, I had no idea desi sororities even existed. I just assumed they were all black/white. Now they’re brown, too.
As a freshman, I recall a group of manicured/made-up/coiffured upperclassmen who tried to lure me into the wonderful world that is the desi sorority. I was flattered. For five minutes. But I had no interest in forcing friendships or learning how to curl my hair using juice cans. Not that the desi sororities on campus weren’t made up of killer smart kids who went on to become highly respectable professionals. I just avoid cases of herd-mentality, even when it’s positive.
According to ABCD Lady, they’ve been around since 1994.
“I decided to make a Greek costume,” Sridhar, a sister of Delta Phi Omega, says. “Then I was inspired to do a sari type thing. I did an East and West fusion. I had Indian jewelry, but I kept it really Americanized.”
Like Sridhar’s approach to the contest, South Asian men and women on college campuses around the United States have taken the well-established model of brotherhood and sisterhood in fraternities and sororities and have added their own ethnic twist.”
From what I’ve seen, these desi frats/sororities are made up of mostly South Indian Christians who grew up in America. Maybe that’s just a Philly thing. The international students are too busy studying/interning to mingle with other undergrads. Haven’t seen any Pakistani members. There may be a Hindu or Muslim thrown in the mix. Hard to tell when you don’t go to college parties.
It’s fascinating to me how immigrant cultures slowly but surely adapt to American culture. Anthropologists? Sociologists? Hello? Somebody should be studying South Asian Greeks.
Wow, so never knew that Temple had Desi sororities. I guess it was inevitable that ethnic-specific ones would arise because the mainstream aren’t exactly “diverse”.
BTW, a Desi with a Portuguese name doesn’t necessarily mean Goan. A great number of the ones in/from India are Goan, but aside the Portuguese also made their presence in South India, some of Gujarat and Bombay. (The name Bombay itself is said to evolved from the Portuguese for Good Bay.)
Freida Pinto, Genelia D’Souza (and George Fernandes?) are from the Mangalorean Catholic community, which is highly Goan migrants influenced. ( But even so, the Portuguese still had presence in Mangalore as well.)
But people like Remo D’Souza, who is originally from Kerala, are likely in no way Goan.
And that’s just talking about India. Sri Lanka also had Portuguese traders, missionaries, colonials.
As for Pakistan, I don’t know whether the Portuguese- named Pakistanis are a result of inter-subcontinantal travels and trade, or whether the Portuguese had some influence in the areas that are now Pakistan.
they have alot of these in cali too. i make fun of them all the time. pretty pathetic if u ask me. i clowned on these kids so bad that they quit the frat hahaha. im mean i know.
PennState main campus had a lot of Hindu and Muslim students in the desi frat (DSI), all mostly American-born. The desi sorority wasn’t as popular but I guess they may revamp their look or something. Some South Asians just joined the Asian or other sororities instead.
I feel PennState’s a whole ‘nother level. We were isolated in this little bubble. Joining the Indian Students Association was frightening because I would only see these kids hang out with only South Asian people. Not my cup of tea. Definitely not what I expected.
Someone really should do a study on this. And as to how we all love the alcoholic beverages so much during those precious college years.
via Twitter updates on the side – Palace at the Ben is very nice :) Their appetizers and drinks are great!
1) Its kind of ironic that you wonder about the need for “Desi” Greek orgs and then label it as being a byproduct of the “herd mentality”.. If these guys were like cattle wouldn’t they just join the preexisting Greek or Cultural orgs.. What is the benefit of going against the grain and actually having to EARN your respect?? hmmm..
2) With your indepth perception and graceful transitions, I am surprised that you’ve even read a book :)
I have had experiences with many desi sororities/fraternities. A lot of them are just posers trying to be someone who they are not. A lot of them are total jerks. But the one greek organization I have found that is really true to what they stand for is Beta Chi Theta. Their brothers really know how to have a good time and also are classy. They don’t fight all the time like Sig Rho. They aren’t douchebags like DEPsi.
They are the Gentleman of Beta Chi Theta.
This is the United States of AMERICA…all immigrants should adapt to “American” culture.
Dirty Sanchez, all immigrants (yes you, Puritans) should adapt to Native American or American Indian culture. You dirty bastards, you came over from all over the country and defiled our native land.
Note to other readers: Before you leave negative comments, I am being sarcastic and I am not actually N. American so calm down.