Thank you!!!
 

I am so down in the dumps today. THANKS FOR THE LAUGH!!! I truly needed this.

Re: Why...
 

...yep, folks, that right up there ^ qualifies as "Post of the Month" in GC land.

although, I do side, more or less, with RM's main point. We always hope the dominant culture will see, recognize/honor, and, if so moved, adopt the substance over the sizzle of what we do. I saw the Alphas/Sigma's leadership as a door opener, and hope the other orgs. seek to learn more of why we do what we do, rather than just the pin-point synchronization and "coldness" of it all. :cool:

I am not trying to start a fight/flame war here, I'm legitmately curious.

Since some of you appear to be concerned about white orgs "stealing" your stepping without understanding the history of it, I'm curious if you are taught the history of fraternities and sororities beginning with Phi Beta Kappa, or if your history starts in 1906 or 1908?

Re: Re: Why...
 

Exactly! It's just another avenue to help the two groups relate to one another. It's a start.

Big ole co-sign on the last part...even though they may attempt it...they can NEVER do it quite the way that WE do it


**NOTE** By WE, I meant members of the D9 who take us back to the motherland when they step. I do not include my rhythmless self in that bunch http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-034.gif

Re: Why...
 

Woah shit! There's going to be some fightin' up in here! :eek:

Re: Re: Re: Why...
 

Umm, I'm going to have to ask Soror abaici to go to the corner with that smiley. I'm on the floor.

--from yet another member of the Rhythmless Nation.
:o :p

does this question have a point? because i'm not seeing it at all. what does stepping have to do with phi beta kappa?

Oh my the drama! I am starting to wonder if I should have posted this story!

Let me spell it out for you:

Some BGLO members on GC are concerned that members of other orgs are "stealing" stepping without learning history.

I am curious to know if the history of Greek organizations before APhiA or AKA is taught to members of BGLOs, or if their history starts in 1906.

Don't wonder. It was a fine story. Remember, everybody's going to have an opinion, but to my mind, it hasn't devolved into any real attacks per se.
:cool:

As for my own pondering, why would they be concerned with the history of Phi Beta Kappa? If one was interested in the origins of Greek Lettered Organizations period, why of course this would be important information, but why would this history be relevant to that specifically of BGLOs? Isn't Phi Beta Kappa an academic organization? Yes, the oldest of Greek Lettered Orgs, but really has no hmmm what's the word, relevance to that of Black Greek Lettered Organizations. Are you implying that BGLOs are stealing from GLOs by being Greek Lettered without adding an appendage citing Phi Beta Kappa?

Not in the least. You clearly don't know your GLO history as well as you think. Phi Beta Kappa was the first Greek-lettered fraternity and was founded as a social organization, becoming academic only after campus protest forced the revealing of their secret motto. It was the predecessor to the modern American fraternity system.

Also, at a minimum, you'd think that the 4 sororities in the NPHC would learn the history of the word sorority, since it is something they chose to incorporate in their name. That history is included in the NME of all other NPC sororities besides the one the word was coined for.

I am just curious that they assume we don't already know the history of stepping, or that the Alphas and Sigmas didn't teach it as they taught stepping. While it was nice to see the article give Greek coverage, the article wasn't exactly accurate (Phi Gamma Alpha and Phi Kappa Alpha as two examples) and did not cover every single situation.

I will wait for an NPHC member to clarify this information for me.

Yeah, that's kinda why I posed it as a question.:rolleyes:
But please do wait for an NPHC member to answer, I certainly don't know.
It wasn't my intent to answer in the first place, but to pose an additional question, as I think I did.

I thought you were doing it in a sarcastic manner. If you're interested in reading more about Phi Beta Kappa, wptw and MysticCat81 have made some good posts on it in the past.

Re: Why...
 

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm you are now the DRIVER of the handbasket to hell. :D


Okay folks I had not looked at this thread in a few days. I will be back later as I see it might have gotten out of hand.

Remember to respect the rules of this forum in the meantime.

Intelligent debate is appreciated and welcomed here.

Bottom Line
 

Truthfully, I don't even care if the white steppers DID learn the meaning of it or history behind it. I still don't like the idea of them stepping. Point blank. That is my opinion, if yours differs so be it.

*going to ponder why some geeky penguin is questioning what I was taught during MY process*-------->

Re: Bottom Line
 

Because you were questioning what these people were taught. 95% of the material we are taught during NPC intake is NOT SECRET and sometimes we forget that y'all dont' do it the same way.

Have a great day. :D

The secrecy of the history of stepping is not the issue here. There are published books on it. The point that was made was whether or not you white people even took the time to consider that this, does in fact, have some meaning to us rather than it being some form of entertainment. Kill that secrecy bull. You are right we do it differently. But you all like "different", right?

**chanting "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..."**

You have a nice day also, Geeky :D

Why would you say this? Who said that we don't know the history of the word sorority?

I didn't say you didn't know. I said I'd think it's something you would be taught. Nobody is answering my question, which is are you guys taught that history?

Who started this event? Did the Alphas and the Sigmas invite these groups to do it?

Re: Bottom Line
 

relax. relate. release.

She don't know Soror...

I think her question is interesting. We are questioning whether these groups are gaining any knowledge or appreciation of stepping through this event and acknowledging the BGLOs that have seriously developed this art form in the black community. She is questioning whether we consider the history of Greek organizations as a whole when we are learning about our own. Both questions deal with the topic of honoring/acknowledging a heritage.

As far as GP's question goes, I dont think it's appropriate for me to discuss what is or is not taught to different organizations during their membership intake processes.

But do I consciously think about a group of dead white men when referring to the history of MY illustrious organization? Absolutely not. Our orgs are about strenghtening the ties of our own community. BGLO history is rooted in OUR communities, not the mainstream's. So an organization such as Phi Beta Kappa is just barely not completely and totally insignificant in how I view my org.

Re: Bottom Line
 

Question from over here in the cheap seats:

What if the "white steppers" in question were members of an HBGLO? They do exist.......

lovelyivy, thanks for giving me as much of an answer as your protocol lets you. :)

SkeephistAKAte and others who feel like her,

I totally understand what you mean in terms of why is it that when the NPHC is recognized, it is primarily for the stepping that we do and not for the commitment to our programmatic thrusts or philanthropic endeavors. I understand, respect, and agree with your views.

It is rather disheartening that the Greeks orgs do not come together, NPC, IFC, and NPHC as well as other Greek councils that I do not know the names of, and do a Habitat service project or domestic violence or where ever your org's service interests lie.

However, to question an org's process or what history they learn is not called for. NPC orgs are different from NPHC orgs, plain and simple. Bridging the gap is great, but stepping should not be the only way that it is done. Our orgs all have SERVICE at the heart of the org, let that be where we come together, not stepping.

Re: Why...
 

(Art Fleming, hit it!)

*Art Fleming's voice: "The answer is...." (a trilon/flippy-box reveals an answer on one of the 30 squares on the Jeopardy! board) as the camera zooms in towards it)*

...because you really don't know what it means or how to practice humility without having to resort to irrelevant or "below the belt" communication tactics.

'Nuff said. Moving on, cause I got a lotta posts to respond to...

May I get a high-five for this thoughtful post? This is one reason why I love the NPHC rooms here on GC. You get insight, intelligence and sensibility.
:cool:

Re: Re: Playing devil's advocate...
 

Diva, that's a VERY loaded statement that if it became a law to such effect, might disqualify you from doing or participating in some of the very activities you are doing today, some on a regular basis.

My point is: Life is MUCH too short for folk to be trying to regulate on who does and does not have the so-called "right" to step. It's a bunch of petty trivial bulljive that is a waste of time and energy, and is counterproductive to the aims, purposes and missions that the founders of your organizations were trying to proactively express to our society as a whole.

In other words: It ain't that serious. It really isn't.

ETA: Do i regret posting my pics here in GC?


HECK NAW! I just shake the haters off and keep on postin'.

Re: Re: Why...
 

*Audience gives TonyB (and Geeky Penguin's subsequent posts on the subject) a rousing standing ovation*

TONY B.....


GOD BLESS YA', M'BOY!!! :cool: ;)

You too, Geeky Penguin. You and me are right here *Martin Lawrence swinging two fingers towards eyes gesture*

Re: Re: Why...
 

Don't worry, D! Ira got the big box of cards ready if there is (see pg. 2 of this thread).

We hope he won't have to open it. Our budget was blown for wasting cards last fall when dstgent was up in here and the Omega forum. But I digress....

Now back to the good shtuff.....

Re: Re: Why...
 

Just because my points are going over your head does not mean that they are irrelevant. I am not surprised that you don't see the irony of me arguing with you over the preservation of African American culture when you are the poster boy for assimilation at it worst.

Eloquently stated CrimsonTide.

One of the first things I said was that they should have highlighted a joint service project if their goal was to unite the organizations. Focus on the similarities instead of selling out your culture. "Selling out" is pretty strong...instead of....aw hell forget it:p

Re: Bottom Line
 

Why not? It's been my personal experience that NPHC greeks don't have a problem questioning non-NPHCers' processes. What goes around comes around.

Re: Re: Bottom Line
 

My concern with this issue is not that deep. A thread was posted about it so I gave my opinion. That is about the extent of my concern with it. You are correct, I would never attend an event with all white folks stepping.

I hope to tie all the points of this thread together....
 

...but please forgive me if I am unsuccessful.

I understand your points perfectly. Stepping is for black Greeks (if they're on good behavior, maybe all blacks) ONLY! Preserve the black culture by hoarding it, while at the same time flaunt it like you're the NBC peacock. If anyone who "doesn't know the culture" (whatever the _________ that means) asks any questions about the culture, smooth over the subject by sidetracking it on what we're really all about, because what they see, they really don't understand. :rolleyes:

Lemme tell you something, Skee. Once upon a time I could've been your twin brother in terms of Black mentality. I shared the same issues on stepping and Black cultural preservation that you did. I was SO MILITANT (HOW MILITANT WERE YOU???!!!)

*Thanks, I needed that* ;)

I was so militant that I would've made Michael Evans (Good Times) jealous. Then one day I grew up. I saw the light. I realized that the world is much much bigger than home and black people. And then I realized why I hated living in the 90s. It wasn't because the 90s was a bad decade. It was because my mentality on white culture was fornicated up. I realized that the very same white folks that was trying to help me better myself I was verbally kicking in the ribs because I was so determined to show them "how black I am". It was also at this time that I gave myself to God.

Skee, I know your pain and I feel your pain, really. But life is too short to be pissing it away because of anger and the fear of whites who might "steal our culture".

Yes, I am the poster boy for assimilation. Assimilation into the HUMAN race, the CHRISTIAN race. You wanna take my black card. Here you go, you can have it *takes "blackness card" out of my pocket and flings it into the audience.* I don't need it where I'm going. And furthermore, when I have departed from this earth and the Lord asks me to account for my actions and misgivings, I can guarantee you that one of the questions He will not ask me is, "Were you loyal to Black people?", but rather, "Were you loyal to My people?"

I said it before, and I'll say it again: "It's not that serious!"

*RM takes Charles Nelson Reilly's pipe and extends it while standing at the edge of the stage*

Now put THAT in your pipe and smoke it, Skee.

does this even have anything to do with this subject. umm..no. why should i care about the history of another organization? stepping is something that is unique among BGLO's, so this cute debating point is irrelevant to the issue at hand. but nice try, anyway.

well, it's great that you guys learn it. nice try at changing the subject. back to the point....

Re: Re: Bottom Line
 

well shoot, there you have it. damn, this site doesn't have a furley face.

Re: Re: Bottom Line
 

ask the unknown sigma team...they're pretty good and well known.

One more post from me tonight...
 

....and that's it, cause ya'll makin' me ti'id (read: tired)

Good points, CT4. Please allow me to clarify a previous point I made in one of my posts.

When I said that NPHC orgs should abolish stepping and other aspects of its culture, I didn't mean for it to be done permanently; just long enough for outsiders to see, witness, and really truly appreciate the talents and gifts that NPHC folk bring to the table.
Frankly, I think that is the reason why non-NPHC orgs and others only know NPHC orgs for stepping; because it's high degree of flair tends to overshadow the true aims, principles, and purposes of these orgs.

FOR THE RECORD....

My true beef with the NPHC lies in the fact that too many of the current generation of members (Generation X and Y) simply do not know what it means to be HUMBLE, and to proactively act with true discerning WISDOM!

Thank you for reading.

I'm sorry, one more post, just one more...
 

Allow me to answer that question with a question:

Why should NIC/NPC orgs care about the history of NPHC organizations to understand, appreciate, and practice stepping? This is the crux of this whole debate and IMHO VERY relevant.