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-   -   Fraternities use step to mix races (https://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=48312)

lovelyivy84 03-24-2004 07:48 PM

Re: Bottom Line
 
Quote:

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
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*-------->

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.

adduncan 03-24-2004 07:57 PM

Re: Bottom Line
 
Quote:

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
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.

Question from over here in the cheap seats:

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

GeekyPenguin 03-24-2004 08:09 PM

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

CrimsonTide4 03-24-2004 08:15 PM

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.

Rain Man 03-24-2004 08:16 PM

Re: Why...
 
Quote:

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
am I arguing the importance of preserving our African American culture with a black man who wears a mullet?
*going to sit my ass down and ponder this*----------->

(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...

Steeltrap 03-24-2004 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
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.

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:

Rain Man 03-24-2004 08:23 PM

Re: Re: Playing devil's advocate...
 
Quote:

Originally posted by DIVA1177
To an extent, yes. I don't think anybody should be a part of ANYTHING that they have no prior knowledge of. Ignorance in this day and age is a detriment to society and a crying shame especially when there are so many resources at your disposal. I have come across plenty of young kids that were part of "step teams". However, to speak to them they had a VERY clear understanding of the origins and purpose of stepping. I do not agree(I don't care how much advocate you are playing) with WGLOs and LGLOs stepping. PERIOD.:cool:
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'.

Rain Man 03-24-2004 08:30 PM

Re: Re: Why...
 
Quote:

Originally posted by TonyB06
[Balthough, 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: [/B]
*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*

Rain Man 03-24-2004 08:34 PM

Re: Re: Why...
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Dionysus
Woah shit! There's going to be some fightin' up in here! :eek:
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.....

SKEEphistAKAte 03-24-2004 08:41 PM

Re: Re: Why...
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Rain Man
(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...


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.

SKEEphistAKAte 03-24-2004 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
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.

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

Rain Man 03-24-2004 08:45 PM

Re: Bottom Line
 
Quote:

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
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.

Tell you what, if it bothers you that bad, go lobby Congress to make a law so that it will be legal only for NPHC greeks to step. Or at the very least, go on a cross-campus crusade lobbying university administrations and student governments all over the US to regulate that only NPHC greeks can step or hold stepshows. :rolleyes:

Now for my more pragmatic response...

Or just simply don't attend stepshows where NIC/NPC greeks are stepping. Point blank, the trend WILL continue irrespective of your personal take on the subject. THAT is the bottom line.

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

SKEEphistAKAte 03-24-2004 08:50 PM

Re: Re: Bottom Line
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Rain Man
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.
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.

Rain Man 03-24-2004 09:01 PM

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

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
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.
...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.

starang21 03-24-2004 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
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.

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.


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