Overall, what I am trying to say is that like what was said before, not all the founders of the organizations in the NPHC started each organizations' traditions of handsigns, calls, and symbols. Some were started many many years after the founding of the organization. Within the Divine 9 or the Elite 8 at the time, one organization started to display something to the public first. Another organization looked at that organization and must of said, I love how they are displaying their unity. We should do something like that for our organization.

Or I could be wrong (which is possible :) ) and an agenda item could of came up at a meeting of the NPHC and they talked about what each organization could do to show unity within the council. Then as a whole, all organizations came up with these ideas. If these traditions were not created by the NPHC, then I believe someone was copying off of someone else at one point.

I have been to step shows for latino, asian, and multicultural orgs and they gave a brief history of stepping and honored the NPHC. All MG orgs that I have been around have a very high regard for NPHC orgs and give them much respect for creating such a strong council. MG orgs are young compared to the IFC/Panhel/NPHC. It might take more years for them to develop their own signature traditions. Who knows what may happen 50 years from now. NPHC orgs might start saluting... :D

I agree that a lot of it has to do with ignorance. Like you, OPA was fairly new on campus when I joined. Several people who are NPHC members asked me why I joined OPA and not one of the NPHC sororities. Mostly because of demographics and location, I've never called my OPA sisters sorors. But I will call DSTRen and other OPA/DSTs sisters/sorors.

I missed this post before. Good stuff, I just need to add my opinion.

The thing to remember is that our traditions are clearly stated in our P&T. So for folx to label anything else traditions is not correct, imo.

And even using the definition above it is a matter of timing. To someone who came into the organization post calls, handsigns, the current way of stepping, etc. they may be considered traditions. To those who came in prior to those things, they are not.

It's sorta like the difference between fad and fashion. :D

All the right moves.
 

Here are some facts. The calls were developed for identification reasons while crossing campus at night. Not until the early 1990's were women safe walking on college campus at night--much less an HBCU. If she was a member of the D9 sorority, she generally make the call if she recognized another member to be safe in numbers. Calls were either answered or not. And remember, the cell phones were little duffle bags back in that day.

Now, calls with handsigns are made all the time. During parties and picnics and strolls. Anytime.

At least for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. none of these actions are "official ritual" sanctioned by our International body. And I will be the first ear piercing, high pitched sounding member of my Sorority that will make a call when overcome with sisterliness in a public setting. And since I had deep in my heart for my letters for nearly 2 decades, I feel I can have right to call and sign it whenever I feel it within discretionary limits. As an adult, I know what those are.

However, handsigns, calls, or jackets does not make a GLO. We of the D9 will unilaterally agree that is has to be in your heart first, before you can make the "call"...

Now that is an interesting fact and does make sense.

Exactly. there are time when they are appropriate and there are times when they are not.

We're used to it. Elvis, Eminem, Justin Timberlake and a few others readied us for such madness. But thanks for asking. :D

What's so wrong with them wanting to use that term? I mean really. YOu defend the "biting" but knock folks for being original. That's what is really wack.

This whole thread points out one thing that any member of BGLOs needs to do to enrich their understanding of this movement and grow in maturity as a Greek:immerse yourself in the history of Greek-letter organizations, in general,and spend quality time talking to members 30+ years in membership,esp. those with 40-50+ years.Many of the so-called traditions that current BGLO members swear by are foreign to them, or barely recognizable.

Per the "stepping" tradition, one (the strongest?) formative influence on this BGLO tradition is barely ever mentioned:the military. To this day, the "step show" at Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclaves (national conventions) is called the Marchdown. This goes back to the fact that what is generally referred to today as stepping is grounded in military marching and drill routines.I think this is especially true still for the Ques in many respects.

For me as well, OPAs are sisters unless they are also Deltas. It's just the tradition of my OPA undergrad chapter to use "sister". Other chapters it's "soror". My chapter uses "pledge sister" and "pledge class" whereas other chapters use other terms. It's just a chapter preference.

Shanita,

I have really grown tired of you stalking my each and every post on every Greek board I go to as well as Facebook. It's not cute. Your mission in life is NOT to sniff after me and post your comments after everything I say.

Since you seem to have a problem with everything I type, by all means ignore me as I've ignored you since GreekPeeps.

For whatever reason that you're bitter and miserable, please leave me out of it. I generally LOVE my life and enjoy passing the time on message boards.

LEAVE ME ALONE.

Thanks.

such hostility. :confused:

I agree.

That's the only influence I talk about the most. I see African roots but the military roots of stepping (and "pledging") are what stick out to me.

Don't be so dramatic. ;)

Exactly!

Thank you! Marchdown that is the term I have been wracking my brain to remember. Yes, the Ques did Marchdowns in my day!

Right. I always considered the past way of pledging to be based on boot camp--preparing you physically and mentally. But most of the stuff that got added on was just ridiculous.