Who are they trying to kid?
 

Until recently I had never heard of Swing phi Swing and Groove Phi Groove and after looking at some of their websites, my question is, are they a wanna be sorority and fraternity?

I hope no one takes offense to this. I just want to know what is so different. All of the sites I looked at boasted about being unique but everything I saw was reminiscent if not copy- catish of BGLOs, from the letter wearing to the hand signs and line names on down.

Is this just another case of some that couldn't quite cut it banding together and starting another group or is there something genuinely different about them?

Again, I'm not trying to offend anyone, just speaking my mind and trying to get some info.

Please share your thoughts or any info you have on the situation.

I have a good friend that's a Groove and a girlfriend's brother is also a Groove. Apparently they have been in existence as a social fraternity for quite some time. There is a pretty big Groove/Swing contingent here in the Philadelphia area.

The Swings are the female contingent. They are not an aux though.

From what I have grown to understand, the Groove/Swing relationship is a lot similar to the Zeta Phi Beta/Phi Beta Sigma relationship. They are like brother and sister. I guess it can also be equated with Phirst Pham (Alphas & AKA's), Coleman Love(Deltas & Omegas) and Indiana Love (Kappas and SGRhos).


I really don't know what their ideals are (I haven't really researched them). They do just about everything else-they "pledge", they step, they have gatherings. They even have National Conclaves. The only thing that's really different is that they are not a BGLO.

Hope this helps to shed some light on things...

Thanks to all who have replied to my question. I have learned a little more about the two organizations but not what makes them so different as they proclaim to be. Everything I saw on their sites were things that BGLOs do, e.g. have lines, hand signs, boules, etc.

In response to what has been said to try to give me a little info on these two organizations I respect all that has been said because it is someone's opinion, yet I think my point is still being missed!

As far as BGLOs, there are many things that are similiar from the purpose of the organizations to programs put on in the community. My point about these two organizations is why profess to be so different and take pride in not being a BGLO when everything you do is reminiscent of them.

Let me give a specific example: why the pledge lines when you pride your organization on not being a BGLO? Although pledge lines are not copyrighted or by any means property of BGLOs, it is and has been something associated with them since the beginning of time (exaggeration for illustration!).

As for my soror that responded, I feel you and hopefully now that I have tried to clarify what I was really asking, you will understand me better.....if not, it's all cool, there's still nothing but dove love! Z-Phi!

Interesting...

I would be willing to answer any questions you might have.

I talked to ZETA_ACE2003 and hopefully answered all of her questions.

Why isn't Groove / Swing BGLO?
 

Hello Zeta Ace:

As a proud member of Groove Phi Groove S.F.I. for nearly 30 years, I'm always asked why aren't you guys in the Pan Hellenic Council. The very foundational principal in the formation of the Fellowship was and still is an obeservance of the Ancient Kemitic teachings pre-dating Greek culture by nearly 1,000 years.

Perhaps you are aware of Imothep from which modern medicine has it's genesis and the scholastic teachings of Kemetic academicians from whom Greeks sat at the feet of and learned of disciplines such as philosophy, mathmatics, chemistry, masonry (as in the building trade) and the embalming process just to name a few.

In 1962, 14 students at Morgan State College now Morgan State University found it necessary to address the problems confronting the African American community. However, as collegians enlightened by the contributions of their forefathers, they sought to develop an organization that adhered to their contribution to the race and world society at large.

I'd like to make perfectly clear how much admoration I have for the BGLO"s as they have made a tremendous contribution to our community on a local, national and international level. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the Alpha's to form in Ithaca, NY and Kappa's in rural Indiana in the early 20th century. The subsequent foundations of Omega, AKA, Delta, Zeta, SGR and Iota also forged a nucleus by which our communities needs could be addressed.

However, our (Grooves') contingent is why pay homage to a culture i.e. Greek which looted piledged and stole from the those (Africans) who so freely shared all they had? There are many chronicles that substantiate this fact not the least of them is "Stolen Legacy" by George G.M. James. By the way, this is required reading by Swanxmen during their orientation process.

In closing, am I Greek hatin'. NO! My very own late brother was a Kappa, my neice an AKA my dear sister-in-law a Delta and one of my dearest friends an Omega. As I've grown older I look more at similarities than differences. I submit to you that if my Groove self and any BGLO fraternity man were walking through Keep Running, Mississippi, we would certainly be confronted by the same nemises and subsequently seek a collective resolve to removing our asses quickly from harms way. LOL!

I hope I've shed some light on your questions regarding Groove and my beautiful sisters of Swing Phi Swing. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to hit me up at harbren2@yahoo.com.

Much love to you and all your beuatiful Zeta Sorors...some of which I've had the pleasure of meeting at Groove convention during the mid 90's in Philadelphia.

Peace & Blessings,

Harold H.B. Sullivan
Detroit Graduate Chapter
Groove Phi Groove, S.F.I.

Brother, You couldn't have stated that any better. Keep on Groovin'

Michael Diggs
Groove Phi Groove S.F.I.
Central Jersey Graduate Chapter
mgdiggs@hotmail.com

Iknow that Grooves have responded, but I wanted to add my 1913 cents worth.

When I was in college at SIU Carbondale in the late 60s the Grooves were active in Chicago. However, as mentioned they formed for a totally different reason than the BGLOs. And not once in my memory did they try to imitate BGLOs. They were their own organization and some even pledged BGLOs.

Unlike many new orgs trying to be GLOs that was never the Groove's intent. In fact they did more in the "movement" than some members of the NPHC did. I respected them then and I respect them now.

Oh and back then even the BGLOs didn't have hand signs or calls. That began happening in the late 70s early 80s.

Groove Phi Groove is not trying to replace the BGLO system nor are they anti-greek they are an Alternative.


P.S. Just a small shout out to all my big Bros of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship INNNNCORPORATED!!! G-Sweeeet!

I love Groove Phi til I Die!!!

LMAO!

Ill admit to being a lil tired and skimming over some of the longer posts, but did no one notice that GPhiG and SPhiS predate Iotas, and developed many of the traditions that we accept as "historically BGLO" or "D9" BEFORE D9 orgs had done so themsylves? I mean their orgs had adopted hand signs before AKA's, SGRho's and Iotas for-sure and a number of the other traditions we associate with D9 were developing around the time Grooves were coming up so who's to say they stole or copied anything.

I love my Cuzzos of Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta, but I need all NPHC orgs to realize YOU DID NOT INVENT THE WHEEL, you just kept it rolling. Just as your founders did, people are still going to come around and take your traditions and adopt them as their own...

from what i've seen around here on GC i think the majority of D9 Greeks recognize that. just a thought. ;)

You know most of the greeks on here have been on here for a grip and the ones that haven't still have some years under the belt, so I will give them that much... The ones on GC do. But it's like when you go to an icebreaker or sigma party and you see LTA strolling or GSS and peoples are confused/angry to hear another org call and throw up a sign.

I've been greek for 16+ years and I've never heard anyone in the D9 accuse the Grooves and Swings of copying/mimicing BGLO's (on those campuses where D9 and Grooves/Swings exist because remember not all D9 chapters have had experience with them). In fact, on many of these campuses they are respected by D9 and are viewed like a BGLO although they are not. I have also listened to Grooves and Swings try to explain why they are so different from the D9 and talk as if there is something wrong in being a GLO and suggest that because we have 3 greek letters that we do not know from whence we came. I think this is where some members of BGLO's/D9 get rubbed the wrong way. I understand that the Grooves and Swings honor Khemetic principles/ideals and that's great but as long as they have the one greek letter (Phi), their argument about why adopt greek letters...yadda, yadda, yadda....falls on deaf ears with many in the D9. The same argument they make for having one greek letter, can be made by the D9 in having three. So I think they should just leave that argument alone and everything will be cool.

Also, to your other point, I think some non-BGLO orgs/members can be disrespectful in saying things like we didn't invent the wheel. We may not have invented the first wheel but everyone builds upon the first wheel and creates their own by bringing their own style, flavor, swag...if you will. To suggest that the D9 and BGLO's didn't come up with their own and contribute greatly to what's done and seen today (stepping for example) is very disrespectful and I think as long as non-BGLO's are going to say and do certain things with little or no respect for the contribution of orgs like those in the D9, they will be met with animosity from some. And that's not to say that other orgs like the Grooves/Swings for example didn't contribute and that's also not to say that anyone owes the D9 anything but if you want to be respected you have to respect others and their contributions and not play them down like they really didn't do anything.

Not to disrespect org who have contributed alot to greek life - For example stepping, strolling, pledge lines & unique intake processes. Rather I meant to say those who are upset to see orgs whom have adopted similar traditions to their own. Those that can't seem to get over GSS, KKPsi, TBS, PhiMA and SLB. 5 non nphc (although we are nphc at some campuses) orgs who step, stroll, call, have hand signs and pledge lines <-traditions thought to be exclusive to d9.

I do not think that there has been official report that a certain BLGO were the first to create stepping, strolling, lines, etc. Remember many were even created because they could not join the White Orgs already created. I think that person is just saying that you too were influenced by something and took part in evolving these aspects of organizations into what they are today. I dont think it was meant in disrespect rather recognition.

You can stop digging up old threads now.

Are you going to bump every thread on this forum that mentions Groove?

We get it. You can give it a rest.

lol yea i am...kinda a late bloomer