Fraternities use step to mix races
 

This event occured at Purdue. I thought it was interesting so I am going to share, enjoy!

http://www.purdueexponent.org/2003/0...mages/step.jpg

STOMPIN' IN MY AIR FORCE ONES: Members of Kappa Alpha Theta and Theta Chi perform at the Alpha Phi Alpha Step Challenge Wednesday night in Loeb Playhouse. The group received third place while members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Gamma Delta took home first place.


Fraternities use step to mix races

You know white boys can't dance," said one member of Phi Gamma Delta as he gave his performance, but Wednesday night that statement was proven wrong.

For the first time, three black Greek organizations and eight predominantly white Greek organizations came together to put on a step show in Loeb Playhouse.

To read the full story click here!

this is coolness. Glad to see the Purdue bruhs leading the way.

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Re: Fraternities use step to mix races
 

Thanks Ykimber for sharing.

Kudos to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma. I'm :confused: as to who the 3rd Black Greek org was. I read twice to make sure I did not miss anything.

Cool idea. :cool:

Re: Re: Fraternities use step to mix races
 

it was the zetas, i went to the first one last year when i was still there.

Re: Re: Re: Fraternities use step to mix races
 

Cool. Thanks.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Fraternities use step to mix races
 

whoops...now that i think about it, it was akas. this year, your soror's team won it.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Fraternities use step to mix races
 

Booooo. :p just teasing. Thanks for the update.

DEFINATELY something I would like to have seen...

Shoot Me
 

This doesn't sit well with me. Maybe I'm just stingy with my "culture"...or just a product of FAMU's psychology department.

CO-Sign!

Re: Re: Fraternities use step to mix races
 

No Problem! :D

Re: Shoot Me
 

You have a valid point. But, stepping is one thing that white (for lack of a better term at the moment) greeks associate with the D9. Although, it's only a small part of what we are about. However, it's important that we try to better understand one another. If stepping allows us to do that, I say go for it. It's not like they are imitating or stealing anything. They are being taught why it's significant to us...and having a little fun at the same time. I have to give the chapters at Purdue props for trying to foster unity.

Re: Re: Shoot Me
 

I disagree with it. Yes, stepping is what they associate with us, so why not go beyond stepping and show them the other things that we are about? I just don't see why we have to gift wrap our culture and hand it to them on a silver platter in order to have them "understand" us better. If necessary, we can tell them why it is "significant to us" without teaching it to them or giving them (proverbial) "permission" to use it. I figured that a time would come when white orgs would throw hand signs, step, do calls and all of that, it just peeves me that we feel the need to hand those things over to them just because they ask for it. But, like I said, I'm a product of the FAMU School of Psychology, so I guess I am ultra-sensitive when it comes to these things.

Shoot Me Too
 

I agree with you but I understand what the greeks on that campus were trying to accomplish. It was upsetting to me to see, on national TV, a WGLO stepping(it was on HGtv or the Food Network). I think it is cool if it is used to foster some understanding between the races. I have beef with it when the WGLOs and LGLOs just go renegade with it and do it out of some sort of 'Oh that looks cool' and do not take the time to know the orgins of stepping.

I think this is a really great show of teamwork between the NPHC and HWGLO groups. I'm glad their routines were specifically taught to them by the Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma men so that they (the non-NPHC Greeks) weren't just aping what they've seen at step shows. Hopefully it was eye-opening and respectful on both ends. A round of applause for the organizers of this event.

I went to a predominantly black grade school and we always stepped on the playground (although I had no idea it had a name or a greater significance, mostly because, hey, it's grade school) and I've got nothing but respect for the organizations that step proudly and with a good grasp of historical and cultural significance... maybe some folks can come do this in my neighborhood and I'll get a chance to participate!

(And I have to say my Theta sisters are looking pretty fab there!) ;)

~ Greekgrrl

Re: Shoot Me
 

My albeit nosy :D question would be why specifically STEPPING? If the goal is to get both NPHC and HWGLOs orgs to get to know one another, why a stepshow as opposed to pairing up (NPHC & HWGLO) during Greek Week, sponsoring an activity together, or maybe both groups just simply getting together for lunch/dinner and fellowship with one another.

I definitely can see where SKEEphistAKAte is coming from. And maybe not so much from the standpoint of the origins of stepping, but the fact that we (blacks) and our culture is constantly viewed as some form of entertainment for others (i.e. dancing, singing, rapping, etc.) and that's it.

This should be an interesting discussion. :cool:

Pardon Me Ladies,

I can definitely understand where SKEEphistAKAte is coming from. Most people do associate the NPHC organizations with "step step side to side". I believe that fostering relationships between different groups is very important, within or outside of the Greek community; but at what cost? I know some people say it doesn't bother them that non-NPHC organizations step, but a few years from now when this practice has become rampant will the perception be different? I'm glad that they are encouraging unity, extremely happy that non-Blacks attended this event, but what stopped them from attending previous years? They aren't closed to the public, I go to at least 2 step shows every year.

If you think about it, sure this is a bit stretched, but think about it for one second, would someone see them stepping as a form of mockery? Even though the members who put on this event I'm sure have the upmost respect for themselves and their organizations, an outsider looking in could perceive this. Why couldn't the NPHC organizations step WITH them?

when i was a teaching assistant back at purdue, i swear i'd have my kids all ask me to do a step.

:mad:

no..shut up and do your work.

Playing devil's advocate...
 

Assuming that they do know the origins of stepping, would it make a substantive difference? If so, how?

Taking it a step further, is what NIC/NPC and LGLO orgs are doing with stepping any different than, say, some urban teen step teams forming their own step show?

Hmmm.....
 

When it comes to high-profile aspects of Black Greek life (stepping, calls, signs, flamboyant paraphernalia, etc.), you gotta take the bitter with the sweet. It's a new day where more of Black culture in general is beginning to become incorporated into mainstream America. And as time progresses, this will be more of the case.

Welcome to the 21st century, SkeephistAKAte. ;)

Rain Man
 

Exactly what in the hell are you talking about?

"Let's not be shortsighted and make snap judgments here: How do we know the NPHC orgs aren't doing just that IN ADDITION TO showing them how to step?"
- Once again, if those "other things" that they are teaching them are so important, why is the article only focusing on the stepping? And I actually don't care WHAT "other" things they are teaching them, I don't appreciate them teaching them to step. Bottom Line.


"Because sometimes situations require exactly that. No more, no less"
Please explain to me what "situations" REQUIRE that we give them our "culture" on a silver platter. Expound upon that please.

"While I see where you are coming from, but if we are going to bridge the racial/cultural gaps in America, you have to give them the whole kit-n-kaboodle."
I repeat, what in the hell are you talking about? Do you really think that teaching some wanna-be's to step is going to "bridge the racial gap in America"?
RM, you are about to get me KRUNK up in here.


You know this really peeves me, black people are always complaining about people like Elvis Presley and his modern-day clone Justin Timberlake, and Eminem, people who supposedly "steal" and market our culture. Then when fraternities give our culture away, it is ok. So, am I to understand that as long as we teach it to them, it is OK? Because I am sure there JT has a black choreographer. Will somebody please explain to me why this is any different.

The real question is....
 

....is that REALLY how our culture is being viewed, or is it that entertainment is primarily what we as black American's perpetuate to the world is all we're good at, at the expense of education, science, politics, etc?

Quite frankly, I am not so naive to believe that we (collectively speaking) as black Americans perpetuate our ability to excel in areas other that entertainment nearly as much as we would like to believe. While I am by no means throwing cold water on the numerous acheivements of black Americans, past and present, I am being annoyingly realistic when it comes to outside ethnic perceptions of us here and now.

Just something to think about...

Re: Hmmm.....
 

As I stated before, I knew that the day would come when White greeks would be using hand signs, calls, stepping etc. And once again, as I said before, I did not know that we would give them "permission" to do so. I figured they would just steal it like they usually do.
Also, just because this phenomenon is becoming common does not mean that it is right and that we should just go with the flow.

Welcome to the real world, Rain Man. ;)

Someone made a valid point. I was thinking along the same lines, members of BGLO's often get upset with non-BGLO groups doing calls, having line names, stepping and all of that. I would like to know the difference in this scenario and the latter. Truthfully, I'd much rather see a black non-greek letter org. doing these things than some white greeks doing them.

Re: The real question is....
 

Choose a side and stick to it. Is that Really how we are being viewed...YES it is! That is why white greeks are constantly asking for us to "teach us how to do that neat dancing thing you all do. What is it stomping, or something like that?" They think it looks neat so they want to learn it.


So, you go on to say how it is the Black person's fault for perpetuating this "Blacks as entertainers attitude". Thank you, Rain Man, that was my point exactly. All they see us as is people in pretty jackets, doing some neat dancing. So, when we get together to supposedly unify, that is the main thing we focus on? Come on. Do some service together, have some seminars on race relations, an open forum. Once again, I say what in the hell does handing them our culture on a silver platter have to do with uniting the races?
Give me a break.

Re: Rain Man
 

Because life is too short to be pissing and moaning about "The white man did this and the white man stole that." Share your wealth of knowledge and culture to the world and you will be blessed beyond measure.

this was in no way used as a tactic to teach white greeks about the bond, the love, and the subculture that life on the yard is. IMHO, this was strictly about showing them how to step. stepping is a very small part of what we're about, but whenever a white greek talked to me, all they wanted to know was how to step.

Don't many Latino fraternal organizations step?

Re: Re: The real question is....
 

OK, I think I see what you are saying. You are essentially saying that you don't like the thought of non-NPHC Greeks approaching NPHC orgs asking "inane" questions about why NPHC culture is so flamboyant. You would prefer such race-uniting techniques involving service and charity-oriented projects to show those orgs what the NPHC at heart is REALLY about. Fair enough.

BUT....

Why the need for such superficial aspects of NPHC culture such as flashy gear, calls, signs, and stepping? I mean, in all fairness, none of the founders ever stepped or incorporated any of the contemporary NPHC "cultural" aspects in their orgs. Heck, it didn't even become a phenomona (sp?) until roughly 25 years ago, and all nine orgs were (and still is) doing just fine without it.

So if you really mean what you say, I hereby challenge the NPHC orgs to systematically drop the stepping, loud 'nalia, signs, chants, and calls, and work alongside the NIC/NPC orgs and show them through service and charity-oriented projects how the NPHC orgs really roll and TCB. Once that is done, then and only then will I gladly and immediately retract my statement(s).

ETA: To use your very words: "Choose a side and stick to it".

Re: Re: Re: The real question is....
 

are you serious about asking us to give up that stuff? :confused:

Re: Re: Re: Re: The real question is....
 

To the extent that NPHC folk is concerned about the outside world's perception of them and is not willing to share and educate them about their culture, I say....

HECK, YEAH! Serious as a heart attack and a double stroke.

Does NPHC orgs want to show the world their glitter and fluff, or their sho' 'nuff, hardcore, down-to-the-nitty-gritty, SUBSTANCE! Let's face it, the first thing that comes to mind when the term black fraternities and sororities come up is stepping, signs, colors, and calls. If this is not the image NPHC orgs want to portray to the world, then drop it alltogether, and go back to the basics. Heck, by doing that, you'll probably have a Black Greek Renaissance here in America. And on the centennial anniversaries of Black Greek life, no less! Perfect!

BTW, don't do it for me. Do it for those who always saw and thought of you as nothing more than glorified step teams. You'll shock the heck outta them. You'll probably shock the heck outta yourselves too with the renewed perceptions of you.

Re: Re: Hmmm.....
 

I personally agree w/ SKEEphisAKAte. What it is called is cultural appropriation where certain groups adopt and adapt only part of people's culture without really "accepting" or even "understanding" the culture from where it originates. I have a problem with that. While these orgs are learning to step, you have at Pitt an administrator attempting to (what I believe yo be) wipe out NPHC orgs on that campus due to low membership. So at the same time white orgs are adopting step routines in the name of unity (I am assuming this is at a PWI), at another PWI, the state of BGLOs is in question.

I don't like it, I have issues with it and it reminds me of "Bring It On." I am all for unity but not at the expense of selling out something that has a deep history not only in terms of BGLOs but in terms of African culture.

While the actions of APhiA and PBS are to be commended for even trying, I do think that perhaps a community service project or something else would have been more appropriate. I can see this getting out of control. Curse the day I go to a Greek Show and...

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The real question is....
 

no...that won't happen. i could care less what someone non greek or non pan thinks of whether or not i step, party walk, do my call or wear my line jacket. that is my way of showing love for my fraternity to my fraternity brothers. they are the ones who don't take the time to learn about us. these people care not about the love, the bond and the subculture that life on the yard is. i know good and well that the IFC frats aren't about blondes and beer, so why shouldn't they know that we're more about stepping? stepping is not the only thing that these folks see, that is the the only thing that they're interested in. people see what they want to see.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The real question is....
 

RainMan, with all due respect your assertion that BGLOs "want to show the world their glitter and fluff, or their sho' 'nuff, hardcore, down-to-the-nitty-gritty, SUBSTANCE! " is crazy. There's no way that would happen. The problem I have with what you are saying is that is presumes that the reason we step now or have ever stepped was to impress upon white folks our talents as steppers or to further solidify Black folks' place as "entertainers" to white folks. I don't know about any other orgs., but I think I speak for a few when I say that my understanding of stepping was that it was not to show white folks anything but a form of showmanship and pageantry that was shared between BGLOs w/in their respective organizations and to ALL NPHC orgs as a whole. When there is a yard show, I could care less how many white folks there are or if they care about how I step. I do care that there is representation of other BGLOs and I feel proud when they "set itsh out" as well. I think there is another thread on this site about just that. Shout outs to the bombest step teams you have seen and the majority are from BGLO members who are giving props to other BGLOs. Matter of fact, I skip the responses by people in IFC/NPC orgs because I don't care if they thought XYZ BGLO was bomb or not.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The real question is....
 

If you want others to take off their rose-colored glasses, sometimes you gotta take off yours as well and put them (read: pride/"Public display of Greek love") in your pocket, if only for a season.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The real question is....
 

My error. I meant for that to read: Do BGLOs want to show the world their glitter and fluff...

ORRRR.....

Do BGLOs want to show the world their sho' 'nuff, hardcore, down-to-the-nitty-gritty, SUBSTANCE?

(read: Pick one and be consistent). My apologies if you misread the jist of my post.

Also, I do not disagree with the points you made on your post. All I am saying is....well, I don't wanna be redundant, so I defer to my latest reply to Starang21 for my bottom line issue.

Thanx for posting.

Why...
 

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*----------->

Re: Why...
 

Are you in the handbasket Soror??? If not, that comment right there earned you a special spot.

You are so wrong for that one! LMAOhttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-008.gif

Re: Why...
 

Awww. Lawww. Haa. Mercy. Jaysis.
Soror, LOL. LOL. LOL.
*I'm floored.*

Re: Why...
 

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

I wonder if he is ever going to regret posting that picture...

Re: Playing devil's advocate...
 

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: