Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

Greeting bruhs, this is Marquise, SPR 2k4 "Dia-Bolikal" Ace Klub.
On my campus, which will remain nameless, the homecoming step show has been opened up to "all greek letter organizations". In the past only the Pan-Greeks were privillaged to step in the show, because we created it. There are service frats and sororities on campus that want to step and also some coed social organizations that want to step also. The Divine 9 on our campus has decided not to step in the show at all. Some say they refuse to step with "service frats and GDI's" and others say "the show has lost it's value". Bruhs what do you think as Nupes. Should my chapter step or not? And would you object to stepping with "GDI's"?:confused:

I'm not your brother, so forgive me for the intrusion.

Is there prize money? If so, to hell with who ELSE participates, just plan to WIN so that you can fund your chapter's projects.

That's ok. I respect everyones opinion. Because the D9 as a whole or most in part are "boycotting" the show. So any greek opinion on the matter is valuable.

I think that you all should step and dismiss the nonsense of the fact the only the divine 9 should step. I am apart of Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraterntiy as well as Kappa Alpha Psi and my chapter stepped in Non-greek and greek shows.:)

Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

I'm not sure this is a wise decision to make by the D9. This screams racisim (in a way). Stepping is not just for D9, anyone and everyone can step. It's a competition, so stepping with non-D9 would make the competition more intense, meaning everyone must bring their A game.

Yes!!!
 

I'm glad some of you agree with me. I personally have no problem with stepping in the show. My only concern was the fact that the school was pimpin' the D9. They didn't advertise the other organizations and didn't make them work as hard as we did promoting the show. But my other question is what should be the role of Non-Pan greeks? The other D9's on my campus don't believe they should "imitate us". I will agree some of these organizations go too far in their mockery. For example one organization wears Krimson, Kreme, and Black as there colors, try to shimmy and claim to be the "pretty gents". Too far!!! Or the sorority on our campus who's call is Z-Phi! and who's mascot is the eagle (you should see the hand signs, scary!). I don’t blame some of the D9 including my frats for being mad, but I just don’t feel like missing out on $1,500 dollars is the right plan of action. Should there be differentiation between the D9 and service organizations?

I wouldn't step, especially in Florida. I fully support the idea of the D9 refusing to step. I wuld even take it further and suggest that the NPHC holds a competing step show at the same time as the other show and see who comes to which show.

Call me snooty, elitish, or whatever. I'll be that, but I can't agree with fly by night orgs, which FL is famous for, stepping in the same competition as the D9.

forgive the intrusion, but how do you feel about church groups stepping? I've heard of several that do, and I wonder do any of the D-9 feel one way or the other about that?

I agree.

LOL :cool:

Re: Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

:confused:

I am not opposed to this. Most of these groups have D9 members as step coaches and what better reason to step than to step for the Lord?

My only problem is when these people are taught to mock certain aspects of BGLOs. Church step groups should not be throwing up derivatives of the Delta handsign or doing a remix of our Founders step, for example.

Whassa matter, you 'fraid they might whoop yalls behinds and steal ya' thunda'? :D (jovially speaking, of course)

*LOL* Just humor yall, nothing more.

Yeah, but if a D9 is sponsoring a step show, then think about all those entrance fees the org is loosing by not having GDIs step. At the end of the day money is green.... :cool:

The church groups I've seen in step shows do more praise dancing than stepping. And usually they are performing for exhibition, not competition. But, that is just what I've seen.

I did agree with you some time ago, but at the end of the day you have to be realistic. When the D9 first said they were not stepping everyone screamed racism and elitism. But that is not the issue. I have no problem stepping against a Latin fraternity or any other fraternity that is well developed enough to compete. I was first angered by the many play play organizations that wanted to step, some of which just organized a year ago. I ask you all the same question I asked myself. DOES STEPPING WITH GDI's or SERVICE FRATS GIVE OFF THE APPEARANCE OF EQUALITY BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS?

Many of these stepshows aren't sponsored by the D9 so we never see the profits of the entrance fees. We just compete for the cash prizes. The cash prizes are often not even worth the time and effort it takes to compete.

I personally wouldn't step in shows sponsored by outsiders that are aimed at exploiting the popularity of the D9. These are generally the shows that have everyone and their momma stepping in them. The D9 profit from these shows can be low, you may have a difficulty getting your prize, and (to be honest with you) I'm tired of seeing us stepping and strolling all the damn time anyway.

Sure!!! We're all equal...equally boring as hell in most stepshows.

Wow! I sense some issues here...Thanx for the reply.

That's the same thing I say when I go to stepshows.

You are hilarious. Really!!!

No self-respecting Greek org should be stepping with or against non D9. Its garbage.

You don't get to be elite by having others pimp your glory, style, and reputation.

I beg to differ with another writer, stepping is the PROVINCE of Black Greeks. All others are mimicry, no matter how well they do it.

You are only publicizing and giving equal weight to other orgs. That is not our purpose. Let them fund, sponsor, and publicize their own events.

For those who say "but what about the money"? STOP PIMPIN' YOURSELVES. If we don't participate, there is no draw and they will quickly go back to the previous rules. I'm not spending 0, 20 dollars, ride in from out of town, roadtrip, etc to see some damn KKY, The Jets and the Sharks, or the Gay Pride Step Team, nor First Baptist Holy Ghost Bible Fellowship Full Gospel Tabernacle House of Praise and Chicken step team.

Be elite, be the best, or be mediocre.

I rest my case
 

Like I said earlier, yall just afraid that another group would run circles around you, whoop yalls behind, and just steal your thunda and glory.

I dunno if it's elitism or fear, but I venture to say that it's a little of both.

Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

I think is comes down to who is paying for putting on the Stepshow. If the University is paying for the show, then who can step has always been up to them, they just let you think it was going your way. If your NPHC wants to have a Divine 9-Only stepshow, you are going to have to pay for it yourself. With the new "Diversity" kick eolleges are promoting, you better believe that stepshows would be affected.

We had the same issue at San Francisco State Univ. Because NPHC Members were on the Stepshow committee, we created "entry rules" that only create an environment in which mostly NPHC Members were eligible:

* Founded before 1964
* Have a history of stepping of at least 10 years and have stepped twice in the past 12 months
* Must have a Theme Central to Promoting Wellness (Physical or social) in the African American Community

We did have to make some accomodations (a Black Sorority, Gamma Phi Delta, was allowed to enter as they were founded in 1943, they won actually)

As for whether you should step, I think you should for the reason of Campus politics mainly. A NPHC boycott may comeback on you negatively over the academic year. it would be mainly a big picture thing.


Good luck either way.

Monika

Re: Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

I'm amazed at people who don't get this.

Re: I rest my case
 

Spoken like a true, black APO member.

Hi, DSTCHAOS
 

DANG STRAIGHT! ;)

Moving on...

Of course not. I just think that D9 orgs are more reputable, and we lend credibility to those other orgs, when we step in shows with them.

Money? Wow.

My status is worth more than money to me. Those others are not on our level. You mean to tell me that a $100 entrance fee (multiplied by however many orgs are allowed) is worth more than the status of our organizations? They should be trying to get on our level, but we shouldn't be inviting them to the Penthouse suite.

It gives off the appearance of equality, and dammit, we are not equal.

EXACTAMUNDO!!!!!!!!

It's nice to see that somebody actually gets it. Sheesh!

Re: I rest my case
 

It's definitely elitism. And I embrace it fully, in this situation. :cool:

Re: Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

And in the grand scheme of things (big picture), they are not on our level, and we should give the appearance that they are.

Re: Re: Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

But the "big picture" as you presented it was all about money, which is sad.

Re: Re: I rest my case
 

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Re: Re: Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

It's not about money actually.

It could be as little as Room access or as big as being labled as the non-cooperative group.


The facts are the following:

* It does come to money in one way: Since the University is paying for the event, Then they can determine the rules in anyway the see fit. Since we are in the "Diversity" phase, this was bound to happen. If the Other organizatons kick up too much of a fuss (or even if the University Administration fuss), because of the Federal Funding the University receives. They can "diversify" any event they feel does not represent the wholeness of the University (I used to work in the Student Affairs office).

* In order to have a "pure" NPHC Stepshow, The NPHC must pay for it in full without University funding (following the Golden rule: the person with the gold makes the rules).

* Because the Black Population is not the largest (My assumption), it is up to all organizations to work the Collegiate Hustle. One way that campus politics wouldn't be necessary would be if the Alumni/Graduate chapters and Community Organizations in the area will be able to pick up the clout they may lose as a consequence of their actions.

If it can happen where I was (in CA), it can happen anywere. Room Reservations were "lost", rules were changed in Programing Procedures "suddenly, and credibility with faculty (in the Birthplace of the Black Studies College Cirriculum) was weaning.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Is stepping in the same show as "GDI's" or service frats wrong?
 

The "big picture" will depend on campus and city.

Not everyone has a "big picture" to see. Not every campus or city has nonNPHC organizations that are visible enough to compete in stepshows (or notoriety, for that matter).

Those of you who do have a "big picture" to see should definitely try to see it. This doesn't mean you HAVE to want to step against GSS or Swing Phi Swing but it means that you will 1) do it anyway because it benefits you and yours or 2) be more diplomatic in your refusal to do so.

Just make sure you don't let the Swings and the GSSs whoop your asses in the competition. :rolleyes:

If you are talking about the credibility of some of their traditions, I agree. However, there are some relatively old BGLOs that aren't recognized by the NPHC. I would never say that a nonNPHC BGLO shouldn't be stepping and strolling. As far as nonBGLOs, national service organizations and professional orgs like Phi Alpha Delta stepping and strolling...LOL....

Regarding overall credibility, any organization that is upholding service is credible and gets respect from me. That doesn't mean I expect to see the 4H Club or The Salvation Army competing in stepping and strolling competitions.

Awwwwwwwww dang!


I'm not going to laugh! I'm looking above for the lightning to strike at any moment! :D


I understand.

Go, on Boom_Quack13!












;)