Sigma Problems
 

Has anyone noted any problems between Bruhs and Sigmas? I have read about the incident at SDSU and I was present at another "Unity Day " occasion in which Sigmas provoked Omegas into taking action. Fighting and violence are such childish ways to handle differences, but being one that hold my Fraternities traditions dear to me (copywritten or not) find it hard to be blasphemed, imitated, or otherwised stolen by another org that cannot figure out who or what they want to be. Do Sigmas twirl canes or do they "hop"? Do they "Blu Phi" similarly to "06"? Do they stroll to others traditional songs? Do they shoot the internationally known signs of other orgs when they are not around? Do they ahere to the NPHC mandate of a 2.5 for eligibility?

Sorry to sound like a poster on some of those rowdier chatboards, but I am miffed. I hate seeing my Bruhs being suspended or put on probation on certain yards for refusing to let the Sigmas disrespect and otherwise co-opt our fraternal culture.

Sigma Problems
 

Hello Sexy Men of Omega;)

Disclaimer: I in NO WAY advocate violence, nor is it my intention to fan the fire but:


...I just returned home from a step show where Omega placed first, and a member of PBS shouted out something provoking, so I can see why Perro Loco posted as he did. I hope this doesn't escalate into something more serious.:(


Side note: whatever they are feeding y'all in Que school... (20 Pearl Girl, shakes her head and leaves the room).

Re: Sigma Problems
 

D--f--d, br-w, o-l, & p---y, bow wow wow

hey man this is an issue all around, sigmas dont twirl the cane, we have canes, and we started using the canes in out steps before kappas started to use them but in no way does sigma twirl canes. We dont "Hop" we Step, we are the best steppers overall in the Pan-hell, " Blue Phi" does not sound like" 06". Im not in here to start something but to teach. Omega and sigma were every close back in the days, the current omega sign is similar to the old sigma sign, bros use to do the sigma sign and throw it up like the omegas do to greet zeta's and also the mascot use to be the dog, now i dont know what happened for that to change but omegas use that mascot and sigmas do not.I do beleieve in tradtions and if some of my bros are disrespect your org by doing your traditions i am sorry. But it happens at alot of schools with all orgs. we all need to learn how to respect each other, thats the main issue.

I suppose that I should thank you for your response and I will try to respond with the utmost Greek Love.

Being an ardent traditionalist and one who doesn't like my Frat Life blended, I have some quibbles with your statements.

1) There is no "Q" in Alpha Phi Omega. I know that in some places it is commonly used by some Black members, but that is not what your National office would regognize nor would 75% of your membership. The Greek letter Omega is not representative of the phonetic "Q" in the Greek language. Therefore, "Que" is only is meaningful to members of Q-Psi-Phi. Seeing others adopt the "Q" is like seeing a Muslime drive around with a fish sign on his car.

2) You and the Kappas can fight over the cane, but no one that I know between '1970 and '1990 recall seeing Sigmas with canes.

3) While I won't agree that Sigmas are the best "steppers", I will say that they have mastered the factors that influence judges in these days of themes, dancing, gimmicks, and music. Sigmas never won shows until these became prevalent.

4) You are right, Sigmas don't "hop" that is why when they do, they need to be checked.

5) Blu Phi does not sound like 06, but the cadence is very similar.

6) Omega and Sigma were only close in the fact that both were founded at Howard and that they held a joint convention only to save money because both were at the same time at the same hotel. Omega grew at PWI's and Liberal Arts HBCUs wheras Sigma grew at Technical/Agricultural colleges, many of them not offering academic degrees at the time.

7) Omegas founders were tops in their class, tops in their professions, and pillars of their communities.

Just......Internationally respected biologist whose studies form the basis of all current cancer research

Love......became the highest ranking Bishop in the AME church and a the highest ranking Black clergyman in the U.S Army during WWI.

Cooper....... The most prominent Black physician in private practice in South Philadephia

Coleman..........Chairman of the Dept of Physics at Howard University

8) Damn, I guess the Ques stole everything from the Sigmas. Even the distinctive "hook" that looks nothing like any other frat sign. Be for real. C'mon, you are a Neo and all, but you cannot really belee 'dat, can you?

9) The Dog? Even when Sigmas had an above ground process and went from Crescents to Dogs during "hell week", they never ever referred to themselves as "Dogs" or a "Dogmatic" image.

In summation, I am happy for you that PBS is no longer the Rodney Dangerfield of Black Greekdom. Lying to oneself and recreating a non-descript history and transforming it through some grandiose self-delusions does wonders for self-perception and self esteem. I am happy to know not only my history, but Greek history enough to know falsehoods when they are foisted upon us.

With all greek love, thanks for your efforts at explaining. Proof positive as to why there is a problem.

Please don't tell us what our national office recognizes -- you do not know. You also cannot speak on what is meaningful to our fraternity. CLEARLY it has meaning -- ours is different from yours, and in my book, that's okay. Our fraternity's traditions are what they are, have been for decades, and are not changing. I suggest you speak with A-Phi-Ques who are also your brothers for further enlightenment.

I have recently been seeing this Q question lately. So there is a special meaning of it for the Omegas? That's cool, but does it preclude other GLOs with Omega in their names from using it when greek symbol for Omega resembled the english Q more than any other letter?

Sorta like the Alphas using APA although P is Rho is greek and Delta using DST although T is not Theta in greek, and Omegas also using OPP, which translates into Omicron Rho Rho.

Just curious about why the territorialism?

Good try Sis, your reasoning is fine but slightly faulty. Alpha using APA or using DST is just a transliteration. There is no meaning there other than to appropriate a consistency with standard english. However, that is not the case with the Greek letter Omega. If a white Greek can tell me if they ever substitute "Q" for Omega with their organizations, you may have an argument. But I have never seen a Chi Omega say anything other than Chi -O, never Chi Q. I do not want to preclude anyone from using "Q" as a substitute for Omega, but why do it if you don't know why. If Omega is written to appear as an English "Q", why isn't it universally used as such (as you used APA or DST or OPP)

You say "territorial" some might say petty, but in the absence of public pledge processes, there is nothing to distinguish Greek orgs except the things that can be mistaken for gang symbology, hand signs and colors.

Campuses are doing joint informationals and meetings were everyone gives the same platitudes, the same spiel. Because we have such little leeway in how we distinguish ourselves publicly, I tend to hang on to what makes my org different. When you hear the term "Q" in association with Black Greeks, only one thing should come to mind, Omega Psi Phi.

When Shaq or Vince Carter throw down a dunk or when Steve McNair throws a touchdown pass or when Rickey Smiley leaves the stage, I want to know and the world to know that what they throw up represents Omega, not something like "Sigma" or when they say "I'm a Que", the response is not, "A Que? as in Omega or Alpha Phi?

As for Sensuret, no I don't know what your org recognizes, but its not on your National Website as an alternative. I have yet to meet a white brother/sister of yours call themselves A-Phi-Ques. After the puzzled looks, they tell me that they know nothing of it or why it should be significant to them. Do your thing. I can't arrest anyone, nor do I lose any sleep over such issues. I just like to educate. Peace to all my fellow greeks

So the special meaning is that it immediately distinguishes you from other Greek orgs. Okay, cool. I thought you meant there was a special secret meaning like there is in Phi Nu Pi for the Kappas.

wow with all your talking i almost though you knew something, silly me.

Yes sigma dont use cane and you probably didnt see a sigma with a cane back in the days, but you did see them use them in step shows. but if you were educated like you claim to be then you would know.

Our founder were top of there class just like alot of black greek founder but your so educated so you should know

Yes most white brothers of Alpha Phi Omega wont know anything about the term a-phi-que, just like omega got there "Q" we did to, by people on campuses started to use that term for omega but you would know that cause your educated.

Also just like mason who are the father of all greeks and alot of all black greeks traditions are based from them, you would know there is a division with them to , prince hall, alot of white mason dont know what that is or may refer to it as a "black" thing. So then with your mind frame black mason should not be proud cause there white counter parts dont know?

I never said sigma called ourselves dogs, i stated it was our mascot but we were not sigma dogs, we stopped using it , were not dogs sorry your can have it. even though your national office doesnt recognize it either,

And its funny how you try to shout out Alpha Phi Omega by saying there is no a-phi-que on our website but on the Omega Psi Phi website i didnt see anything about "Q" or a dog, but i guess i over looked something. Didnt see an offical handsign either but maybe i looked inthe wrong place. I did see a statement stating that the use of dog on any para and stuff was illegal in the frat. ummmmm interesting

Im not saying omegas a bad org, its done some great things and has some great members but lets not lie ok

We win step show cause were the best, we step, we are versitile. We do it all, we give a show, sorry we dont "hop" all the time or twirl our canes, see thats the good thing about not being part of a stereo type, we can do alot more without people thinking "thats not there style" . See with sigma you dont know what to expect, but with other frat you know what your going to get, omegas hop, kappas twirl and alpha do that egypt thing they do.

But its really not about all that stuff and i think we as black people tend to let things like this divide us. No ones founder barked, twriled canes, 06ed or blu phi so why do we let this hinder our mission for uplifting out black community.

Ofcourse you have pride for you org,i love sigma and i think its the best for me but may not be for someone else but in the long run it doesnt matter what matters is we beleive in making our black community better. Steps shows, calls or colors uplifted or community. We need to get bad to the way it use to be, there was alot more greek unity , not its turning more into a gang at some school. Let stop this "who's better thinkin and talk about what we can do to uplift our commuinty.

Hadn't read all of this before. But since my grandfather was a Sigma, a PHA Mason, and a PhD, I feel compelled to respond.


I have--a lot.

Quote:

3) While I won't agree that Sigmas are the best "steppers", I will say that they have mastered the factors that influence judges in these days of themes, dancing, gimmicks, and music. Sigmas never won shows until these became prevalent.

I have seen many shows won by Sigmas before the current gimmicks came into place. They have always been tight steppers.

Quote:

5) Blu Phi does not sound like 06, but the cadence is very similar.

And???? skee wee and eee-yip have the same cadence, too.

Quote:

8) Damn, I guess the Ques stole everything from the Sigmas. Even the distinctive "hook" that looks nothing like any other frat sign. Be for real. C'mon, you are a Neo and all, but you cannot really belee 'dat, can you?

Used to see it. Pulled in tightly it resembles a Z, thus I assumed the greeting to the Zetas.

Quote:

9) The Dog? Even when Sigmas had an above ground process and went from Crescents to Dogs during "hell week", they never ever referred to themselves as "Dogs" or a "Dogmatic" image.

In my day all of the frats became dogs during Hell Week. And were referred to as such by the Big Brothers.

Quote:

In summation, I am happy for you that PBS is no longer the Rodney Dangerfield of Black Greekdom. Lying to oneself and recreating a non-descript history and transforming it through some grandiose self-delusions does wonders for self-perception and self esteem. I am happy to know not only my history, but Greek history enough to know falsehoods when they are foisted upon us. With all greek love, thanks for your efforts at explaining. Proof positive as to why there is a problem.

I love ya Bruh, but why all the hate?

Sorry to come across as a know it all. I am not and I will defer to your greater greek longevity. I have no problem with that. Being that your grandfather was a Sigma, that is some real history there. I cannot argue with your statements. I love to expand my knowledge. However what you have stated does not coincide with much of what I have garnered from elder greeks of each org, nor from my personal experience. To wit:

My Grandfather was a Master Mason as our my 8 uncles. My grandfather served in a unit in France under my founder, Bishop Love. I even have two Zeta aunts who pldged in the early 50's.

Maybe where you are from, you have seen the "cane" thing in the time frame between '70 - '90. I never witnessed it, nor does anyone I have queried, including a Sigma co-worker ('69 Albany St HBCU). But again, its not a real concern of mine. Its just the confusion that ensues when something is claimed by one org when it is not a universal truth even amongst that org.

Depending on where one is from I guess that Sigmas could have dominated then as they do now in stepping. Again, with the exception of NY/NJ, I do not ever recall firsthand or hearing anything about Sigma being the predominate steppers. Maybe I travelled in the wrong circles or went to the wrong homecomings.

As far as the cadence thing goes, all the other Frats manage to be dissimilar, maybe that is just a coincidence.

Ok, when pulled in tightly, it can resemble a Z. With that stretch of the imagination, we can count that as something that indicates a kinship with the Sigmas?

I will again defer to you per your seniority, but I have seen my friends during the hell week portion of their respective pledge programs go from sphinxmen to apes, scrollers to barbarians, crescents to dogs, and my own experience as a lampado to a dog. Maybe the others changed their traditons.

Why the hate? I don't hate anyone, too adult and too Christian for that. But I despise misinformation. I despise the misappropriation of my Fraternal culture and history and I pledged too long and too hard for MINE only to see any old body decide that "hey, that is better than what I have so if it aint copywritten, I claim it for myself". As someone who trains younger Omegas to be true Omegas and not just Que Dawgs, I cannot get angry with them when they take offense to Sigmas "hopping" to Atomic Dog, throwing up the hooks, barking, etc. There is a lot more to it that is not suited to this forum, but suffice it to say, none of the other Frats have a problem being who they are and maintaing their lane.

That is not how Omega got their "Q" as you say. That is how you got yours. You have validated my original premise.

Omega doesn't have an official mascot or handsign, but we do have a distinctive and univerally known mascot and handsign.

The masonic analogy is not germane to this discussion. Alpha Phi Omega is one organization is it not? Masonry has fifferent sects, different branches, different houses, differnt orders. If APO is not one organization, thanks for telling us.

There is currently no prohibition against canine references in respect to Omega. There is no official mention of "Q" on a website for public consumption. Does that negate its factuality. My statement to you was based on its usage with your org as a whole. We know that it is universal in my Frat.

Yes, Sigmas are the best steppers of this current era for the current criteria. High five to you. And your right, you can't stereotype someone who is liable to do someone elses stuff.

Dude, I am not divisive, nor does any of the points that I quibble about detract from the greater mission of our orgs. I make statements based on observational truth. I do not hate PBS/APO nor would my disagreement on dubious info ever lead to me being disagreable. My eyes never leave the prize. Peace

He said they used it to greet the Zetas. And when I used to see it, it was just with one arm.

Thanks, I always wondered where the Ape reference came from. Never heard it in my day. And to this day have never heard of Barbarians until now. Things do change over time and we learn something new every day.

One thing that manyD9 members have discovered on these message boards about their frats and sororities is that even within an org there are regional differences in traditions. In other words not everything even in the BGLOs are universal, especially if they are unofficial in the first place.