Hmmm ...
I have been debating with myself on whether or not I wanted to get in on this but well, what the heck, everyone ELSE has, so here's my 19.63 on the topic.
This is actually two topics:
1) Should non-NPHC groups be allowed to perform in stepshows?
2) Should we allow ourselves to be "pimped" by promoters of stepshows?
I'll start with the second one, first:
I am absolutely, unequivocally AGAINST stepshows and promoters who sponsor these shows, pocket tens of thousands of dollars, and then walk away with the money. I have seen quite a few of these shows over the years (some sponsored by people who are members of NPHC organizations ... ofttimes NON-FINANCIAL members, I might add) and it makes me sick!
These people promote these shows and make more money than you can imagine -- $25K, sometimes as much as $50K. They give a measly one or two thousand dollars in prize money and then call it a day. In the meantime, the causes and philanthropies that our organizations support go unsupported and unrecognized. That's pimping and we need to put a stop to it. The easiest way is for teams to ask UP FRONT where the money is going. If the organizations aren't happy with the distribution of proceeds, then we need to
not participate. Period.
Now, regarding the first issue,
"Should non-NPHC groups be allowed to perform in stepshows,my answer is, "It depends." I personally
reject all this espousal of stepping as a "spiritual experience." The research I have seen indicates that stepping in BGLO's started as a form of ENTERTAINMENT and PR. It started in the 50's/60's with singing (or "serenading" as it was sometimes called) and progressed from there. Over time, it has evolved into the elaborate productions we have come to know and expect.
All this discussion of stepping having originated with "The African Boot Dance" is something I don't buy. I definitely realize that there are common origins in that people of African Descent all over the world have ALWAYS expressed ourselves in dance, song, and movement. Further, after the stepping (as we know it) became more popular and widespread, certain organizations (Phi Beta Sigma comes immediately to mind) made a special effort to learn of the way it was done in Africa and then incorporate those styles and rhythms into the American Collegiate idiom. The same thing occurred with the "Step Afrika" project that Alpha Phi Alpha (and I think Delta Sigma Theta) have been involved in. I think that is a wonderful and self-affirming thing for us as African-Americans to connect with our African roots. That has power and we should continue to do so.
What we should NOT do however, is pretend that stepping is something it isn't. We also should be honest about why we don't want Non-NPHC groups to step in our shows. I was a member of Iota Phi Theta (an obviously BLACK Fraternal Organization) for 16 years before we were admitted into the NPHC and you better believe that in more cases than not, we were NOT ALLOWED to perform in these shows. The reason was always
"Well, you aren't in the NPHC, so you can't perform. Period. From the Philly Greek Picnic stepshow to the Freaknic step show, the response was always the same:
"You aren't in the NPHC so you don't get to play in the reindeer games."
Since we have been in the NPHC, folks don't have a rationale to exclude us anymore so now we "get to play with the big boys," as it were. Don't think for a minute that we don't realize that a lot of folks still don't want us there but that's a moot point.
I have a real problem with members of NPHC groups who place themselves on a pedestal of "Greek Superiority" when it comes to certain issues. We get mad when KKPsi and APO step. We get mad with the Latino organizations have hand-signs and calls. We get mad at everybody but ourselves -- and we need to be mad. Mad about the rampant injuries from hazing. Mad about the lack of community service that some of us don't do. Mad that Black Greekdom no longer has the panache that it once did. That panache came from conducting ourselves and ladies and gentlemen who were "a cut above" and "beyond reproach." These days we get involved with all kinds of behaviors that would have our founders rolling in their graves.
We can restore this panache and prestige if we work on handling our business but being the arbiters of "who gets to step where and how" won't do anything but divide us.
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IotaNet
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Eta Chapter, Spring, 1980
Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Nu Chapter, Spring, 1979