Why we have certain things which "black greeks" seem to think they have a patent over.
1. Stepping- Stepping started back while we were in Africa prior to us coming over in Ships (ie; Lines). Stepping (not Stomping) which is what we do, is a form of expression that seperates one village or organization from another. BGLO stepping didn't really start to ghet popular until the late 60's up until then Organizations generally sang songs and chants ALOT!! In saying that, being that we were around in the late 60's as well Chapters followed suit.
2. Crossing Jackets, paddles, peri and the such- that is entirely like in every organization from the Boy Scouts to BGLO's, people want to show that they belong to a uniquely different organization from the next THROUGH THEIR OWN SELF EXPRESSION. GROOVE unlike other Orgs. can do such things without any backlash from nationals. As long as it does not offend another person(s) sex, creed, religion, or beliefs. I myself have a crossing jacket with my number One (Honcho Dammit!!!) plastered on the back our sheild on the left side on the front, and a whole bunch of other stuff on it.
3. To get a point across we do not mimic or want to be like BGLO. First of-because we don't use greek letters, The letters we use are from ancient Kemet not Greece. The Greek society is something we do not honor and by no means want to be associated with. It's hard enough being Black in this society add the term "Black Greek" whew you got a situation on your hands.
We Fellowship, We Socialize equating the term Social Fellowship, and lastly we are Incoroporated - Inc. meaning we also take of business (I think you all do the same) We have no interest in joining the D9 or whatever it's going to be called next because we are our own support system, plus the way the Iotas are still being treated makes one wonder about the FULL INCLUSUSION of their Org. into an mindset that has been closed off for so long.
SOOOOOOOOO many other Black orgs. have either been in existence over the past 100+ years and yet we stil are walking around with this mentality of what a "standard" is and what it shall be. To anyone whomever reads this post do whatever is in your heart not what your Grandfather, Father, mother or whomever of who's who did. If Black Folk always adheared to "Standards" Hip Hop would not be existance, nor would Jazz, nor would artist like Jimi Hendricks, or Lenny Kravitz. We are an organization of Innovators of the so called "Black Fraternal System". So yes we Step, Sing, Stroll, Clap and everything else that Black Greek Folk may proclaim is "Theirs" and not because we mimic, but because in the collegiate society a fraternal order(which we are) does those things. We do not prophesize about being in touch with the Pharoahs of Kemet but but what we do say is that we acknowledge the birthplace of all higher knowledge is Kemet AKA Garden of Eden in some circles. And being that that is the birthplace of all knowledge why take on letters that have no meaning to myself personally. I GROOVE every day of my life, wether it be working, chilling a the club or with the boys, and lastly while I'm doing the do.
So in part to answer your question about taking on characteristics
that one feels that we as an organization have taken on to "mimic" Greeks. One can't mimic what one helped to create.
100% Black 0% Greek The same way I like my coffee and my woman