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I'd like to share a brief story.
Past National President Gerald Schroeder is a Brother of my chapter, and if anyone is familiar with his administration, diversity was one of his major themes. Well, when he was in office, several Brothers wanted to see stepping outlawed in APO. According to Jerry, people who didn't understand stepping associated it with black chapters, and therefore, hazing.
Now, understand that hazing was an extremely big problem at HBCU chapters in the 1980's, and several chapters were suspended during this time.
Anyway, so people misunderstood stepping (and probate shows) and thought that stepping was something that was forced on pledges.
Jerry, even though he pledged at Georgetown (where there were few black brothers and no stepping) , was determined to allow each chapter to decide what was right for themselves. In the spirit of diversity, Jerry refused to entertain the issue of banning stepping in APO.
The ironic thing is now, years after his administration, Brothers from his home chapter have been known to step and stroll.
Anyway, my point is that many things do not belong in Alpha Phi Omega...hazing...violence....skaters (lol)....but stepping is one of those traditions that should be left up to each chapter.
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