Dissing other Greeks in step shows. Good 4 greek life or bad?

[JSUAKA17]

Originally posted by PhrozenGenius
Before I became greek, I thought that mild dissing in stepshows was ok. After I became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, I saw the extremely personal nature of some of the shots orgs were taking at each other. My birthday was on yesterday. Me and my sands are a year old and I've been disgusted by some of the things I saw in the past year at stepshows.

A homecoming show at an HBCU in Alabama where one org. had an utterly confusing theme. (They went from being astronauts to the Dave Chappelle show to...hell we don't know.) Well, in the middle of the show a guy dressed like Lil' John runs out and say, "New Exclusiv $h!+!!! Ihave a box of applications for guys that tried to be XYZ that are now ABC!!!" They then proceeded to call names. The two orgs decided they wanted to square off in the middle of the gym floor...of course until one of them got maced.

At the same show, a certain sorority in their rush to call someone else "paper" threw out hundreds and hundreds of sheets of looseleaf on the stage...only to spend their last two minutes of time picking that same damn paper up.

A sorority at another Alabama HBCU that decided to diss their rival by creating a series of "Trapped In The Closet" styled skits in an elaborate diss show. On top of that they won...

A recent probate show where one of the neophytes decided to "Say F*** the _____'s, Who the f*** wants to be a ____ anyway! F*** they party! F*** all of them!" Yeah...intelligent huh?

I felt as though my probate was handled respectfully. We said greetings to all of the members of the divine nine that have been present on our campus. We then spit our history and greetings. After that we stepped and were unmasked. If your big brothers' greetings are amusing, there is no need for bashing. If the skits to accompany your line names are funny, who cares about bashing? Last, but DEFINITELY not least, if your steps are TIGHT people will remember.

Our skits were engineered not only to be funny but to publicize our party. For example, my 9's line name is "Gerber". We sang the "Pull Ups" song and then he got his 6'3" 265 lb. butt into a power wheels. We asked, "Where You Going?" He said (in a childlike voice), "I'm going to the afterparty at the House Of Alpha!"

If you shine, dissing is not necessary. It kind of speaks to an inferiority complex if people are constanly dissing.

Just my .06 cents...

Sorry for the length...

THE Ace
Spring '05
"Mighty Mouse"

Well stated. How many intelligent, gifted, responsible, non-greeks were in the audience at those step shows? I wonder how many of them decided not to pledge anything after watching those ignorant displays? We are losing the interest of some talented people that could be assets to our respective organizations when we act foolish.

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by JSUAKA17
I think that mutual respect and decorum are timeless.

This bears repeating.

[Kimmie1913]

I was always taught that we should respect all of the Divine 9. As another poster mentioned, I come from a world where you would have been expected to greet all greeks. A little light hearted teasing is fine- like picking on your cousin or something- but these days it seems far too mean spirited and personal to me. When I have the opportunity, I try hard to teach younger sorors why they need to rethink that approach and be about uplifting Delta Sigma Theta. If the only think memorable about your probate/coming out/yard/step show was how nasty you were towards another organization, you probably needed to stop and you’re your show from the jump. When you read articles about whether the need for HBGLO's still exists and whether or not we bring more division to the Black community, it is this kind of dissing behavior that fuels that belief. The reality is that if every chapter of each org lived up to its legacy and charge, our communities would reap the benefit. We would stand together as examples of all that is right in Black America instead of perpetrating our own form of Black on Black crime tearing each other down.

[suntzu1963]

Originally posted by JSUAKA17
"I hope not too different, I think that mutual respect and decorum are timeless."

"When you are performing, or doing anything in the name of your fraternity/sorority, your actions represent that fraternity/sorority."

"I was taught (way back in the 80's) that when I have my letters on that I am to conduct myself in a certain way. I was not to drink (at least not publicly), act loud and crude, or disrespect others while in my letters. My actions represent Alpha Kappa Alpha. To the public, I am the face of Alpha Kappa Alpha, I want to represent her well."

That's real talk right there. I was taught the same thing about IOTA in the late 90's.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally posted by enigma_AKA
*Off the topic--kinda*

But does anyone else want to say/post "No" in response to the title of the thread? I always chuckle--- Like who would say "Yes--Dissing Greeks in step shows is GOOD for Greek life"?

enigma_AKA

I was going to type just that as a response and leave the thread alone, lol.

To answer the question in the title, NO.

[OhioCentaur]

Originally posted by JSUAKA17
I hope not too different, I think that mutual respect and decorum are timeless. Your replies thus far have all been geared at excusing dissing others in your probate show. It is my position that there is no excuse for that behavior. It makes me question whether or not your hate for another organization overshadows your love for your own. What do you have to prove to anyone? Why is it necessary to respond negatively to other organizations in your probate show of all things. There is a time and a place for everything, it is just my opinion that probate shows and greek shows for that matter are not the place to launch personal attacks; good natured ribbing and teasing, ok; but not anything personal or vindictive. When you are performing, or doing anything in the name of your fraternity/sorority, your actions represent that fraternity/sorority.

I was taught (way back in the 80's) that when I have my letters on that I am to conduct myself in a certain way. I was not to drink (at least not publicly), act loud and crude, or disrespect others while in my letters. My actions represent Alpha Kappa Alpha. To the public, I am the face of Alpha Kappa Alpha, I want to represent her well.

Its a sad thing but i dont believe that same level is still taught today. Its true enough that greeks are taught to respect other organizations however, i do believe the extent to which that is carried out is on a yard by yard basis.

I have heard that the AKA's didnt drink in their letters but taking into account i'm a year into greek life and my scope of wisdom at this time is limited to the research i've done and the interaction with the representatives of those orgs in my community, i've seen AKA's drink in letters, i've seen female probate shows diss not only the other D9 sororities but diss the Frats as well. I've been to probably 20 stepshows to date and have yet to see one that didnt diss another organization.

I think something like this, where we are comparing the 80's or early 90's to now is like comparing the Cosby show to Boondocks... yes there was a time when things were done the right way... but now things have turned a new page and it has a new ring of controversy to it. Would it be nice to go back to the days you veteran greeks speak of... sure... but please dont discredit what i'm saying because it is not what you did in your time. Step back and look at today's climate in greek life.

Its gone from only being able to pledge one organization to people dropping from one line to get on another orgs line simply because they were promised an easier path to greekdom... its ridiculous...

[OhioCentaur]

Originally posted by mulattogyrl
I was going to type just that as a response and leave the thread alone, lol.

To answer the question in the title, NO.

I thought the title was asking a good or bad question... not a yes or no...

[mulattogyrl]

Originally posted by OhioCentaur
I thought the title was asking a good or bad question... not a yes or no...

You're right, LOL. BAD.

[MeezDiscreet]

Originally posted by OhioCentaur
I think something like this, where we are comparing the 80's or early 90's to now is like comparing the Cosby show to Boondocks... yes there was a time when things were done the right way... but now things have turned a new page and it has a new ring of controversy to it. Would it be nice to go back to the days you veteran greeks speak of... sure... but please dont discredit what i'm saying because it is not what you did in your time. Step back and look at today's climate in greek life.

Its gone from only being able to pledge one organization to people dropping from one line to get on another orgs line simply because they were promised an easier path to greekdom... its ridiculous...

remember me? i crossed in 2002...

[enigma_AKA]

Originally posted by OhioCentaur
I've been to probably 20 stepshows to date and have yet to see one that didnt diss another organization.

That sucks. I have been to a few and out of those, very few of those shows had steppers 'dissing' other orgs. Either way, it's lame. It shouldn't be acceptable, because *KIM I'm new school* I didn't become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha because the other D9 sororities are wack. I didn't become a member because the Alphas are tight, the Kappas are pretty, the Ques are rowdy so on and so forth. Why I need to talk about them in paying homage to MY ESTEEMED organization? I don't understand the homage thing and I don't understand the dissing, either.

enigma_AKA

[OhioCentaur]

Originally posted by MeezDiscreet
remember me? i crossed in 2002...

Good point although i wasnt directing that at you dear... but like i stated earlier... its gotta be a yard by yard thing...

[K.O.T.S]

^^^I think I saw your probate show......Mah Goodnesss!

[suntzu1963]

Originally posted by OhioCentaur
Its a sad thing but i dont believe that same level is still taught today. Its true enough that greeks are taught to respect other organizations however, i do believe the extent to which that is carried out is on a yard by yard basis.

I have heard that the AKA's didnt drink in their letters but taking into account i'm a year into greek life and my scope of wisdom at this time is limited to the research i've done and the interaction with the representatives of those orgs in my community, i've seen AKA's drink in letters, i've seen female probate shows diss not only the other D9 sororities but diss the Frats as well. I've been to probably 20 stepshows to date and have yet to see one that didnt diss another organization.

I think something like this, where we are comparing the 80's or early 90's to now is like comparing the Cosby show to Boondocks... yes there was a time when things were done the right way... but now things have turned a new page and it has a new ring of controversy to it. Would it be nice to go back to the days you veteran greeks speak of... sure... but please dont discredit what i'm saying because it is not what you did in your time. Step back and look at today's climate in greek life.

Its gone from only being able to pledge one organization to people dropping from one line to get on another orgs line simply because they were promised an easier path to greekdom... its ridiculous...

[MaKaveli2]

I went to the Bowling Green State University Step Show this weekend. The Alphas were the only team to diss other fraternities. But they way they did it is they was it is suppose to be done. They had a girl on stage and the Que was like fake rappin her, keepin it G rated, the Sigma was tryin to steal her shoes, and the Nupe stole her purse, took the make up kit out, and started powderin his face. That was so funny to me and i am a Nupe. It is all in good humar. But some people cross the line and put personal stuff in they shows they hurts individuals reputations, feelings, and are just cheap shots. That is the difference between and acceptable show and a show that is just WRONG!!!

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by MaKaveli2
the Que was like fake rappin her, keepin it G rated,

and EVEN SADDER that RAPE is now "funny"