NPHC Greeks - how do you feel about this?

[brownsugar952]

Overall, what I am trying to say is that like what was said before, not all the founders of the organizations in the NPHC started each organizations' traditions of handsigns, calls, and symbols. Some were started many many years after the founding of the organization. Within the Divine 9 or the Elite 8 at the time, one organization started to display something to the public first. Another organization looked at that organization and must of said, I love how they are displaying their unity. We should do something like that for our organization.

Or I could be wrong (which is possible ) and an agenda item could of came up at a meeting of the NPHC and they talked about what each organization could do to show unity within the council. Then as a whole, all organizations came up with these ideas. If these traditions were not created by the NPHC, then I believe someone was copying off of someone else at one point.

I have been to step shows for latino, asian, and multicultural orgs and they gave a brief history of stepping and honored the NPHC. All MG orgs that I have been around have a very high regard for NPHC orgs and give them much respect for creating such a strong council. MG orgs are young compared to the IFC/Panhel/NPHC. It might take more years for them to develop their own signature traditions. Who knows what may happen 50 years from now. NPHC orgs might start saluting...

[jitterbug13]

Originally Posted by raggann03

Being a member of a service GLO longer than I have a NPHC this is something of an irritant to me. I find that most of the anger or ill feeling comes from a general lack of knowledge. Many of us (OPA) choose to use those terms because they most accurately state the feeling of the process we just underwent. To this day me and my omega phi alpha pledgemates(or whatever pc term you want to use) call each other line sister. It accurately describes the bond we feel with each other. We don't do it out of disrespect or anything....its just what it is. Unfortunately we aren't allowed the benefit of publicly displaying our pride in our organization, bond with each other without getting looks of contempt from uninformed D9 members.

And now that I'm a D9 member....I still call my Omega Phi Alpha sisters soror, line sister, etc(sands has never been applicable). I have jackets and para for both organizations that I display proudly. And yes there are some things that are unique to Sigma Gamma Rho that I will not duplicate for Omega Phi Alpha just because its all greek. I don't agree with that

I agree that a lot of it has to do with ignorance. Like you, OPA was fairly new on campus when I joined. Several people who are NPHC members asked me why I joined OPA and not one of the NPHC sororities. Mostly because of demographics and location, I've never called my OPA sisters sorors. But I will call DSTRen and other OPA/DSTs sisters/sorors.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I really think people are putting 10 on 2 with this topic.

Main Entry: tra·di·tion
1 a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) b : a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable <the bulk of traditions attributed to the Prophet -- J. L. Esposito>
2 : the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
3 : cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions
4 : characteristic manner, method, or style <in the best liberal tradition>

From a larger context: Any practice that breeds recognition and has done so for years across the country will be called a "tradition" by many. Not everyone will agree on that and not everyone has to.

Smaller context: If people want to use the term "tradition" then that's what they will do. My chapter had traditional programs and practices that no other organization on that campus had. I remember when another organization tried to take ALL of our ideas and formatting and rename it without even speaking to us about a collaboration. This didn't sit too well with us and the program wasn't accepted by the campus community. That's fine if folks want to adopt and adapt CERTAIN traditions. Just KNOW where you got it from and don't front like you and your organization came up with it. That also goes to NPHC traditions that came from elsewhere.

I missed this post before. Good stuff, I just need to add my opinion.

The thing to remember is that our traditions are clearly stated in our P&T. So for folx to label anything else traditions is not correct, imo.

And even using the definition above it is a matter of timing. To someone who came into the organization post calls, handsigns, the current way of stepping, etc. they may be considered traditions. To those who came in prior to those things, they are not.

It's sorta like the difference between fad and fashion.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by brownsugar952

Overall, what I am trying to say is that like what was said before, not all the founders of the organizations in the NPHC started each organizations' traditions of handsigns, calls, and symbols. Some were started many many years after the founding of the organization. Within the Divine 9 or the Elite 8 at the time, one organization started to display something to the public first. Another organization looked at that organization and must of said, I love how they are displaying their unity. We should do something like that for our organization.

Or I could be wrong (which is possible ) and an agenda item could of came up at a meeting of the NPHC and they talked about what each organization could do to show unity within the council. Then as a whole, all organizations came up with these ideas. If these traditions were not created by the NPHC, then I believe someone was copying off of someone else at one point.

I have been to step shows for latino, asian, and multicultural orgs and they gave a brief history of stepping and honored the NPHC. All MG orgs that I have been around have a very high regard for NPHC orgs and give them much respect for creating such a strong council. MG orgs are young compared to the IFC/Panhel/NPHC. It might take more years for them to develop their own signature traditions. Who knows what may happen 50 years from now. NPHC orgs might start saluting...

Here are some facts. The calls were developed for identification reasons while crossing campus at night. Not until the early 1990's were women safe walking on college campus at night--much less an HBCU. If she was a member of the D9 sorority, she generally make the call if she recognized another member to be safe in numbers. Calls were either answered or not. And remember, the cell phones were little duffle bags back in that day.

Now, calls with handsigns are made all the time. During parties and picnics and strolls. Anytime.

At least for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. none of these actions are "official ritual" sanctioned by our International body. And I will be the first ear piercing, high pitched sounding member of my Sorority that will make a call when overcome with sisterliness in a public setting. And since I had deep in my heart for my letters for nearly 2 decades, I feel I can have right to call and sign it whenever I feel it within discretionary limits. As an adult, I know what those are.

However, handsigns, calls, or jackets does not make a GLO. We of the D9 will unilaterally agree that is has to be in your heart first, before you can make the "call"...

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Here are some facts. The calls were developed for identification reasons while crossing campus at night. Not until the early 1990's were women safe walking on college campus at night--much less an HBCU. If she was a member of the D9 sorority, she generally make the call if she recognized another member to be safe in numbers. Calls were either answered or not. And remember, the cell phones were little duffle bags back in that day.

Now that is an interesting fact and does make sense.

Now, calls with handsigns are made all the time. During parties and picnics and strolls. Anytime.

At least for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. none of these actions are "official ritual" sanctioned by our International body. And I will be the first ear piercing, high pitched sounding member of my Sorority that will make a call when overcome with sisterliness in a public setting. And since I had deep in my heart for my letters for nearly 2 decades, I feel I can have right to call and sign it whenever I feel it within discretionary limits. As an adult, I know what those are.

Exactly. there are time when they are appropriate and there are times when they are not.

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally Posted by 33girl

In the past few years, I've seen several NPC and NIC groups' websites where they make reference to their "sands", "crossing", "line brothers/sisters" and other terms that previously were used pretty much exclusively by NPHC groups. A lot of the time, these are at schools that aren't just predominantly white, they're REALLY predominantly white.

Does this tick you off, or do you just find it sort of silly?

We're used to it. Elvis, Eminem, Justin Timberlake and a few others readied us for such madness. But thanks for asking.

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

FLAG ON THE MOTHERLOVIN PLAY!

SYANDS is not a real term. Whoever invented it is wack and whoever perpetuates it is wacker -- and PLEASE tell anyone who uses it that I said so!

They say it means "Same Year AND Semester."

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let any of your friends use this term.

What's so wrong with them wanting to use that term? I mean really. YOu defend the "biting" but knock folks for being original. That's what is really wack.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Through my reading and research, slaves who played the drums were not allowed to play African beats because they were a form of communication. As well as other instruments. All they had left was the stomping and clapping of their hands that was thought as gleeful dancing to the Master. As time moved on, African traditions were lost, and moves were eased and evolved.

After emancipation, formation of HBCU's and development of HBGLO's, during a pledge period, generally a cadence and movements that were similar to that of the Black Church movement.

As time went on, evolution became a grander scale as moves were precise through the 1970's and beyond.

Stepping is not the same as it was when I was in school in the late 1980's. Moreover, the cadences are different. The stepmaster was always the Dean of Pledges when I was in school. Now, we have Membership Intake Processes... So, things change. Oh well.

As far as non-NPHC organizations having all the items acquired because of the trials of a pledge period, well, hey, things change.

This whole thread points out one thing that any member of BGLOs needs to do to enrich their understanding of this movement and grow in maturity as a Greek:immerse yourself in the history of Greek-letter organizations, in general,and spend quality time talking to members 30+ years in membership,esp. those with 40-50+ years.Many of the so-called traditions that current BGLO members swear by are foreign to them, or barely recognizable.

Per the "stepping" tradition, one (the strongest?) formative influence on this BGLO tradition is barely ever mentioned:the military. To this day, the "step show" at Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclaves (national conventions) is called the Marchdown. This goes back to the fact that what is generally referred to today as stepping is grounded in military marching and drill routines.I think this is especially true still for the Ques in many respects.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

I agree that a lot of it has to do with ignorance. Like you, OPA was fairly new on campus when I joined. Several people who are NPHC members asked me why I joined OPA and not one of the NPHC sororities. Mostly because of demographics and location, I've never called my OPA sisters sorors. But I will call DSTRen and other OPA/DSTs sisters/sorors.

For me as well, OPAs are sisters unless they are also Deltas. It's just the tradition of my OPA undergrad chapter to use "sister". Other chapters it's "soror". My chapter uses "pledge sister" and "pledge class" whereas other chapters use other terms. It's just a chapter preference.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Boom_Quack13

What's so wrong with them wanting to use that term? I mean really. YOu defend the "biting" but knock folks for being original. That's what is really wack.

Shanita,

I have really grown tired of you stalking my each and every post on every Greek board I go to as well as Facebook. It's not cute. Your mission in life is NOT to sniff after me and post your comments after everything I say.

Since you seem to have a problem with everything I type, by all means ignore me as I've ignored you since GreekPeeps.

For whatever reason that you're bitter and miserable, please leave me out of it. I generally LOVE my life and enjoy passing the time on message boards.

LEAVE ME ALONE.

Thanks.

[12dn94dst]

such hostility.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Per the "stepping" tradition, one (the strongest?) formative influence on this BGLO tradition is barely ever mentioned:the military.

I agree.

That's the only influence I talk about the most. I see African roots but the military roots of stepping (and "pledging") are what stick out to me.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Boom_Quack13

We're used to it. Elvis, Eminem, Justin Timberlake and a few others readied us for such madness. But thanks for asking.

Don't be so dramatic.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

This whole thread points out one thing that any member of BGLOs needs to do to enrich their understanding of this movement and grow in maturity as a Greek:immerse yourself in the history of Greek-letter organizations, in general,and spend quality time talking to members 30+ years in membership,esp. those with 40-50+ years. Many of the so-called traditions that current BGLO members swear by are foreign to them, or barely recognizable.

Exactly!

Per the "stepping" tradition, one (the strongest?) formative influence on this BGLO tradition is barely ever mentioned:the military. To this day, the "step show" at Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclaves (national conventions) is called the Marchdown. This goes back to the fact that what is generally referred to today as stepping is grounded in military marching and drill routines.I think this is especially true still for the Ques in many respects.

Thank you! Marchdown that is the term I have been wracking my brain to remember. Yes, the Ques did Marchdowns in my day!

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I agree.

That's the only influence I talk about the most. I see African roots but the military roots of stepping (and "pledging") are what stick out to me.

Right. I always considered the past way of pledging to be based on boot camp--preparing you physically and mentally. But most of the stuff that got added on was just ridiculous.