Sprite Step-Off Update: ZTA and AKA to share 1st place

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I'm pretty sure your comments are appropriate for some argument related to the topic of Black culture today but IMHO your comments here just do not fit this discussion. I try to look at things from all sides whether I agree with things or not but I think you are so far on one side and so unwilling to see other sides, that you can't recognize when valid and legitimate points are made on other sides, points that have nothing to do with anyone playing the victim.

Again, while I understand the whole "victim" argument, it is not appropriate in this discussion. We can certainly be concerned about the issues we're raising, disagree with you, and not be playing the victim.

Then why are we discussing why a black GLO lost a stepshow (the basis for your original question)? If what you say is true, what difference does it make? Why can't we be a good sport about it and keep it moving?

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by KAPital PHINUst

Then why are we discussing why a black GLO lost a stepshow (the basis for your original question)? If what you say is true, what difference does it make? Why can't we be a good sport about it and keep it moving?

You know, a person can get exhausted just talking to you. I am tired and do not wish to go back to the beginning. If you care to, go back and read the posts and find the one where we moved on from the stepshow to a larger issue/question that I posed about the Black community. You are still on the stepshow and I am no longer thinking about the stepshow. At this point you may also be tired so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Log off and come back again tomorrow when you can remember the main point of this discussion.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

You know, a person can get exhausted just talking to you. I am tired and do not wish to go back to the beginning. If you care to, go back and read the posts and find the one where we moved on from the stepshow to a larger issue/question that I posed about the Black community. You are still on the stepshow and I am no longer thinking about the stepshow. At this point you may also be tired so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Log off and come back again tomorrow when you can remember the main point of this discussion.

Smart move. Discussions with him always end up circular. They'll make you dizzy.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Log off and come back again tomorrow when you can remember the main point of this discussion.

I have a new signature! It applies in so many threads!

[xp2k]

Without regard to history, or culture or whatever, I'd say Zeta won it fair and square. Their routine "borrowed" heavily, but I have a hard time saying they werent entertaining. They were semi-emotionless robots, yes, but they did put a lot into their routine. Sprite should have just left it at that and this probably would have died down by now.

Sprite marketed this show to D9 orgs for participation, but surely they want as many people in the general public as possible to see this...and the general public doesnt care about which org traditionally does what...they just want tosee something exciting...and for 95% of the people who've never been to a step show before...the ZTA show was exciting...more so because they didnt think white girls could do it.

Sprite could care less about D9 history if its going to impede their marketing campaign...and thats one of the prices you pay when you lie down with corporations...they only see the $$$...

I loved the the AKA (Tau chapter) routine...but the most talked about move in their routine has been done by the IU Red Steppers for decades. Doesnt make AKA copycats.

Sprite messed it up this time, but it doesnt mean they cant do a better job next time. And they are giving away a lot of scholarship money.

D9 groups dont need the exposure...but until the final result of this competition, I'm sure most people enjoyed themselves.

I hope Sprite hosts another step show next year and I hope they invite everyone...black, white, asian, latino, martian...whatever...let everybody be involved, and make sure everyone is original.

I'm sure next year participants will up their game more. I know part of the problem this year was that Sprite didnt do a good job of letting people know the competition was going to happen. Some of the routines I saw that were at the regionals were hardly impressive.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by xp2k

Without regard to history, or culture or whatever, I'd say Zeta won it fair and square. Their routine "borrowed" heavily, but I have a hard time saying they werent entertaining. They were semi-emotionless robots, yes, but they did put a lot into their routine. Sprite should have just left it at that and this probably would have died down by now.

Sprite marketed this show to D9 orgs for participation, but surely they want as many people in the general public as possible to see this...and the general public doesnt care about which org traditionally does what...they just want tosee something exciting...and for 95% of the people who've never been to a step show before...the ZTA show was exciting...more so because they didnt think white girls could do it.

Sprite could care less about D9 history if its going to impede their marketing campaign...and thats one of the prices you pay when you lie down with corporations...they only see the $$$...

I loved the the AKA (Tau chapter) routine...but the most talked about move in their routine has been done by the IU Red Steppers for decades. Doesnt make AKA copycats.

Sprite messed it up this time, but it doesnt mean they cant do a better job next time. And they are giving away a lot of scholarship money.

D9 groups dont need the exposure...but until the final result of this competition, I'm sure most people enjoyed themselves.

I hope Sprite hosts another step show next year and I hope they invite everyone...black, white, asian, latino, martian...whatever...let everybody be involved, and make sure everyone is original.

I'm sure next year participants will up their game more. I know part of the problem this year was that Sprite didnt do a good job of letting people know the competition was going to happen. Some of the routines I saw that were at the regionals were hardly impressive.

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

[xp2k]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

of course they do if you take them out of context, for example:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

I said no such thing...

anyway:

I said Zeta won fair and square, as in they performed a routine and the judges voted it the best. As far as I know Zeta didnt bribe anyone...break another team's member's leg...or give someone food poisoning...

My point was that their show wasnt without flaws, but it was definitely competitive.

Plenty of performances in judged competitions WIN that arent perfect.

Ask anyone who's done figure skating, gymnastics, diving...even marching band...there's always that competition where someone wins with "ok" because they did ok very well rather than doing something new.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

No because that comment was within the context of "Without regard to history, or culture or whatever....."

It is later that the poster picked back up on the context and discussed the issues with the show and the accusation of borrowed steps.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by xp2k

of course they do if you take them out of context, for example:



I said no such thing...

I gotcha and, like you said, many of the viewers are oblivious to all of this and couldn't care less about the logistics and context.

Many people are still like "so what if the steps may've been borrowed and the routine may've been taught---they performed it and did quite well, flaws and all." I'd feel the same way if I didn't know all that goes into stepping and stepshows.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by xp2k

of course they do if you take them out of context, for example:



I said no such thing...

anyway:

I said Zeta won fair and square, as in they performed a routine and the judges voted it the best. As far as I know Zeta didnt bribe anyone...break another team's member's leg...or give someone food poisoning...

My point was that their show wasnt without flaws, but it was definitely competitive.

Plenty of performances in judged competitions WIN that arent perfect.

Ask anyone who's done figure skating, gymnastics, diving...even marching band...there's always that competition where someone wins with "ok" because they did ok very well rather than doing something new.

Yes, but that still doesnt explain how they scored well concerning creativity. If a show lacks craetivity, then I would argue that it was not "definitely competitive."

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

No because that comment was within the context of "Without regard to history, or culture or whatever....."

It is later that the poster picked back up on the context and discussed the issues with the show and the accusation of borrowed steps.

I could see that, but the creativity issue is not really just something that relates to culture, history, or "whatever." I really don't know of too many competitions (speaking outside of step shows now) where someone could use a performance created by someone else and still be considered competitive.

[BluPhire]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Yes, but that still doesnt explain how they scored well concerning creativity. If a show lacks craetivity, then I would argue that it was not "definitely competitive."

Because if you take the comments she made in the context of what she said,

Without regard to history, or culture or whatever, I'd say Zeta won it fair and square.

Then that answers your question.

Anything that is judged is at the discretion of the judges.

The step off was an attempt at mainstream corporate marketing judged by non-D9 individuals.

That's like me judging figure skating.

I can't tell you the difference between a triple axle and a double two loop whatever, but if they execute it without stumbling and they look better than the competition who used to do that routine, then guess what they win, regardless

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I find the turn of this discussion to assimilation and inclusiveness very interesting.

*warning, long rant*

While I did grow up under segregation, it was toward the end when attempts were made to integrate. Notice I did not say desegregate. IMO desegregation is the premise behind separate but equal. While integration plays itself out as together but unequal.

Desegregation would have meant the preservation of one's culture, yet with equal treatment and access to the greater society. We would be a delicious, colorful, healthy salad bowl, not a melting pot.

Integration is just another way to say "if you want what I have, then you must be just like me. But wait that is not entirely possible because your skin color will always be different. So we will just play along and throw you a few bones to keep you at bay."

Personally I always wanted desegregation, because I love being Black and all that entails--good and bad. Others wanted integration. Thus the contention.

In my job, the org (League of Women Voters Minneapolis) bemoans the fact that it can't seem to diversify its membership. But what I have seen is a lot of lip service (which I do think folx are sincere about,) but no real desire to put in the work to truly understand what other races need to be comfortable in the org. Why? Because it would take them out of their own comfort zone. That is where inclusiveness is failing in our society.

So no, I am not one to say WOW look how far we have come, considering the number of years it has taken. Because everyday I feel the frustration of how are we going to get where we really need to be. I do know it won't happen in my lifetime, regardless of the outcome of the last presidential election.

I'd like a delicious, colorful, healthy salad bowl.

[Prettyface08]

Originally Posted by als463

Oh, that's right. Yep, still don't care what you, KnightShadow or LatinaAlum think. I said what I thought. I think ZTA won an award and people need to get over it. I say, good for ZTA.

By beating a dead horse, this seems very childish. You don't like that an NPC won the award. Oh, well. They did. I'm very happy for them and think they deserved it. Hopefully next year, my sorority learns how to step as well as the ladies of Zeta, in order to be in the running for this award, as well.

I don't care what people think about this: Good for You ZTA!

You wouldn't win. You should probably stick to posting stupid stuff on message boards, in that, you are a winner.

[Prettyface08]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I find the turn of this discussion to assimilation and inclusiveness very interesting.

*warning, long rant*

While I did grow up under segregation, it was toward the end when attempts were made to integrate. Notice I did not say desegregate. IMO desegregation is the premise behind separate but equal. While integration plays itself out as together but unequal.

Desegregation would have meant the preservation of one's culture, yet with equal treatment and access to the greater society. We would be a delicious, colorful, healthy salad bowl, not a melting pot.

Integration is just another way to say "if you want what I have, then you must be just like me. But wait that is not entirely possible because your skin color will always be different. So we will just play along and throw you a few bones to keep you at bay."

Personally I always wanted desegregation, because I love being Black and all that entails--good and bad. Others wanted integration. Thus the contention.

In my job, the org (League of Women Voters Minneapolis) bemoans the fact that it can't seem to diversify its membership. But what I have seen is a lot of lip service (which I do think folx are sincere about,) but no real desire to put in the work to truly understand what other races need to be comfortable in the org. Why? Because it would take them out of their own comfort zone. That is where inclusiveness is failing in our society.

So no, I am not one to say WOW look how far we have come, considering the number of years it has taken. Because everyday I feel the frustration of how are we going to get where we really need to be. I do know it won't happen in my lifetime, regardless of the outcome of the last presidential election.

This is a really great post/message!