Local/Regional "Greek Letter Organizations"

[ChaosDST]

I saw a dude with the Greek letters "Omega Psi Beta" on a jersey...and it was apparently bought that way b/c it was an clothing line that made disc jockey-related clothing, or something. It was meant as a joke and a mockery...I told him be careful b/c some folks would miss the "Beta," and see "Omega Psi," assuming "Phi" was the last letter.

CHAOS

[QTPiLady]

Originally posted by Big Deuce
Redd, are you referring to Southern?

...and of course, the homemade "non-greek" groups(U Phi U and QTPi).

I wanted to bring this back up to get a renewed opinion. Both of these organizations are now active on several campuses, serving the community and promoting sisterhood and brotherhood.

I don't feel that we are trying to be "GREEK", because several members (almost all) go on to pledge other organizations and still remain very active in the other. It also brings about unity because the Social organizations and Social Service Organizations

[GroovePhi62]

To put all of the self proclaimed Negros to rest and trying to diss my Fellowship, I just had to respond. Number One to give you some brief History on my beloved Organization, We were founded October 12th 1962 at Morgan State College(Now University) by Fellowmen Glenn Brown, Raymond Clark, John Conquest, Walter Goodwin, Bary Hampton, James Hill, Charles Johnson, Nathaniel Monroe, David Nesbitt, Nathaniel Parham, Sr. Harry Payne(Deceased) Barry Simms, Robert Simpson, Woodrow Williams.Fourteen Brothers whom had the vision and determination to see a different path and walk it....
Believe me unlike other orgs. It's truly So Hard, So Hard to be a Man Of Groove Phi!!!
And to the chick whom was talking about our OLA!! Sisters of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. , est. 1969 believe me all of those sisters have the loyalty, and integrity and strength to put every sorority out there to shame. Big Numbers does not always mean a great Organization. Believe me we ain't out begging no one to join our organizations, people seek out and look for us. If someone decides to pledge another org. that's their own damn business, they're the ones whom have to sleep at night in their own damn bed. I know brothers that pledged one org. tried to change the name of it then when that didn't happen pledged the other one because they had better colors...Your organization is what YOU make not the 10% percent of those working to making the organization better. And to call any of those haters out Are you even financial(wearing perry doesn't make you financial), what have you done as a "Black Greek" in you community personally to uplift the race, Did yo ass even vote in this past election!!(excuse me for going ghetto). And unlike the D9 where you are bound to fall if one falls we always shine because WE ARE INDEPENDENT. We stand on our own two feet and rest on no ones laurels. We have not been begging from day one to be with the "Big 8 or D9" because we don't want to. but to close here are some tidbits of info from our National website where one can freely look at the pics and you draw your own conclusions on what constitutes a "REAl" Organization. 100% Black 0% Greek- Why? Because we like being Black...Period!

Taken from the national website- Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc.

What do the letters mean?
The "G" (Groove not Gamma)
During the 1960's, the word "groove" was popular among young Blacks. Websters dictionary defines the verb groove as "to perform deftly or smoothly." As a noun, groove is defined as "a fixed routine in the affairs of life." Hence to go "against the groove" means to work in opposition to the current establishment. Finally, "Groovin'" was also associated with "socializing" or "fellowshipping". All three of these descriptions combine to form the basic essence of our Social Fellowship.

The "Phi"
In "Secrets of the Great Egyptians", Peter Thompkins tells us that the Khemit people of Africa (Ancient Egyptians) originated "Phi" as a symbol of the creative function of the male reproductive system and more loosely as "reproduction in endless series". It was a symbolic representation of "the fire of life". This symbol of fertility was adopted in our name to stand for our continual growth and development. Our Phi should in no way be confused with the greek symbol Phi, which takes on the same look but a totally different meaning.

Keeping in step with the reawakening of what has been termed, Black Consciousness, our 14 founders incorporated the prominent cultural and nationalistic ideologies and creeds of the Black Power Movement into an organization that was envisioned and is manifested as a positive alternative to the current fraternal establishment and not an antagonistic organization to the established Black fraternal system or as another Black fraternity without Greek nomenclature

At present, the Fellowship has more than 35,000 members, and more than 150 affiliate graduate and undergraduate chapters throughout the United States and London, England. The membership includes a wide-range of backgrounds and occupations, including but not limited to, accounting, engineering, government, medicine, law, information technology, business entrepreneurs, professional athletes, education, skilled crafts, human resources, real estate, protective services, clergy, and the armed forces.

The Fellowship's governing structure center's around the National Conclave, which convenes annually to review and approve major business. Between Conclaves the Executive Board of Directors ensures that major business is properly executed through the Fellowship's administrative officers known as the Directorate Staff. The Fellowship's overall structure is ranked-ordered as follows:
The Conclave
The Executive Board of Directors
The Directorate Staff
Regional Offices
Chapters
Individual Members

Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc.,
G PHI G, and The Groove Fund, Inc. are registered with the United States Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(7) and 501(c)(3) tax exempt entities, respectively, while both have articles of incorporation on file with The State of New Jersey. In addition, the Fellowship's name, letters and emblem are registered with the United States Patent & Trademark Office.

[Sexy Mocha]

Hello Mr. GroovePhi62 ,

My initial reaction to your post was going to be: WTF?????
Then.... I was like Naw....I'm not even going to say that isht.

I'll just do this

-SM

[1savvydiva]

Originally posted by GroovePhi62
[B]And to the chick whom was talking about our OLA!! Sisters of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. , est. 1969 believe me all of those sisters have the loyalty, and integrity and strength to put every sorority out there to shame.

If someone decides to pledge another org. that's their own damn business, they're the ones whom have to sleep at night in their own damn bed

And to call any of those haters out Are you even financial(wearing perry doesn't make you financial), what have you done as a "Black Greek" in you community personally to uplift the race, Did yo ass even vote in this past election!!(excuse me for going ghetto

HC you so angry GroovePhi???

Nobody was attacking you PERSONALLY!!!

HC she has to be a chick (pointNclick)...can you respect her as a LADY and address her as such, as she meant no disrespect...and I sensed none from her post?

It is all good to have pride in your 'fellowship' or organization, or whatever you like to be called...but your immature, disrespectful attitude is EXHIBIT #1 in the case against you...it's exactly what some of the BGLO members were talking about...

Dang...brother used the mad smilie and everything!

[QTPiLady]

I am really sorry I brought this up. I just wanted some FRIENDLY criticism or positive feedback, I didn't expect angryman (groovephi...) to be so hostile.

[Eirene_DGP]

First of all, I think there was a HUGE misunderstanding with this thread from the outside looking in. Reddnhot2020, you used the wrong terminology to phrase your question. I think the original question was how people feel about made up groups that have greek lettering, not how people feel about local and regional greek orgs because they are not the same thing. Local and regional greeks are REAL greek organizations that are not affiliated with NPHC, NIC, IFC, or NPC. They have nothing to do with the baseball, basketball or some of the other examples people listed. I can see how Groovephi might have taken offense to people saying that regional/local groups aren't real but the topic here had nothing to do with the actual greek organizations.

[librasoul22]

Originally posted by Sexy Mocha
Hello Mr. GroovePhi62 ,

My initial reaction to your post was going to be: WTF?????
Then.... I was like Naw....I'm not even going to say that isht.

I'll just do this

-SM

LOL!!!

What I have never understood about groove phi groove is how they are so adamant about distancing themselves from bglos...yet they have adopted the very same characteristics of bglo's, i.e. line names, crossing jackets, and much more. wth?

[GroovePhi62]

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

[DOVE1920]

Originally posted by GroovePhi62

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.

[/B] [/B]

"It is from these great and ancient sarced and secret societies that the modern African-lettered fraternities and sororities were founded. Like George GM James stated of Greek philosophy, the Greek letters used by Black fraternities and sororities is a misnomer. For though the letters used were Greek, the founders of these organizations understood well their African lineage and origins. Thus the letters masked an even deeper meaning rooted in Africa itself."
(taken from http://www.tulane.edu/~rhoiota/roots.html)

[harbren2]

Peace and Blessings to all:

As a member of Groove Phi Groove, SFI, I salute the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha for your many years of hard work and dedication to the community. I've been a Groove since 1974 and I have enjoyed every moment of my membership. However, like my brother Mr. Wizard, I take issue with Groove being refered to as a local organization. I've had the opportunity to do some globe trotting and have found my Fellowmen in various parts of the world. Not to mention chapters throughout the USA, Canada, Great Britain and the Carribean.

I invite those of you unfamiliar with Groove and Swing to visit our respective websites and learn more about us. Over the years I've come to the realization that people are passionate about the Fraternity / Sorrority affiliations. So from where I sit, hey if you wana be greek so be it. If being non greek floats your boat, that's fine too. Here in Detroit, our graduate chapter has joined various organizations in the community service efforts because it's important that we support one another. Sure many people upon hearing about something new have their misgivings and I accept that. But I'm reminded of the bible passage in the book of Luke which states "let your light so shine that men will see your good works".

As for me, my plan is to go on loviing and embracing all people of African decent regardless of what organization they are a member of. Finally, if you have an opportunity to take part in a Groove or Swing event, come on in the water is fine. I'm sure you'll fine we're just like you. We have families we want to provide for, careers we want to advance in, mortgages we have to pay and God whom we love to serve.

Peace & Blessings,
Motor City Groover

[AXEgirl]

Originally posted by Rain Man
Well, to put a new twist, how about a black non-NPHC fraternity that is however part of NIC? (Ex. Phi Eta Psi Fraternity, founded in 1965 at one of the Michigan universities. They have about 22 chapters, in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio). They are not part of NPHC but I was kinda surprised that they were members of NIC. But then again, Iota was part of NIC before they became NPHC, so that may not be as much of an issue.

Anyway, when I attended Central State, there was actually a fraternity called Players, Inc founded in 1973 and their "letters" was P$I. Their colors was green and gold and their call was P-SIII! I ought to know, cause my dorm room was next to a P$I and he had a green and gold banner on his wall.

There was also a card-playing frat called The Syndicate (letters being SYND). Go figure....

One other frat that was on my campus that I wonder if anyone here has heard of and that was called Delta Psi Chi. Their colors were maroon and gold and from what I know they was founded in Milwaukee in 1985.

Just my two cents...

RM

I have a friend that is from Milwaukee that is a member of Delta Psi Chi. He attends UW-Whitewater. From what I hear, they're getting pretty deep in Wisconsin...

[pretty edAKAted]

Ya'll at a family gathering recently, my 2 of my cousins showed up in some greek tshirts so i thought, until i started to approach them and see what was up, their shirts said B phi W, I was like what is that one said "Bud Fi" the other said "weiser" I was like What are you serious? they showed me their call and hand sign, I was like ya'll are cRaZy!! They told me they have meetings, interest forms and they actually have a MIP with line names.

I asked other people on their campus had they ever heard of this and they all said yeah!! like it was very common, there is actually alot of them.... everytime i see them with their "PARA" on I can't help but to laugh!

[Choo-ChooAKA]

I could really care less what organizations people choose to join. Why should it bother me what letters other people wear on their chest. I am not the arbiter of what is "real" and what isn't "real." People join whatever they choose to join for their own reasons.

Most of the time I don't even notice what letters other people are wearing; I'm just sooo happy that I'm A-K-A that it's hard for me to see past my pink and green glow.

[lovespink88]

Hey 2003! That was the funnest summer of my high school days....