Fraternities use step to mix races

ykimber · #1 03-19-2004, 11:44 PM

This event occured at Purdue. I thought it was interesting so I am going to share, enjoy!

STOMPIN' IN MY AIR FORCE ONES: Members of Kappa Alpha Theta and Theta Chi perform at the Alpha Phi Alpha Step Challenge Wednesday night in Loeb Playhouse. The group received third place while members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Gamma Delta took home first place.

Fraternities use step to mix races

You know white boys can't dance," said one member of Phi Gamma Delta as he gave his performance, but Wednesday night that statement was proven wrong.

For the first time, three black Greek organizations and eight predominantly white Greek organizations came together to put on a step show in Loeb Playhouse.

To read the full story click here!

TonyB06 · #2 03-20-2004, 09:21 AM

this is coolness. Glad to see the Purdue bruhs leading the way.

CrimsonTide4 · #3 03-20-2004, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ykimber
For the first time, three black Greek organizations and eight predominantly white Greek organizations came together to put on a step show in Loeb Playhouse.

The show, the first of its kind in more than 10 years, featured four groups of white Greek organizations — Kappa Alpha Theta with Theta Chi, Kappa Kappa Gamma with Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Nu and Phi Kappa Alpha with Alpha Phi.

Each group had an exclusive set of dance moves taught to them by Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma.

perhaps cheering the loudest for a trio of Phi Gamma Alpha brothers who swayed their hips and clapped in a miniature performance all their own.

Thanks Ykimber for sharing.

Kudos to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma. I'm

as to who the 3rd Black Greek org was. I read twice to make sure I did not miss anything.

Cool idea.

starang21 · #4 03-20-2004, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Thanks Ykimber for sharing.

Kudos to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma. I'm as to who the 3rd Black Greek org was. I read twice to make sure I did not miss anything.

Cool idea.

it was the zetas, i went to the first one last year when i was still there.

CrimsonTide4 · #5 03-20-2004, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by starang21
it was the zetas, i went to the first one last year when i was still there.

Cool. Thanks.

starang21 · #6 03-20-2004, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Cool. Thanks.

whoops...now that i think about it, it was akas. this year, your soror's team won it.

CrimsonTide4 · #7 03-20-2004, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by starang21
whoops...now that i think about it, it was akas. this year, your soror's team won it.

Booooo.

just teasing. Thanks for the update.

DigitalAngel126 · #8 03-21-2004, 01:51 PM

DEFINATELY something I would like to have seen...

SKEEphistAKAte · #9 03-21-2004, 11:05 PM

This doesn't sit well with me. Maybe I'm just stingy with my "culture"...or just a product of FAMU's psychology department.

Jill1228 · #10 03-21-2004, 11:06 PM

CO-Sign!

Quote:

Originally posted by DigitalAngel126
DEFINATELY something I would like to have seen...

ykimber · #11 03-21-2004, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Thanks Ykimber for sharing.

Kudos to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma. I'm as to who the 3rd Black Greek org was. I read twice to make sure I did not miss anything.

Cool idea.

No Problem!

abaici · #12 03-22-2004, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
This doesn't sit well with me. Maybe I'm just stingy with my "culture"...or just a product of FAMU's psychology department.

You have a valid point. But, stepping is one thing that white (for lack of a better term at the moment) greeks associate with the D9. Although, it's only a small part of what we are about. However, it's important that we try to better understand one another. If stepping allows us to do that, I say go for it. It's not like they are imitating or stealing anything. They are being taught why it's significant to us...and having a little fun at the same time. I have to give the chapters at Purdue props for trying to foster unity.

SKEEphistAKAte · #13 03-22-2004, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by abaici
You have a valid point. But, stepping is one thing that white (for lack of a better term at the moment) greeks associate with the D9. Although, it's only a small part of what we are about. However, it's important that we try to better understand one another. If stepping allows us to do that, I say go for it. It's not like they are imitating or stealing anything. They are being taught why it's significant to us...and having a little fun at the same time. I have to give the chapters at Purdue props for trying to foster unity.

I disagree with it. Yes, stepping is what they associate with us, so why not go beyond stepping and show them the other things that we are about? I just don't see why we have to gift wrap our culture and hand it to them on a silver platter in order to have them "understand" us better. If necessary, we can tell them why it is "significant to us" without teaching it to them or giving them (proverbial) "permission" to use it. I figured that a time would come when white orgs would throw hand signs, step, do calls and all of that, it just peeves me that we feel the need to hand those things over to them just because they ask for it. But, like I said, I'm a product of the FAMU School of Psychology, so I guess I am ultra-sensitive when it comes to these things.

DIVA1177 · #14 03-22-2004, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
I disagree with it. Yes, stepping is what they associate with us, so why not go beyond stepping and show them the other things that we are about? I just don't see why we have to gift wrap our culture and hand it to them on a silver platter in order to have them "understand" us better. If necessary, we can tell them why it is "significant to us" without teaching it to them or giving them (proverbial) "permission" to use it. I figured that a time would come when white orgs would throw hand signs, step, do calls and all of that, it just peeves me that we feel the need to hand those things over to them just because they ask for it. But, like I said, I'm a product of the FAMU School of Psychology, so I guess I am ultra-sensitive when it comes to these things.

I agree with you but I understand what the greeks on that campus were trying to accomplish. It was upsetting to me to see, on national TV, a WGLO stepping(it was on HGtv or the Food Network). I think it is cool if it is used to foster some understanding between the races. I have beef with it when the WGLOs and LGLOs just go renegade with it and do it out of some sort of 'Oh that looks cool' and do not take the time to know the orgins of stepping.

Greekgrrl · #15 03-22-2004, 04:31 PM

I think this is a really great show of teamwork between the NPHC and HWGLO groups. I'm glad their routines were specifically taught to them by the Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma men so that they (the non-NPHC Greeks) weren't just aping what they've seen at step shows. Hopefully it was eye-opening and respectful on both ends. A round of applause for the organizers of this event.

I went to a predominantly black grade school and we always stepped on the playground (although I had no idea it had a name or a greater significance, mostly because, hey, it's grade school) and I've got nothing but respect for the organizations that step proudly and with a good grasp of historical and cultural significance... maybe some folks can come do this in my neighborhood and I'll get a chance to participate!

(And I have to say my Theta sisters are looking pretty fab there!)

~ Greekgrrl