NPHC Greeks - how do you feel about this?

[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.

[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 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.