NPHC Greeks - how do you feel about this?

[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.

[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.

[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!