NPHC Traditions and Practices that annoy you

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I agree and even if they know what you're doing, should they always care? I don't even care most of the time and I've broken many a stroll.

The worst is years ago when I went to NPHC parties in areas with Bloods and Crips. The Bloods and Crips looked like Sigmas and Kappas. They did handsigns, "strolls," and so forth. Many fights began because people confused NPHCers with gang members or locals, etc.

This is messed up but it's not our problem. This is the very reason that some non-greeks associate our traditions with that of gangs but we shouldn't stop doing what we do because of them. Since the beginning, many clubs and organizations (greek and otherwise) have had handsigns, colors, and other traditions that these gangs are now copying.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

This is messed up but it's not our problem. This is the very reason that some non-greeks associate our traditions with that of gangs but we shouldn't stop doing what we do because of them. Since the beginning, many clubs and organizations (greek and otherwise) have had handsigns, colors, and other traditions that these gangs are now copying.

Um, BGLO hand signs are relatively new (compared to our beginnings--there were no handsigns (or calls) when I was initiated) In fact it would be a safe bet to say that gangs had them first.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Um, BGLO hand signs are relatively new (compared to our beginnings--there were no handsigns (or calls) when I was initiated) In fact it would be a safe bet to say that gangs had them first.

I'm not talking about BGLO's but rather American clubs/teams/organizations in general since the beginning of the fraternal movement. The bottom line is that the dynamics that go along with forming organizations and creating unity among members can be found in any organization, negative or positive. Even the KKK is a fraternity that shares similarities with other (more positive) fraternal organizations.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I'm not talking about BGLO's but rather American clubs/teams/organizations in general since the beginning of the fraternal movement. The bottom line is that the dynamics that go along with forming organizations and creating unity among members can be found in any organization, negative or positive. Even the KKK is a fraternity that shares similarities with other (more positive) fraternal organizations.

But your assertion is that gangs are doing the copying. Using your argument above you would have to include gangs from their beginnings also. Did you see the movie Gangs of New York? And of course you know about the Mafia.

Again though my point is you can't generalize--gangs had handsigns and calls before BGLOs. And some of the BGLO signs do resemble some gang signs.

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

And some of the BGLO signs do resemble some gang signs.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

But your assertion is that gangs are doing the copying. Using your argument above you would have to include gangs from their beginnings also. Did you see the movie Gangs of New York? And of course you know about the Mafia.

Again though my point is you can't generalize--gangs had handsigns and calls before BGLOs. And some of the BGLO signs do resemble some gang signs.

I actually wasn't too sure of what her assertion was.

I thought she was just another BGLOer who (in a nice way ) thought the sun should rise and shine on our behinds regardless of where we show up. Age and experience reminds us that many people (BGLOers and nonBGLOers) don't give a good darn about some of "our" often instrusive customs.

[TotallyWicked]

^^^This must be repeated! Living in Chicago which has a long history with gangs and has the second most chronic Gang Problem (LA is number 1), I knew I would have to be weary of where I wear my letter and where I throw up my sign (I think calls are very easy to designate a setting).

I really don't wear my letters or colors anywhere other than on campus, being that I have to travel through the gang dominated hoods and many gangs moving into my neighborhood...I remember waiting for the bus in this neighborhood called Oakland here on the South Side, wearing my letters and colors (I was a happy neo), and having dudes come up to me asking 'What you be about?', I'm learned on gangs but dunno why if didn't hit me that hey 'I shouldn't be wearing this stuff'.

I think we need to let folks know who may not be familiar with the gang lifestyle or who think people are willing to differentiate from a gang/fraternity that we must use discretion with out insignia, I really don't like having out of town folks from NYC or FL come here wearing their para which can be confused for gang gear laughing or dismissing advice Chicago natives give of "please put something over that" or "don't be throwing up that stuff here!"

Hell, my folks are just registering the fact that it's not a college gang!


Some crossover gang examples:
Alphas' "Phi" sign=Blood's "neighborhood" sign
Sigma Lambda Upsilon's "Sigma Lambda" sign (index fingers connected to one another with thumbs sticking out=Blood's 'Avenue" sign
Black and Gold=Gang Colors
Brown and Gold=Gang Colors
Black and Blue=Gang Colors
Red & White=Gang Colors (in my old neighborhood which houses a lot of mini gangs)

I'm sticking to pins from here on out

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

But your assertion is that gangs are doing the copying. Using your argument above you would have to include gangs from their beginnings also. Did you see the movie Gangs of New York? And of course you know about the Mafia.

Again though my point is you can't generalize--gangs had handsigns and calls before BGLOs. And some of the BGLO signs do resemble some gang signs.

What about the GLO's that came before us and other clubs/organizations? So by no means am I saying that BGLO's came up with these expressions. I think these things can be found among many different orgs/clubs in the U.S. and around the world. What about the Black community and the peace sign? What about the Black Panthers throwing up the Black fist? The point is that handsigns/symbols can be found among all kinds of clubs and organizations. The gangs copied from others and so did we...doesn't matter who did so first. I just hate it when people try to act like it's gangs that invented them and we copied from them directly because I know that isn't true...gangs didn't invent them and we didn't copy from them.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

What about the GLO's that came before us and other clubs/organizations? So by no means am I saying that BGLO's came up with these expressions. I think these things can be found among many different orgs/clubs in the U.S. and around the world. What about the Black community and the peace sign? What about the Black Panthers throwing up the Black fist? The point is that handsigns/symbols can be found among all kinds of clubs and organizations. The gangs copied from others and so did we...doesn't matter who did so first. I just hate it when people try to act like it's gangs that invented them and we copied from them directly because I know that isn't true...gangs didn't invent them and we didn't copy from them.

Glad you have such first hand knowledge in this to be able to be so definitive in your statement.

And I don't get your analogies about the Black community and the peace sign and the Panthers and the fist

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Glad you have such first hand knowledge in this to be able to be so definitive in your statement.

And I don't get your analogies about the Black community and the peace sign and the Panthers and the fist

The point is that many groups have had handsigns/symbols in and outside of the U.S. Gangs don't own that expression. You are giving those thugs way too much credit. They learned how to be organized by watching others.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

This is messed up but it's not our problem. This is the very reason that some non-greeks associate our traditions with that of gangs but we shouldn't stop doing what we do because of them. Since the beginning, many clubs and organizations (greek and otherwise) have had handsigns, colors, and other traditions that these gangs are now copying.

It's actually everyone's problem.

You have to be familiar with every setting that you're in. I've seen locals and gang members fight BGLO members over strolls and other things. I know of BGLO members who have gotten shot because they were confused for someone else. It's not worth fighting or being killed over--wasn't worth it when I was an undergrad and certainly isn't worth it now. If the Bloods and Crips or other nonBGLOers have their thing, the BGLO members need to be aware of it and get out the way if necessary.


If BGLO members care so much to make a change somewhere, they should get involved with gang-oriented or other community service starting the following Monday.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

It's actually everyone's problem.

You have to be familiar with every setting that you're in. I've seen locals and gang members fight BGLO members over strolls and other things. I know of BGLO members who have gotten shot because they were confused for someone else. It's not worth fighting or being killed over--wasn't worth it when I was an undergrad and certainly isn't worth it now. If the Bloods and Crips or other nonBGLOers have their thing, the BGLO members need to be aware of it and get out the way if necessary.

If BGLO members care so much to make a change somewhere, they should get involved with gang-oriented or other community service starting the following Monday.

Okay, but according to your previous post, you were at an NPHC party. So are BGLO members not supposed to wear their colors and stroll at their own parties because of gang members that might be there? What members in gang infested areas should be examining is ways to make sure that gang members don't enter our parties. Having gang members at an NPHC party is not a good look and is a huge liability in regards to the safety of party goers.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Okay, but according to your previous post, you were at an NPHC party. So are BGLO members not supposed to wear their colors and stroll at their own parties because of gang members that might be there? What members in gang infested areas should be examining is ways to make sure that gang members don't enter our parties. Having gang members at an NPHC party is not a good look and is a huge liability in regards to the safety of party goers.

And that is when the fights begin, especially if the party is open to the general public.

[TotallyWicked]

well I think folks should do some research before trying to host a party in a gang infested neighborhood...couldn't hurt in the long run to avoid any major issues....even though I acknowledge fights can break out anywhere.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TotallyWicked

well I think folks should do some research before trying to host a party in a gang infested neighborhood...couldn't hurt in the long run to avoid any major issues....even though I acknowledge fights can break out anywhere.

I surely did not get the impressions that the parties were purposely held in gang infested neighborhoods. The thing is public parties are intended to attract just that--the public. Especially if they are a fundraiser, which many are.

Let's not be naive about gangs--they do travel. And you may not even know that you are letting mambers into a party until it is too late. And very honestly a party of any kind, anywhere is a magnet for gang face-offs. Heck here a U of MN football player was killed attending a public club by a gang member in downtown Mpls for no real reason. We have teens killed at bustops because they were mistaken for rival gang members.

This is no joke. And if anyone thinks all that needs to be done is some research on venues and how to keep them out of the parties, then they are very naive, or they do not live in an area with gang problems.

Oh and guess what? Some gang members do go to college and join BGLOs.