Sprite Step-Off Update: ZTA and AKA to share 1st place

[srmom]

If anyone is to blame it's Sprite and/or MTV and they are just trying now to save face although it's really too late. Many errors and wrong doings occurred during this event even in the regional competitions. My sorors for example, competed against other D9 sororities coming in last place in Chicago when it was obvious that they should've come in 1st or 2nd. Sprite then reviewed the scoring sheet and changed the decision and gave my sorors 2nd place, although some still believed they should've gotten 1st. Errors like this occurred throughout the entire competition from what I hear and everything was very disorganized. Scoring sheets were reviewed several times because of discrepancies. It became obvious to many that Sprite was really only interested in capitalizing on the popularity of the D9. Many also thought that this was only a D9 competition since the D9 was used mostly for advertising and promotion. Many members were shocked to learn eventually that the competition was not a D9 event.

If what you're saying in this paragraph is true, then the whole event, from regionals to nationals sounds like a bogus competition where Sprite/Coke is only worried about the marketing implications and covering their ass.

Perhaps the best solution would be to take the whole event away from this "corporate agenda driven" entity and put it back into the realm of college competitions where the judges would be collegiates with the proper credentials and knowledge of history of the dances/steps to make the correct judging decisions.

IMO, the controversy only underminds the legitimacy of the competition (just like in scoring at the Olympics)

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by srmom

If what you're saying in this paragraph is true, then the whole event, from regionals to nationals sounds like a bogus competition where Sprite/Coke is only worried about the marketing implications and covering their ass.

Perhaps the best solution would be to take the whole event away from this "corporate agenda driven" entity and put it back into the realm of college competitions where the judges would be collegiates with the proper credentials and knowledge of history of the dances/steps to make the correct judging decisions.

IMO, the controversy only underminds the legitimacy of the competition (just like in scoring at the Olympics)

In most cases, active alumnae members do the judging since collegiates are less likely to be completely honest, but I do agree that we need to keep it in house so we have more creative control, especially when we are used mostly for advertising and promotion. Also, getting the word out to all D9 chapters about the qualifying rounds of this competition could have been better planned which is why I believe many of the best teams around the country didn't even compete.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by srmom

IMO, the controversy only underminds the legitimacy of the competition (just like in scoring at the Olympics)

It was never legitimate as far as I was concerned. I don't like such mass productions based on media appeal and all that nonsense. Their "first ever" will hopefully never be an "annual."

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

LOL @ some of my bestfriends are _________.

I saw that, too.

Originally Posted by srmom

If what you're saying in this paragraph is true, then the whole event, from regionals to nationals sounds like a bogus competition where Sprite/Coke is only worried about the marketing implications and covering their ass.

Perhaps the best solution would be to take the whole event away from this "corporate agenda driven" entity and put it back into the realm of college competitions where the judges would be collegiates with the proper credentials and knowledge of history of the dances/steps to make the correct judging decisions.

IMO, the controversy only underminds the legitimacy of the competition (just like in scoring at the Olympics)

Corporate sponsorship is what makes most of these exhibition/competitions possible, like The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. And hell, without Tampax, we wouldn't have the national cheerleading competitions!

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I saw that, too.



Corporate sponsorship is what makes most of these exhibition/competitions possible, like The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. And hell, without Tampax, we wouldn't have the national cheerleading competitions!

She means that we should just keep it on the collegiate level where we have the most creative control. For years, most stepshows have been held on college campuses where mostly college students and those in the local community attended, sponsored and organized by the BGLO's. These huge productions like the Sprite Step-Off are only a recent phenomenon since the "Stomp the Yard" movie. These big companies could care less about the tradition and culture, just about making money of course.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

She means that we should just keep it on the collegiate level where we have the most creative control. For years, most stepshows have been held on college campuses where mostly college students and those in the local community attended, sponsored and organized by the BGLO's. These huge productions like the Sprite Step-Off are only a recent phenomenon since the "Stomp the Yard" movie. These big companies could care less about the tradition and culture, just about making money of course.

This was my thought from the beginning. I, obviously, have no expertise in stepping, but from an outsider looking in, it is apparent that Sprite was looking for publicity through controversy. They found it...and more than they were looking for, I think. I don't blame ZTA, they are in over their heads. They did the best they could and won for the novelty of it. I don't think that they realized that their actions would be seen as disrespectful. Sprite used them for publicity.

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

LOL @ some of my bestfriends are _________.

i can't believe she thought anyone would take her seriously while using that line. lmao

Originally Posted by agzg

It's reaching me and I still don't give a damn. I'm only here for the trainwrecks.

likewise.

[als463]

Originally Posted by dreamseeker

i can't believe she thought anyone would take her seriously while using that line. lmao

likewise.

Actually, I said that because I knew people would get all up in arms thinking that I hate other races or don't care about the D9 organizations. I was making a point that I would have a hard time putting down any of those organizations when I have friends in them. Just like, my cousin is a member of another NPC, and I would never say anything disparaging about them (or any other NPC for that matter). If that makes you laugh, that's great. Good for you. I don't really care what you think about my remark. It was said to make a point. I have friends of all different races (and I am Latino), so I don't want anyone trying to "peg" me as a racist.

I do think that the same people who keep saying that the ZTAs don't understand the roots of stepping or they didn't deserve to win are just making excuses. I feel like the people who say that this ISN'T about race are just lying to themselves. If another D9 organization did some of the same steps and won, maybe they'd get bitched about, but there wouldn't be as much of a stink about it, I don't feel. I think a lot of it has to do with some people feel cheated that this predominantly white organization won a competition that many feel they shouldn't have won.

Either way, I say "Congrats" to the women of ZTA. I also say "Congrats" to anyone who participated in the show. I've seen step-shows at our school and I always admired them. It is hard work and I respect that.

[I.A.S.K.]

Originally Posted by als463

Actually, I said that because I knew people would get all up in arms thinking that I hate other races or don't care about the D9 organizations.

I feel like the people who say that this ISN'T about race are just lying to themselves. If another D9 organization did some of the same steps and won, maybe they'd get bitched about, but there wouldn't be as much of a stink about it, I don't feel. I think a lot of it has to do with some people feel cheated that this predominantly white organization won a competition that many feel they shouldn't have won.

To the underlined point:
That is what makes your comment funny. It is in fact a bit funnier now that you've explained. It makes people want to day "Bless yo po' lil heart" or my personal favorite "Po' lil Tink Tink."

To the bolded points:
Your last point was correct. Many people felt that the predominantly white organization won a competition they shouldn't have won because they were corny and their show was not good enough to win.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by als463

Actually, I said that because I knew people would get all up in arms thinking that I hate other races or don't care about the D9 organizations.

1. Disclaimers make thou protesteth too much.
2. What would your comments have to do with hating other races or not caring about D9 organizations? It was only that serious because you made it that serious. I don't think you know what you're talking about, but that has nothing to do with assumptions of how you feel about other races and D9 organizations.

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by als463

Actually, I said that because I knew people would get all up in arms thinking that I hate other races or don't care about the D9 organizations. I was making a point that I would have a hard time putting down any of those organizations when I have friends in them. Just like, my cousin is a member of another NPC, and I would never say anything disparaging about them (or any other NPC for that matter). If that makes you laugh, that's great. Good for you. I don't really care what you think about my remark. It was said to make a point. I have friends of all different races (and I am Latino), so I don't want anyone trying to "peg" me as a racist.

I do think that the same people who keep saying that the ZTAs don't understand the roots of stepping or they didn't deserve to win are just making excuses. I feel like the people who say that this ISN'T about race are just lying to themselves. If another D9 organization did some of the same steps and won, maybe they'd get bitched about, but there wouldn't be as much of a stink about it, I don't feel. I think a lot of it has to do with some people feel cheated that this predominantly white organization won a competition that many feel they shouldn't have won.

Either way, I say "Congrats" to the women of ZTA. I also say "Congrats" to anyone who participated in the show. I've seen step-shows at our school and I always admired them. It is hard work and I respect that.

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K

To the bolded points:
Your last point was correct. Many people felt that the predominantly white organization won a competition they shouldn't have won because they were corny and their show was not good enough to win.

+1[911]

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

This was my thought from the beginning. I, obviously, have no expertise in stepping, but from an outsider looking in, it is apparent that Sprite was looking for publicity through controversy. They found it...and more than they were looking for, I think. I don't blame ZTA, they are in over their heads. They did the best they could and won for the novelty of it. I don't think that they realized that their actions would be seen as disrespectful. Sprite used them for publicity.

Interesting points, but I don't think it's really THAT deep.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

She means that we should just keep it on the collegiate level where we have the most creative control. For years, most stepshows have been held on college campuses where mostly college students and those in the local community attended, sponsored and organized by the BGLO's. These huge productions like the Sprite Step-Off are only a recent phenomenon since the "Stomp the Yard" movie. These big companies could care less about the tradition and culture, just about making money of course.

Let's not forget that some of the biggest step shows are alumni/alumnae sponsored.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Let's not forget that some of the biggest step shows are alumni/alumnae sponsored.

You beat me to it. I don't know who will disagree with me, but I honestly feel that the best annual step show in Atlanta is the All-Alumni Step Show sponsored by the Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Well organized, entertaining, and your $25 in advance ticket is going back into the chapters programs to help the young people and community.

I think I'll stick with shows and events affiliated with D9 orgs and/or local NPHC chapters, but not promoters or event planners that are D9 members. There is a difference.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

You beat me to it. I don't know who will disagree with me, but I honestly feel that the best annual step show in Atlanta is the All-Alumni Step Show sponsored by the Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Well organized, entertaining, and your $25 in advance ticket is going back into the chapters programs to help the young people and community.

I think I'll stick with shows and events affiliated with D9 orgs and/or local NPHC chapters, but not promoters or event planners that are D9 members. There is a difference.

Yep, that is one of the ones I was thinking about.