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

[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.

[dreamseeker]

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.

tl;dr. i honestly don't care if ure racist or not. and you care too much what people think too. it's a message board.

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

"Po' lil Tink Tink."

after the comments you made abt the killer whale and this, i think i hate you.
ctfu

[als463]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

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.

What the hell does "Po' lil Tink Tink" even mean? What a stupid thing to say. I have no idea who you are or what you think you know about me. Saying that they shouldn't have won makes YOU seem a little childish. Oh, and if you're going to come on here and make comments (or at least attempt to insult me) please say something that makes sense to people OTHER THAN YOU.

[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.

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

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.

You may disagree with what I have to say, but I just didn't want people on here to think I'm this horrible person that is a racist. I made a comment a while back regarding some girl asking about being heavy set and joining a sorority and people got up in arms thinking I hate heavy set people. I just felt the need to put that disclaimer in because I don't need people thinking, "Gee, that als463 must be a hater!" I'm not. I just think that it is great the Zetas won an award that many people didn't think they would get.

Disclaimer: I don't hate minorities (I am one) and I don't have an issue with heavy-set people (I have many heavy-set family members).

[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]

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by als463

I know you think you're someone special, but you're not. .

The last time someone told me that, we were on the playground at recess.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Several parts of this post show that you have no idea what you're talking about.

I told her to stop, but she didn't want to listen.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

That entertainingly brings us full circle and I'm sure I'm not the only person who notices that and is amused.

You are most certainly not!

[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.