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

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

When other racial and ethnic groupings (such as Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanics) talk about wanting to keep their traditions in house, people often say "that's great because you all have rich culture and traditions! It's great how you're able to contribute so greatly to our society and still maintain traditional ties!!!!!!"

In my experience, it's more like they tell us to "Take that -ish back to Mexico!" ORRRR they modify aspects of our culture to meet their own needs/interests/tastes (which can account for Taco Bell and "Cinco-de-Drinko" festivities, among other things).

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

In my experience, it's more like they tell us to "Take that -ish back to Mexico!" ORRRR they modify aspects of our culture to meet their own needs/interests/tastes (which can account for Taco Bell and "Cinco-de-Drinko" festivities, among other things).

Minnesota has Reservations, thus the NA culture is well preserved here. But these Reses are in rural Minnesota and when NA who live in the Twins try to replicate their culture here they are often met with disdain, UNLESS it is the token attempt to show diversity. For example when having an event a company, nonprofit, or school may invite NAs to conduct a pow wow, or perform native dances, etc.

Same with Hispanics/Latinos, S.E. Asians, etc. Funny though, they haven't asked AA to step. Maybe that will change now that Sprite has "discovered" it.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

In my experience, it's more like they tell us to "Take that -ish back to Mexico!" ORRRR they modify aspects of our culture to meet their own needs/interests/tastes (which can account for Taco Bell and "Cinco-de-Drinko" festivities, among other things).

Who are "THEY"? Do you mean white people; Anglos? FWIW I've heard blacks say take that -ish back to Mexico. Now speaking of cultural modifications, all I can say is welcome to modern life. It happens to all cultures here (which can account for Olive Garden and St. Patrick's Day festivities, among other things) but also worldwide. You can get tamales in China and sushi in Mexico these days (who-da thunk?).

Now for my view on Step-Gate- Personally I think its weird for ZTA to hire a AKA chapter to train them to compete in a step show BUT I believe that it CAN'T exclusively be a D9 thing anymore because of the pop culture mainstreaming of it in recent years. It's in the public domain, pop culture world now. I find it funny that a lot of people are ragging on ZTA when they should be railing against the AKA chapter that taught them the moves in the first place.

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Now for my view on Step-Gate- Personally I think its weird for ZTA to hire a AKA chapter to train them to compete in a step show BUT I believe that it CAN'T exclusively be a D9 thing anymore because of the pop culture mainstreaming of it in recent years. It's in the public domain, pop culture world now. I find it funny that a lot of people are ragging on ZTA when they should be railing against the AKA chapter that taught them the moves in the first place.

I think this point has been made before but this is the first time I've felt like it was well said.

I'm really on the fence about this issue, probably because I'm a Zeta, but still. Not being a member of BGLO, I can't say I understand the origins behind stepping, the unofficial rules, etc. However, since stepping is somewhat of a mainstream thing now, and in this particular competition there were very little rules (it seems that way anyway) and not judged by anyone in a BGLO, ZTA won fairly in terms of the rules set forth. But, I do agree with the statement brought up by another GCer on the ZTA thread that in light of all this discussion surrounding their win this year, they should make every effort to create an original routine and really bring it next year.

ETA: And for the record, I do not agree with Sprite's decision to have AKA share the title with ZTA, especially after so long after the competition concluded. If I were AKA, I'd be upset and not all that vindicated.

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

However, since stepping is somewhat of a mainstream thing now, and in this particular competition there were very little rules (it seems that way anyway) and not judged by anyone in a BGLO, ZTA won fairly in terms of the rules set forth.

There were plenty of rules, its more a question of how they were followed, and if the judges were aware of and qualified enough to "enforce" the rules. From the Qualifying Round Rules PDF (idk maybe all rules were thrown out for the finals, however)
http://www.spritestepoff.com/rules

Each Team’s performance is scored on the Sprite Step Off 100 point scale which is divided into four (4) different criteria:
Creativity - Performing new and innovative steps and utilizing a creative introduction and exit (23 points)
Show Theme - The overall storyline of the performance (23 points)
Execution - Carrying out precise rhythmic syncopation of beats (31 points) Showmanship - Overall manner of Team’s performance (23 points)

Based on this section alone, ZTA should have received a very low score for creativity, and unless the AKA chapter received HEAVY deductions across the board, loosing all or almost all of the creativity points wouldn't have allowed ZTA to win.

Plenty of BGLOers on her have commented on how un-innovative the theme, costumes, and steps were. The problem lies with the fact that the judges probably didn't know that because they were not qualified enough to assess that.

I think the ZTA women put on an excellent and entertaining performance, but I don't think the rules and judging criteria were followed. Is that their fault, no, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen either.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

There were plenty of rules, its more a question of how they were followed, and if the judges were aware of and qualified enough to "enforce" the rules. From the Qualifying Round Rules PDF (idk maybe all rules were thrown out for the finals, however)
http://www.spritestepoff.com/rules

Each Team’s performance is scored on the Sprite Step Off 100 point scale which is divided into four (4) different criteria:
Creativity - Performing new and innovative steps and utilizing a creative introduction and exit (23 points)
Show Theme - The overall storyline of the performance (23 points)
Execution - Carrying out precise rhythmic syncopation of beats (31 points) Showmanship - Overall manner of Team’s performance (23 points)

Based on this section alone, ZTA should have received a very low score for creativity, and unless the AKA chapter received HEAVY deductions across the board, loosing all or almost all of the creativity points wouldn't have allowed ZTA to win.

Plenty of BGLOers on her have commented on how un-innovative the theme, costumes, and steps were. The problem lies with the fact that the judges probably didn't know that because they were not qualified enough to assess that.

I think the ZTA women put on an excellent and entertaining performance, but I don't think the rules and judging criteria were followed. Is that their fault, no, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen either.

Let's just go ahead and quote this for posterity.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

I think this point has been made before but this is the first time I've felt like it was well said.

I'm really on the fence about this issue, probably because I'm a Zeta, but still. Not being a member of BGLO, I can't say I understand the origins behind stepping, the unofficial rules, etc. However, since stepping is somewhat of a mainstream thing now, and in this particular competition there were very little rules (it seems that way anyway) and not judged by anyone in a BGLO, ZTA won fairly in terms of the rules set forth. But, I do agree with the statement brought up by another GCer on the ZTA thread that in light of all this discussion surrounding their win this year, they should make every effort to create an original routine and really bring it next year.

ETA: And for the record, I do not agree with Sprite's decision to have AKA share the title with ZTA, especially after so long after the competition concluded. If I were AKA, I'd be upset and not all that vindicated.

Another person chiming in late without reading through the posts and without knowing much about the topic. As someone stated just a few posts back, there were very clear rules that were not followed. Sometimes it's best not to comment if you can't truly contribute to the discussion, especially if you are unwilling to do the research or at least read the previous posts.

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Another person chiming in late without reading through the posts and without knowing much about the topic. As someone stated just a few posts back, there were very clear rules that were not followed. Sometimes it's best not to comment if you can't truly contribute to the discussion, especially if you are unwilling to do the research or at least read the previous posts.

Ahem, I am not chiming in late. Have you not checked back in over on the ZTA forum in which I agreed with you...? And since when is an opinion not a contribution to a discussion? I've been on GC long enough to know when to chime in and when to just lurk and I've definitely had my share of time on both sides of that fence, thank you very much.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Who are "THEY"?

Those in the mainstream who like to concern themselves with various aspects of non-mainstream culture, and feel the need to respond to it in some way...and yes, a lot of white people fit that bill (but they are not the only ones).

Now speaking of cultural modifications, all I can say is welcome to modern life. It happens to all cultures here (which can account for Olive Garden and St. Patrick's Day festivities, among other things) but also worldwide.

LOL, really? So you're saying that we all need to just accept the way our cultural traditions have been twisted and in some cases obliterated to fit someone else's interests or needs? I guess your Pike bros at UCSD were just welcoming everyone to "modern life" when they promoted the "Compton Cookout" party as a way to "celebrate" Black History Month...

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

LOL, really? So you're saying that we all need to just accept the way our cultural traditions have been twisted and in some cases obliterated to fit someone else's interests or needs? I guess your Pike bros at UCSD were just welcoming everyone to "modern life" when they promoted the "Compton Cookout" party as a way to "celebrate" Black History Month...

You don't get it do you? It's been happening to every cultural group that's stepped foot on this land since colonization. It's how we came up with the term the melting pot. No one can twist or obliterate YOUR personal cultural practices, or change how you decide to practice them. You can choose to eat your abuelas flautas over going to Taco Bell, I can choose to celebrate St. Patricks day by going to mass rather than drinking myself stupid while wearing plastic shamrocks. What we can't change is how others choose to see our culture. Like I said earlier, these things have become part of pop culture America and as a result, out of our control.

I don't know the story about the UCSD Pikes so I'm not going to comment on that, but thats a whole different monster than what my post was about in the first place. Nice try though.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Who are "THEY"? Do you mean white people; Anglos? FWIW I've heard blacks say take that -ish back to Mexico. Now speaking of cultural modifications, all I can say is welcome to modern life. It happens to all cultures here (which can account for Olive Garden and St. Patrick's Day festivities, among other things) but also worldwide. You can get tamales in China and sushi in Mexico these days (who-da thunk?).

Now for my view on Step-Gate- Personally I think its weird for ZTA to hire a AKA chapter to train them to compete in a step show BUT I believe that it CAN'T exclusively be a D9 thing anymore because of the pop culture mainstreaming of it in recent years. It's in the public domain, pop culture world now. I find it funny that a lot of people are ragging on ZTA when they should be railing against the AKA chapter that taught them the moves in the first place.

ZTA didn't hire AKA to do anything. It's clear that you don't know enough about the situation to speak on it or enough about BGLO's and their stepping tradition so either read this thread from the beginning or don't comment. Sometimes it's best to be an observer.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Everyone knows this. No one was talking about only contributing to their own subculture or not being "fed" by the larger American culture. We're all learned adults who didn't get the bulk of our social norms and accomplishments from a shack located in the Black community.

I find it interesting that people often respond like you are when it is a Black people and white people discussion. When other racial and ethnic groupings (such as Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanics) talk about wanting to keep their traditions in house, people often say "that's great because you all have rich culture and traditions! It's great how you're able to contribute so greatly to our society and still maintain traditional ties!!!!!!" That undoubtedly has to do with differences in population sizes and the history of Blacks in America and Black-white racial dynamics.

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

In my experience, it's more like they tell us to "Take that -ish back to Mexico!" ORRRR they modify aspects of our culture to meet their own needs/interests/tastes (which can account for Taco Bell and "Cinco-de-Drinko" festivities, among other things).

Context is everything.