Perps of the Art of Stepping

[lovelyivy84]

So would you be offended at seeing a non-black chapter of your own org step?

Just wondering.

Originally posted by bro_strawter
I think it would be foolish to deny the fact that stepping was "embellished" by BGLO. I am a member of a caucasian founded fraternity, yet our chapter is all African American, as well as many other chapters within the fraternity. I never remembered anyone teaching me how to step. It was something that came naturally. Well, then again, I am a percussionist, so rhythms, syncopation, and timing comes quite naturally.

I agree that some things should stay within our culture. It's a shame that damn near EVERYTHING we compose, one way or another is ilfitrated by non African Americans. I'm not in shape, nor fashion racist. I just feel like "dang, can we keep anything for ourselves??" Though we have additional Independent Greek Fraternities on our campus, we are the only ones who actually step, and win at that. I've personally composed step shows for several fraternities and sororities at TSU, so I guess it's safe to say that we really don't have those problems about non-bglo's stepping. It's all good here. I've seen a few non African American teams perform, and let me be the first to tell you that it was the dreads of humanity. .........Well, then again, that "Unknown Sigma Step Team" came down here and rocked the auditorium. They're an exception though.....I guess.

[miss priss]

....that is the question. Look, I think it would be fair to say that stepping is an art form based on our culture. But the underlying factor is that the very African American art form which was denied for many years is now a "popular dance" which is undeniably not credited to us. Absolutely nothing is wrong with sharing dance stepping or whatever you want to call it. If I (a Black person)am in a predominately Caucasian or Latino sorority and I choose to step am I merely expressing my heritage or am I just glad I made it and having a good time with my friends/sorors? Did I acknowledge Mother Africa? Pour a libation? Do other BGLO's do ritualistic ceremonies before they step? Basically,no. But it does not mean that their is no symbolism. It's the principal of the thang! _GLO's can step till they are blue in the face but it is still a Black Thang for everyone. If Riverdance appeals to you,then learn it! If the Polka, toots your horn toot it! Noone can deny that these dances are not credited to these particular cultures. It just seems that our dances, steps, history,etc. are shunned and it is conveniently popular when the cigarette smoking man/woman says so....

[Senusret I]

At Georgetown, we used to have an annual multicultural step exhibition. . .ironic, because Georgetown has a ban on Greek Lettered Organizations.

At our shows, we knew that no matter the background of the step team, we knew that the purpose was to exercise our freedom to associate, and share the purposes of our organizations with the campus community. Stepping was the ONLY way that our administration would allow Greeks to operate on campus.

So, in my context, stepping was used as a form of resistance. . .it didn't matter the race of the stepper.

[markmywords]

I'm not Greek but I had to respond to this thread.

This thread tripped me out. I understand that African-Americans often don't get credit for our work, but does not help us any to return the discrimination.

If we all stayed within our cultures then there would be no BGLO's because the WGLO's were started first in the 1800s.

Secondly, stepping is not African-American, it is African in nature and is derived by AA people from the rituals of the mother continent. Do we pay enough homage to that?

Lastly, there are several things that we as AA people imitate from Caucasian folks, relaxers to straighten our hair, colored contacts, blonde hair, etc.

Instead of being mad we just have to be sure that non-Black people know the true history of stepping and recognize that we can share the ritual but will not let its origins be diluted.

[Eclipse]

How about we turn this question around. What have "we" as Affrican Americans "stolen" from other cultures?

What if the Greeks said you have no right to use the letters and symbols that you use because you do not have a deep enough understanding of the Greek language, culture, etc.?

What if Italians told Denyce Graves and Leontyne Price (sp?) they could not sing opera because they are not culturally aware enough? Do you think they should stop?

Should the Dance Theater of Harlem remove ballet from their shows and only do dances that are autentically and culturally African or African-American? While they are doing that should they make sure that their dancers have a certain percentange of African blood and the correct level of appreciation and reverence for the history of the dance?

Should Jose down at the local Mexican joint or Chang at the chop suey place on the corner give us a test on our knowledge of Mexican or Chinese culture before they allow us to buy their food?

I always find it amusing when we, as African American, want to talk about what belongs to us, without thinking about those parts of other cultures that we "borrow" on a regular basis with out thought. No one "stole" jazz from "us"--if anything, we opened the door and left it sitting on the back porch for any and everyone to take. The last few time I went to a blues or a jazz concert my husband and I were in the minority as black people--and both were in Atlanta! Was someone making all of the folks crying about "folks not respecting our culture" forced to stay away. Did the white establishment say "It belongs to us now, y'all can't come?"

Back to the orginal question, should non D-9 organizations step as one of the main features of their organization? My answer would be NO--No sorority or fraternity should have stepping as a main feature. If they want it to be a main feature they should start a dance troup. If they want to do it as a little "side item" then I say more power to 'em. If D-9ers want to make sure that the history of stepping is remember then it is up to them to promote that history, starting with insuring that the history is correct. I have heard several different theories about how stepping started and who started it.

Of course this is from someone who is not in a D9 or other sorority, so what do I know, right?

[TLAW]

The issue of other non-black organizations stealing stepping is one that has been well addressed in many mediums. I cannot agree more with Eclipse, though, because sometimes I believe we get carried away with "ownership", and forget culture is usually a grand transposition of social activities we do not own patents to.
Stepping is an artistic form of expression which a lot of historically black organizations take part in. Usually, if there is one characteristic the average Joe on the street can attribute to the D-9, it most probably would be stepping. Still, this is by no means the greatest asset of the D-9; the countless hours which are used to uplift our society is the greatest legacy of our organizations. Much as we'd love to think otherwise, the D-9 do not own patents on stepping. As much as I love to see a stepshow, you have not seen one until you've seen an original boot dance done in Africa. I understand the frustration when one sees a routine perfected by a particular org appropriated by another, but no matter what form of imitation, nobody in a nonblack GLO will ever stomp like an Omega, or twirl a cane like a Kappa. What BGLOs have is something unique, that cannot be touched by any organization, no matter how hard they try to "copy".
Now, for me, "stealing" is a strong term. What gives us the right to say culture has been stolen from us? Lest we forget, a lot of hispanic people have close ties to us ancestrally. Some have roots to Africa, from where we imported and developed the art form. In the strict sense of the word, we did not invent stepping; thus to accuse people of "stealing" almost borders on the preposterous. Eclipse used a set of seemingly simplistic arguments, and they make a lot of sense.
This is my attitude: Let them "borrow" the art form. Just let them. Latino people go through a lot of the stuff we do, and their using the art form is not the worst thing happening to the preservation of the great things the Divine Nine do, or the continuation of the programs that help black people and society in general.

[starang21]

Originally posted by Eclipse

Should Jose down at the local Mexican joint or Chang at the chop suey place on the corner give us a test on our knowledge of Mexican or Chinese culture before they allow us to buy their food?

this post cracks me up. i have yet to meet a chinese guy with the first name chang.

[bro_strawter]

Naw, I wouldn't be offended at all. I've actually witnessed a all white chapter attempt to line, stroll, hop, (or whatever you wanna call it) with us. I agree with most of the post here. As long as others know the history of stepping, and it's orgin, then it's fine by me. I think it would be quite interesting to see.

Originally posted by lovelyivy84
So would you be offended at seeing a non-black chapter of your own org step?

Just wondering.

[Bro. Jones]

Originally posted by bro_strawter
Though we have additional Independent Greek Fraternities on our campus, we are the only ones who actually step, and win at that

hmph....

seriously

i dont see why there would be a problem with independent greeks stepping. as long as it is acknowledged where the roots of stepping came from, then there should be no problem at all. like my bruh said before, we are in a whilte founded fraternity, but our chapter the all black. we perfrom at step shows and those we do not plan on performing in, we are invited. stepping should not be limited to just a race or certain group or organizations. it is an art form and should be treated as such. others should be able to learn this art form and not be hasssled with. as long as those people know where it was originated, everything should be fine.

[Black~n~Proud]

This comment is directed towards TLAW:

Yes, I do agree with some aspects of your post when you state that Latinos go through alot, discrimination and so forth in this country, as do African Americans. However, I have encountered many Latinos who get offended and become outraged when they are mistaken for African American. I have even been in situations where many Latinos, although they may be darker than the average African American, deny any type of affiliation with having African ancestry. I am very aware that there are ignorant members of every ethnic group, but my comment is that a great number of Latinos show such pride in their culture, and as a result of this great demonstration in culturalistic pride, whether those of domincian, puerto rican, colubian, argentian heritage, why not extend and display the aspects of your own culture, which they have plenty and various cultural, artistic dances in their own sororities and fraternities. Anyways, the bottom line is that the creation of their sorority or fraternity was established in order to distinguish themselves from D-9 sororities or fraternites, uplift their own communities, and expand "Latino/ Hispanic Pride." So why not take it a step further and truly distinguish yourself by being original and creating characteristics that are only distinctive to your organization.

Sincerely,
Black~n~Pride

[Bro. Jones]

*this is bro_strawter, not Bro. Jones, posting*

My bad. I forgot all about E Gamma I. We still the coolest frat on the yard. lol

Originally posted by Bro. Jones



hmph....

seriously

i dont see why there would be a problem with independent greeks stepping. as long as it is acknowledged where the roots of stepping came from, then there should be no problem at all. like my bruh said before, we are in a whilte founded fraternity, but our chapter the all black. we perfrom at step shows and those we do not plan on performing in, we are invited. stepping should not be limited to just a race or certain group or organizations. it is an art form and should be treated as such. others should be able to learn this art form and not be hasssled with. as long as those people know where it was originated, everything should be fine.

[TLAW]

Black~and~Proud:
I feel you on that, and I fully understand your sentiments. It is an interesting perspective that deserves thought.

[starang21]

did anyone see that mess on MTV last night at CAU?

[prophet]

As a member of the I.F.C, Phi Kappa Tau, and not in one of the five fraternities in the Divine Nine, my opinion may not go far with this question; however, as a black male I feel as if there is justification for my thoughts. I feel that anyone who wants to step should, because stepping is an African thing and any decedant has a right to it. Now in this day, though when we watch non-blacks do it, some may get mad rightfully so, but I ask if you don't ask them on their race, how do you know they are not blacks. I am mixed with Japanese and Black but look straight up Mexican, I know, WTF but hey, today their are so many mixtures we have to be careful not to disrespect.
-Prophet

[AKA2D '91]

http://sigep.utm.edu/scrapbook/album...teppin2005.wmv