Stepping in a step show as exhibition

[JayBEE!]

IotaNet
I have a real problem with members of NPHC groups who place themselves on a pedestal of "Greek Superiority" when it comes to certain issues.

Tu-shay IotaNet! It is amazing how you can tell right off that a hater, is caught up. Caught up in only what they are familiar with. There is plenty in your post that I agree with.

The most amazing thing is your last statement. How we let certain issues divide us. And there are so many other things that are dividing us today. How can we survive when the element that is manifesting this division is ourselves. And we have larger issues.

It's okay if the Step Show is a NPHC-Only, Because at times they may need that, I can respect that. But there are times when a show can be put together with other GLOs
on the campus. One event that I've noticed is the Bayou Classic. They've attached a step show right before the battle of the bands of two HBCU schools. Grambling State University and Southern University. With prize money being donated from State Farm. I know good and well that there are other organizations on those campuses that step. What is wrong with allowing those groups to step in an event that is suppose to be representing both schools. Here the function is not even being contolled not by the NPHC, but by supporters of the NPHC.

But it is great to know that there are non-hating sensible members in the NPHC. That gives the community something to look forward to. It does much for your organization as well. Because it shows others that your organization produces well rounded individuals. Thanks for your post, IotaNet!


JayBEE!

Ay-Phi-Que
Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter
Alcorn State Unversity
Fall, October 18th 1980
President, Brothers of the Rising Sun, Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by JayBEE!:
No we do not want to be part of someone else's tradition. We have our own. That's right. Other groups have tradition. Not just NPHC groups. Dang! Sorry, to bring you up to date.

I'm so over somebody attempting to correct my organizations long standing stepping history. You can pinch yourself and squash that dream in a instance. I've entertained discussion on that lower level countless times. Time to move on. My issue of discussion is far past that. Some of you have answered my question, others are still on cloud "we own that". Historically several NPHC groups have invited us in competition. And I knew some of you did not know that. So that's why I came with exhibition. Whether or not you believe a step show has to have NPHC group represented is very irrelevant. Not a this issue of this thread. Dang!


[This message has been edited by JayBEE! (edited May 04, 2001).]

You wanted an honest answer to your stupid question and I told you how I truly felt!!! So now you are pissy because everybody knows you are a wannabe Historically, NPHC Black Greek??? Why does it hurt you so much that GC HBGLO's are telling you to stay outta of our lives? How can you assert your will on my Sorority? When is the last time you paid my dues? WTF, who the hell are you anyway?!?

And stepping traditions? Based on whose values systems? Where did you fathom your moves? Oh, you probably stole them from the Fraternities... I don't care if you were invited. The organizers probably were forced to invite you, gave you a consolation prize called 3rd place, or they felt sorry for your little group. Hate to break it down to you that way, but I have decided to stoop to your level of understanding...

You would really want to improve your reading comprehension skills because you have slandered my statements. You ignomy shows the lack of critical thinking skills required to hold an intelligent debate. In fact, you never wanted to debate this issue. All you want to do is step in big shows or have one, whatever. An Exhibition Step Show? Huh? WTF!!! You wannabe an exhibitionist and want HBGLO's to participate? And you wonder why some of us are pissed off about it???

If you are so crunchy old, why do you want to step so much with us? Hmmmmm, can your step with us without your walker? Why do you care? Isn't stepping just a college thing anyways? Yeah, some graduate CHAPTERS step--not GRADUATE MEMBERS!!! (Just want to make sure you can focus through those trifocals you are wearing). But they are not in big shows like "Step Correct" or "Long Beach".

Yes, step shows are big business. It is unfortunate that "we" still have to "tap dance" to make money. And really $25K-$50K is not a lot of money compared to all these "Walk for whatevers" and "5/10K runs" clearing $500K or more in 1-2 mornings... But you had better believe, the minute some HBGLO tries setting up a "Sickle Cell Walk", we would come into all kind of city permitting issues... Some events have already been affected. The Kappa Beach Party in Texas... The Biloxi Beach Party. Just go to http://www.BlackBeachWeek.com to find out why Freaknic was annhilated...

Too many double and triple standards going on with the main perpetrators of hate or their bought and paid for negroes who bitch and moan about why some of us don't like gentrification. Can you say "SELL-OUT". And tell me, do you rollerblade in GC often???

[This message has been edited by AKA_Monet (edited May 04, 2001).]

[prettypoodle6]

AKA_Monet, where are you from? You're making me feel bad!!! Half my team at LB Stepshow last year was grad (including myself!)

I'm grad, but I'm still OUT!!

Spring 96!

[Exquisite5]

Originally posted by JayBEE!:
What do you consider proper respect.

Proper respect, in my opinion, simply involves acknowledging the act's origins.

For example, at my school, Texas A&M University, NPHC hosts an event called Stompfest in which NPHC org. on campus is paired with a PHC Sorority and we teach them to step. Then the PHC Sororities compete at Stompfest. However, at the onset of the show, which draws thousands, an NPHC member speaks on the history of stepping and where it truly originated. No one will ever say that stepping started with PHC
Sororities. This to me is proper respect.

This is important to me becaue jazz, gospel music, and yes, even rock and roll, claim roots in African American heritage, but due to mainstreaming, without a history lesson most wouldn't know that now!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by prettypoodle6:
Half my team at LB Stepshow last year was grad (including myself!). I'm grad, but I'm still OUT!!

Spring 96!

That comment wasn't meant for any NPHC member to feel bad. Please accept my apology. I think you misintepreted me.

I know the "new 'old' school" members step. But, would you expect a GRADUATE CHAPTER to compete and win at the Long Beach Step Show? I wouldn't. And if my Grad Chapter applied, I would laugh!!! . Then I'd be pissed 'cuz I would know my "little" undergrads (my babies) may have not had the monies (application fee, costuming and props) to participate in the show... That ain't right not heppin' the undergrads...

As far as coming back--especially Spring, 1996-2000 stepping in their chapters or All Star Teams, I wasn't referring to those cases. And you still can be OUT will your line jacket on, too. But, really, a "Grad" being out like y'all? Okay...

When you are an old head like me, it's time for you to put away the jackets, massive nalia and shoes and let youth and vitality take up the cause... Major Step Show competition is a young person's thang... That is just one of the numerous fringe benefits when one joins an undergrad chapter... That is just the way it is. I didn't ask for it to be that way, but everybody knows that joining as an undergrad has its benefits, too...

I would watch my kids step. But I would NOT be trying to "show out" for competition with them. What would I look like? I would expect my sorors or any fellow NPHC sorority member to put me in the looney bin if I wanted to join an "All Star" team...

Stepping at your own conferences is a totally different issue to me, too. Grad Chapters against undergrads is fair game. However, the recognition may not well known...

That's all I'm sayin' Be OUT wit you bad self!!! You young! Shake yo thang, guirl!!!

And don' cha all little boys come OUT and do you thangs, 'cuz y'all will start givin' me hot flashes...

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by Exquisite5:

Soror, please email me at your earliest convenience...



[This message has been edited by AKA_Monet (edited May 04, 2001).]

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet:
You wanted an honest answer to your stupid question and I told you how I truly felt!!! So now you are pissy because everybody knows you are a wannabe Historically, NPHC Black Greek??? Why does it hurt you so much that GC HBGLO's are telling you to stay outta of our lives? How can you assert your will on my Sorority? When is the last time you paid my dues? WTF, who the hell are you anyway?!?

And stepping traditions? Based on whose values systems? Where did you fathom your moves? Oh, you probably stole them from the Fraternities... I don't care if you were invited. The organizers probably were forced to invite you, gave you a consolation prize called 3rd place, or they felt sorry for your little group. Hate to break it down to you that way, but I have decided to stoop to your level of understanding...

You would really want to improve your reading comprehension skills because you have slandered my statements. You ignomy shows the lack of critical thinking skills required to hold an intelligent debate. In fact, you never wanted to debate this issue. All you want to do is step in big shows or have one, whatever. An Exhibition Step Show? Huh? WTF!!! You wannabe an exhibitionist and want HBGLO's to participate? And you wonder why some of us are pissed off about it???

If you are so crunchy old, why do you want to step so much with us? Hmmmmm, can your step with us without your walker? Why do you care? Isn't stepping just a college thing anyways? Yeah, some graduate CHAPTERS step--not GRADUATE MEMBERS!!! (Just want to make sure you can focus through those trifocals you are wearing). But they are not in big shows like "Step Correct" or "Long Beach".

Yes, step shows are big business. It is unfortunate that "we" still have to "tap dance" to make money. And really $25K-$50K is not a lot of money compared to all these "Walk for whatevers" and "5/10K runs" clearing $500K or more in 1-2 mornings... But you had better believe, the minute some HBGLO tries setting up a "Sickle Cell Walk", we would come into all kind of city permitting issues... Some events have already been affected. The Kappa Beach Party in Texas... The Biloxi Beach Party. Just go to http://www.BlackBeachWeek.com to find out why Freaknic was annhilated...

Too many double and triple standards going on with the main perpetrators of hate or their bought and paid for negroes who bitch and moan about why some of us don't like gentrification. Can you say "SELL-OUT". And tell me, do you rollerblade in GC often???

[This message has been edited by AKA_Monet (edited May 04, 2001).]

You all just had to get my Soror started up...Didn't you! LOL

Love ya much, Soror!

[lovelyivy84]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet:
I know the "new 'old' school" members step. But, would you expect a GRADUATE CHAPTER to compete and win at the Long Beach Step Show? I wouldn't. And if my Grad Chapter applied, I would laugh!!! . Then I'd be pissed 'cuz I would know my "little" undergrads (my babies) may have not had the monies (application fee, costuming and props) to participate in the show... That ain't right not heppin' the undergrads...

All I can say Soror AKA_MONET is I wish you were on OUR local grad chapter, lol!

Money? From a grad chapter? No, really?

[MaMaBuddha]

Originally posted by IotaNet:

I am absolutely, unequivocally AGAINST stepshows and promoters who sponsor these shows, pocket tens of thousands of dollars, and then walk away with the money. I have seen quite a few of these shows over the years (some sponsored by people who are members of NPHC organizations ... ofttimes NON-FINANCIAL members, I might add) and it makes me sick!

These people promote these shows and make more money than you can imagine -- $25K, sometimes as much as $50K. They give a measly one or two thousand dollars in prize money and then call it a day. In the meantime, the causes and philanthropies that our organizations support go unsupported and unrecognized. That's pimping and we need to put a stop to it. The easiest way is for teams to ask UP FRONT where the money is going. If the organizations aren't happy with the distribution of proceeds, then we need to not participate. Period.


Now, regarding the first issue, "Should non-NPHC groups be allowed to perform in stepshows,my answer is, "It depends." I personally reject all this espousal of stepping as a "spiritual experience." The research I have seen indicates that stepping in BGLO's started as a form of ENTERTAINMENT and PR. It started in the 50's/60's with singing (or "serenading" as it was sometimes called) and progressed from there. Over time, it has evolved into the elaborate productions we have come to know and expect.

All this discussion of stepping having originated with "The African Boot Dance" is something I don't buy. I definitely realize that there are common origins in that people of African Descent all over the world have ALWAYS expressed ourselves in dance, song, and movement. Further, after the stepping (as we know it) became more popular and widespread, certain organizations (Phi Beta Sigma comes immediately to mind) made a special effort to learn of the way it was done in Africa and then incorporate those styles and rhythms into the American Collegiate idiom. The same thing occurred with the "Step Afrika" project that Alpha Phi Alpha (and I think Delta Sigma Theta) have been involved in. I think that is a wonderful and self-affirming thing for us as African-Americans to connect with our African roots. That has power and we should continue to do so.

What we should NOT do however, is pretend that stepping is something it isn't. We also should be honest about why we don't want Non-NPHC groups to step in our shows. I was a member of Iota Phi Theta (an obviously BLACK Fraternal Organization) for 16 years before we were admitted into the NPHC and you better believe that in more cases than not, we were NOT ALLOWED to perform in these shows. The reason was always "Well, you aren't in the NPHC, so you can't perform. Period. From the Philly Greek Picnic stepshow to the Freaknic step show, the response was always the same: "You aren't in the NPHC so you don't get to play in the reindeer games."

Since we have been in the NPHC, folks don't have a rationale to exclude us anymore so now we "get to play with the big boys," as it were. Don't think for a minute that we don't realize that a lot of folks still don't want us there but that's a moot point.

I have a real problem with members of NPHC groups who place themselves on a pedestal of "Greek Superiority" when it comes to certain issues. We get mad when KKPsi and APO step. We get mad with the Latino organizations have hand-signs and calls. We get mad at everybody but ourselves -- and we need to be mad. Mad about the rampant injuries from hazing. Mad about the lack of community service that some of us don't do. Mad that Black Greekdom no longer has the panache that it once did. That panache came from conducting ourselves and ladies and gentlemen who were "a cut above" and "beyond reproach." These days we get involved with all kinds of behaviors that would have our founders rolling in their graves.

We can restore this panache and prestige if we work on handling our business but being the arbiters of "who gets to step where and how" won't do anything but divide us.

and this is why IotaNet is the wizard of Greekchat...

i totally agree with everything the brother said.



------------------
MaMaBuddha

Devastating
Stimulating
Tantalizing
_________________________

Imaginer un métro rempli avec les anges tombés...

[JayBEE!]

[Quota]AKA_Tonet:
You wanted an honest answer to your stupid question and I told you how I truly felt!!!
[/Quota]

And you gave a stupid answer because you were stupid about understanding the question. If I was talking I would slap some ears on you like Mr. Potato Head. You don't get it.

[Quota]
Everybody knows you are a wannabe Historically, NPHC Black Greek???
[/Quota]

I gave you no indication of that. Your just blowing hot air. If I haven't joined a BGLO already, then I probably won't. But that doesn't mean I don't have love for them, and individuals within. Individually I'm a Black Service Greek, and I have much work to do. Your education is a service project of it's own.

[Quota]
Why does it hurt you so much that GC HBGLO's are telling you to stay outta of our lives?
[/Quota]

What life? All I see is some AKA coming on to my thread, my subject, and having trouble dealing with me. With all the other threads on here, you still come to me. That's cool. Didn't know my conversation was that much attractive to you. Keep coming. As long as you keep coming, I'll keep attempting to open your eyes. But you have to be a willing participant. We will only go in circles if you don't really want to be helped.

[Quota]
How can you assert your will on my Sorority? When is the last time you paid my dues? WTF, who the hell are you anyway?!?
[/Quota]

Dang! WTF did this statement come from? I'm doing nothing to Alpha Kappa Alpha. I didn't say anything negative about Alpha Kappa Alpha. Assert my will? Dang! I know that you are representative of the organization Alpha Kappa Alpha, (so you say). However when I type a sentence it is definitely not going to your whole entire organization. You can attempt to speak for the entire organization, but I seen AKA's speak better on the subject. Yep, there are more positive AKA's than you are! I'm just entertaining the thoughts coming out of your head!

[Quota]
And stepping traditions? Based on whose values systems? Where did you fathom your moves? Oh, you probably stole them from the Fraternities.
[/Quota]

There you go again, all up in the Kool-Aid, but don't know the flavor, and exhorting your classless-ness.
You need to grow up and stop yelling, "mine mine mine" when you see shiny objects.

[Quota]
I don't care if you were invited.
[/Quota]

Really? I think otherwise. You're proving all that right now.

[Quota]
The organizers probably were forced to invite you, gave you a consolation prize called 3rd place, or they felt sorry for your little group. Hate to break it down to you that way, but I have decided to stoop to your level of understanding.
[/Quota]

Let me tell you something. We've won countless of Step Shows from invitation, and we've broke it wide open! 1st place earned! If you are only 21, then we won step shows before you took a step! But, I think I'll just let you waddle in your (I have to wait until I see for myself) ignorance.

[Quota]
You ignomy shows the lack of critical thinking skills required to hold an intelligent debate. In fact, you never wanted to debate this issue.
[/Quota]

That's ignominy. And it's okay to use "your".

[Quota]
An Exhibition Step Show? Huh? WTF!!!
[/Quota]

And you're the one who showing it. Nobody said a…. (What did you say?)…. An Exhibition Step Show. What's that? I said, step in a show as exhibition. Dang!

[Quota]
The minute some HBGLO tries setting up a "Sickle Cell Walk", we would come into all kind of city permitting issues... Some events have already been affected.
[/Quota]


That's standard across the board. I'm in Atlanta, I know what the police did to Freaknic. Everybody's effected. But what's that got to do with anything. See your mad, but you don't know how to direct your anger. I think you just establish your own event and then regulate it. Or do a thorough investigation. Or do some breathing exercises. Whatever! Do something to break up all that hostility in you.

But the bottom line is. Back to home. You don't care if we step. We are going to continue to step. Some NHPC groups will invite us to step. And some thickheaded AKA (Sincerely not all AKA's are as Thickheaded will not, because there are plenty of them in GSS, and stepping for GSS as well). And we will have our own shows. And sometimes we will invite you and some times we will not. And all invitations will depend on the situation. That's my understanding. Thanks for the positive emails received.


------------------
JayBEE!

Ay-Phi-Que!
Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter
Alcorn State Unversity
Fall, October 18th 1980
President, Brothers of the Rising Sun, Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega
JayBEE's State Of Mind
The AyPhiQueGammaSig Family Homepage

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by JayBEE!:

And you gave a stupid answer because you were stupid about understanding the question. If I was talking I would slap some ears on you like Mr. Potato Head. You don't get it.

1st of all, are you married? And to what? Because if you are, do your treat your wife just like you are treating me? Is how you are speaking to me respectful toward any woman? Slap me? Is not that domestic violence? Are you threating me with bodily harm?

I gave you no indication of that. Your just blowing hot air. If I haven't joined a BGLO already, then I probably won't. But that doesn't mean I don't have love for them, and individuals within. Individually I'm a Black Service Greek, and I have much work to do. Your education is a service project of it's own.

Yes you did will all your conversations with everyone else on this topic. Aside from the physical harm you wish to inflict on me or for any woman that matter, you have demanded anyone for justification why a non NPHC GLO or for that matter a HPWGLO should be able to step in a show, exhibition or for competition. Really, why are you asking that question? Then you turn around and flame everyone for telling you their true feelings, until I come on-board. If you want to debate, then let's debate. But really, it seems that all you want to do is physically harm me when I have only just asked you questions...

What life? All I see is some AKA coming on to my thread, my subject, and having trouble dealing with me. With all the other threads on here, you still come to me. That's cool.

All you do is question my age and insult my whereabouts on a board in GC...

But, ummmm, yeah-- there are these highlighted words that are in color called "hyperlinks" which will allow you to
go to a window and use "search" functions on this Ultimate Bulletin Board GreekChat site. Maybe if you were computer literate enough you would have done your research. But one would not be able to really tell since your UBB code sucks...

As an lady of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, dealing with the impossible is my middle name. I advise the Mission Impossible undergraduate chapter!!! And honey, really, dealing with you... (Ha Ha) You aren't sure where to put it... Much less what it is used for... So now, deal with that...

Didn't know my conversation was that much attractive to you. Keep coming. As long as you keep coming, I'll keep attempting to open your eyes. But you have to be a willing participant. We will only go in circles if you don't really want to be helped.

Then "loop de loops" it is because as long as you insult me and hurl your evil slander into the Universe, you will eventually realize that your eyes have opened...

Dang! WTF did this statement come from? I'm doing nothing to Alpha Kappa Alpha. I didn't say anything negative about Alpha Kappa Alpha. Assert my will? Dang! I know that you are representative of the organization Alpha Kappa Alpha, (so you say). However when I type a sentence it is definitely not going to your whole entire organization. You can attempt to speak for the entire organization, but I seen AKA's speak better on the subject. Yep, there are more positive AKA's than you are! I'm just entertaining the thoughts coming out of your head!

You started it when you thought you had the balls to insult me. Then, you thought I would run and hide from you??? Haa! I have converted Klansmen on other boards!!! And yes, you are insulting my Sorority when you insult me. As far as my pearls go, worn them a significant amount of time and have walked with the "powers" within my Sorority. Apparently, you have not encountered lady like me. Oh WOW, you live in the ATL... Wow, Dirty-dirty Souf... Who-hoo--I'm all bent out of shape, totally dude! Wow...

There you go again, all up in the Kool-Aid, but don't know the flavor, and exhorting your classless-ness.
You need to grow up and stop yelling, "mine mine mine" when you see shiny objects.

If you are only 21, then we won step shows before you took a step! But, I think I'll just let you waddle in your (I have to wait until I see for myself) ignorance.

See your mad, but you don't know how to direct your anger. I think you just establish your own event and then regulate it. Or do a thorough investigation. Or do some breathing exercises. Whatever! Do something to break up all that hostility in you.

And some thickheaded AKA (Sincerely not all AKA's are as Thickheaded will not, because there are plenty of them in GSS, and stepping for GSS as well).

Okay, I make enough to have my own shiny objects. Shall I say it in your ghetto-fabulous language, ebonically speaking--"bling, bling"... And really, I have no need for excitement because I drink "Boidot" in Paris...

Well, I have been told that my body looks 21 years old...

But I have had to put childish things, like worrying if I should be "cool" with the NPHC or getting an invitation to step, away. I have moved way beyond wanting to relive my youth.

Now, my concern is working in my molecular genetics research consortium, finishing my project which may cure heart disease through gene therapy, and paying my mortgage. So, your ASS-umption shows who you really are...

And as far as getting "Thick head"--well, honey, it is too bad you are sooooo
mean to me... Not all fantasies and desires can be fulfilled... Sorry...

[JayBEE!]

Okay Okay, we've completely gotten off the subject. Let's talk:

So I'm guessing you never seen a Step Show other than that which was sponsored by a NHPC Group. Is that correct. Because California doesn't have very many black colleges. I'm not sure of any. I'm thinking that you are come that coast. If that's the case your unacceptance of our 20 plus years of stepping makes sense. Because just from logic, being in a predominately white organization and having been a stepping group since the beginning of stepping (50's 60's)


Let me give some links of photos of some step show history of my frat.

http://w3.one.net/~sdarden/apopics/frat1.jpg
http://APQGSS.tripod.com/ZZweek/ZZweek07.JPG
http://members.tripod.com/~CookoutWe.../2000cwo26.jpg


I've been married for 12 years.

I was not reverting to physical violence. I said slap on some ears like Mr. Potato Head.

I do not need validation to step. This is the point that I've been trying to convey, but it's not getting through to you. I've been stating like I have always questioned. When you have a contest letting not just us, any non-NPHC Group step in the show not in the show but as guest steppers, (I'm not going to say exhibition anymore). Now some of the other people on this board, I believe think that we would have a show and invite other NPHC groups just so we can make more money. I have to be directly honest with that when I say the making money objective was not an idea of mine. No, just merely squashing barriers. Because they exist. And there existence I have to say is due to not being aware of us. This is okay and understandable. Personally, I don't mind waiting. I expect several hundred of Alpha Phi Omega and Gamma Sigma Sigma at the our 9th Annual Cookout Weekend in Atlanta. I'll be talking photographs so you guys can see them. During that weekend we should have about 7 to 9 chapters stepping. No, the '25/'52 doesn't need validation. Because it exist in a family all it's own. This not isn't just for you AKA_monet. It's for anybody who doesn't know who we are. I think that our exchanges has been profitable. Profitable in that it's giving me a chance to highlight my organization and the element within. It doesn't matter who argees with it. The fact that we exist is all that matters. Small? Maybe as a family. But Alpha Phi Omega is the largest fraternity in the world. And Delta Sigma Theta is the largest sorority in the world. However that doesn't matter one bit. It's the people who makes the organization they represent.

So if you think that I've insulted your organization my insulting you then I apologize to your organization. I'm not even about that. I'm just carrying a flag. A flag that says "I'm in a fraternity that is meant to help young men." And yes we've made some modifications of the past. And yes it was accepted by our groups within our society. Belittle the act if you would like, it doesn't mean any to me. Because there is many individuals in this family. And they're lives are intertwine into it. So if there is a situation where the 25/52 family can represent, they will be available to those individuals that are opened to it. If not, such is life. We carry on.



------------------
JayBEE!

Ay-Phi-Que!
Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter
Alcorn State Unversity
Fall, October 18th 1980
President, Brothers of the Rising Sun, Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega
JayBEE's State Of Mind
The AyPhiQueGammaSig Family Homepage

[prettypoodle6]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet:

I know the "new 'old' school" members step. But, would you expect a GRADUATE CHAPTER to compete....

I guess that was just my conscience (sp?) kicking in! I KNOW I'm startin to get too old for this crap (i dont move as fast as i used to) - BUT I JUST CAN HELP IT!!!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by JayBEE!:
So I'm guessing you never seen a Step Show other than that which was sponsored by a NHPC Group.Is that correct

Yes and no. I stepped as a freshman in college... Each of our dorms competed against each other--for what prize, I dunno. But that was at least my first real exposure to "stepping". Then I saw all the NPHC groups step during my college years..

Now, if you do a search, you will find what school I attended and which chapter I pledge because I am very, very familiar with Atlanta, Georgia...

Because California doesn't have very many black colleges. I'm not sure of any. I'm thinking that you are come that coast. If that's the case your unacceptance of our 20 plus years of stepping makes sense. Because just from logic, being in a predominately white organization and having been a stepping group since the beginning of stepping (50's 60's)

I was born and reared in Southern California and not LA...

Besides that point both of my parents attended Fisk University. My Grandfather was the president of Bethune-Cookman College for 28 years... He died in 1994. My Grandmother still lives across the street from the school. My mom is from Georgia-near Marrietta. My father is from Florida. But I was so "fortunate" to be born and reared in SoCal.

Just to let you know the world is a huge place, most African Americans living in SoCal haven't even heard of Howard U., Morehouse much less Alcorn State... Only those kids whose parents were reared in the south know remotely anything regarding the "traditions" that many Southerner's hold so dear...

So out here on the west coast many of our young people first encounter any Greek Lettered system, and decide to Rush a HPWGLO--which is their right--it hurts those Afrikan amerikkklans that had to endure water hoses during Civil Rights while they were wearing their greek letters...

These kids, having made their choice, do not realize that when they get into the "working world" and the "corporate ladder" with a "glass ceiling"--and because I moved back to SoCal this same ceiling is "Hollywoodized"--they start coming back wanting to join our organizations--like, now, today, you choose to be Black...

So, because of my noble nature, I apologize to you since you have explained to me (and everyone) your situation. I misinterpreted your attitude and your organization. One word of advice, "pre-empt" folks more clearly as to what you are "all about", 'cuz a lotta of us ain't feeling you just like I did.

I do not need validation to step. This is the point that I've been trying to convey, but it's not getting through to you. I've been stating like I have always questioned. When you have a contest letting not just us, any non-NPHC Group step in the Now some of the other people on this board, I believe think that we would have a show and invite other NPHC groups just so we can make more money. I have to be directly honest with that when I say the making money objective was not an idea of mine. No, just merely squashing barriers. Because they exist. And there existence I have to say is due to not being aware of us. This is okay and understandable.

You've lost me... Are you saying that because there are numerous other non NPHC GLO's out there we should allow them to step as guests in a step show??? Or what does "squashing barriers" mean? Okay, isn't your organization about just "service", so if you wanted to join an NPHC group you still could? If that be the case about your organization, then are you also saying it is not social fraternity? Just asking.

I'm just carrying a flag. A flag that says "I'm in a fraternity that is meant to help young men." And yes we've made some modifications of the past. And yes it was accepted by our groups within our society...So if there is a situation where the 25/52 family can represent, they will be available to those individuals that are opened to it. If not, such is life. We carry on.

So what you are saying is the major objective of your Fraternity is to help young men... How you do it is thru your community service. So, basically, you are saying you are just like an NPHC Fraternity??? Because times have changed, NPHC affiliates changed their main objectives... Because of these changes, all NPHC affiliates do community service as one of their focuses, as you are well aware.

However, what our young unaffiliated people have to understand is one can do com serv. with anyone. When one decides to become a member of one of the NPHC BGLOs that person, if accepted, also gets the immeasurable benefits.

Some of those benefits is having the "applause" and hype of a crowd during a step show. You can see how that excites young people. If your organization were to show up out here and "mad" step like folks to down souf, some of this kids in the NPHC will tell you are disrupting the delicate unity shared with the small number of African Americans attending a school. Even as an "exhibition team"!!! Even if your invited!!! Not trying to think about the importance and distictions between the NPHC affiliates and your organization... And if you say you all "show out" at step shows, I know some collegiates and maybe some alumni NPHC groups out here would be very angry afterward...

It is just politics isn't as progressive in SoCal compared to the ATL. Out here, folks are allowed to have nervous breakdowns and drive down freeways in a white bronco... And shoot at schools with a smile... And probably be lootin' for no reason during this summer's rolling blackout season... Just another chitty, sunny day in southern killer kalifornication...

[JayBEE!]

Just to let you know the world is a huge place, most African Americans living in SoCal
haven't even heard of Howard U., Morehouse much less Alcorn State... Only those kids
whose parents were reared in the south know remotely anything regarding the "traditions" that many Southerner's hold so dear...

This is true. And I have been very fortunate to have attended both a HPWCU and a HBCU. Alcorn State University had a atomsphere that was equal toward all fraternities and Sororities on campus. And then I transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi. Normally any other black organization would not be able to exist on a HPWCU, because of the dominance of NPHC organizations. In my transfer, I brought the same traditions with me that we had at Alcorn State University. We stepped, and the barrier was put up. It was confusion. "Now how are they going to just all of a sudden step." If we didn't do some of the things that are familiar to black people, this national organization would seem more like a local club. And the organization would not draw from the same pool of people. This is the driving force of a step show unassociated with the NPHC.

So out here on the west coast many of our young people first encounter any Greek
Lettered system, and decide to Rush a HPWGLO--which is their right--it hurts those
Afrikan amerikkklans that had to endure water hoses during Civil Rights while they were
wearing their greek letters.

I'm sure we were right in there. This is what I said earlier: "Let me say it like this…. Before Martin Luther King graduated from college in 1958; ….before nine Little Rock, Ark., schoolchildren were escorted to Central High School by federal troops, ending efforts to thwart court-ordered integration in 1957; ….and Before Rosa Parks refused to give her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, ….Alpha Phi Omega allowed a black campus to have a chapter of a white founded organization in 1947." This was at Johnson C. Smith University (Delta Phi). The significance of this is that it was white people that allow themselves to be integrated, during the time of riots, lynching, and protest. Florida A&M University, Kappa Delta Chapter, is about to have their 50th anniversary next year. That means they were a chapter in 1952. And in the between 1952 and 1953 there was new chapters at Wiley College, (Kappa Pi), Southern University, (Kappa Lambda) and North Carolina A&T University, (Kappa Psi) Howard University, (Zeta Phi) was before 1952. These chapters were all black and all male.

There is a barrier even between our own chapters. Our old traditions are attempting to be washed out by politics and National officers who, like unknowing black people, do not want us to be ourselves. So when I meet black people who don't want us to do certain things, it's the same old story that we get from other chapter who desire us to be more like them. I'm not a clone of them, and the 25/52 family isn't either. We are who we rather want to be. For what purpose, to keep the attraction, our heritage, and our traditions within this mini-country of a HPWCU alive. So that other young men can benefit from the growth material inside that effects every young man in the United States.

These kids, having made their choice, do not realize that when they get into the "working world" and the "corporate ladder" with a "glass ceiling"--and because I moved back to SoCal this same ceiling is "Hollywoodized"--they start coming back wanting to join our organizations--like, now, today, you choose to be Black.

That's why our organizations are actually good for each other. Because in this organization you have to opportunity to work along side white people like you would have to in the corporate world. So when we have a person from a NPHC join they get interaction in all avenues not just the blacks.

You've lost me... Are you saying that because there are numerous other non NPHC GLO's out there we should allow them to step as guests in a step show???

Yes. When it applies. Because if you have all nine or even eight groups of the NPHC stepping the show can be huge already. And it would be good for NPHC groups to visit step shows of other GLO's, and that
Would give a first look of how they would fit in a step show. Or even audition them.

Or what does "squashing barriers" mean?

You have to agree that you didn't approve of even hearing another organization step outside the NPHC. That's understanding. But that is just one barrier. When Ohio State's Gamma Sigma Sigma Chapter first became a colony, they walked out on their campus and they were approach by other NPHC organizations immediately. One Delta even asked her about her colors (Maroon and White) asking them who gave them the right to choose those colors. Deep huh?

Okay, isn't your organization about just "service", so if you wanted to join an NPHC group you still could? If that be the case about your organization, then are you also saying it is not social fraternity? Just asking.

We boast being a service organization because it is in our name. Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity. However you are correct when you say that NPHC organizations do service. Now, almost every organization on campus does service. And these organizations are national organizations. What make our organizations different is who started them and the race contingency within. All these national organization has something to do with supporting your growth as a human being. The reason why I can join a NPHC is only because our organization is not apart of the black founded organization group of
The National Pan-Hellenic Council. If Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity did petition itself to join and the NPHC accepted it's petition, dual membership would end. Like most fraternal organizations,
We do have social events. The current state of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity overall it acts more like a society or a social club on most predominately white campuses. 95% of those chapters are co-ed. Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity began to allow chapters to become coed in 1976. After that you saw a big decline in black chapters because none of them voted to allow the female membership.
This is why we are old in tradition but seldom seen. Our chapters, that are in the '25/'52 family are all male and the sorority is all female. But there are both coed chapters in the fraternity and in the sorority. The importance of the '25/'52 family is that it allows who we are to remain alive.

So what you are saying is the major objective of your Fraternity is to help young men...
How you do it is thru your community service. So, basically, you are saying you are just like an NPHC Fraternity??? Because times have changed, NPHC affiliates changed their main objectives... Because of these changes, all NPHC affiliates do community service as one of their focuses, as you are well aware.

That's all the way right. Alpha Phi Omega began on an all male campus by young men to give young men a better start in life by showing them a standard of manhood found in the Boy Scouts of America. The vehicle they choose to help transfer this standard of manhood was service.

.. if you say you all "show out" at step shows, I know some collegiates and maybe some alumni NPHC groups out here would be very angry afterward.

Barrier One. No Doubt. And where does that anger come from? It comes from seeing some thing unfamiliar and not understanding it's existence. That is extremely hard to overcome, especially as immediately as the action is done. There are some collegiates and maybe some alumni NPHC groups that do not have the patience to even hear what they don't know. It's a like the NPHC is a golf country club, within our culture. And like seeing Tiger Woods coming to Augusta, Georgia, and breaking course records in order to get respect, we have to come serious. For instance. Phi Beta Sigma, at the National Step Show Invitational at the University of Florida in 1998, has a four man step team that came out in a black total body covered Ninja suits. They came through the crowd with make shift swords and giving out roses. They got on stage and busted a tight step. And then they got in signal file. And each one pulled off their hoods, one at a time. It was three white guys and one black. But the crowd cheered. It was a contest. They ended the show licking whip cream out of a chair and the females when wild. They placed first. They came with a serious show. Now the what wasn't even seen or mentioned was on stage they were accepted, though they were predominately white on stage. Our stepping chapters will not even be that way. They may have one white guy, but even that is a rarity.

The deep thinking that I have is that your organization can be either a animal house organization with social purposes only, and society dedicated to a single purpose, or a national organization with some cutltural heritage. Each being reflective of the environment they exist in. Alpha Phi Omega has to be considered as the most reflective organization on the planet. Because we have predominately every thing chapters. Predominately female, predominately black, predominately asian, predominately white male, predominately phillipine, predominately mexican. Whatever.

But as a close group, the black male has to be aligned to maintain who we are. I can imagine, because we've been gone in many places for so long, I can expect to get plenty of barriers push in front of us. It's always been a long road. But if I could draw another young man to this organization, it's worth the tribulations.


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JayBEE!

Ay-Phi-Que!
Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter
Alcorn State Unversity
Fall, October 18th 1980
President, Brothers of the Rising Sun, Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega
JayBEE's State Of Mind
The AyPhiQueGammaSig Family Homepage