Old South

[TxTechChiO]

When is your Old South Weekend? I'm not even sure if every chapter has organizes an Old South Weekend.

[KABillyMac]

Southern Belle,
Yes all SOUTHERN chapters have them. The chapters up North have what is called fun week, whatever that is.
Congrats on being a southern belle, I read your post in greek life, our Old South is the first week in April. I'm damn ready to go to.

[dzrose93]

My brother's chapter at Georgia Tech has it's Old South weekend at the end of this month, I believe.

[amycat412]

we had an Old South weekend at Univ of Southern Cal. Usually late March or April.

[KAGent]

Hey Chi-O, We had our Old South TN. this year. All KA chapters have an Old South to celebrate our southern heritage and strong historical background.

[OUKA]

FYI,

All good things were created at the University of Oklahoma. Old South's creation was at the University of Oklahoma and I do not remember a single night.

Boomer Sooner

[nube one]

Just wondering. What exactly is an old south party?

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by nube one
Just wondering. What exactly is an old south party?

Inquiring minds what to know.

[KABillyMac]

KA has two crowning jewels that are our formals. Convivium and Old South. Old South is really my chapters biggest formal. It occurs mid spring, and we usually go to a diffrent state for a couple days and nights, have a formal dance, and just hang out. ITs like a mini vacation. Some chapters go in full civil war regalia, the men wear civil war uniforms, and the ladies where full hoop southern belle dresses. Old South is the one formal that all sorority girls want to go to. Its really a good time.

[Honeykiss1974]

Ok, now I think I know what you're talking about. My sister attended Delta State Univ. and I recall looking through her yearbook seeing men dressed in conferate civil war uniforms with "southern belles" sitting in from of them.

Could someone explain to me to meaning behind the "Old South" formal (or party)? I would think that given the history of the "Old South" (lynchings, intimidations, etc.) why would fraternities/colleges continue this tradition? Just curious because I've never heard of this.

[Honeykiss1974]

TIBI,
Calm down amd take a deep breathe! I have not brought any accusations against KA. My question was "Could someone explain to me to meaning behind the "Old South" formal (or party)? I would think that given the history of the "Old South" (lynchings, intimidations,etc.) why would fraternities/colleges continue this tradition? Just curious because I've never heard of this"
I am born and raised in Mississippi, so therefore I certainly do not need you or anyone else to explain to me about southern heritage!
Now, if there is anyone that can provide a calm a rational response to my inquiry, I'd really appreciate it. I see no point in YOU Tibi bringing racial discussions into this conversation.

Originally posted by Tibi
I would think given the history of the antebellum South ( class, etiquette, dignity, standards, etc. ) that one would not hasten to blame the South for racial problems that are STILL happening today. The South is not the source of racism and it should not be blamed. Being Southern is a heritage... a heritage that I am proud of and will not apologize to anyone for! I applaud KA for celebrating it, and exposing many people to an unforgettable experience (that most people, if they have not visited the south never get to experience). I see no point in bringing a racial accusation against a beautiful formal.


"I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children."
Robert E. Lee resigning from the US Army and accepting the Confederate command.

[nube one]

I was the origional "inquiring mind" that wished to be informed about the nature of your "old south" parties specifically for the purpose of not jumping to conclusions about what these gatherings celebrate. I will not argue that every essence of the old south historically has to do with racism or what I prefer to call white supremacy; but there is, was, and for a long time will be rascist connotations (and aptly so) associated with the historical old (and present)south. But the south is not alone in associations with racism, because this whole country is guilty for this crime. However, that is not the issue, nor my wish to turn this into an emotional debate. I am a black northerner, so I know little of the southern culture which is celebrated, yet I know there is more to this culture than what was taught to me. Actually, shortly after I posted the question I turned to the internet to reseach this topic myself so I'm now aware of the basic premise of these parties. Racism is America's tradition, not just the south's. To say so is to be historically inaccurate. Finally I would like to add that racial debates should be encouraged instead of swept under the rug, because the additudes and ideas about the FALLACY of race, including the subsequent heirarchies which followed are still firmly locked in place today whether we talk about them or not. I feel it is the only way to move on as a country and to correct one of the cancers that plague us. Would you avoid talking about (or dealing with) a malignant tumor in your own body because it will be extremely unpleasant? I hope not because that would be the untimely death of you simply for avoiding the obvious. But as I said, my origional purpose was for information so "conclusions" would not be "jumped to".

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by Tibi
"Could someone explain to me to meaning behind the "Old South" formal (or party)? I would think that given the history of the "Old South" (lynchings, intimidations,etc.) why would fraternities/colleges continue this tradition? Just curious because I've never heard of this"


The point of my response was to say that I feel it is unneccessary
that you only associate the antebellum South with lynchings and intimidations. Those two are buzzwords that will immediately start a racially fired debate which would probably be best avoided. However, sice you deny bringing racism into the topic by using those buzzwords, well then, I feel sorry for you if you see no reason to celebrate the REAL Old South. [/B]

Once again , so that everyone has a clear understanding of my intent, I am not asking the question to the meaning of "Old South Weekend" to start a racial debate. I've never heard of it, so what's the best way to gain knowledge about it than by asking the members of KA directly. Fortunately, a member of your org has PM 'd with a "non-hostile" response, so for that, I thank him. I feel sorry for those of you who feel that any inquiry about this Old south tradition is an automatic shot at your org and the south.

[KABillyMac]

Honeykiss, you took the first shot here, a la "lynchings, itimidations". Please begin reading your posts before you argue them.

Old South stemmed from the idea of the class and dignity of the "Old South" (i.e. "The Lost Cause") as portrayed in "Gone With The Wind". At the time of the movies release, one chapter, and I cant remember who it was but I want to say Kappa chapter at Mercer held the first "Old Sounth" ball. It began a trickle affect throughout the rest of the Orders chapters. As a southerner, I am proud of the tradition of Old South. I am who I am, and like Lee, I will never turn my back on my home. Its a direct slap in the face to my organization for anyone to equate this dance to any form of racism, especially given the fact that Kappa Alpha Order has banned the use of any confederate trappings from any KA function, in effort to show the people of our country that our organization is not what so many people automatically assume that our organization stands for.

[nube one]

I forgot to thank KABillyMac for the info also. Good look.