So Bruhs...

The Original Ape · #1 05-03-2002, 10:23 PM

What did yall think about our bruhs' performance in that stepshow on 106?

I thought they did aight, and I'm glad they won the first round; but I think we gon have our hands full with the Ques. They held it down today against the Sigmas-who had a good show too.

Big Poppa Ice · #2 05-10-2002, 02:16 AM

The Sigmas were *alright*, but would they have won if the taping weren't held in Sigmaland (NY)? I think the Bruhs represented well and didn't have to get naked to do it....

The Original Ape · #3 05-10-2002, 09:19 AM

I thought they did aight too; and like everybody else, I've seen betta. I just hope the next time any network plans to host a "Greekshow", they have the wisdom to suggest to each org to sponsor its own national championship stepshow and send its own champion to represent the organization. That way, we'd all feel like we had our best representing us.

Ravant · #4 05-10-2002, 04:55 PM

I'm not a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated(I am not in a Greek organization/any organization at all) so I am asking please don't be offended that I am replying to this thread as a non-brother/non-member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
I have seen a few stepshows to see that what the Sigmas did brought the female vote which was more than half the 106 audience, the shaking and gyrating(sp?) is part of stepping nowadays from what I have seen but it was annoying that they won because of that dry airhumping madness. They didn't even really step...they danced,and took of clothes,were half naked...made girls scream and won.
The DC Alpha team actually stepped,it was high energy and solid. They added lots of different things to the step that was very cool and a lil original for a minute of stepping. They should have won and been judged by a set of judges not the crowd with a "

oooh look naked men gyrating

" fetish because they actually stepped. But its BET what more can be said? The "E" isn't for education or enrichment its for Entertainment

and this is sweeps promoting sensationalisn comes with the territory. Not to take away from the Sigmas they did a solid entertaining set of shows during the BET exploitation, they won and that cannot be taken away, they earned and worked hard for it but winning a stepshow by dancing just seems wrong to me. But the Men Of Alpha still set the example by accepting "defeat" honorably.
But anyway much respect to the Sigma team and The Brothers Of Alpha Phi Alpha as well as all Greeks for serving as a solid community and of a people, groups of positive persons.

Peace and stay well

lilZetagirl · #5 05-19-2002, 10:27 PM

Ravant, i think some of your remarks are rather interesting...but in regards to the type of show that the brother's of Phi Beta Sigma displayed as their final performance against the brother's of alpha phi alpha..., EVERY organization that participated in the BET step-off knew how they would be judged (though i thought the judging was EXTREMELY flawed)...it is quite possible that the Sigma's were well aware of who they were performing in front of (a large non-greek crowd, with many young ladies) and yes, they probably knew that the sexual appeal would assist in solidifying their win, my question to you is, can you blame them?

if you KNEW that you would be judged by young ladies that may not be overly exposed to fraternities and TRUE stepping (not to disqualify any of the stepping done by the brothers of PBS) and would scream at the site of a bare chest, would you have done things differently?

just offering a different perspective...

Ravant · #6 05-20-2002, 08:10 PM

Hello lilZetagirl,

To answer your question, I say no I wouldn't have.

I look at it like this I'm 21, I own my own company the company hasn't been in business for a year only about 5months. Our first product isn't even out yet. But my competitors, and outsiders want to buy/partner up with my company before we even launch. I've been offered large amounts to sell but I haven't. I started down this road to secure my future, and have my mother retire early. This is my idea. This company is me, I'm staying up late working on it, I'm going to meetings, I'm getting investors,I'm getting suppliers, I'm hiring the best people I can(including competitors employees). So why would after all this work would I let anyone buy me, tell me how to do what I know I'm doing best?Or to sit back and let someone else do it worse when I know I can do it better.Sure I have other ideas, I'll be wealthy,successful anyway without this 1st company. I'm 21 the money I was offered would have me set for several years perhaps even forever financed other products, helped my mom. But I still won't sell...Y?I'm not stupid, I'm not stubborn(well just a lil).I'm understanding, this is my baby as it were, my 1st step to a better life.It is a struggle, a struggle I want forever b/c it'll keep me humble and remembering of where I was before the struggle of my own making, I wouldn't sell that for anything not in 5months not in a year not ever. I know in the long run what I earn will be more than what I was offered in more than just money.

I'm not knocking Phi Beta Sigma in any way, I have my opinion, they along with the other orgs on 106 were presented with a nation audience no matter how long the exibition to take the free time in which BET could do nothing but watch. To show what a true art form stepping is and that it is not all about gyrating, flashing bare chests to win over a crowd, its hard and must be earned just like those respected letters and meanings behind those letters. Yes the women got into. Yes they won. But does way to winning mean going against one of several things you are known and respected for?One of several things you earned?

To my understanding(I could be wrong since I don't pay attention to BET) They didn't donate funds to a charity or activity of the winner to better the community/communities at large. They didn't with all the viewers they got create a scholarship for minorities. The money didn't go to newer better programming.

BET made it readily known that this show was a way to garner ratings. Which is their right. But in a way it is also on the teams competing to with the brief time they had to disspell the myth that all bglo members know how to do is step in a suggesstive manner with no substance. The Sigmas step was entertaining, lively and fun and in a way educational for people who have never seen those steps or stepping. But I feel they could have done more to me they stepped down to the flawed judging rather than stepping up and beyond the flawed judging.. They had a small opportunity to show what they were about turned the B "E" T in to Enrichment. Education can be fun if delivered right

. But I have done a grave injustice I singled out the Sigmas. When every org stepping on BET is guilty of doing the same in one way or another. Thats part of the way stepping is nowadays but it doesn't mean it has to stay that way.I appreciated the Alphas stepping because they stepped. The big dude in the front stepped. I bet you a chubby high schooler or even college student or even pre-high schooler saw that and wanted to step, he may try to become a member of an Organization. He was inspired therefore he was enriched and entertained. I'm sure another young man saw the Sigmas and was enriched as well the same way. But more people may look at it as well the Sigmas got all freaky and half naked, kinda danced and didn't step as much and won. The Alphas stayed clothed, Stepped a lot and lost on a StepOff. What do you made the greater impression on those who want to learn more about the divine nine?Gyrating half naked Dance stepping=winning/ Stepping=losing on a step exibition?

Thats my perspective, its different from yours and thats alright, you raised valid question I thought about it but to me the ends don't always justify the means if the means don't gain you more than you will ever have.

This issue is dead to me beat to death. I'm done with it. Respect to the Sigmas and Respect to the Alphas and to all organizations for stepping on 106 and more importantly being a positive in communities

.

Peace and respect to All Black Greeks and Black Greek Lettered Organizations

.

Dexter · #7 05-21-2002, 10:36 AM

I agree with lilzetagirl. Coming from a NATIONAL champion winning step team, my advice would have been to research the event. Find out who's judging, what the stepping surface is going to be like, what are the rules, what are the time restraints, what are the dimensions of the stage, etc.... . But that's not to say that the Sigmas weren't good. They were good enough to win. The bruhs should have known the demographics of the audience. I've been on a step team that has won 28 individual shows and even an international competition in Canada. I've even stepped against the D.C. coalition stepp team before and have won.

YEAH I'M BRAGGING AND WHAT!!

lilZetagirl · #8 05-21-2002, 10:43 AM

thank you dexter...that is my point, as a stepper and EXTREME competitor myself, i walk in with as much information as possible and PLAY TO WIN! once again i think both organizations stepped very well, but knowing your judges and audience is imperative! either way, it's over and done with and i can't blame my frat for doing what they did to WIN...

p.s. and it's all right to brag, go ahead and pop ya colla while you're at it!

msbrowneyz · #9 05-22-2002, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lilZetagirl
Ravant, i think some of your remarks are rather interesting...but in regards to the type of show that the brother's of Phi Beta Sigma displayed as their final performance against the brother's of alpha phi alpha..., EVERY organization that participated in the BET step-off knew how they would be judged (though i thought the judging was EXTREMELY flawed)...it is quite possible that the Sigma's were well aware of who they were performing in front of (a large non-greek crowd, with many young ladies) and yes, they probably knew that the sexual appeal would assist in solidifying their win, my question to you is, can you blame them?

if you KNEW that you would be judged by young ladies that may not be overly exposed to fraternities and TRUE stepping (not to disqualify any of the stepping done by the brothers of PBS) and would scream at the site of a bare chest, would you have done things differently?

just offering a different perspective...

Yes but the Sigmas do the same show for regular stepshow competition where the judges are Pan Hell members. Why not just step and lose the drums and that cha-cha slide?

lilZetagirl · #10 05-22-2002, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by msbrowneyz

Yes but the Sigmas do the same show for regular stepshow competition where the judges are Pan Hell members. Why not just step and lose the drums and that cha-cha slide?

well, since i am not a member of the award winning Unknown Step team, i can't answer that question...but once again, all i can say is PLAY TO WIN! you know, when you have won as many shows as they have you have to get a little creative...i stick by my comment...i don't blame them, play to win!

sphinxpoet · #11 05-29-2002, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lilZetagirl

well, since i am not a member of the award winning Unknown Step team, i can't answer that question...but once again, all i can say is PLAY TO WIN! you know, when you have won as many shows as they have you have to get a little creative...i stick by my comment...i don't blame them, play to win!

LOL I know I am mad late but just to add I agree play to win! I have also seen this backfire on Unknown Sigmas like at Philly 01 and I have seen Unknown lose flat out because a team came with even a hotter show!
Know the rules and then play the game

sphinxpoet

BigBoy · #12 05-30-2002, 01:29 PM

Big ups to both Alpha and Sigma participating in BET's competition. But since I am a member of the Black and Old Gold I must defend my frat. It is true that you must play to win, and the Sigmas had every right to do what they did. S##t it's a competition, as lilzetagirl, described and since she is competitive she would like to win. Yeah that cool, but this ain't basketball or WWF wrestling for that matter. These are black fraternities and sororities. Yes I know this is hard to believe, but all were founded on Christian or spiritual beliefs and perspective. Why on national television would you take your clothes of and perculate/jirate or whatever you want to call it. Look how were are potrayed in media and film as it is!!! Don't get me wrong I ain't hating, because God knows that the Sigmas, at least the places I been, can step. They handled there business on BET and they will continue to do so. But I must concur with Avant when I say that they shouldn't have went that direction on National television. What type of example did they set for the young men at home, 10-15, years of age who might want to be a member of PBS one day or any greek letterer fraternity.

Please forgive me if it sounds like I'm hating because I have love for everyone, but I think the Alpha's took the high road. Realisticly I think they also knew who their audience would be and who would judge them, everyone prepares for that when preparing a step show, but the fact of the matter is. They/we are members of Alpha Phi Alpha first of all, servants of all, we shall transcend all, therefore we must be held accountable for our actions. We are looked upon to be the role model for young black men and all men in America and abroad.

The brothers on BET did what was right. They put on a solid stepshow, irregardless to how judge them and who they performed for.

Upward and Onward,

BigBoy