Speaking of inappropriate paraphernalia...

the411 · #1 05-10-2001, 08:34 AM

Soror ASU Diva2001 brought it to our attention that a greek shop she visited was selling t-shirts FOR ADULTS that said "Future Delta"

!!!!! I can't think of the words (appropriate for a public forum and my lady-like manner) that could even come CLOSE to expressing my disapproval of that. But check THIS out:

In a 'nalia shop near Ohio State's campus, I noticed that the store worker was putting ribbon with greek letters around the necks of those stupid little multi-colored Grateful Dead bears (Y'all know which ones I'm talking about?). Anyway, I initially thought nothing of it, assuming that she was only using ribbon with the letters of sororities in the National Panhellenic CONFERENCE (not Council)-- i.e. the white sororities.

Imagine my sheer and utter DISGUST, REPUGNANCE, and ANGER

when I saw the letters of my beloved Delta Sigma Theta wrapped around the necks of about 4 different-colored bears (and NONE of 'em were red)!!! They'd also had AKA ribbon on some bears, too. So, I politely told the lady that to have DST and AKA ribbon on those bears was a blatant violation of protocol, seeing as though NOTHING about the orgs is IN ANY WAY associated with ANY music group, and ESPECIALLY not a heavy metal rock band!!! She pretty much told me where I could go, as she continued tying ribbon around the bears' necks. As she did so, I started "visualizing the attack" (The Waterboy), and picturing myself tying some ribbon around HER neck! But, I came to my senses and said sternly, "I guess you didn't understand me-- Take the DST and AKA ribbon OFF the bears." She said: "We'll see how they sell, and if they don't, then I'll take 'em off." By now, I am trying to remember by favorite moves from Tae Bo class, but again-- I came to my senses before I lost my head. I just went to the store owner and explained some things to him. I told him that I don't think he'd like it if I got a large group of black greeks together to boycott his store (he's the only one who sells NPHC 'nalia here, so he makes a s***load of money off of us). The next time I went to the store, I didn't see our ribbon on the bears. Now, that's been a while ago-- I think I may need to pop back in just to see... What do y'all think?

And I'm Out!

------------------
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

[This message has been edited by the411 (edited May 10, 2001).]

Ideal08 · #2 05-10-2001, 08:59 AM

I take it you're talking about Spirit Concepts? Boycott. I have a soror who has a little shop in the Livingston Market that sells 'nalia. Ain't nobody gotsta buy NOTHIN' from him!!! I mean, teddy bears, ok. But the Grateful Dead bears?????

I don't really see ANYONE buying those, unless it's specific to their line (read: pledge class) or something. Thanks for trying my sista in Greekdom!

mccoyred · #3 05-10-2001, 09:16 AM

Sorors, I know we all know what is inappropriate (ie panties, lingerie, doormats) however, we must also be careful of tacky 'nalia.

I was in a Greek shop checking out their gear. Most of their stuff was pretty nice but I did see a couple of cheap and shoddy pieces. The one that sticks out in my mind is a puzzle with a plain white background and had our symbols, letters and other sayings WRITTEN with a red felt tip pen. It looked like something somebeody doodled on in their spare time. Needless to say it cost only a couple of bucks but my first thought was TACKY AND CHEAP.

Sorors and other Greeks, we must demand quality merchandise. DO NOT buy cheap and tacky 'nalia and *they* won't continue to try to sell it.

------------------
MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

Imperial11 · #4 05-10-2001, 09:39 AM

The vendor that attended my chapter's "Bridging The Gap" program was selling adult baseball caps and t-shirts that said "Future Delta". I told some of my line sisters that only a child should have on something like that,but that 'nalia was not in children's sizes. None of the sorors bought any of the stuff, but it didn't seem as though they were suprised about it being out there either. According to some of the older sorors, the vendor has been in the business for a loooooong time. Therefore, he should know better.

------------------
"22 Resurrected Jewels of DiSTinction"
Gamma Pi '01
Columbia College
4/12/01

dstbrat · #5 05-10-2001, 09:56 AM

i might be a little anal, but, i don't like future delta shirts for anyone. i have seen too many sorors' children oo-ooping and throwing up the pyramid and that's not cool. it also gives girls the impression that delta is promised to them and that's where the trouble begins later.

but on another note, i really get mad when you tell vendors that stuff is wrong and they get mad at you. then some soror will go in there and buy it. i think we really need clearer guidelines on 'nalia. because i have seen some things that weren't right, but it's not the manual either.

snoopy922 · #6 05-10-2001, 10:37 AM

to the411:

Bob (at Spirit Concepts) already is about to make me mad. It is awful that he can charge some of the proces for 'nalia, since he is the only 'nalia store in Columbus. (Please inform me if there is another..so I can shop there). Some of the vendors just don't understand the difference b/t BLGO's and WGLO's.

Also, 411 and CT4, are you coming to DELTArobics? It's at 7:00 in the union.

Snoopy
11-E-01

CrimsonTide4 · #7 05-10-2001, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ideal08:
I have a soror who has a little shop in the Livingston Market that sells 'nalia.

Ideal08 can you tell us the name of the shop. I would be interested in supporting her entrepeneurial endeavors. Thanks bunches!!

SMOOCHES

------------------
He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers.

Rain does not fall on one roof alone.

Words are like eggs: when they are hatched they have wings.

Advise and counsel him; if he does not listen, let adversity teach him.

What one hopes for is always better than what one has.

the411 · #8 05-10-2001, 11:25 AM

Thank you dstbrat!

I HATE that "Future Delta" stuff, too. True enough, we'd all like to see our daughter go the right way (hee hee), BUT-- we shouldn't put it in their minds that, just because their mommy or aunt or big sister is a Delta, they are guaranteed membership. This is one of the issues with SOME legacies today. Some of 'em come to the table with mediocre grades, little-to-no leadership and community service, and limited knowledge about the org as a whole. Then, their mom or whomever gets upset if they don't make it, so they call and raise heck. If we want our daughters or sisters (or sons and brothers, if you're in a frat) to be down, then we need to prepare them by instilling in them the value of hard work, academic achievement, leadership involvement, and steady public service. AND, we should also give them the freedom to make their own decision about sorority or fraternity life. What if she doesn't want to be a Delta?

What if she doesn't want to be in a sorority AT ALL? I think it's a bad move to insist that our children do exactly as we did/do when it comes to decisions they'll make as adults. Sure, it's fun to play around and joke about what they'd better do or not do, but we need to make sure they know that "dem jess jokes" --ultimately we should let them know that we respect their decision. To buy a child "Future Delta" gear is to make them feel as though they'd be doing something wrong if they DON'T become a Delta. I have a classmate who's dad, grandad, AND older brother were all Kappas. When something happened to keep him from being a Kappa, he killed himself. In his suicide letter, he stated that he'd rather be dead than to see the disappointment on their faces when they found out he wasn't gonna be in the frat. It just doesn't get any sadder than that.

When I was in high school, I was SO mad

at my mom for not letting me be a DeltTeen! She said she didn't want me to get involved in it and later change my mind in college (and pursue an org other than DST--Who me?), only to have that stand in my way. I am very appreciate of her for that.

Anyway, let me get back to work.

And I'm Out!

the411

------------------
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

the411 · #9 05-10-2001, 11:33 AM

Yep, Bob is a trip! I HATE Spirit Concepts with a passion, which is why I only have a handful of stuff (even though I'm over 4). The best thing is to go to conventions for GOOD, legitimate gear. Spirit Concepts over-charges like crazy-- and he can do that 'cause he knows he has the monopoly. I wish I could afford to open up a black greek 'nalia shop right on High Street. I'd make a grip, and Bob would have to close down that little CORNER of NPHC stuff he has WAAAYYY in the back of the store (Why we gotta be in the back?).

PS: snoopy, I won't be there tonight, although Lawd knows I need to workout! I want to go to the Kabaret, but I don't have a date. Okay--I know I sound like a 15-yr-old, but I don't like going to stuff like that solo. None of my female friends want to go, and all of my male friends are taking their girlfriends.

And I'm Out!

------------------
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

gold99gyrl · #10 05-10-2001, 01:25 PM

I am not a member, but any grown person who is dumb enough to wear a "Future Delta" shirt should wear it so they can be tagged as crazy.

I have seen kids in the shirts at Delta functions that I have attended and I was amazed that it was accepted.

I too wanted to be a part of DelTeens when I was in high school, but my mother wanted me to make the decision once I got to college because she wanted me to know that I had choices. After going to school, I realized that my first thought was right.

------------------
Gold99gyrl
"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us all rejoice a be glad in it!"

MeezDiscreet · #11 05-10-2001, 02:12 PM

i want ya'll to look at a webstite that a friend of mine told me about. the creator is off her rockers thinking someone would actually purchase these things.

TACKY

the411 · #12 05-10-2001, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gold99gyrl:
After going to school, I realized that my first thought was right.

Mine, too!!!

------------------
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

bcde · #13 05-10-2001, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MeezDiscreet:
i want ya'll to look at a webstite that a friend of mine told me about. the creator is off her rockers thinking someone would actually purchase these things.

TACKY

Tacky, in deed!

the411 · #14 05-10-2001, 02:38 PM

MeezDiscreet! I am ROLLING!!! My students think I have lost my mind 'cause I'm laughing like a crazy person!

My personal favorites (NOT!) are:
-The Delta purse

-The Phi Beta Sigma dustpan

And (hee, hee) I'm (hee, hee, hee) Out!

------------------
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

mccoyred · #15 05-10-2001, 03:31 PM

The lamps are goofy and the handpainted stuff like the notecards look cheap.

I do like their figurines though

Quote:

Originally posted by MeezDiscreet:
i want ya'll to look at a webstite that a friend of mine told me about. the creator is off her rockers thinking someone would actually purchase these things.

TACKY

------------------
MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913