Contest win fuels fierce debate over race

[Blue_Tires]

(CNN) -- What does it mean when a white sorority wins a competition that African-American fraternities and sororities not only created but also consider an essential part of their cultural expression? It means an uncomfortable discussion about race, history, culture and inclusivity that is not black and white.

On February 20, the University of Arkansas chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, a predominantly white sorority, won the inaugural Sprite Step Off stepping competition, beating two predominantly black sororities.

Stepping, which began in the 1960s, is a intricate rhythmic dance that features synchronized foot stomps, handclaps, choreographed movements and chants. The competition was fierce, and all of the competitors fought hard for the $100,000 first-place scholarship.

But the results immediately sparked a firestorm within the African-American fraternal community, with many calling foul. How could a white sorority beat black sororities at our own art form? Why were they even competing in the first place? Some alleged that judges cheated, while others posited that the novelty of white women performing swayed the judges.

To understand why this is a big deal, you have to understand that African-American fraternities and sororities are as close to the Animal House stereotype attached to white fraternities as Pat Boone is to hip-hop. Black fraternities and sororities, known as the Divine Nine, form the fiber of African-American leadership in this country and continue to produce the leaders of tomorrow.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/02/ross.stepping.race/

[Brewman_Jax]

1. This had a counterpart thread in GD

Of course, it was quite the flamefest.

As for the above article, it's overly simplistic. True, black people shouldn't put up the same fences that have been used against us, but he overlooks the history of why black people had to deal those fences put against them in the first place. Even to the present day, black people aren't fully accepted as Americans, except in entertainment and athletics (certain sports, that is). That's another reason black people get extremely defensive when white people cross said fence and sometimes do very well--segregation was one-way, white people have always had freedom of movement, black people haven't.

Attitudes didn't magically change after the height of the Civil Rights era. Neither did ignorance of the history of race in the US. The comments show how far we haven't come, and, how cheated and, dare I say, victimized, white commenters feel. As Tim Wise has noted, white people have a problem with naked and open racial preference, they've never had a problem with covered and quiet racial preference. Most every social and economic index shows that black people are considered FAR from equal.


P.S. Hip-hop has hardly been "appropriated" by white artists. If anything, "gangsta rap" has been appropriated by greedy (white) corporate execs and given far more time and market share (70% of the buyers are white people in the 18-30 age range) than the other subsets of rap and hip-hop. If general comments I've seen are any indication, most white people would rather chew broken glass than give rap and hip-hop any recognition.

[Blue_Tires]

2. agreed

I just now took the time to look at the winning performance, and it was nothing short of incredible -- Maybe the best I've ever seen anywhere...

[bliss_eternal]

3. who fact checked this article...?

quote:
To understand why this is a big deal, you have to understand that African-American fraternities and sororities are as close to the Animal House stereotype attached to white fraternities as Pat Boone is to hip-hop.

there have been many hazing incidents within black fraternities and sororities, to the extent that several are on (semi-permanent) hiatus/suspension.

bit o/t....

human nature is human nature. put people (frats/sororities)in charge of other people(pledges), abuse of power issues may come into play (and have)....many, many times--in fraternal organizations, of every race.

i witnessed (and heard) of black frat and sorority parties during college, that made "Animal House" look quite tame in comparison. as i'm sure many non-ethnic frats at ucla, usc or any other major university, or state "party" school would, given how "partying" and "hazing" have changed over the years (since the days animal house is based on).

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/21/us/lawsuit-shatters-code-of-silence-over-hazing-at-black-fraternities.html?pagewanted=1

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/subjects/f/fraternities_and_sororities/index.html

[Brewman_Jax]

4. Good point

I saw a few glaring errors, too. This isn't a very well done article, errors not withstanding. It looks more like someone wrote this to save their behind rather than give a good perspective from black people's view.

[bliss_eternal]

5. LOL!

:spray:

Quote:
It looks more like someone wrote this to save their behind

I agreed w/your points as well, Brewman...sorry I didn't say so before. I was so distracted by the sloppy writing.

[Cha]

6. Interesting! I hadn't really heard of

Stepping before..although I did see Drumline that wikipedia mentions in their history of Stepping.

The girl they interviewed from Zeta Tau Alpha said she was cool with sharing the award with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority that was later awarded an equal first place bc of "scoring irregularities"(?).