SCNDLS said:

Everything about the whole historical significance about BGLOs in general is lost on non-members. So...if y'all wanna snatch my wig then have it. It changes nothing about the novelty of people not in a BGLO trying to mimic a BGLO stepping, calls, line names, jackets, etc.

But there's plenty of books on the subject matter if you are interested.

SCNDLS said:

In other words, on paper at least, those white girls were suppose to lose.

But since they were great in the eyes of the mostly black audience that gave them huge props for their performance, Sprite AND the judges has no choice at that moment in time but to declare those girls THE rightful winners.

And now some people behind the scenes (I bet there were black elders!) were not happy with the outcome OR the publicity those girls generated. Therefore, in an attempt to heal all black egos, they now have co-winners instead of THE winners.

Not only is this total bullshit, it's a screwjob.
[Edited 2/25/10 11:36am]

Adisa said:

And based on the comments from people who were there, it sounds like no one at Sprite, MTV, or even the judges had any idea what they were looking at or what the standard rules are. Even the girls who "won" didn't follow the rules defined by Sprite (not to mention the step biting) but still "won" based on audience participation when the audience was not TOLD that was one of the criteria. In the end, it sounds more and more like these chicks were ringers, because MTV was featuring them and following them for the show making them a Cinderalla story AND they were the ONLY non-D9 organization competing. SSDD

Here's some witnesses' accounts:

"The cheers for ZTA were due to their talent, but mostly novelty... Disregarding their imitation of the D9, and the fact that they were not a D9 organization is besides the point. The crowd WAS NOT hypocritical... as a "black crowd" they are always honest and not afraid to boo if something isn't right.

Considering the judging criteria for the show (posted by PTA mom, each worth on average 23 points), was not taken into consideration by the judges. It appears that only the crowd reaction was. Being at the show, Tau Chapter of AKA in my opinion won in three of the four categories. ZTA's show was no where difficult as theirs. However, I must say that 2nd to Tau Chapter, ZTA did step well. I believe if there wasn't a tie for first place, there should have been a tie for 2nd being that Sigma Chapter of DST had an outstanding theme and performance.

All in all, people were just shocked to see white girls step, and if there had been judges who knew about stepping and it's culture, they would have understood the crowds cheers for ZTA. By the judges being in the entertainment industry, most of whom do not have a college education, they judged inaccurately. If this was any other NPHC step show, all biased aside, ZTA would have a solid second or third place (especially because they didn't follow sprite guidelines "booty poppin"). "


"Sadly the judges have no idea about the history or art form of steppin, regarding Black fraternities and sororities. There are nuances of the D9 steppin and step shows that many Black people who have not attended college simply to not know or understand. For example, each Fraternity and Sorority had their own steps and it was a taboo to BITE off another Fraternity or Sorority. Unfortunately over the years the steps have become more and more obscured."


"I have several issues with several entities beyond both 1st and 2nd place control. First off the show was over 6 hours long and the young ladies were told (probably for ratings) there would be a step off of 1st and 2nd place. Had that happened we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Why a step off of the frats in 3rd place and not the ladies? I’m not sure. The show was the most disorganized thing I had ever seen.

The MC made a horrible comment about all that weave when TAU chapter AKAs were on the stage and then made the comment when ZTA left the stage that all that hair was real… very poor taste. He also lead the audience to “give it up” for ZTA twice. He didn’t do that for the AKAs since they went first (and the stage crew hadn’t quite figured out the audio yet) so yes the crowds reaction was more than with TAU chapter AKAs. The audience was never told we would help judge.

I know the TAU chapter ladies they have a lot of dignity and it showed on stage. They would not have thought of breaking the rules and doing a sexually explicit move as the other team did. They used video had a theme that I could recognize and follow (mom never saw the matrix)and were very precise in their movements.

Creativity and truly stepping (not dancing) by any other judge that has attended a college or university with black greek should have taken TAU chapter AKAs to the top. ZTA deserved 2nd or maybe even 3rd for breaking the rules along with 3rd place team.

I’m very disappointed that sprite could not continue with it’s original Chicago schedule, announced the wrong winners in Chicago, held us hostage for over 8 hours in Atlanta before announcing the winners and using judges and an MC that have no college or greek life experience. But then again money talks and how good would ratings be if the unknown chapter won on the show that MTV is airing and not the sorority or fraternity that the show is following."

Mtv followed a Latina step group last season-and they won.

The competitors were not happy

TonyVanDam said:

That's just dumb.

1. Audience participation is only ONE factor, sometimes. And like I've said black step show audience always give mad props to the white steppers. When crowd participation is part of the judging the audience KNOWS this. In this case, according to people who were there, they were not told that audience participation was being counted towards their score. Shenanigans.

2. The Zetas broke some Sprite rules but weren't penalized for it. Shenanigans.

3. This was "judged" by non-greeks who never went to college. So if they were going for entertainment value only then this shoulda been open to every step crew in the nation. If you're gonna focus on black Greeks then follow the rules by which they develop their routines and compete. That would be like someone who's never ski'd judging the Olympics slalom competition and ignoring that a skier didn't go through all the poles but letting him win cuz the crowd loved him. Shenanigans.

4. They had a step off for 3rd place frat. Why not do the same for 1st place soror? Could it be cuz having Cinderella win makes for better tv and ratings? MTV has been manipulating reality TV since day 1. Shenanigans.

5. Again: IF the discrepancy warranted the AKAs being co-winners DAYS later that tells me that the discrepancy was actually in THEIR favor but they didn't want to take it away from the Zetas. Otherwise, if the error still resulted in the Zetas coming out ahead there would be no need to make the AKA co-winners, AND pay ANOTHER $100k, cuz the Zetas woulda still won. Shenanigans.

Shit, it is what it is, but let's not pretend this type of shit is new.
[Edited 2/25/10 11:49am]

ThreadCula said:

Damn, I didn't even know that but why am I NOT surprised. Shenanigans and SSDD!

Adisa said:

I didn't say anything about anybody wantin to snatch your wig.
I said, if the comments were flipped (based on fact or not) there would be some wig snatchin takin place.

That is not challenging any of the points y'all are making about the competition, the history of steppin or what is goin down with this particular instance.

SIDE NOTE: All thanks to Adisa for finding this report.



http://www.thehilltoponli...-1.2163798

Step Off Leaves Some in Dismay

By AARON RANDLE

Staff Writer
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Published: Monday, February 22, 2010

Updated: Monday, February 22, 2010
STEP SHOW

Bree Gant - Photo Editor

Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Inc., a predominantly Caucasian sorority, took the grand prize at the Sprite Step Off in Atlanta last weekend. The Step Off included several other Greek organizations, including the Divine Nine.

After eight long hours of intense competition, the tension in the Boisfeuillet Atlantic Civic Center was so thick that Shontea Browne, an alumna of Clark Atlanta University was having trouble keeping her heart calm.

“I just know how bad these girls want this,” Browne said, referring to the Clark Atlanta University chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, one of 14 National Pan-Hellenic sororities and fraternities competing in the National Final of the $1.5 million Sprite Step Off. “They’ve worked so hard.”

It was nearly 12:30 a.m., and the crowd of more than 4,500 had since dwindled to half that number. People were restless, anxious, and eager for results.

Third place went to University of Rutgers Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Second: Clark Atlanta University Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the first place winners of $100,000 in scholarship money was the Central State University Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

The Howard University Xi Chapter members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. said they executed their high intensity and extremely difficult show better than ever before; yet, unfortunately, it was not enough.

“I feel like we should have placed,” said Jeremy Williams, junior biology major and member of the Xi Chapter step team.

Along with Howard’s own Alpha Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., there were several electrifying acts, including the Tau chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority from the University of Indiana and the only team in the competition not part of the Divine Nine group of predominantly African-American sororities and fraternities, Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Inc.

The Zeta Tau Alpha team, comprised of Caucasian females, clad in black trench coats, shades and boots came out and stunned the capacity crowd with awe-inspiring stepping, rhythm, precision, and intensity.

Shaunte Russel, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. from Xenia, Ohio who came to support the eventually winning male step team from Central State University, was thoroughly impressed by the Zetas.

“I thought it was pretty amazing that [the Sprite Step Off] had a white step team, and that they performed so well,” Russel said.

Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) was first introduced to the art of stepping 15 years ago by a local AKA chapter at the University of Arkansas.

“It started out as pure philanthropy,” said Kristin King, member of the ZTA step team.

Fellow ZTA team member Alexandra Kosmitis said, “We used to have local competitions every year and decided to venture out into more rigorous competition this year. We’re just amazed to be here. We were told we wouldn’t make it out the first round, and now we’re here getting a standing ovation.”

That wasn’t all they got.

Zeta Tau Alpha defeated all opposition to claim first prize.

The announcement sent shock waves through the crowd creating an uneasy combination of cautious celebration and chagrin.

Tension was high. A white sorority had just won one of the largest step shows in history and, though some were impressed, many more were upset and confused.

“Sprite didn’t do a good job explaining the show; they manipulated the crowd,” said Oyetewa Oyerinde, a sophomore sports medicine major. “I thought the Zetas were more of a showcase. I thought this was a Divine Nine event.”

Crowd participation was a major determinant in the judging, and though the crowd clearly appreciated the Indiana University AKAs, who went on to place second in the competition, they were outright boisterous after the Zeta performance.

“The ballots were extremely close, but in the end I think the crowd actually won the show for the Zetas” said an MTV representative who was working backstage.

He believed the decision was a last minute one, but there are some who believe the show’s outcome was a predetermined one.

Various participants backstage asserted that MTV and Sprite took the Cinderella story of the anomalous Zeta’s and ran with it.

Mentioning how the Zetas received a biased amount of television coverage and were treated more favorably than the other participating sororities, many felt after the Zeta’s made it to the National Final, MTV and Sprite became less concerned with treating all their participants fairly and more concerned with promoting the Zeta’s unlikely story.

“I’m upset MTV followed the Zeta’s around and capitalized on us,” said Francesca Hindmon, a senior economics major. “It seems to have been a setup from jump.”
Senior political science major Brittany Reeves was visibly upset at the results.

“Sprite used the step off to exploit black culture,” Reeves said.

“How are you going to take something that’s ours, and give it away?” Williams added.
Williams, Reeves and many others were upset, but this was not the case with everyone.

“Everyone [is] stuck in the old way of stepping - including only the Divine 9,” said Joshua Taborn, a senior political science and philosophy double major. “And because ‘the white people’ won, we’re mad at ourselves.”

Taborn said, “We gave them a standing ovation when they stepped, and booed when they won. We’re hypocrites.”

One of the organizers of the trip, former HUSA president and current Howard law student Marcus Ware, also took a more objective approach in his assessment of the situation.

“I think Zeta Tau Alpha and the Tau chapter AKAs were evenly matched, but the crowd went more so with the Zetas and crowd participation matters. So the results make sense,” Ware said.

Regardless of the controversy, there were still a lot of participants who were satisfied with the step off overall. The Central State University chapter Alphas, the fraternity winners, said they really appreciated the “bonds that were made with other orgs and within our organization.”

“It’s been a wonderful event,” said Augusto Elias, the National Marketing Director for Coca-Cola. “We have to evaluate the event as a whole, but I’m sure [the step off] will be back.”

ThreadCula said:

Wait a second! You're telling me that all black female step groups lost 2 years in a row?!? And THIS incident was never reported?

TonyVanDam said:

http://www.mtv.com/shows/...eID=115460

TonyVanDam said:

Interesting article.

SCNDLS said:

you say tomato, i say tomahto.

we have different points of view. to a white perosn, that really is a double standard.

XxAxX said:

Again:

This is precisely what I meant when I was talking about the lack of understanding of the historical significance of stepping to black organizations. You can sit over there with no real understanding of the context and what it means and point your finger at those who are actually a part of this and judge without any real knowledge of the situation or protocol. Typical.

And maybe as a white person you're not ever gonna "get it." Where is it written that you (generally speaking) are supposed to? Because steppin' was not created FOR or ABOUT you.
[Edited 2/26/10 10:45am]

SCNDLS said:

That is all true. I agree that people don't have to understand another's experience to accept or respect it.

I do think tho, that, realistically, say a black or hispanic troop won an Irish Step Dance contest and the Irish folk started talkin bout oh they're nothing but novelty cuz they couldn't possibly understand it or its history, there would be different reaction. Folk would be approaching from a whole different angle and they would be called racists.
[Edited 2/26/10 10:57am]

johnart said:

It's not the same because to US it's not JUST a form of dance like Irish clogging is. Like I said from the start without the context of being part of a BGLO it's meaningless cuz you have no idea what the significance is. That's the difference, you're looking at it as a just a form of entertainment, I'm not.

SCNDLS said:

whoa. well, turn about and all that. maybe as a black person, you just 'don't get it'

sad. we are reduced to this. huh.

SCNDLS said:

To say it's just our own secret thing and you'll never get it is an easy answer.
No, I am not looking at it as entertainment. I fully get that there are things I will never get, nor have to get. I have great respect for that and think it's a very important part of EVERY culture's identity.

To say that clog dancing is just entertainment is just as dismissive as someone saying Stepping is. It has a history and is a part of a culture's identity. No less than yours or mine, just different.
[Edited 2/26/10 11:05am]

johnart said:

Well said.

XxAxX said:

I'm not reduced to anything just cuz YOU say so as I certainly don't get my self-image or self-worth from the Org. I'm a member of a couple of black sororities and know many white AND hispanic men and women who have joined these organizations and had the FULL experience of what that means. We have always been more inclusive and welcoming to other races than wglos have been to us. Therefore, they actually know what they're talking about when it comes to this topic. Until any of you do the same, your opinion of me, what I'm saying, or this topic doesn't mean a thing to me.

johnart said:

It's not the same cuz you can go to any class on clog dancing and LEARN the history and process for HOW to do it. Again, without belonging to a BGLO you will NEVER fully understand stepping and what it means. Lots of white folks have joined black organizations and gotten the full experience. It's that simple. But I do get that folks love any opportunity to call black folks racist when we express ourselves in a manner that others don't fully understand, as if, we are obligated to include everybody under the sun, just because. Sorry, but I'm not so inclined.

SCNDLS said:

You have to be kidding me. Wow. Just wow.
I'm assuming the bolded words are directed at me because we are posting back and forth. If it's not, my bad. If it is, I'm pretty blown away and frankly a little offended.
In this exchange, between you and I, who is saying or even implying that you are obligated to include anyone or share your cultural expression??
And where am I calling black folk racists?
You are the one who is being blatantly dismissive of other cultures by stating that theirs is easily "gotten" but not yours.

johnart said:

If you're offended, oh well. I've said everything I need to say, take from it what you will.

Well, isn't that special?

SCNDLS said:

Another broad dismissive and easy answer, but ok. I think I see, and if I don't you probably won't clarify, so .

Genesia said:

SCNDLS said:

You got some issues, lady. But...as you say...

DAYUM!!

Genesia said:

And I like every last one of 'em. Thanks!

But I love how once again, folks gotta get personal with me cuz they don't like what I'm saying. ESPECIALLY ironic since I'm the only one in this convo who's actually pledged to a black organization and ACTUALLY stepped. Classic Org (not so) passive aggressiveness strikes again!
[Edited 2/26/10 12:00pm]

SCNDLS said:

Me Phi Me.....ova here.