Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a two part series on the history of and influences on Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority stepping (steppin).
This post provides selected quotes from the viewer discussion thread of a 2013 YouTube video of an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Stroll Off performance.
The content of this post is presented for historial, folkloric, cultural reasons with regard to the subject of the early history of fraternity stepping.
I'm presenting these comments without taking any position about the statements that are made. However, I suggest that readers also consider those statements along with the information and comments that are presented in Part I of this series. Also, read my comments in that section below.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-did-historically-black-greek.html for Part I of this series.
Part I provides excerpts from Elizabeth C. Fine's 2003 groundbreaking book SoulStepping: African American Step Shows (University of Illinois Press). An excerpt from Wikipedia's page on Stepping is given in the Addendum to this post.
I believe that the information and comments about the history of and sources for stepping that are included in this post can also be considered to be part of the history of and sources for what are now referred to as "stroll offs". Several pancocojams posts on stroll offs will be published ASAP and links to those post will be added to this post.
The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in the video that is featured in this post, and thanks to the publisher of that video on YouTube.
There are a number of pancocojams posts on historically Black Greek letter[ed] fraternity and sorority stepping. Click the tags found below or use this blog's search engine to find those posts.
****
FEATURED VIDEO: Omega Psi Phi 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Hop team @atlgreekpicnic
Atlanta Greek Picnic Published on Jun 10, 2013
2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Omega Psi Phi Hop team/ Stroll Off ||
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THAT VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEdlpwUDd7M"Omega Psi Phi 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Hop team @atlgreekpicnic"
Editor's note:
A number of commenters in this video's disscussion thread mentioned that this Omega Psi Phi Fraternity stroll off was different than most stroll offs that they had seen members of that fraternity perform. The most commonly mentioned difference was the inclusion of Salsa music and Chicago footwork with the hops that Ques are known for. Commenters also mentioned that this Que stroll off was different because the men wearn't wearing boots (particularly the gold boots that Ques are known for.
The following exchange focuses on other opinions and points.
colors1387, 2013
"very nice show. glad to see the omegas diversifying their routine a bit with some Sigma elements.its all good as its about showmanship and entertainment. again,good job."
****
Chris Perkins, 2013
"+colors1387
Sigma elements? Curious as to what those were in this show?"
****
Malcolm Dicko, 2013
"+colors1387 curious to what "sigma elements " are do sigmas even have anything of their own ?"
****
colors1387, 2014
"glad you asked,Malcolm.but the phrase should be 'what Doesnt Sigma have of their own'.first, the genesis of stepping has been attributed to us. the steps that most are doing now were originated by us back in the mid-late 70's.the style of omega steps now arent what they were 30 years ago.back in the day,they marched,not hopped. the very beginning moves are some mainstays in our routines. i could go on with this but my hope is that you get the point. in any event, step styles really dont matter as they change, are copied, etc. what Does matter is the organizations contributions to humanity,the adhering to founding principles,and the collective conduct of its members (especially in public). these are topics worthy of debate.that the omegas used some of our stuff doesnt matter as we didnt copywrite it."
****
Chris Perkins, 2014
"+colors1387
...The Sigma's invented stepping? Don't think so bro...Would have to disagree with that. Modern day stepping originates directly from African dancing and the slaves used it as call and response chants during slavery as a means of communication, toss in the addition of influence from the Motown musical movement, (i.e Temptation, Four Tops, etc). No one frat or sorority "originated" stepping, so we'll agree to disagree there. Also stepping started becoming popular in the late 60s not the 70s as a right of passage to new inductees (Neo's) upon their introduction to the campus as full members....Greeks took elements from the motherland and the popular music at the time and it has morphed into what it is now. But what you said was true as far as the styles changing over the years, that is true...every orgs current steps are different than they were in the 70s and 80s."
****
colors1387, 2014
"+Chris Perkins as a ChiCity G.O.M.A.B brother, i spit game but i most enjoy spittin knowledge.for you and anyone else please search/ type in 'Stepping (African American)' and go to Wikipedia. Please pay particular attention to the first paragraph under the heading 'History' .now let me first say that i would be Honored if artsygirlify is my soror but i dont know if she is.nevertheless, i have much love for her. and now to you - modern day stepping originates from the Sigmas who began the practice shortly after the turn of the century (which FAR pre-dates the 60's / 70's as you espoused).admittedly, sororities didnt step until the late 70's/early 80's. true, the art-form came from Africa by many sources including Kwame Nkrumah (a Sigma) who introduced a few steps, one of them with a staff / cane back in the late 30's / early 40's (that kills that nonsense from that other frat talking about cane stepping) but i digress. truth is we stepped before Nkrumah became a brother. stepping far pre-dates Mowtown so i needn't address that 'dead-end' point (though the Temptations Were Sigma men. hmm, imagine that). yup- one frat Did originate stepping and now you know who. so while you may agree to disagree, im not sure who you'll be disagreeing with.i could go on but i hope you get the point. last, i have only one request of you,frater; the next time this topic comes up either among your brothers or others, please give credit where credit is due. this is the honorable thing. Thnx"
****
Chris Perkins, 2014
"+colors1387
Much love man, I enjoy building and spitting knowledge as well. But Bro are you really citing Wikipedia as a reference??? Dog, you know anybody can create edit and Wiki page right? I respect your opinion, but I won't be using Wiki as a reference tool bruh, for pretty much anything. Also can you clarify...The turn of the century? Meaning 1900? So are your saying that the founding Sigma's engaged in stepping?"
****
colors1387, 2014
"+Chris Perkins no,no, the Most Honorable Founders most certainly were not concerned with such trivialities. im speaking about the short time thereafter. while wiki does not stand as the definitive 'end all,be all' of information, i cited it because it was in line with Our historical perspective. of note was that Your brotherhood was Also mentioned which is Also in our historical account (in fact Your fraternity is mentioned a few times in Our history book. had we not mentioned Omega as we did, it would have done Your frat a disservice. as Sigma men, we do not believe in diminishing the accomplishments of others just because they are not Sigmas. credit is given. such is the way of Sigma) .anyway, i have read enough of wiki to know that when it comes to Sigma history, it is reasonably accurate. That's why its cited . i extrapolated upon your knowledge in order to illustrate where You were correct and in line with Sigma history as well. my tendency is to be rather pragmatic about things. i have no interest in 'one upmanship'. as such, whether its me, and/or my brotherhood , or you and your brotherhood, i believe in giving credit where its due. the stepping distinction lies where it is. whether folks outside of Sigma acknowledge that is of no consequence to us. It Is what It Is. bytheway, i misinformed you about sorority stepping. the Zetas Were stepping in the mid- late 70's. i know because i watched them. and they were pretty good at it, i might say.get at me,frater. its a pleasure dialogueing with you. G.O.M.A.B / F.I.E.T.T.S."
****
fred ramsey, 2013
"And For the RECORD, OMEGAS WILL NEVER LOOK LIKE SIGMAS WHEN IT COMES TO HOPPING! "WITH ALL RESPECT TO PHI BETA SIGMA" WE ARE THE ORIGINATORS OF HOPPING AND MARYLAND BRUHZ WILL ALWAYS SET IT OWT WITH MAD-E, CREATIVITY, AND SWAG, RQQ TO GOOD BRUHZ (PLEDGING DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY MAKE YOU GOOD BY THE WAY)"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is Part II of a two part series on the history of and influences on Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority stepping (steppin).
This post provides selected quotes from the viewer discussion thread of a 2013 YouTube video of an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Stroll Off performance.
The content of this post is presented for historial, folkloric, cultural reasons with regard to the subject of the early history of fraternity stepping.
I'm presenting these comments without taking any position about the statements that are made. However, I suggest that readers also consider those statements along with the information and comments that are presented in Part I of this series. Also, read my comments in that section below.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-did-historically-black-greek.html for Part I of this series.
Part I provides excerpts from Elizabeth C. Fine's 2003 groundbreaking book SoulStepping: African American Step Shows (University of Illinois Press). An excerpt from Wikipedia's page on Stepping is given in the Addendum to this post.
I believe that the information and comments about the history of and sources for stepping that are included in this post can also be considered to be part of the history of and sources for what are now referred to as "stroll offs". Several pancocojams posts on stroll offs will be published ASAP and links to those post will be added to this post.
The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in the video that is featured in this post, and thanks to the publisher of that video on YouTube.
There are a number of pancocojams posts on historically Black Greek letter[ed] fraternity and sorority stepping. Click the tags found below or use this blog's search engine to find those posts.
****
FEATURED VIDEO: Omega Psi Phi 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Hop team @atlgreekpicnic
Atlanta Greek Picnic Published on Jun 10, 2013
2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Omega Psi Phi Hop team/ Stroll Off ||
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THAT VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEdlpwUDd7M"Omega Psi Phi 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Hop team @atlgreekpicnic"
Editor's note:
A number of commenters in this video's disscussion thread mentioned that this Omega Psi Phi Fraternity stroll off was different than most stroll offs that they had seen members of that fraternity perform. The most commonly mentioned difference was the inclusion of Salsa music and Chicago footwork with the hops that Ques are known for. Commenters also mentioned that this Que stroll off was different because the men wearn't wearing boots (particularly the gold boots that Ques are known for.
The following exchange focuses on other opinions and points.
colors1387, 2013
"very nice show. glad to see the omegas diversifying their routine a bit with some Sigma elements.its all good as its about showmanship and entertainment. again,good job."
****
Chris Perkins, 2013
"+colors1387
Sigma elements? Curious as to what those were in this show?"
****
Malcolm Dicko, 2013
"+colors1387 curious to what "sigma elements " are do sigmas even have anything of their own ?"
****
colors1387, 2014
"glad you asked,Malcolm.but the phrase should be 'what Doesnt Sigma have of their own'.first, the genesis of stepping has been attributed to us. the steps that most are doing now were originated by us back in the mid-late 70's.the style of omega steps now arent what they were 30 years ago.back in the day,they marched,not hopped. the very beginning moves are some mainstays in our routines. i could go on with this but my hope is that you get the point. in any event, step styles really dont matter as they change, are copied, etc. what Does matter is the organizations contributions to humanity,the adhering to founding principles,and the collective conduct of its members (especially in public). these are topics worthy of debate.that the omegas used some of our stuff doesnt matter as we didnt copywrite it."
****
Chris Perkins, 2014
"+colors1387
...The Sigma's invented stepping? Don't think so bro...Would have to disagree with that. Modern day stepping originates directly from African dancing and the slaves used it as call and response chants during slavery as a means of communication, toss in the addition of influence from the Motown musical movement, (i.e Temptation, Four Tops, etc). No one frat or sorority "originated" stepping, so we'll agree to disagree there. Also stepping started becoming popular in the late 60s not the 70s as a right of passage to new inductees (Neo's) upon their introduction to the campus as full members....Greeks took elements from the motherland and the popular music at the time and it has morphed into what it is now. But what you said was true as far as the styles changing over the years, that is true...every orgs current steps are different than they were in the 70s and 80s."
****
colors1387, 2014
"+Chris Perkins as a ChiCity G.O.M.A.B brother, i spit game but i most enjoy spittin knowledge.for you and anyone else please search/ type in 'Stepping (African American)' and go to Wikipedia. Please pay particular attention to the first paragraph under the heading 'History' .now let me first say that i would be Honored if artsygirlify is my soror but i dont know if she is.nevertheless, i have much love for her. and now to you - modern day stepping originates from the Sigmas who began the practice shortly after the turn of the century (which FAR pre-dates the 60's / 70's as you espoused).admittedly, sororities didnt step until the late 70's/early 80's. true, the art-form came from Africa by many sources including Kwame Nkrumah (a Sigma) who introduced a few steps, one of them with a staff / cane back in the late 30's / early 40's (that kills that nonsense from that other frat talking about cane stepping) but i digress. truth is we stepped before Nkrumah became a brother. stepping far pre-dates Mowtown so i needn't address that 'dead-end' point (though the Temptations Were Sigma men. hmm, imagine that). yup- one frat Did originate stepping and now you know who. so while you may agree to disagree, im not sure who you'll be disagreeing with.i could go on but i hope you get the point. last, i have only one request of you,frater; the next time this topic comes up either among your brothers or others, please give credit where credit is due. this is the honorable thing. Thnx"
****
Chris Perkins, 2014
"+colors1387
Much love man, I enjoy building and spitting knowledge as well. But Bro are you really citing Wikipedia as a reference??? Dog, you know anybody can create edit and Wiki page right? I respect your opinion, but I won't be using Wiki as a reference tool bruh, for pretty much anything. Also can you clarify...The turn of the century? Meaning 1900? So are your saying that the founding Sigma's engaged in stepping?"
****
colors1387, 2014
"+Chris Perkins no,no, the Most Honorable Founders most certainly were not concerned with such trivialities. im speaking about the short time thereafter. while wiki does not stand as the definitive 'end all,be all' of information, i cited it because it was in line with Our historical perspective. of note was that Your brotherhood was Also mentioned which is Also in our historical account (in fact Your fraternity is mentioned a few times in Our history book. had we not mentioned Omega as we did, it would have done Your frat a disservice. as Sigma men, we do not believe in diminishing the accomplishments of others just because they are not Sigmas. credit is given. such is the way of Sigma) .anyway, i have read enough of wiki to know that when it comes to Sigma history, it is reasonably accurate. That's why its cited . i extrapolated upon your knowledge in order to illustrate where You were correct and in line with Sigma history as well. my tendency is to be rather pragmatic about things. i have no interest in 'one upmanship'. as such, whether its me, and/or my brotherhood , or you and your brotherhood, i believe in giving credit where its due. the stepping distinction lies where it is. whether folks outside of Sigma acknowledge that is of no consequence to us. It Is what It Is. bytheway, i misinformed you about sorority stepping. the Zetas Were stepping in the mid- late 70's. i know because i watched them. and they were pretty good at it, i might say.get at me,frater. its a pleasure dialogueing with you. G.O.M.A.B / F.I.E.T.T.S."
****
fred ramsey, 2013
"And For the RECORD, OMEGAS WILL NEVER LOOK LIKE SIGMAS WHEN IT COMES TO HOPPING! "WITH ALL RESPECT TO PHI BETA SIGMA" WE ARE THE ORIGINATORS OF HOPPING AND MARYLAND BRUHZ WILL ALWAYS SET IT OWT WITH MAD-E, CREATIVITY, AND SWAG, RQQ TO GOOD BRUHZ (PLEDGING DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY MAKE YOU GOOD BY THE WAY)"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.