I ain't believing it...I typically get extremely annoyed after 5 minutes of a step performance. Not this time. These Susies BROUGHT IT! Or, did they win because this was 'different', white girls steppin'? I could not stop watching.http://newsone.com/nation/casey-gane-mccalla/white-sorority-wins-sp...
Lord...Blacks are losing their grip on steppin'. What is the world coming to? I would be embarrassed to wear my letters. If I paid to get some..LOL!
I can't stop laughing...
Brian E. Payne
26 comments:
Reader Response:
Blacks are not losing, whites are getting better as they should with practice. Blacks don't have a monopoly on stepping. When you share with others and give them a fair opportunity to compete sooner than later they will catch up with you in most fields. Blacks have proven that in most sports and athletic activities. When they put more emphasis in other areas, there will be similar results. Damn a step show! More black people should use their brain for more than entertainment.
-PM
Muata responds to PM:
PM-
I hear ya. I feel what ya articulating. Below is another take on this from a black woman. I STILL can't stop laughing. Lord...this has made my week so far. Two days in. BTW, some of the white chicks stepping and movin da hips were 'bodied up': nice behinds/the works. I guess they taking over in that department too. Lord. This is so funny to me!! LOL! We got nothing left. As Lamont Sanford said, "They (we) ain't like we use to be!" LOL! Somebody stop me!!
Another take:
"Stepping has always been an irritant to me.. But I must say that
1. Stepping has always been part of the greek organization's unique way of expressing themselves.. and not just entertainment.. This seemed to cheapen it..
2. I'm hearing that the white girls above blatantly swiped moves from every black organization out there
3. There is a rumor they were trained by the AKA's (I don't believe that one though, it doesn't make sense)
4. They most certainly were good, but whereas there are good white rappers.. and I feel that an arena, like rap, was simply expanded upon.. Stepping is so deeply associated with institutions distinctly set aside for our cultural expression.. that I feel something very valuable was lost.. and cheapened in the process... kind of like waking up and seeing white boys out drill the FOI or something.. no matter how talented this white girls are (and I'm sure it took hard work too at 9 min. long), this particular cultural expression is too tied with celebrating our uniqueness that diversity does not seem like a step up.. but a step down..."
****
PM responds to Muata:
Whites had a way of expressing their culture. It was called DISCRIMINATION! Black people want to have everything that whites have yet keep stepping...................That's not only funny but outright foolish.
-PM
Book info shared:
Stolen Legacy, George G.M. James
-Nandi
Nandi agrees with PM:
Agreed!
Nandi
www.juswritinlife.com
www.eklectiksinc.com
www.ruggedworks.net
Muata responds:
I really do understand the sentiment shared. This time I am wondering, 'what in the h*ll?' Not that I am upset that the white girls won. Actually, they rocked it! They were good. Surprisingly not one BLACK person has yet to acknowledge that on this thread. I know our taste and what is good and not varies too. Also, this may be trivial to some. I am aware. One thing is for sure, discrimination and who created the art form has nothing to do with 6-8 white girls beating the booty shorts off the AKA's, Delta's, Zeta's, and the other pay for 'belonging organizations' (some of you 'Greeks' will not like that). And don't get it twisted if I had it to do all over again I would be driving down Alpha Road! What we have here is another 'thing' that we dominate being infiltrated. This time is was with a good performance. I applaud the white girls for coming on stage. Can you imagine the possible fear? Insecurity? Almost like how many of us New Blacks felt the first time we faced an all white audience. Yeah, you know that feeling. Hail to the White Girls...
-Muata
Reader response to Muata:
The were cool...
-AC
Reader responds to Muata:
I truly resent that "pay for belonging" comment because it just sounds mean spirited. I have never been embarrassed by being a member of a fraternity and although I can understand the arguments against them, I just think that being a part of a group or organization is hardly the worse thing a person can do. You either like it or you don't, I would just rather be judged on how I treat people and not someone's perception of what I represent.
My issue on this topic is not all related to the fraternity thing though, it is more associated with an issues I have with white entitlement. I am not offended that these young ladies won a step show and I don't feel threatened by it either. (This isn't the first time they have won a step show btw, I went to school in Arkansas and have been hearing from folks back there about a white frat and sorority from Arkansas State winning in shows for about a year or two now.) My concern is that if there is the recognition of aspects of black culture being appropriated for gain by white folks, and if there is anything that has originated in our community that is not somehow appropriated by white folks? If someone can point out where we have excluded white folks from anything I would like to hear it? Otherwise I am going to feel a little discomfort sometimes when things like this happen, especially when I know the capability of white folks that "deign" to do "black" things and then run around and act like they are "experts" on all things black because they won a step show or can hold a note like a black person.
-LE
Reader responds to LE:
You probably feel that way because you grew up in the South and KNOW racism first hand like many of us. The truth is this world belongs to PEOPLE despite what damage that white men have caused. Origination does not constitute isolation! Black people would serve themselves better if they focused on many of the things that other cultures never abandoned like : education, pride, dignity, SELF- WORTH, and collective progress.
-PM
Nandi responds to PM:
Once again you nailed it!
-Nandi
LE responds to PM:
Mr. Medley,
I grew up in the north actually, so does that mean I don't know racism? I feel this way because it is my well thought out opinion just like yours. I wouldn't discount a wide world view at all and I wouldn't advocate isolation, but I also don't take issue with the notion that there are some things, trivial as they may seem at times, that we can desire to be cultural exclusive (Not just the stepshow thing) because there are still places we are not welcome even with brother Barak in the White House. I kind of see that as black folk "serving" themselves with pride and dignity, which builds self worth. I figure there are a bunch of ways to look at things like this without discounting any angle.
-LE
PM responds to LE:
Please know I am Pro Black and and active advocate. Truth is black people for the most part, are not welcomed in this society if they are seeking equality. My point is discrimination, on any level, is wrong and most of us are guilty of it. Many white men have abused their powers and magnified it. I think it would serve black folk better to FOCUS on what we can do rather than what any other group has done or is doing.
-PM
Reader Response:
why do you have to pull the segragist card out! Dam boy...you just want us white people to go away! I hate to tell you this, many of the problems that are there will STILL be there when you take us away. People always like to feel superior over someone/something else, and that will not change even if you take different colors out of the mix.
And does this mean that I shouldn't do anymore whinding? That's not my culture, but I am DAM good at it as you know! But I get Patrick's point, I'm not entering a contest to win at it, and certainly am not growing any fake dreds if I did. I do see something beautiful about sharing cultural experiences, talents, whatever, but I too hate it when it is then tried to be "claimed" by others, and it loses the original magic. I thought the white girls were good as well, and it's always entertaining when someone outside of the cultural performs that cultural talent (I sure did entertain the Antiguans with my whinding skills! Lol) but would hate it if the spirit of that talent, such as stepping, especially the orgins of it are then lost..
you sure know how to ignite things up though my Payne, who would have thought a piece on white girls stepping would generate so much heat! I love it! :)
-SN
Reader Response:
I need to chime in here for a split second: This is only my opinion but really???? Why are we discussing how amazing it is that a "white" sorority won a step show...I hate to say it but I could care less - I have more important issues to worry about then this. Can we discuss ways we can ensure our children, nieces and nephews in NC will get education so they can join a Frat or Sor if they chose to once they get in college or lets discuss how we can change the status quo of congress and our local politics so we can better our communities? just a thought
Angela Y. Davis (no I am not the real one just named after her)
-AD
Muata responds to AD (Angela Davis):
Angela Davis - What a name and person to live up to!
All the topics you listed below have been discussed. We do this on the weekly: Chat and then DO. DO something to make our condition better.
To be quite frank, the answer to your questions have been explored COUNTLESS times by many of black folk. The question should be: What have we, as the offspring's of the most dedicated people on earth (freedom fighters), going to do? Have done? My safe and bleak response: We have squandered the opportunity to progress. Really progress. Here we are talking about education for our children, local politics, and the ineffectiveness of Congress. Still...Wow! I say dam* this system! We need our own. Then we can control when and who enters OUR competitions.
I invite you to stay with us. Let me know if you want me to put you on The List.
My blogs (the creation of each person who participates in these discussions). The blogs are nothing without their valuable input.
http://muatatruthtelling.blogspot.com/
http://www.theshadowseries.blogspot.com/
http://rebellioussacrifice.blogspot.com/
http://touchingtrulytouching.blogspot.com/
-Muata
AD responds to Muata:
Thanks - It is hard living up to a name that meant different things to different people. I always wondered what happen to the torch that was started in the 60's...did it dropped and each of us has a piece of the torch but it looks a lot different and means different things to each of us depending on where we are in our life. I don't have answers to any of those questions I posed but each day is opportunity for me to make a difference in my community by participating in it and paying forward into someone else life. I guess when everyone is doing it then the world would be progress but as always "what have u done for me" will always be the excuse instead of "what can u do for this country, state, county, city and neighbor that u live in"
-AD
Reader response:
This is just like folks getting upset that a white graduated at the top of the class at Morehouse a few years ago. In some arenas, the playing field is level. And yes, what I do mean is OUR OWN ARENAS.
Don't complain. BE THE BEST!
"I'm hearing that the white girls above blatantly swiped moves from every black organization out there." Gee, greeks NEVER steal moves from each other.
I didn't see the whole competition, but they did rock it.
-F
Muata responds to F:
Frank-
Ya RIGHT they did rock it.
In all of this, the entire discussion that I have had in/on countless forms, MOST black folk will not admit that the white girls ROCKED IT. Knowing full well that they did! Nope, what many of us blacks have done is cocooned ourselves in our Black Power, Black Elite, and Black Racism to the point of consciously and subconsciously hatin'. Showing NO humility to ADMIT: 'THE WHITE CHICKS ROCKED IT.' That to me is in the same spirit as the Lucifer-like white person who had compassion for the black slave getting strung-up - but said NOTHING. I said in the same spirit. No indictment issued...
-Muata
Reader Response:
I came across a quote today from Maya Angelou that just about sums this up... I don't remember it word for word, but I will paraphrase:
Essentially she said is that the one who copies looks as ridiculous as a robin with peacock feathers stuck to it...
-DG
F responds again:
Once again we are being RE-actionary. We are busy talking about what the white girls did (looking outward) instead of what we didn't do (looking inward). This is an unfortunate byproduct of the civil rights movement. Wait a minute, let me finish. It's part of the grievance mentality. While it was necessary back then, what we need to be focused on now, is US.
-F
Muata shares more:
Lord knows I was hoping to be done with this story considering so many black folk got hyper-sensitive over this - and to be quite frank I was applauded how some blacks could not muster up enough 'righteousness' to admit that the white women: ROCKED it. As I said in my commentary: appreciation of what is good and not varies. I still contend the white girls rocked it.
Well, if the tables were turned with the latest on this story (link below) black folk would be yelling. They would be heated. The NAACP would step in. Sharpton would consider calling the Coke HQ. The black blog-sphere would be off the chain with discrimination claims, racism claims, and all the stuff that most blacks holla when we feel slighted. In this case, not many will come to the white girls side. Not many blacks of course. Perhaps, the girls should call Rush? Perhaps, the white folk reading now should voice your 'disdain' on this thread?
Black Hypocrisy!
BPayne pushing fairness for all...including white girls who can step and with banging bodies. LOL.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/22675635/detail.html?taf=atl
-Muata
Reader Response:
I agree here, when we talked about this earlier in the week, my concern wasn't totally with the step show. It was the "big picture" of cultural appropriation. On this aspect of it though, I think if they won they should have just won. There has to be something else more important for the NAACP to fight for.
-LE
Reader response:
If you are judging this by merit only.. then they mimicked the steps properly and did what they told exquisitely..
If you are judging this by tradition.. then there should be a serious discussion whether or not black people should have any culture that is exclusive to them... I suppose if one thinks that black people should not have or develop an exclusive culture you will see this as short changing white girls their due..
If not, you will see this as more than a step competition but a tradition that will begin to follow along the route of others and become diluted.. then dismissed.. and forgotten..
There is a movie coming out called Our Family Wedding... In the trailer there is a Mexican family and Black family planning the wedding. They both wish to have both cultures represented.. The Mexicans express that they have a lot of Mexican traditions and the Black father expresses that there are African American traditions.. and humorously says "The electric slide".. I thought this highlighted very well why Black folk need SOMETHING.. to call their own ..
Many of our traditions (e.g. jumping the broom) were born in response to exclusion from larger society.. And these traditions allowed many of us to maintain our pride and dignity in the face of inhuman and uncivil treatment.. Perhaps a step show is not that big of deal.. but imo it is an outgrowth of a tradition of creating something fascinating in the midst of a racist society..
I would love to walk around as if our history no longer matters now that we can get jobs.. and intermarry without physical retribution..
But again, for me.. something more than a competition is lost when we diversify without context...
~Peace...
-SK
Reader F responds to SK:
It is up to US to maintain our culture and traditions.
-F
Muata responds to F:
And, F, WE DON'T! Thanks for the response.
We pollute it with ignorance and foolishness. Instead of morphing this into a 'dilution' of our culture, how about we honor the culture our ancestors began? In this case, we could have done so by working hard to win the step show!
We are giving it (our precious culture) away to white girls with ponytail hair weave.
Who da fool?
-Muata
Reader Response:
Thanks for posting this E. Payne. . . . . . , Buffy, Sussie, and Barbie "Tore that up" OMHI. . ., WOW!
Ironically, I never attended a step show during my tenure at Howard, or any year after graduation. My first exposure to "stepping" came about a year before entering HU. My only exposure came during the summer when I was home from the boarding school. I was a member of a outstanding neighborhood "drill team" ,which has a really interesting history in our community as well as inside and out of the military (another story). The fraternal group performed and had a lack luster response from the crowed. The kind of drilling that we did was very soulfully inspired, with crisp syncopation and def coordination, and generated the type of responses that the white sorority appeared to be getting. Had my first exposure to stepping been a performance as sharp as the white sorority, I may have taken a bigger interest in attending a step show at Howard.
The White sorority group was good. I have always been fascinated when I run across a person or group of another culture, that have embraced styles, presentations, or artistic expressions that have origins in our culture ( ie. Robin Thick, Jeremy Warner ( having brother 1/4 mile speed. . . .SMILE), Steve Nash, or Scott Skyles. . . . ,etc.). In my book, skills are skills, and talent is talent. . . . , those girls had some talent.
I will assure you one thing. . . . , the game will be step up next year. Choreography, will be on point and the Sista's will be tight! ! !
-XXX
Post a Comment