Four Videos of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Roll Calls

Edited by Azizi Powell

[Updated June 30, 2017]

Former title: Seven Videos Of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Roll Calls*

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO) calls. This post showcases four* YouTube videos of Black Greek Roll Calls.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/09/black-fraternity-sorority-calls.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides information and comments about the custom of BGLO having signature calls. A list of the "Divine Nine" fraternity and sorority calls is also given in that post.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

*Update: June 30, 2017: The original title of this post was "Seven Videos Of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Rpll calls. I've changed that title because two of those videos are no longer available and one video was mistakenly posted two times. My apology for that mistake.

I attempted to find additional videos of BGLO roll calls, but couldn't find any other videos at this time that I felt were appropriate for this family centered blog. Hence, the title change.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITORIAL COMMENT
I recognize that providing information about Black Greek lettered fraternity/sorority calls is very much frowned upon by most members of those organizations.

While I agree with the position that the history & meaning of specific calls doesn't need to be shared with persons who aren't affiliated with those specific organizations, I believe that the horse has already left the barn regarding sharing the specific calls with the general public. I say this because those calls are routinely performed in public at Greek step shows, Greek strolls, and other Greek events, and those calls and chants are also showcased on YouTube videos and other online websites.

I agree for the most part with the position that information about the history & meaning of historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) calls, hand signs, and some other organizational information should be privileged information. However, as a folklorist I want to document & disseminate as much cultural general information as possible about BGLO fraternites and sororities.

If someone were to ask me* what are BGLO fraternity and sorority calls, I would respond:
Historically Black Greek lettered organization calls are signature sounds that members of an organization makes to get the attention of another member or members of their organization who is some distance away.

Calls can also be used to greet another member or member of that organization, and calls can also be used to "represent" (promote, "big up") their organization during public events. I would also add that out of respect, people who aren't members of a particular organization should not use that organization's call.

*I'm a long time inactive member of a BGLO (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.), but i feel that -inactive or not- I can still respond to these questions:

The section on definitions below provides more information on historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) calls.

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DEFINITIONS
From http://uca.edu/nphc/terminology/
"BGLO: Black Greek Letter Organization. [Note that I prefer the referent "Black Greek lettered organization". However, that isn't the referent that is routinely used.]

Calls – a unique vocal expression attributed to an organization. Please Do: Enjoy listening to the unique calls of the groups. Please Don’t: Repeat an organization’s particular call or response. It is considered a sign of disrespect."

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The general definition for "roll call" is a process of calling out names to determine who is present.

In the context of BLGO roll calls, a roll call provides an opportunity for members of each organization to represent their organization. To "represent" one's organization means to publicly demonstrate your affiliation with that particular organization.

Giving a "shout out" to your organization is another way of saying that you are doing a fraternity/sorority roll call or any other organizational roll call.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates given first. Every organization which is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council [NPHC] isn't included in each of these videos. One reason for the non-inclusion of a particular BGLO which is a member of the NPHC is that
fraternity or sorority might not have had any members who attended that particular university or that particular event.

Notice that in a roll call the audience shows respect for each organization wheen that organization's name is called. Usually there is no hissing or booing. One exception to the audience remaining silent is when members of the audience claps & "throw" their own hand signs when an another organization's chant get them "hyped" (excited). Another exception to the audience's usual lack of response to another organization's shout out is that members of a fraternity which considers itself to be "brothers" to that particular sorority will give one of their signature calls after that sorority's chant/call (and vice versa).

These videos are presented with no other editorial comments.


Example #1: Roll Call THE RIGHT WAY!



mfogles,Uploaded on May 13, 2007

All greekS should take notice. We are like 15 strong and get the crowd on their feet. This is how you do roll call at historically black colleges and universities. Lessons will be given later for all of you. Shout out to Fall 2K. GET CRUNK BRUHS!

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Example #2: Greek Speak Roll Call

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UABStudentLife, Uploaded on Sep 19, 2008

Check out the eight organizations of UAB's NPHC.
[University of Alabama at Birmingham]

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Example #3: Greek Roll Call



M3trisjm92,Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011

Claflin University
Spr. 11' Yard Show

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Example #4: Roll Call College Connection Sunday 2012



docshann Uploaded on Feb 9, 2012

Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.......... [Montgomery, Alabama]
College Connection Sunday........ Roll Call all Organizations Fraternities and Sororities and Colleges

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Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos & thanks to those who published these videos on YouTube.

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