**** Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post showcases two two YouTube videos of a 1987 step show performance of members of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) at Howard University, Washington, D.C .
Selected comments from the discussion threads for Video #1 in this post are also included in these posts. I've added some explanatory notes
under some of these comments.
The content of this post is presented for historical,
cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Particular attention is given to comments that refer to
differences between step show performances then and step show performances in
the 2000s.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and
thanks to the person who filmed this video. Thanks also to all those who are
quoted in this post, and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. -snip- Happy 113th Founders’ Day to all members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was founded on January
15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. and is the first Greek-lettered
organization that was established for Black college women.
Click the tags found below for more pancocojams posts about
historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
**** SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR VIDEO #1 These comments are given in relative chronological order
based on their publishing date with the oldest comments given first, except for
replies.
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
Explanatory notes
have been added below a few of these
comments.
1. istrike87, 2010 "The Sorority shout out was the best part of these vids
for me... Very different from what i see today"
** 2. SOUL KEATO, 2010 "YESS!!! FOR THAT RIPPLE!!!!" -snip- In the context of this video, a "ripple" is a arm movement that is started at one end of a (usually vertical) line and is then performed rapidly by each person in the line so that it appears like a ripple of water (or a wave in the water).
The ripples in this video begins around 5:39 and continues to around 5:59.
** 3. t goodwill, 2011 "coming from a Zeta, that was SOOOO classy!!! damn so
much has changed! LOVE the Sorority shout out! #D9love" -snip- "Zeta" = Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc., a member of the Pan Hellenic Council (which is informally known as "the Divine
Nine"). From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council : "The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a
collaborative umbrella organization composed of historically African American
Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are
sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine (D9)". The
member/partner organizations have not formally adopted nor recommended the use
of this term to describe their collaborative grouping."...
** 4. ninjapoodle22, 2011 "Sistergreeks, this was wonderful! Much respect to you Alpha Chapter of 87'! Very Classy!
Sisterly, Fran Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.!" -snip- Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. is a historically Black Greek letter sorority. Its mascot is a poodle, hence the commenter's screen name "ninjapoodle22". "22" is probably her line number (her number in the group of women when she was pledging i.e. joining that chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho.
** 5. star23j, 2011 "Amazing! I love the greek love displayed in this
Video. What a way to send a message of how important it is to love and respect
each other. All of the sororities and fraternities were made to serve, help, and
better the lives of those in their communities. It's important to keep that
focus and not get side tracked."
** 6. neph2012, 2011 "YES!!!this how AKA's should step with class!not all sloppy
like they do now"
** 7.Dominique Bougard, 2011 "I love to see old school probates! This was beautiful!
Wonderful job Sorors!" -snip- A "probate" is a public presentation of new members of a
specific chapter ofa Greek letter
organization. The new members present some of that organization's history and
step and stroll. ** 8. Stella Duro, 2011 "They look FLLLLYYYY !!!" -snip- "Fly" = 1960s African American Vernacular English word meaning "sharp", "stylish", "beautiful", up to date with the latest fashions
** 9. AKAhoneydip1908, 2012 "Wow, absolutely AMAZING!!! @LJBNews, Thank you so much
for posting! I so love the sorority shout outs. You NEVER see such things now.
Sorors you were/are classy, sophisticated and beautiful. I miss old school
shows like this one. Great job Sorors! SKEEEEEEE WEEEEE!" -snip- The sorority's "shout outs" here means "recognitions of [some] other members of the National Pan Hellenic Council (also known as "the Divine Nine"). In this video a shout out was done by replicating the way the particular fraternity being highlighted steps and one of that organization's familiar chants. "Skeeeee Weeeeee" is Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's (unofficial) signature call.
** 10. Earl Jr., 2012 "I attend and HBCU with the all orgs from the nphc are
active, and i've never seen greek unity like what was displayed here on 6:15 to
6:40"
** 11. LaShonda CORDER aka Wizdom, 2013 "This is a serious matter!!!! I love the "All black
greeks are sisters at heart, we should all stick together and not pull apart!!!
Skeeeee Weeeeee!!!!! I love my sorors!!!!!" -snip- "This is a serious matter" is the title of a very
well known Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. chant.
** 12. Khei Burroughs-Kirkland, 2013 "that ripple was hot.. where they do that at now???????
** 13. Raw Talent TV, 2014 "whats the name of the instrumental they're coming out
to?"
** Reply 14. M. Wilson, 2018 "Moments in Love by Art of Noise. Byron Brown. I know
I'm late but I didn't see a response to your question."
** 15. Carolyn Lay, 2015 "This was great! So
different from my greek show as a pledgee of AKA in 1970 at Fisk University. Go
AKA !!!"
** 16. Keisha Dobie, 2016 "Maybe I'm in a time warp, but I still believe that is how a
step show should be performed.Crisp,
clean, and classy!!"
** 17. Lisa Marie, 2016 "That ripple in a ripple ... perfection."
** 18. Cj Will, 2016 "Great old school show Pham!
What does it say after "you tell the story, you tell
the whole darn story"...then this is what?"
** Reply 19. Linda Looney - YouTube, 2016 "This is AKA territory! Thanks :)" -snip- The spelling of the word "Pham" (short for the word "family" and the words "phrist pham" ("first fam") highlight the letters "ph". Those terms are used by members of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc, the first historically Black Greek letter fraternity and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the first historically Black Greek letter sorority. Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Kappa Alpha are informally considered to be brother and sister organization.
** 20.John -Ira Hull, 2017 "That entrances was everything! The AKA has a style of there
own and can't be duplicated." **
21. BeautifulDiva1913, 2017 "The absolute BEST thing about this step show was that they
didn't diss!Love that!Praying these ladies are still blessed
today!!!
Sincerely, Your Fellow HU Alum & Fellow BGLO sister from DST" -snip- diss= insult, throw shade [at the other BGLOS]
HU Alum= Howard University Alumni
BGLO - Black Greek Letter Organizations
DST = [the historically Black Greek letter sorority] Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
** 22. Lisa Marie, 2017 "That ripple is EVERY. SINGLE. THING!! Work it out
Sorors!! :-)"
** 23. Richie Hughes, 2017 "Linda Looney Bond I subscribed to you page! I love
seeing the golden days. There was more class and elegance then. The AKAs of
today do exemplify that, but we seemed more adult in our time. I crossed in
1995, APhiA" -snip- "APhiA" = Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The word "crossed" in the sentence "I crossed in 1995" refers to "crossing the burning sands". That term means that
means that a person has officially becoming a member of that particular
historically Black Greek letter organization.
** 24. anydavis1, 2018 "MaryDILF thanks for the compliment. I am front of the line on the right and want to let you know that nearly 30 years later our line has done quite well. We are blessed to have doctors, lawyers, corporate execs, journalists, professors and entrepreneurs among us just to name a few. For those that inquired, we did indeed "WIN" the show that year and reclaimed the step show trophy for Alpha Chapter after many years of defeat. Sorority membership is a life long commitment and many of us are active throughout the country still serving our precious AKA and mentoring our younger Sorors."
** 25. Angie Butler, 2019 "Yes. This is how we did it back in the day. As soon as I saw
this video, it brought back memories of me and my AKA Sorors at the University
of Washington (Seattle) performing at the Step Shows. ๐๐๐" -snip- Pink and green are the signature colors for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
** 26. konvincedn06, 2019 "This is timeless! Job well done ladies.
Your Fellow Bison & Nupe! Yo-Skee" -snip- "Bison" is the mascot for Howard University (Washington D.C.). "Nupe" is another referent for members of the historically Black Greek letter fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. "Yo Skee" is one way that a Kappa greets a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. That word was created by combining the first part of Kappa's signature call "Yo" with the first part of the AKA's signature call "Skee". Also, notice that the commenter represents his organization by replacing the "c" in the word "convinced" with the "k" which is the first letter in the word "Kappa".
** 27. Antranita Welsh, 2020 "I like how instead of throwing shade at the other sororities they thank them cant say it's like that now"
** 28. Cleola Bostic, 2020 "It's amazing to see how stepping has evolved over the years.
I've never seen an old school step show but my God this was wonderful. That was
my favorite song the ladies came out to in Part 1. It's good when Greek and
non-Greek organizations can work together like this. I belong to a black
business professional sorority called Eta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. here in DC."
** 29. Richie Hughes, 2020 "back in the days when us Greeks didn't have to use music to
stroll or step"
** Reply 30. Linda Looney Bond, 2020 "Hi Richie. Thanks. You should check out Part 2. We performed
tributes to our Greek brothers in the second half. Here's a link to Part 2 :). https://youtu.be/bSq4dDbUsoc"
** 31. Eric Moore, 2020 "Is Kamala in this lineup?"
** Reply 32. Linda Looney, 2020 "We are so proud of Soror Kamala!!! Kamala's line
(Spring 86) pledged our line (Spring 87). As the neophytes in '87, our line
performed in the Greek Show that year, and Kamala's line, along with other
sorors helped to prepare us for that performance" -snip- "Kamala" refers to Kamala Harris, the United States Vice President Elect.
This pancocojams post provides documents the source of the historically Black Greek Letter fraternity & sorority song "All Of My Love".
This post also provides some text and video examples of that fraternity and sorority song.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Some of the content of this post was published in an April 2012 pancocojams post entitled "The Fraternity & Sorority Song 'All Of My Love' - Source, Comments, & Examples". There are no visitor comments to that post.
I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those persons who are affiliated with the specific organization that is associated with that particular song or chant. The chant/song "All Of My Love" is claimed by more than one Black Greek lettered organization.
****
OVERVIEW OF "ALL OF MY LOVE" FRATERNITY & SORORITY SONG
The song "All Of My Love" is sung by multiple university based Black Greek lettered organization (BGLO). To date, I've found examples of, and received comments on my [no longer active] cocojams.com website from members of the following Black Greek Letter Organizations (BLGOs) claiming that song: (given in alphabetical order), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Update: April 2, 2024- The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. song "Deep In My Heart" has the same tune and tempo as the other Black Greek Letter Organizations' All of my Love" songs that I have found.
Here are two such comments:
1. "All Of My Love, Peace, & Happiness
I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority inc. I crossed on May 20, 1984. At that time all of the Black Frats and Sororities of the time had similar chants, but of course there were those that were unique to a particular group.
All of our love, peace and harmony, I'm gonna' give to________(you fill in the blank). It could be Zeta, Sigma, Alpha, Delta, Omega, or Kappa. The groups that usually used this chant were the Sigmas and Zetas."
-Aphrodite, Spring '84 Omicron Mu, Buffalo NY; 4/11/2006
**
2. All Of My Love, Peace, & Happiness
"A L P H A All MY Love my Peace and Happiness in going to give it to Alpha Just a miscellaneous of words. How can another organization try to claim a song that spells out another fraternity.. thats my 06 cent.."
-Encore06; 7/29/2006
-snip-
Here are two (partial) lyrics for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. version of "All Of My Love" from http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/archive/index.php/t-8364.html
1. "All of my love, my love my love and peace and happiness. I'm gonna give it to Omega."
Oily-Que, 06-13-2001
**
2. "All of my love(my love my love)
my peace and happiness(ROOF)
I want to give to Omega"
esigmaque, 06-15-2001
-snip-
The "ROOF" is the signature Omega bark.
-snip-
Here's an example of "All Of My Love" from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Source: http://www.angelfire.com/ar3/bbzphib/new_page_35.htm
"All of my love,
(back ground) my love, my love
Peace and happiness
Whew!
I give to my Zeta
-Repeat once-
Z-E-T-A P-H-I B-E-T-A
Zeta Phi Beta
(start over)
-- Contributed by Soror F. Hodges"
****
Here's a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc posting of the lyrics "All of my love"
From https://www.pinterest.com/pin/418201515371494114/
"MsLioness2U saved to I Love My DST!
All of my love, my peace, and happiness, I'm gonna give it to Delta."
-snip-
No date is given for that post.
****
THE SOURCE OF THE FRATERNITY/SORORITY SONG "ALL OF MY LOVE"
The real source for the Black Greek letter fraternity/sorority song "All My Love, My Peace & Happiness" is the 1970 soul/rock song "Love, Peace & Happiness" by The Chambers Brothers.
Here's a video of that song:
Chambers Brothers - Love, Peace & Happiness
Uploaded by guillaimz on Jan 14, 2009
Highly underrated rock/soul classic
-snip-
The Chambers Brothers soul music group is composed of four African American biological brothers, and one White male.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chambers_Brothers:
The Chambers Brothers is a soul-music group, best known for its 1968 hit record, the 11-minute long song "Time Has Come Today". The group was part of the wave of new music that integrated American blues and gospel traditions with modern psychedelic and rock elements...
The song "Love, Peace, Happiness reached #96 on the 1970s Pop Singles chart.
-snip-
Here's the chorus of The Chambers Brothers "Love, Peace, Happiness":
All our love, peace, and happiness
We're gonna give to you now
All our love, peace, and happiness
And you can share yours too
All our love, peace, and happiness
We're gonna give to you yeah
All our love, peace, and happiness
You can share yours too
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS OF BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS SINGING "ALL OF MY LOVE"
Unfortunately, I have only found YouTube examples of this song from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc on YouTube.
If you know of YouTube examples from other Black Greek letter Organizations, please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks!
The following five videos are posted in alphabetical & chronological order, using the organization's name and the video's publishing date.
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. song "All of my heart and soul (belongs to A Phi A)" is included here because its tune is the same as "All of My Love".
Video #1: Alpha Phi Alpha Delta Gamma Chapter AAMU 2013 Fall Graduation
Rob Summers, Mar 2, 2014
AMUNS Graduation, AAMU, DG chapter Alpha Phi Alpha, The Tr3, Jewe7, and the Teezy. We Party Hard, We Stay up Late, But Most of All We Graduate! SCHOLARS MAKING DOLLARS!!!
-snip-
The song with refrain "All of my heart and my soul/belongs to A Phi A" has the same tune as "All Of My Love". That song begins around .47 and ends around 2:11.
****
Video #2: Delta Sigma Theta singing "All of my Love"
Uploaded by leanback04 on Mar 30, 2008
The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta singing "All of My Love" at the spring 2008 probate for the Gamma Tau Chapter. This on the historic campus of Tuskegee University.
-snip-
The words to this song are sung in a round along with the sorority's signature call.
****
Video #3: Delta Sigma Theta - Mu Omicron - All of My Love - Centennial
datdeucetz, Published on Jan 14, 2013
The MOnumental Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta from North Carolina State University, brings in the Centennial Founders Day, with thousands of sorors from around the world. On the campus of Howard University, where it all began ... Honoring the legacy of our 22 founders, with ALL OF OUR LOVE.
****
Video #4: All My Love
Posted by nashad42 — January 22, 2010
"My neos at the Omega PSI Phi - PSI Chapter Spring 2009 Probate" Morehouse College
-snip-
* "Probate" is the "coming out" ceremony for those who were pledging a particular sorority or fraternity. "Probates" (neos) are new members of that sorority or fraternity.
****
Video #5: Omega Psi Phi - All of My Love In Memory of Officer Thomas A. Orr III
Kassandra Johnson, Aug 24, 2017
Lee's Summit, Mo Memorial Service for Officer Thomas A. Orr III (March 6, 1987 - August 20, 2017) Eta Sigma
Here's a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. song that has the same tune and tempo as the other historically Black Greek letter versions of "All of My Love"
Version #6 -Delta Eta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. | Fall 2022 New Initiation Presentation Kenz Productions, Nov. 33, 2022 -snip- This song is sung by all of the new members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, as they stroll into their probate. (beginning at 2:09 to 3:219.)
Here are the words to that song:
Deep
in my heart
you know that I
love that blue and gold
All that I know
ain’t nothin like
that S G Rho [repeat the entire song multiple times)
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series about South African gumboot dancing and historically Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority steppin(g).
Part II presents my comments about some similarities and differences between historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO) stepping and South African gumboot dancing.
Five videos of South African gumboot dancing and five ideos of historically Black Greek letter organizations step show performances are also showcased in this post.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/08/was-south-african-gumboot-dancing.html for Part I of this series. Part I quotes four passages that I've found about the early influence of South African gumboot dancing isicathulo and historically Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority steppin(g) or the early influence of African American movement arts such as pattin Juba and tap dancing on South African gumboot dancing.
This post also includes my correction of a misinterpretation of a comment that I wrote about step shows and pattin Juba which is cited on the Wikipedia page for "Pattin Juba".
****
The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic 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 videos that are embedded in this post, and thanks to all the publishers of these YouTube videos.
****
SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICAN GUMBOOT DANCING AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STEPPIN[G]*
*These comments can also be applied to performances that are done by non-African American step teams
Pancocojams Editor's Disclaimer: I'm a (long inactive) member of a historically] Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO) - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (Gamma Zeta chapter, 1967). However, the only sorority related performances that I participated in were two shows when I was pledging in late 1960s. Those performances were more like a dance routine* than what step shows were like in the 1990s when I began to attend those performances as an observer. And based on my direct observations, as well as descriptions in various books but particular Elizabeth C. Fine's book SoulStepping, and based on watching numerous YouTube videos, it's apparent that BGLO step shows have changed considerably since the 1990s.
I know nothing about South African gumboot dancing beyond what I've read and beyond a number of YouTube videos that I've watched of those performances.
I'm not a dancer, a choreographer, or a dance historian. Consequently, I'm asking for help in describing both of these dance forms and I need help in documenting their similarities and differences. Additions and corrections are very welcome. Please add your thoughts about this subject in the comment section below. Thanks!
-snip-
*Read my description of those dance performances in the comment section below.
Both South African Gumboot dancing (isicathulo) and historically Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority steppin[g] [henceforth referred to as "stepping"] are percussive, syncopated, choreographed group dances that involve foot stomping.
Quoted in http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/bakalang.htm]
..."gumboot dance, ... is characterised by loud.. stepping in gumboots, the clapping of hands and slapping of the boots (Muller 1999:93)
"Gumboots" is a term for Wellington (rubber boots). In the United States, South African"gumboot dancing" is almost always referred to as "boot dancing".
Here's my general comments/observations about stepping:
[These comments are given in no particular order and aren't meant to be a comprehensive description of stepping then and now.]
Like gumboot dancing, stepping" is also percussive, syncopated, choreographed group performance art characterized by loud foot stomps alternating with individual hand claps which sometimes are done under a leg that is lifted up. Stepping originated among historically Black (African American) university based Greek lettered fraternities & sororities and usually occurs at competitive "step shows", fraternities against fraternities and sororities against sororities. Each fraternity & sorority has its own distinctive way of stepping. Some organizations usually step with props such as canes which are twirled, thrown between team members, and rhythmically hit on the ground. However, other fraternities or sororities never use canes. One of those organizations which never uses canes, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., has distinctive hopping movements, and actually prefers the reference "hops" rather than "steps" to describe their routines.
After at least 1990, an increasing number of step teams utilize props, other than canes or staffs ("props" meaning movable or carried objects used on stage), Also, after at least 1990, it has become standard for step teams to perform their step routines as part of skits which often have comedic elements. Often step team members wear costumes that reflect those themes, although after the beginning of the step routine, the costume may be discarded to reveal other clothing, often in the group's signature colors. It also has become common for some step teams to use a self-made video as a way of introducing their teams' theme for that particular show.
A stepping routine may be performed by the entire group at the same time, by one member of the step team followed by the rest of the team, or by a portion of the step team. In stepping, the performers rarely if ever touch another member of their step team- except in the performance of gymnastic/acrobat routines such as lifts.
Steppers almost always have an erect posture, except when they bend down to rhythmically tap canes or staffs. Their routines are usually done in horizontal or vertical lines and these performers utilize much of the stage in performing their routines. Prior to the 1990s, I recall seeing a step master standing to the side of vertical lines of steppers, like a military drill sergeant. I rarely see that nowadays. Instead, sometimes during portions of a step routine, a lead stepper stands in front of the step team or portions of the team.
Body patting (one's own chests and thighs) is an integral part of many step routines. However, body patting doesn't have to be included in a step routine. Traditionally, group [not call and respond] chants (and also singing for certain fraternity or sorority step teams) are still an integral part of step routines. However, it appears to me that there's much less chanting since the 1990s than their previously was (in the 1970ss and 1980s).
BGLO fraternities and sororities have certain distinctive routines. BGLO fraternities and sororities have distinct moves (such as the Kappa shimmy, the Q hop, and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., holding their hand up in imitation of a mirror, and flicking their hair back, in homage to their image as "pretty girls"). Members of step routines routinely include their hand gestures and signature calls in their routines. Members of most fraternities often include "hard" facial expressions such as "mean muggin'" while they perform their step routines. Step teams and their audiences also incorporate BGLO calls and organizational hand gestures [signs] in step performances.
Traditionally, stepping is a performed without any live musical instruments or any recorded music. That is still the case, but it has become standard to include brief clips of recorded music (usually from R&B/Hip Hop genres) and R&B/Hip Hop dancing during portions of a group's step show. Acrobatic/gymnastic movements have also become a standard part of BGLO step routines.
Fraternity step team embers may wear hard soled shoes or construction boots, sometimes spray painted in one of the fraternity's signature colors (such as Omega Psi Phi, Inc. members wearing gold sprayed boots. Sorority step teams often perform in high heels. The term "Wellingtons" or "wellies" is unknown in the United States, and rubber boots are never worn during performances. Furthermore, slapping the top of one's shoe or [construction] boots isn't done in stepping.
Audiences during step shows are very loud, and boisterous, shouting approval or criticism, and making hand gestures and signature calls for the organization that is performing or for their competitive organizations.
Here are some general comments/observations about gumboot dancing:
Traditionally gumboot routines were performed by males only. However, there are a number of YouTube South African videos of combined male and female gumboot groups.
From the videos that I've watched, it appears that gumboot performers traditionally perform their routines standing in one place in a horizontal line. However, some videos of gumboot dancing such as those cited earlier show dancers utilizing more of the "dance stage". Some videos show a lead dancer or alternating dancers standing in front of the rest of the group.
It appears to me that traditionally, gumboot dancers have a bent at the waist posture while performing their routines. That said, I've noticed some gumboot dancers who have a much more erect posture than most gumboot dancers whose videos I've seen (as in video #3). I don't know if this indicates a change in the traditional posture or not.
Apart from staged productions like the show Gumboots, gumboot dancing also appears to be performed without any live musical instruments or recorded music. I don't know if gumboot dance performances are competitive. I also don't know whether gumboot dance troupes have distinctive, signature moves, colors, gestures, songs, and calls that are incorporated into their gumboot routines like step teams do. From watching YouTube gumboot videos, it doesn't appear that gumboot dance groups utilize any props, including canes.
Based on the videos that I've watched of gumboot dancing and in the articles that I've read about that performance art, body patting doesn't appear to be as integral a part of gumboot dancing as it is in many BGLO stepping routines. Instead of doing any chest patting, gumboot dancers rhythmically slap the top or sides of their Wellington boots.
Bells may be added to the gumboots to enhance the rhythmic sound of the boot stomping and the boot slapping.
Video #1 and Video #3 given below shows the gumboot dance groups singing traditional [?] African songs prior to or while they do their gumboot routines. Many of the gumboot videos I've watched include some occasional vocalizations, but that the vocalization is usually done by one performer. It appears to me that that performer who may be giving directions to the rest of group. And what appears to me to be more traditional performances, that "lead dancer" is usually standing in the same line as the other dancers, and not standing in front of the other dancers.
For male performers only pants but no tops appears to be the most traditional attire. Based on the videos that I've seen, most male and female gumboot dancers now (2018) wear pants and tee shirt, or overalls (work uniforms). Miners hard hats appear to be worn by gumboot dancers, although some gumboot dance groups wear bandanas instead of hard hats.
Gumboot dance performances don't appear to be centered around any skits, but there may be some comedic elements incorporated into that routine to appeal to audiences.
Unlike stepping, facial expressions-hard (tough) or otherwise-don't appear to be an element of gumboot performances.
I've seen some videos of gumboot dancers incorporating popular dance moves into their performances and even including some brief snippets of American R&B/Hip Hop songs (video #5 below). However, I don't know how common this is.
I'm not sure if the performances are competitive or not.
****
SHOWCASE STEPPING VIDEOS
Example #1: Alpha Phi Alpha Steps
Willy R·Uploaded on Nov 2, 2006
DI Step Show
****
Example #2: Kappa Alpha Psi, Xi Chapter - Howard Homecoming Step Show 2012
Hu Reaction, Published on Oct 23, 2012
Kappa Alpha Psi Xi Chapter performing at the Howard University Homecoming Step Show 2012
****
Example #3: DST WINS 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 step show @Atlgreekpicnic [Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.)
Atlanta Greek Picnic, Published on Jun 10, 2013
****
Example #4: Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Chapter - Howard 2016 Step Show
Kaelan Laurence, Published on Oct 25, 2016
****
Example #5: Sigma Gamma Rho WINS 2017 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 Step show (Official Video) #AGP2017 #DewXAGP
Atlanta Greek Picnic, Published on Jun 29, 2017
The Ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc WIN the 2017 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 Step show Friday June 23rd, Morehouse College. Sponsored by Mountain Dew.
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SHOWCASE GUMBOOT VIDEOS
Example #1: South Africa 32: Gold Mine Dance
Yaiyasmin, Published on Dec 26, 2009
In Gold Reef City the zulu dancers showed us a mine dance with helmets, boots and kaching kaching!
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Example #2: Gumboot Dancers in South Africa
Mycompasstv, Published on Oct 28, 2009
Gumboot dancing is a century old tradition which originated during the mining era of Johannesburg, South Africa. Dancers wearing gumboots, create rhythms by slapping boots and bodies, using voices and stamping their feet.
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Example #3: Hilton College Gumboot Dance troupe
paphiwe, Published on Apr 29, 2011
2008 Hilton College gumboot troupe in action
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Example #4: Gumboot Dance
Waterford Kamhlaba, Published on Apr 16, 2013
On the 8th of March, His Majesty, King Mswati III of Swaziland visited Waterford Kamhlaba in celebration of the 50th Anniversary. Some Waterford students performed a gumboot dance for His Majesty.
A video by
Iwani Zoe Mawocha
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Example #5: Togetherness Gumboots Dancers
simon moabi, Published on Nov 30, 2013
Togetherness was established in 2006 with the primary aim of organizing young people from different backgrounds in and around Ratanda Area. Currently has a membership of 15, and specialise mainly in Gumboots Dancing.
The group has won many hearts in the communities of Gauteng and its surroundings. We have performed for dignitaries and in many other special occasions and were happy with feedbacks
The group has won several awards in Gumboots Dancing, e.g. Gauteng Dance Showcases, TAXIDO's Mazibuye Emasisweni Festival, Masakhane Arts Festival and few others.
The Groups Mission is to expose young people's talents, and the Vision is to be well recognized around Southern Africa and abroad.
This pancocojams post provides information about Kappa Kappa Psi. This post also showcases five videos of the stepping and strolling performance styles of a few of that organization's Black chapters or predominately Black chapters.
Another featured video showcases an example of members of Kappa Kappa Psi singing their national hymn and the last featured videos shows members of Kappa Kappa Psi serenading a member's bride and then stepping at the wedding reception.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all others who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these YouTube videos.
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INFORMATION ABOUT KAPPA KAPPA PSI
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kappa_Kappa_Psi_chapters
"Kappa Kappa Psi (ฮฮฮจ), National Honorary Band Fraternity. Over 300 chapters have been established in the United States since 1919, which are organized into six separate districts."
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_Kappa_Psi
Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity (ฮฮฮจ, colloquially referred to as KKPsi), is a fraternity for college and university band members in the United States. It was founded on November 27, 1919 at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, now known as Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Kappa Kappa Psi primarily operates as a recognition society[1] providing service, leadership opportunities, and social programming for band members. Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority, has been recognized as a sister organization since 1947, and the two organizations share National Headquarters in Stillwater Station, a converted historical Santa Fe rail depot that was purchased by the fraternity and sorority in 1991.
Since 1919, more than 66,000 men and women have been initiated into Kappa Kappa Psi, with nearly 6,000 collegiate members active today. Members of Kappa Kappa Psi include President Bill Clinton; astronaut Neil Armstrong;[4] chancellor and eleventh president of Indiana University, Herman B Wells;[5] composers John Williams and John Philip Sousa;[6] conductor William Revelli; and jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie.[7]
…May 1957 saw the first chapters at historically black universities: On May 19, the Delta Alpha chapter at Langston University was installed; three days later, the Gamma Omega chapter was established at Texas Southern University.[19]
... The first women to join the fraternity were sisters of the Sigma chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Arizona State University, who merged with the Beta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi after a unanimous vote of both organizations.[23] These women were Patricia A. Childress, Lydia L. Lennon, Leslie A. Anderson, Mary L. Duffala, Mary M. Ketterer, Kristina M. Zipsnis, Clara M. Bertilson, and Toni Ryon, who were initiated into Beta Omicron on August 26, 1977.[23] On August 27, Lea F. Fuller was initiated.[23] The first woman to participate in the formal probationary membership process and become a member of Kappa Kappa Psi was Darragh Hill Young, who was initiated into the Beta Tau chapter at Wichita State University on September 1, 1977.[23]....
The Fraternity Hymn was written by brother Scott Jeffrey Heckstall Jr. when he was a prospective member of the Eta Gamma chapter in 1977.[68] Heckstall had wanted to be a charter member, but was not chosen. Heckstall was encouraged to rush, and he recalled that as part of his rush process, a couple of brothers took him to a piano and told him, "We know that you play [piano] in church. We need a fraternity hymn. We'll give you three hours, and you sit over there and come up with a hymn. We'll come back in three hours, and we expect a hymn."[68] Heckstall recalled the hymn Someday (Beams of Heaven As I Go) by Charles Albert Tindley and changed a few words—for example, "Beams of Heaven as I go through this wilderness below" became "K K Psi, as we go through this wilderness here below."[68] The brothers of Eta Gamma were satisfied with Heckstall's hymn.
Years later, the hymn was presented to the brotherhood assembled at the 1995 National Convention and accepted as the national fraternity hymn.[69] Blue and white are the fraternity's official colors.[67] The fraternity flower is a red carnation, so chosen because it was founder William Scroggs's favorite flower.[67]"...
-snip-
A performance of Kappa Kappa Psi's fraternity hymn is found in the video given below as Example #3.
While Kappa Kappa Psi isn't a historically Black Greek letter fraternity, I've included the "Black fraternity and sorority stepping" tag below because Kappa Kappa Psi's stepping (hopping), strolling, probate shows, and other organization features are similar to those historically Black organizations, although they also add their own signature moves such as "loose neckin'" and "skate" to stepping & strolling traditions.
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Kappa Kappa Psi - Zeta Psi hopping at Homecoming
James Drake Uploaded on Nov 9, 2010
The brothers of the Zeta Psi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. party hopping during the Homecoming drumline tunnel at Virginia State University
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Example #2: Kappa Kappa Psi
ktg778 Uploaded on Apr 8, 2011
Kappa Kappa Psi strolling at Valdosta State University. Lambda Omicron chapter April 8, 2011
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Example #3: KKPsi Hymn
Ahandful ofIdiots Published on Apr 25, 2012
-snip-
The hand holding style that is used for this song is the same as way singers join hands while singing the civil rights song "We Shall Overcome". I've also found other YouTube videos of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Black Greek letter sorority using the same hand holding style while singing their Sweetheart song.
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Example #4: 2012 UMD Block Show: Kappa Kappa Psi
Shegaw Mekonen Published on May 7, 2012
The brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity's Gamma Xi chapter perform at the 2012 University of Maryland Block Show
Bruhs Sangin, Looseneckin and Steppin at my wedding.
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQVQKe-2Lfc for another video of that fraternity serenading and stepping. That video identified the fraternity as Kappa Kappa Psi (Prairie View A&M University). Here's the summary of that video: "Marcus and the Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi (PV) serenade Mrs. Rowden! Then they get a loose neck and hump back!"
"Sangin[g]" is a African American Vernacular English present tense form of the word "sing". That definition of "sang" means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well".
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Example #6: NC A&T KAPPA KAPPA PSI at the 2015 Honda Battle of the bands Social
DMCash Published on Jan 31, 2015
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Example #7:. Kappa Kappa Psi, Zeta Phi Chapter 2016 Bowl N Stroll
Stefan Smith Published on Jan 31, 2016
All 3 rounds of the Tuskegee University chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi winning performance at the 2016 Bowl N Stroll in Atlanta, Ga
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RELATED VIDEO
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK0Ptuyxymo
for a video example of a Kappa Kappa Psi probate (a show introducing new members of that organization to the public.) Notice how much that probate is like those performed by historically Black Greek letter organizations.
This post provides a short excerpt about the military influence on historically Black Greek fraternity and sorority organizations.
This post also showcases a video of Bro. Smitty, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. demonstrating 1960s Omega chants and marches. An "attention" stance and an Omega chant from the 1960s that is similar to the Duckworth Chant ("Sound Off") are featured in that demonstration.
The Addendum of this post provides information, a video, and a short example of the United States military's "Duckworth Count" (also known as "Sound Off".)
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Bro Smitty for his demonstration of 1960s Omega stances and marches. Thanks also to Willie Duckworth for composing the "Duckworth Chant" and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publishers of these video on YouTube.
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EXCERPT FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES: THE LEGACY AND VISION
[by] Tamara L. Brown, Gregory Parks, Clarenda M. Phillips et. al
Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0813123445
[Page 327]
"THE MILITARY
The military has played a large part in the formation and continuation of BGLO chants and steps. One might even say that the performance behaviors of both the military and BGLOs exists in a kind of symbiotic relationship...
The brothers of Omega Psi Phi with their paramilitary garb, trace stepping back to the military influence of the early 1900s. Ex-soldiers attending college would incorporate marches and drills into their BGLO behaviors. During the grand conclave in 1996, a group of Omega men were interviewed regarding the early influence of the military on stepping. “A lot of
[Page] 328
the brothers who helped form this organization were members of the military ROTC programs back in college…If you ever see a line of marching down pledges, they march like a military line that you might see when….marines do their drills. It’s the same with a pledge line or brothers when we step.
Shannon Rawls of Kappa Alpha Psi elaborated: “Members of black organizations, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi…that went to the military for World War II back in the late 30s and early 40s would come back home and incorporate some of the same cadences and military style back into…the stepping style, or the dance style that they did...
Stepping during this early period was called lining, descriptive of the formation in which soldiers marched. Some Omegas and other BGLO members still refer to stepping as marching on account of this early military influence...
The position of “attention” and “at ease” are often found in BGLO step performances. When at attention, the steppers face forward with their feet placed together, their eyes directed slightly above the crowd, and their arms either at their sides or slightly parallel to the earth with both fists meeting in the middle of their chest. When given the call for at ease, the performers spread their feet shoulder length apart, clasp their hands behind their backs, and turn their heads first to the side, then forward to face the crowd. Between the various segments of the performance, the steppers stand at attention or at ease as a method of showing readiness."...
-snip-
"BGLOs" = (historically) Black Greek letter organizations (college/university based fraternities and sororities)
"Conclave" = a private meeting; in this case, a private gathering of members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: 80th Grand Conclave Marchdown in Las Vegas-Bro Smitty Set It Out
Richard Nichols, Published on Jul 29, 2016
Bro. Smitty Set It Out after receiving his 50th Year Pin at The 80th Grand Conclave Marchdown in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bro Smitty Crossed the burning sands of Omega at Tennessee State University Fall of 1966.
-snip-
"Set it out" is an African American Vernacular English phrase that means "to do something very well".
The attention command and stance is shown at .21 of this video.
The Omega chant that I believe is similar to the United States military's "Duckworth Chant" ("Sound Off") begins at 1:14 of this video.
Here's my transcription of that Omega chant*:
"Left.
Left.
On your left.
Right.
On your left
Right.
On your left
Right.
Left
Right.
Left
Right.
On your left.
On your left.
On your left
Right.
Left
Right.
Left
Right.
On your left
Your right.
Your left
your right
your left
Your right
Your left.
Ooh!
Your left
Your right.
Your left
Your right
Your left
Your right
Your left.
Ooh!
On your left
Right.
On your left
Right.
Que.
Psi.
Phi."
-snip-
Transcription from the video. Additions and corrections are welcome.
As is the case with other BGLO (historically Black Greek letter organization) chants, this example is given for folkloric and cultural purposes and should only be performed by those who are affiliated with this particular fraternity.
*For referencing purposes, I'm proposing the title "Omega Psi Phi's Cadence Count (1960s)" for this chant. If you know the real title of this chant, please share it in this post's comment section below.
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ADDENDUM - THE DUCKWORTH CHANT
Duckworth Chant Ft Slocum 1945 VDisc TSgt Felice Intro & Main Version
Michael Cavanaugh, Published on Jul 21, 2013
In mid-1944, then-Pvt. Willie Lee Duckworth Sr., detached from Camp Kilmer NJ to Ft. Slocum NY for Provisional Training, devised a marching cadence. It is known first as the Duckworth Chant, later as the Jody Call; it was also copyrighted as Sound Off and various pop recordings were made of it. Although he first devised it on post, Duckworth led it (as the introduction here recounts) marching back from bivouac in nearby Ardsley.
After Duckworth returned to post, he was called in by the Commanding Officer, Col. Bernard Lentz. (He is shown in front of the tent.) During WWI Lentz had invented The Cadence System of Teaching Close-Order Drill, and was enthusiastic about Duckworth's cadence. In the time remaining before returning to Kilmer, Lentz detailed Duckworth to work on the cadence with instructors in the Provisional Training Center, including T/Sgt Henry "Jack" Felice, seen on the viewer's right in the group shot, and WO Edward "Eddie" Sadowski, then leader of the post band, the 378th Army Service Forces Band. Felice reads the introduction, then leads the standard version of the Duckworth Chant; together these formed the A side of a V-Disc recorded at Slocum in Raymond Hall in 1945 with inmates of what had then become the Rehabilitation Center. (That is Felice leading the Chant in the marching photo with the water tower in the background.)
After the War, Lentz copyrighted the chant as Sound Off; he shared the royalties with Duckworth, and to this day they continue to come in to both the Duckworth and Lentz families.
In 2009 a committee of local admirers led by Rosby Gordon placed this granite marker on the grounds of the courthouse in Washington Co, GA, T/4 Duckworth's home county; at the same time a portion of GA State Hwy 252, running in front of Duckworth's house, was named in his honor. Duckworth's chant, the Jody, remains a staple both of military life and of popular culture (from the soundtracks of military-themed films to jingles such as SpongeBob Squarepants).
-snip-
This summary is reformatted in this post for greater reading clarity.
..."I had a good home, but I left (you're right)
I had a good home, but I left (you're right)
Jody was there, when I left (you're right)
Jody was there, when I left (you're right)
This is Part II of two pancocojams series that showcaseS a 2008 video of members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. performing a march (a stepping routine).
In addition to that video, Part II also includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread that refer to the customs of branding and the custom of mean mugging in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and in some other historically Black Greek letter organizations. Part II also includes some commentary about the Que marching that is shown in the video which is featured in this post.Part II provides some information about the custom of branding that occurs in some historically Black Greek fraternities and sororities.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, and cultural purposes.
DISCLAIMER: This post is not meant to imply that members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. or members of other historically Black Greek letter organizations are the only fraternities or sororities to have brands. Members of PWI (predominately White institutions i.e. fraternities and sororities) may also have organizational brands. However, that custom has always been much more common in certain BGLOs. It has always been very rare for members of some BGLOs (particularly some sororities) to have brands. But Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is particularly known for many of its members having one or more brands. One brand is usually on their chest near their heart, and/or on their forearm.
One of my take away from reading these comments (and noting the photographs of some of the commenters) is that a number of Black commenters (as well as non-Black commenters) don't know about the custom in some BGLOs (especially the fraternities) of branding. And those who do know about this custom, don't appear to be aware of the reasons people who are branded have given for getting a brand.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a member of a historically Black Greek letter sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc), although I've been inactive in that organization for decades. I don't think that branding has ever been a custom in that sorority, and if it had been a custom when I was active with that organization (in the late 1960s-a loooong time ago), I probably would have opted out of that choice.
That said, to each his or her own (especially if it is done outside of hazing-which has been illegal for some time in Divine 9 organizations. And especially if branding is done by someone who knows what he or she is doing, and the person branded follows takes care after his or her branding to prevent infection and other post-branding consequences.)
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producer and publisher of this video on YouTube.
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BRANDING IN HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS
From http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2015/02/national-pan-hellenic-fraternities-branding-ritual-is-rooted-in-history Quoted from The Daily Tar Heel
..."Although, historically, there have been students at UNC [Universities of North Carolina] that have been branded, it is not something Bachenheimer, director of Fraternity & Sorority Life and Community Involvement at UNC, and his department encounter often. “In that instance there was nothing to handle,” he said. “Typically branding doesn’t happen until one is initiated, but historically it is not a part of hazing.” He said the administration is aware of branding in UNC Greek life, but because it is a voluntary practice, there are no official policies against it. “While we may have concerns about branding, particularly the process which can lead to other problems, we can only educate people about branding,” Bachenheimer said... Though there is no official UNC policy, if branding is a part of hazing, it is dealt with in a different capacity... “If the brand itself is incurred through another act of violence, then we have an assault policy but not a branding policy,” Bachenheimer said.
A voluntary practice Lyles said the tradition [or branding] started in National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities around the 1960s, though it developed at different fraternities across the country parallel to one another. Eddie Francis, who studies historically black colleges and universities and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, said there is no way to know exactly the beginning of branding in NPHC organizations because there is not much documentation on the subject. Sandra Posey, a women’s studies associate professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver who has studied the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, said she has heard various stories that trace it back to black soldiers in World War I, the branding of slaves, African practices or even a freemason tradition. “So much is veiled in secrecy and legend,” she said. “It’s really hard to say what the actual origin of branding in fraternities is.” Even now the organizations practice discretion among other organizations in the Divine Nine — the nine historically black Greek letter organizations in NPHC — so it is hard to know what happens in the fraternities and sororities. “Discretion is something that is not only a requirement but is respected,” Francis said. Lyles said that along with Omega Psi Phi, chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have their own branding traditions. “For us it was ceremonial, but it is certainly not sanctioned by the fraternal organizations,” he said.
Bachenheimer said NPHC fraternities usually have a policy that explicitly states the national organization’s official stance on branding. Members say practice is a voluntary decision and not part of any hazing or initiation rituals. Georgia State University alumnus Anthony Kadri is a member of Omega Psi Phi and serves in the national organization’s Grand Council...Beckett said its important to get branded by someone who knows what they are doing, both to ensure it looks correct after and to reduce the risk of complications. “It is like a tattoo in the way that you’re not just going to let anybody do it,” Beckett said. “You ask around and see who can do it well, and those people become pretty popular within the fraternity.” Kadri said because it is not a sanctioned activity, members need to use common sense when they get branded. “It’s a burn,” he said. “You’re assuming your own risk. You’re not forced to have one.” Branding is mostly about expressing love for the organization, according to Francis. “Emotional attachment, if you look outside of branding, is no different from how other people show attachment,” he said."
-snip-
This excerpt was reformatted for this post.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Omega Psi Phi Que Doggs
Where thinkin' aint illegal yet, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2008
Gamma Sig Ques Settin' It Out 75th Conclave 2008
-snip-
Pancocojams editor's notes:
Gamma Sig chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is located at Alabama State University. "Ques" and "Que Dogs" are positive referents for members of that historically Black Greek letter organization. However, "Que dog" is only an in-group referent (i.e. it shouldn't be used by non-members as a referent for a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.)
One reason why I'm showcasing this video is because it probably has the most views and comments than any other Black Greek letter organization (BGLO) video on YouTube. As of August 4, 2016 (at 9:41 AM) that video had 1,389,745 views and 1,060 comments.
Click the "Black fraternities and sororities" tag and "Black fraternity and sorority stepping" tag below for more pancocojams post about historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs).
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO's DISCUSSION THREAD:
This compilation contains selected comments from the discussion thread of the 2008 video that is showcased above.
These comments are given in relative chronological order, with the oldest dated comments by year given first, except for responses. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
WARNING: Many comments in this video's discussion thread contain profanity, homophobic language, racist references, and sexually explicit references.
Although many comments in this video's discussion thread contain homophobic references, for the folkloric record, I've only included a few of those comments in this compilation. And although a number of comments in that discussion thread contain racist referents, for the folkloric record, I've only included a few of those comments in this compilation.
I've not included any examples of the numerous comments in that video's discussion thread that contain explicit sexual language.
With the exception of the words "damn" and "hell", I've used amended spelling for words that are considered profanity. Words with amended spelling are indicated by this symbol ^
2010
1. marcusmalone046
"that's Alabama State Ques marching."
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2. mcbridsr
"I can't see how the dude in the front did the splits that long my legs would hurt but the ques always be OWT"
**
3. C.KHiD
"went hard!"
**
4. truBob91
"omg Split-Boy was sexy as hell tho
lol
My daddy is a que :)"
**
5. keebroomer1, 2012
"what's the name of the song that plays in the beginning of the video?"
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6. getonthefloor92
"Atomic Dog by George Clinton
... its a Q thang :)"
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7. mrchangeurlife. 2012
"@keebroomer1 "Atomic Dog" - George Clinton"
**
8. Lady18bugg, 2012
"Them Atomic dogs you gotta love em' lol"
-snip-
George Clinton's record "Atomic Dog" is like the Ques' unofficial theme song.
Since members of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. are called "Que dogs", you'll not find another Black Greek letter fraternity dancing to that record.
**
9. mrchangeurlife
"I like the enthusiasm stay focused on Omega"
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2011
10. mzyorkie
"ALABAMA STATE IS IN THE BUILDING....REP HARD GAMMA SIG!!!"
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11. xdeeshaax
"whats that mark on their chests? :O"
**
Reply
12. tsufi11
"@xdeeshaax its not a mark, its an omega brand"
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13. DragonSpikeXIII
"are they REALLY branded? like for life?
Because if they accepted being branded just for some sort of brotherhood, then they're so incredibly retarded"
**
14. Tiffany Campbell
"did they burn the omega psi phi symbol into their chest or is that a tatoo ???"
**
Reply
15. brittneysoule
"@BOBEAUX5 my husband is a que...hes not branded but he does have the omega tat!"
-snip-
tat = tattoo
**
[This comment was written in response to one that indicated that only Omegas (Ques) brand."
16. jay new
"@mrchangeurlife UMMM NO SWEETIE ALL GREEK ORGANIZATIONS PRACTICE BRANDING ITS NOT JUST OMEGA. IM A DELTA AND I HAVE SMALL DELTA BRAND ON MY THIGH TO REPRESENT MY OOOO SO DIVINE SORORITY OOOOO-OOOP!!"
-snip-
"Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a historically Black Greek letter sorority that is also a member of the Divine 9. Information about the Divine 9 is found in Part I of this series.
The Deltas are often considered the (unofficial) sister organization of the Ques (members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Inc. Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc. is also one of the "Divine 9 historically Black Greek letter organizations. -snip-
"OOOOO-OOOP" is the signature call of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
I disagree with the commenter that all Greek organizations practice branding or even that all historically Black Greek letter organizations engage in the custom of branding.
**
17. celestielsigh
"The branding is a lil scary but I love Ques!"
**
Reply
18. mariawhat757
"yes they may look and act wild but I knnow some Omega men and Ques who have hearts of gold and are soo smart! dont judge a book they HOLDDOWN THEIR Bros forreal! I see it on the yard all the timeand all around from Florida State Grambling TExas southern SCu Clark ATL NCAT HAMPTON NSU HOWARD! to Del state they r a unit foreal! give them love where its do.. they show lov I without doubt! men shud def loook in to omega stats n not just their owt call"
**
19. TheMainMan318
"gold f&&king boots with purple laces, only the ques gotta love it"
-snip-
The Ques' colors are purple and gold. They are known for wearing army boots and army fatigue pants, harping back to the World War I army roots.
**
20. hypurple99
"that Ace WORKED them splits!!!!!!!!!! whoooo!"
-snip-
"Ace" is the person at the front of the (vertical) line. The person at the end of the line is the "tail".
****
2012
21. highnine9
"I'm british, can someone tell me what this is all about ?"
**
Reply
22. Alicia Conley4
"@highnine9 Its somewhat hard to explain...This is what is called a fraternity...a brotherhood of men who come together as one...They were doing a stroll or step...you may want to google it to get a better understanding"
-snip-
A number of commenters used the term "march" (instead of stroll or step to refer to the movements the men in this video made. I've heard and read Ques' characteristic "step" movements called "hopping" or "bopping".
**
23. Melaney Scott
"STEP BRUS!!!!! OO-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!"
**
24. davecalifingers
"wow they look ridiculous"
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25. kwillzmz
"why do q-dogs always make that face when they are doing that stuff?"
**
Reply
26. ValenciaRegina Shelton
"ITS A TRADITION CALLED MEAN MUGGIN"
**
[This comment is written in response to a comment that was critical of the custom of "mean mugging" (also known as "grittin'"- putting on a mean expression to show how determined and hard you are. Ques aren't the only BGLO which does "mean mugging".]
27. a48034
"@Osiyor seems like your scared just because they mean muggin....right because lookin mean in a group means your a gang..........dumass"
-snip-
Here's a related link: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-grittin-on-someone-means-in.html
**
Reply
28. Osiyor
"@a48034 when you can tell me what benefits come from mean mugging, you may actually make a pint of a sense in what you say, acting like a goon doesn't set you any different from those in jails, but if you find this cool, it's all you... ignorant fool
**
Reply
29. a48034
"@Osiyor your so f&&king^ dumb, READ, Omegas are some of the forefathers of modern medicine,art,entertainment,politics,and definitely sports. Benjamin E. Mays mentor of Dr. MLK and president of Morehouse. Langston Hughes innovator of literary arts. Dr.Ronald E. McNair astronaut,Dr. Charles Drew(first blood transfussion) Douglas Wilder, Bill Cosby,Jesse Jackso and so many more. This fraternity is full of african american men who exemplified Christian morals and uplifting mankind with knowledge."
**
30. leelee1947
"the ace don't got no grit tho"
-snip-
This comment means that the first man in line doesn't have a grittin' expression on his face.
**
31. Zebadee Rankin
"My older brother, Leroy Rankin is the Ace Dog and the boy in the front is Eric, 100% real Que Dogs!"
**
32. Ernesto Ernesto
"The Dude at the front meant bussiness dough."
**
33. MangOPlatinum
"why are they mean mugging the way they are..u can look serious without looking extra mean. because by you doing that looks fake. like u trying too hard to be mean. smh"
**
34. chocolatatee33
"I HOPE YALL KNOW THAT BRANDING YOUR BODY IN GODS EYES IS MUTILATION OF THE BODY! GOD FROWNS AT THAT! THINK.COM!!!"
**
35. PanamaNano
"ok, much props to that dude in the front with the splits!"
**
36. briana jackson
"lawdy ohhh lawdy dat one in the front....whooooolawdy!!!!...dem splits..... :0)"
**
Reply
37. crit1227
"@Johnsonfam22 Hahahaha girl you aint neva lied lawd how mercy"
**
39. kenny814
"This frat is mad crazy but idk bout the brand ... gotta rain check on that"
-snip-
"Mad (very)crazy" is probably a compliment.
**
40. lilmacklilredevil21
"The que in the front goes hard"
**
41. GuyaneseHooper
"This Ni&&a Start Doing The Splits . Lol , Hell Nawl .!!!!"
-snip-
A number of commenters were critical of a man doing splits, implying or actually writing something that meant that "real men" don't do splits. However, I believe that doing splits -and some movements that are lifted from gymnastics are core features of most step shows since at least the 1990s.
The splits remind me of modified "death drops". However, many BGLO fraternity members may not want to acknowledge this since death drops originated in Gay ballroom scenes and (it appears to me) that a lot of BGLO members are homophobic.
****
2013
42. Marmalade000000
"Wow, they're all branded"
**
43. Biggestassholealive
"Blacks do the weirdest sh&t.^
**
Reply
44. coporal4
"yea like Animal House and walking around in White Robes hanging ppl isn't weird. Amazing that Blacks do all the wierd sh*t^ and whites do nothing but make hypocritic remarks"
-snip-
"Animal House" is an American movie about a dysfunctional White Greek letter organization (PWI- predominately White institution).
**
45. MZMARIA
"can someone please explain to me why their scars are in the shape of omega?? did they do that to themselves or some sh&t?^"
**
46. sam jones
"My teacher has one on his leg lol"
**
47. dothedeed
"If anyone from this organization is reading, please phase out that ridiculous practice of branding your brothers like animals. The scars are ugly and permanent. Think about a small inconspicuous tattoo or better yet just hand out a ring or other object with your symbol."
**
Reply
48. dothedeed
"IKR - Such an ugly ass brand on his chest for life SMH. Messed up his beautiful skin."
**
49. Sarah Rogers
"damn.. they brand you! that's extreme"
**
50. kayy buy
"i could never be dedicated enough to be branded"
**
51. st1ckyf1ngerz15
"You do not have to get branded....it's a choice. A choice that you will never understand. It is their love for the fraternity. Until you are in it, you will not understand."
**
52. Miya Partee
"It's their choice to get branded"
**
53. Sarah Rogers
"I know! my ex is in a fraternity and they never did anything like that to him...
**
54. Selena Brown
"Man the guy in front stepped out his pants...lol. Much love...I cried when my daddy came home with those brands on his arms."
**
55. xoxjessiica
"wow this was so amazing. the look in their eyes and face... you can see how dedicated they are. i have nothing but respect for them."
**
56. ULoveMySugaLumps
"I don't care how many other groups or races of people start stepping, can't none of them ever do it better than black people. period. we go hard with our shit everytime, cuz we got SOUL.... we are the originators of rythym and soul... but the first one on the line did go hard on this one lol"
****
2014
57. whitley coco
"The first dude, Is that a tattoo??"
-snip-
The photo with this comment is of a young teenager or a young Black woman.
**
Reply
58. ~Jezzi~
"nah that's a scar"
-snip-
This commenter has art work for his or her icon.
**
Reply
59. whitley coco
"but how?? (never saw anything like that before)"
**
Reply
60. whitley coco
"+gypsychik1 how did they do it?"
**
Reply
61. ~Jezzi~
"it's called scarification it's basically cutting a design into your skin so when it heals you have a scar in the shape you want."
**
Reply
62. whitley coco
"oh wow. Thanks"
**
Reply
63. ~Jezzi~
"no problem"
**
Reply
64. Lars Johnson
"+whitley coco that's not what that is. he's branded. that was done with hot metal hitting the flesh."
-snip-
This commenter has a photograph of a White baby as his icon.
**
Reply
65. Lars Johnson
"+gypsychik1 that's a brand. it was burned in, not cut in."
**
66. whitley coco2
"omgsh +Lars Johnson i couldnt do that. thanks!"
**
67. Ayanna Marshall
"Did they really burn the symbol on their chest"
**
Reply
68. pinkafroninja24
"Naw it's a sticker... Lmao hell yeah they did. Crazy huh? It looks disgusting when it's healing"
**
Reply
69. Vince Lok
"Wow, that's dedication for you!"
**
Reply
70. BeautyGirl570
"It's branding."
**
Reply
71. artsygirlify, 2015
"+pinkafroninja24 LMAO@ Naw it;s a sticker! branding for Q's is old tradition...where have these people been under a rock? Comedian Jpe Torry has one...he's a Q from Lincoln Univ in Missouri...Ced the Entertainer a Q...have yet to see a brand,,,"
**
Reply
72. Q Savaqe, 2015
"+artsygirlify sorry you wont see a brand on Ced the Entertainer he is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi"
-snip-
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is a historically Black Greek letter fraternity and a member of the Divine 9.
****
2015
[This comment is in response to commenter who said this was copying the “Maori Haka dance”]
73. artsygirlify
"actually the dance is african inspired...the chants too...know your history of dance"
**
74. Rebecca Kirby
"being branded is never right! I was in a sorority but no level of dedication or brotherhood should ever require you to cut or maim yourself"
**
Reply
75. Brother Gnosis, 2016
"This is your opinion that doesn't matter"
**
76. Reply
iayyam, 2016
"No one requires you to do anything like branding. That's voluntary."
**
77. DoITAll 1911
"I can't fathom , how people will blatantly criticize, what they don't understand. If your not a Que, or even part of a GLO, your opinion stands for little...and your criticism for nothing."
**
Reply
78. Michelle Johnson, 2016
"What is a GLO, please?"
**
Reply
79. DoITAll 1911, 2016
"Greek Letter Organization"
****
2016
80. Solomon Grundy
"branded like slaves"
**
81. Ajaruldoss
"RE To Everyone Who Thinks They Were Forced To Be Branded: One Can Only Choose To Be Branded. No Frat Forces It."
**
82. King Tarrius
"Can someone please explain what is happening, what language they're speaking and why they've been branded?"
**
Reply
83. Shi Di
"College Fraternity
I'm positive that they are speaking mainly English mixed with their Frat Name which is from the greek language, also mixed with just "random" grunts and yelps (like a chant)
The brand is a symbol of their pledge to the Frat and their Brotherhood"
**
Reply
84. leah rockie
"are you white? because you wont get this if you're a white greek."
-snip-
I think that "You won't get this" means "You don't have to worry about getting branded". But it might mean "You won;t understand this."
**
**
85. shae Daddi
"Bruh they branded them like slaves"
**
Reply
86. iayyam
"No one branded them. That's voluntary."
**
Reply
87. Cassie Green
"they sure did. f&&k^ that. I won't let anyone brand me.:
**
Reply
88. iayyam
"not true"
**
Reply
89. Crystal McKinley
"They did it voluntarily, it wasn't forced."
**
Reply
90. DoITAll 1911
"Do some research on Branding. It was/is also done for body representation. Some times slaves were also tatood. So does having a tatoo make you ignorant of slavery? No."
**
Reply
91. DoITAll 1911
"+Cassie Green Its not a requirment. For Bruhs it has a meaning. Not all slaves were branded. Slaves were branded on their faces. Your not going to see that."
**
Reply
92. Mlledeja rawrr
"+DoITAll 1911 those were done as ceremonial scars to identify each other in war. this is not the same thing, however they chose to have it done so I don't see the problem. Furthermore, in African traditional sociรฉtรฉs they have stopped almost altogether doin (scarification) it for it holds no longer the same significance because they have clothes to identify each other in war and tribes aren't as segregated."
**
Reply
93. DoITAll 1911
"+Mlledeja rawrr Scarification still goes on today, as you stated. I can't speak for other BGLO's but branding for Omega has significance."
**
Reply
94. Mlledeja rawrr
"+DoITAll 1911 It goes on, yes, the scarification does, however it's not widely done anymore in Africa specifically in the west where its presence was prevalent. I did say they chose to have it done (Omega Psi) so I see no issue, however to throw in African tradition to back this choice is erroneous and inaccurate."
**
95. Robin Lee
"This reminds me of maori warrior HAKA. Just as powerful. Thanks for sharing."
This is Part I of two pancocojams series that showcaseS a 2008 video of members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. performing a march (a stepping routine).
In addition to that video, Part I includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread that document critical comments and rebuttals to those comments about Black people joining Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
This compilation documents that it's not just non-Black people who have misconceptions about Greek organizations in general. This compilation also documents that some Black people have strongly negative opinions about Black people joining Greek letter organizations.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a member of a historically Black Greek letter sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc), although I've been inactive in that organization for decades. And, while it's not that pertinent to the folkloric record, I feel compelled to note that I strongly disagree with the reasons the commenters in this compilation give for being critical of historically Black Greek letter organizations
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producer and publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE "DIVINE NINE" HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council
"The Nation Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine". The member/partner organizations have not formally adopted nor recommended the use of this term to describe their collaborative grouping. The NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930 on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C. with Matthew W. Bullock as the active Chairman and B. Beatrix Scott as Vice-Chairman. NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937...
The founding members of the NPHC were Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha (1931), Phi Beta Sigma (1931), Sigma Gamma Rho (1937), and Iota Phi Theta (1997) joined this coalition of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs). In his book on BGLOs, Lawrence Ross coined the phrase "The Divine Nine" when referring to the coalition.[3]
As required by various campus recognition policies, neither the NPHC, nor its member national or chapter organizations discriminate on the basis of race or religion."...
-snip-
There are additional university based Greek organizations with mostly Black membership. However, I don't have a link to any list of those organizations.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Omega Psi Phi Que Doggs
Where thinkin' aint illegal yet, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2008
Gamma Sig Ques Settin' It Out 75th Conclave 2008
-snip-
Pancocojams editor's notes:
Gamma Sig chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is located at Alabama State University. "Ques" and "Que Dogs" are positive referents for members of that historically Black Greek letter organization. However, "Que dog" is only an in-group referent (i.e. it shouldn't be used by non-members as a referent for a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.)
One reason why I'm showcasing this video is because it probably has the most views and comments than any other Black Greek letter organization (BGLO) video on YouTube. As of August 4, 2016 (at 9:41 AM) that video had 1,389,745 views and 1,060 comments.
Click the "Black fraternities and sororities" tag and "Black fraternity and sorority stepping" tag below for more pancocojams posts about historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs).
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO's DISCUSSION THREAD: CRITICAL COMMENTS & REBUTTALS ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE JOINING GREEK LETTER FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES
This compilation contains selected comments from the discussion thread of the 2008 video that is showcased above.
These comments are given in relative chronological order, with the oldest dated comments by year given first, except for responses. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
WARNING: Many comments in this video's discussion thread contain profanity, homophobic language, racist references, and sexually explicit references.
Although many comments in this video's discussion thread contain homophobic references, for the folkloric record, I've only included a few of those comments in this compilation. And although a number of comments in that discussion thread contain racist referents, for the folkloric record, I've only included a few of those comments in this compilation.
I've not included any examples of the numerous comments in that video's discussion thread that contain explicit sexual language.
With the exception of the words "damn" and "hell", I've used amended spelling for words that are considered profanity. Words with amended spelling are indicated by this symbol ^
2010
1. shakeymomm
"im not a greek but im a mason !!!!! an i respct all of the D9."
-snip-
Masons
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry "Freemasonry or Masonry consists of fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons"...
Read the comment that is found immediately below that mentions that there are other BLGOs besides the Divine 9.
**
2. rollin60snbc
"@N4L74 BGLO and divine 9 are not the same thing.. their are other black greeks out there that are BGLO but not in the divine 9 because the 9 can not be adjusted"
-snip-
I think "the 9 can not be adjusted" means that the membership in the HPHC is closed. I don't know if that is true.
**
3. Dollaboy667
"@CushiticSomalianMale THey Call themselves "Greeks", and those with proper knowledge already know how disgusting the greeks were with sexuality, so you put 2 and 2 together, and judge for yourself."
**
[The next two comments were written in response to a comment saying members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity don't want to be successful.]
ki_1987
"@youngmoneyGETURS Are you serious Honey? Omega Psi Phi is a BGLO. In order to be in a BGLO you must be in college! Although being in college doesn't secure a future for some BUT for most why waste your money to go if you don't want to be sucessful. I attend school with these guys, I know that all of them have good heads on their shoulders, very smart and respectable. In the undergrad experience, this is what ques do, THEY SET OUT MARCHES, It has nothing to do with how sucessful they are!"
-snip-
"set out marches" = "perform marches" (hops/bops- a form of "steppin" and strolling) or "perform marches really well"
**
4. VikDAkinG
"@youngmoneyGETURS you sir are a moron... this is a collegiate fraternity. that means all of them are in COLLEGE! alot of que doggs grow up to be successful men. thats why the fraternity has been in existence for nearly 100 years supporting the black community you ungrateful loser... too bad you know nothing about BROTHERHOOD. go listen to some more lil wayne and gt_^o of here"
**
5. shano58
"Member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity INC. here, all I have to say is nothing but respect Omega Psi Phi fraternity INC. Y'all have a chapter at my school and y'all put in work. Very impressed with how your work pays off and it is obvious from how your members exemplify the fraternity man. So one Greek to another. RESPECT and keep it up!
OORAH!!!"
-snip-
Phi Kappa Tau is a PWI = predominately White Greek (letter) institution.
****
2011
6. AGOLB33
"@Jonny31Bravo really wid that bull your talking if you dont have nothing positive to say than keep your mouth shut and your thoughts to yourself.
- To everybody else owt here who knows the possitive that comes from the unity of our black people in a possitive manner such as the black fraternities and sororites i would like to give yall all a bigg ROO!!!!!!"
-snip-
"Roo" is the signature call of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
**
7. Osiyor
"wd_^? More like a gang if you ask me..."
**
Reply
8. thegrandorator
"@Osiyor its like a gang because??? They are obviously all in college, they have to have the proper gpa to even go through the probation period, and they have to hold a high moral standard so what about that is even intimidating? just because you see a bunch of men gathered and celebrating their frat doesnt mean its negative at all."
**
Reply
9. a48034
"@Osiyor your so f&&king^ dumb, READ, Omegas are some of the forefathers of modern medicine,art,entertainment,politics,and definitely sports. Benjamin E. Mays mentor of Dr. MLK and president of Morehouse. Langston Hughes innovator of literary arts. Dr.Ronald E. McNair astronaut,Dr. Charles Drew(first blood transfussion) Douglas Wilder, Bill Cosby,Jesse Jackso and so many more. This fraternity is full of african american men who exemplified Christian morals and uplifting mankind with knowledge."
**
[This comment was written in response to a White commenter who wrote that he wished he could join Omega Psi Phi, Inc.]
10. NERD585
"@smizzles716 the organization is open to men of every descent....if Omega is for you then ethnicity doesn't matter."
**
2012
11. phantommp5
"I'm white and have a three good friends/brothers that are Ques. We've gone through doors together carrying the same Federal badge! Good men and damn proud to know them! If I had college to do all over I'd try to pledge with them."
**
12. ChriisSoFlii
"i Was Laughing my ass off through the whole video lol"
**
Reply
13. Jay Dee
"Your sounding like someone who was denied access. Go ahead and rant about things you know nothing about. Do you RANT like this on other Greek vids or is it just the BLACK GREEK VIDS.....sure you do. Another youtube racist...number 20,000,000,000,000,001. LMAO!
BLACK FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES ARE HERE TO STAY!!!!"
**
14. SHEEKY FAH
"DONT JOIN A FRAT IT HAS ROOTS IN FREEMASONRY,EQUALING DEVIL WORSHIP"
**
15. OpenWide1158
"thousands of years later; and y'all still act like spear chuckers"
**
REPLY
16. 2deep4this
"@OpenWide1158 thousands of years later yall still fear us,but now you have computers to hide behind"
**
17. Alex Ferrara
"That the line to KFC?"
-snip-
"KFC" = name of a fast food chain that sells fried chicken.
**
18. A Lackey
"you white boys wish you could be that! Dont hate! Cradle of civilization is "Lucy" who was of color,,,,,check out dr. Louis Leaky- learn your history first people. White comes from black- thats a fact. We are the only race that can produce all colors!"
**
19. Nena Beena
"ITS FUNNY HOW WHITE PPL SEE BLACK PPL IN SORORITIES AND FRATS AND AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME THEYRE ON DRUGS,DOING EXCTASY,ANYTHING NEGATIVE. ITS CALLED BROTHERHOOD/SISTERHOOD AND DISCIPLINE AND PASSION NOT LIKE YOUR WHITE ROBES AND HOODS OR BAD HEADS THAT YOU USE TO BOND,THEY ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING USEFUL,COMMUNITY SERVICE,EVER HEARD OF IT?""
**
Reply
20. Rafael Quinonez
"and how is this discipline ? This is garbage. People who need someone to tell them what to do? Is there no self discipline instilled in someone already?This is brotherhood? Why not just go and join the Bloods and Crips they'll give you brotherhood !"
**
Reply
21. AllMightyDiesel
"you sound like a ignorant troll who didn't make it in !! Dont hate dust your self off and try again!!"
**
Reply
22. Chykim Sanders
"well..theyre in college, theyre dancing, having a great time..and to be an omega psi phi u have to have descent grades....my baby brothers a que dogg and it kept him outta trouble..and to me, thats something positive."
**
23. Jay Dee
"To all of these racists who only enjoyment out of life is to log on to youtube and leave dumb comments, because they are to afraid to speak out in public of their passionate ways...I'm going to put it like this....Fraternities/Sororities are much deeper than what you see on here. Its a brotherhood/sisterhood that is a life long bond. I'M NOT IN A FRAT, but you dont have to be in one to see and understand the obvious. Im just saying..."
**
24. Derron McGee
"Roo to the Great Bruhs. Special Roo to the Great Men that have gone before us, and paved the way to allow us to express ourselves in may ways. Some of these great Men has helped pave the way for these people to be allowed to have such negative comments about an organization and speak so freely. It always kills me when I see comments such as demonic, etc. You fools absolutely have no basis on what you say. Bottom line is you've tried to pledge, you didn't make it, and now you're mad.
Tank
Ace"
-snip-
"Tank" is probably the commenter's "line name". In BGLOs, one definition of the word "line" is "people who join that chapter of the fraternity or sorority at the same time". However, I'm using the word "line" to mean the vertical formation of prospective members or members of a BGLO. These lines are usually formed from the shortest to the tallest. The shortest person standing in the front of the line is the "ace" and the tallest person at the end of the line is the "tail".
HBCU (historically Black Colleges & Universities) dance lines also use the referents "ace" and "tail", although in those dance teams I believe "the ace" is the dancer who performs singles immediately after the captain.
**
25. 289dancer
"That was cute. Ya'll continue to support each other positively and exemplify the community service based mission :D i love ma dawgs"
**
26. Doneshea Burton
"get it bama state q's"
**
27. Martez Banks
"Frendship is essential to the soul proud to be a son of blood and thunder OMEGGGGGAAAAA
PSI"
**
28. Conor Pardo
"Thank you, but I'm not looking for praise. I'm responding with the hope that you (and others that read this) will realize that much of what the media says about Greek life is only true about certain chapters. What the general media doesn't talk about are the countless chapters of fraternities and sororities across the nation that are dedicated to philanthropy and community service. This weekend alone, Butler University's Greek community is hosting three large and successful philanthropic events."
**
29. gomab1986
"Good job, omega's from ASU..ok there are a lot of dumb ass comments on here. First, if you want to know something about what they do, find one and ask one. I am a member if Phi Beta Sigma, Inc and I am a free mason PHA. Once again good job..go Hornets!"
-snip-
Phi Beta Sigma is a historically Black Greek letter fraternity that is a member of the Divine 9.
****
2013
30. George m
"These POGES need to stop barking, they STOLE that Bulldog bark from us the Marine Corps, they are NOT a TRUE brotherhood WE ARE! throw a grenade in the middle of that crowd and see if a q dog belly flops on top of it, I THINK NOT! The Marine Corps have been doing that WAR BARK a lot longer than you have, THATS WHY WE ARE DEVIL DOGS!!!! You guys are Pathetic, do something constructive instead of Hazing and popping each other in the Ass which is what you guys do seeing as you are a Greek club."
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/devil-dogs-q-dogs-are-there-connections.html and http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/military-influences-on-fraternity.html for two pancocojams posts about the probable connection between Omega Psi Phi, Inc. and the United States Marine Corps.
**
31. Rattler3211
"where's the manhood, this is pseudo masculine stupidity, i agree this is nothing more than a cult, if you are christian there is no need for this even though many christians have gotten involved in this satanic foolishness"
**
Reply
32. illzdiamond
"The bible speaks against cults and worshipping false Gods..but it does not speak of organizations that help out in the communities and if you pay attention and do research most chants have God in them..I guess some of you dont need to be in an organization period whether church or local. Only difference is Frats and Sororities have steps, chants, and cat calls (which all derives from African dance). Im a Christian but I cant stand when folkd talk about what they dont know and judge based on what"
**
Reply
33. IamWade (Darryl Wade)
"please dont speak in ignorance , my father is a kappa nd i know everything to know about these fraternities.
They are deceitful demonic cult...just bcus they have god in there chants dont mean they talking about God Almighty cus they are not . the orgins of the fraternities are Freemasonary which is soo demonic."
-snip-
"Kappa"= Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. is a historically Black Greek letter fraternity and a member of the Divine 9.
**
34. theblackunityproject
"What about our African culture?. We are not greek!! hit me @black_unity2012"
**
35. Mike Lowrey, 2015
"The Greeks stole all their sh&t^ from Africa!"
**
37. InfinityNebula Heaven
"Pledging a frat is against God because your allegiance is with the greeks who worship false gods frats worship Lucifer and you shall be judged for this evil"
**
Reply
38. Octavia Crumpton
"i disagree with you sir....just because they pledging don't mean they worship lucifer...uh my cousin is about to pledge but he don't worship lucifer!!! and i also have a brother that's a Blue Phi and he don't worship lucifer"
-snip-
"Blue Phi" is a referent for Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity Inc., a BGLO and member of the Divine 9."
**
Reply
39. InfinityNebula Heaven
"You're brainwashed on Luciferian ideology pledging a frat is against the creator copying a greek culture that was exiled by african kings is ridiculous all will be judged lost woman"
**
Reply
40. George m
"Dr. King was in a Frat in a time when Black Men in Frats Really Stud up for our People and was an organization that did TONS of work for not only Civil Rights but also Human Rights. It's not even close to that now. You are Much to young to know about that, I grew up in the 60's and Seen Everything people like Dr. King and Brother Malcom AND the Frats at that time Did and they did a lot for our Community especially here in Detroit during the Riots."
**
41. Kalista Marston
"As a member of a sorority AND Aproud member of The Order of the Eastern Stars let correct a few misconceptions.Everyone who speaks of Masonary and OES truly can not be members because we sororities are NOT modeled after OES not by a long shot as Frats are not baby Mason orgai"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Eastern_Star
"The Order of the Eastern Star is a Freemasonic appendant body open to both men and women. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason. The order is based on teachings from the Bible,[1] but is open to people of all religious beliefs. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter...
Members of the Order are aged 18 and older; men must be Master Masons and women must have specific relationships with Masons. Originally, a woman would have to be the daughter, widow, wife, sister, or mother of a master Mason, but the Order now allows other relatives"...
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42. MrDubja
"Negroes don't have their culture so they need Greek alphabet and Maoris haka?"
-snip-
"Negroes" is a long retired referent for "African Americans". Usually when that referent is used now to refer to contemporary African Americans it's considered a put down.
Here's information about Maori haka
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka
"The haka (plural haka, as in Mฤori, or hakas) is a traditional war cry, dance, or challenge from the Mฤori people of New Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.[1]
War haka were originally performed by warriors before a battle, proclaiming their strength and prowess in order to intimidate the opposition, but haka are also performed for various reasons: for welcoming distinguished guests, or to acknowledge great achievements, occasions or funerals, and kapa haka performance groups are very common in schools."...
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43. UmWTF Dawg
"FALSE this Black fraternity like the others was created in order to serve the Black community during post-slavery times (hard times). They were also used to secure jobs for qualified Blacks who were denied employment because of their skin color. They used stomping and clapping to praise the Lord in a passionate display of loyalty and love for the members in their organization, and that is not even the half of it. Know what the f&&k^ you're talking about when you speak!!!"
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44. UmWTF Dawg
"They are in college so perhaps they are multi-tasking, as in doing both ;). Some people are just multi-talented like that and the rest are like you. By the way this fraternity is one committed to service, meaning they go out into their communities doing all sorts of volunteer work. I guess you can just add that to their list of talents/extracurricular activities. OH AND let me not forget that this fraternity most likely had a GPA requirement of 3.0 in order to even gain entry. Knowledge, use it."
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45. UmWTF Dawg
"Man I get SOOO tired of people who obviously aren't Black internet thugging on videos they just cannot understand. You don't understand the unity, how a Black sorority or fraternity binds those members with an everlasting love. You just cannot possibly fathom, because you are just not used to the feeling, the experience, the love. All I ask is that we as Black people use the hatred from the outside as glue for the inside (i.e. our community)."
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2014
46. Seven Tre
"ITS REALLY FUNNY LOOKING AT SOME OF THE COMMENTS ON HERE ITS AMAZING WHAT PEOPLE THINK THEY KNOW AND WHAT SOME REALLY DO KNOW -@dj7tre"
-snip-
Several commenters wrote that Seven Tre (dj7tre) is the name of first man shown in the line of Ques in this video.
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47. Cedric Herbert
"I thank The Lord for Omega Psi Phi. The world may judge us but they can never crush us. Do thy duty that is best, leave unto The Lord the rest. Still proud of my neos approaching a million views. Gamma Sig!!!!"
-snip-
"neos" = abbreviation for "neophytes", meaning new members of an organization
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48. Cassidy Smith
"Now ...if they only used that same energy for empowering their people...wow"
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Reply
49. thersten
"what do you mean exactly? empowering their brothers in the frat, students at the university, empowering their immediate family, empowering black people, or empowering everyone in their neighborhood , or society? tha f&&k^ is "their" people."
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50. PHlyestofNerds
"Some of you should do some research on these organizations before you sit by your computers and make ridiculous assertions."
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2015
51. Gary McMichael
"In today's society, why the f&&k^ is there such a thing as an "all black" fraternity? Imagine the sh&t^ that would hit the fan if there were publicized "all white" fraternities. I attended a frat at U of M and we welcomed all brothers, white, black, brown, yellow, red, maize, blue, didn't matter to us. And we have several black brothers that were proud to be part of a truly mixed race frat. They said they avoided frats like OPP b/c they were racist from the start. This whole "angry black man" front is so tired. That douchebag second in line looks like he's trying to take a crap and can't. What a joke."
-snip-
"OPP" may be a put down reference to the lyrics "OPP. Yeah, you know me" in Naughty By Nature's Hip Hop song.
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Reply
52. 105ma
"You are just so stupid. The reason black fraternities even exist are because black people weren't allowed to attend white schools let alone come into their fraternities/ sororities. So they made their own. Now years later these fraternities are still going strong especially at hbcus. And again the only reason hbcus exist are because black people weren't allowed into white schools. So don't try to twist it back on is as if we're the ones who banned y'all. That's like you having your group of friends and not letting me into the group so then I make my own group and you get mad that you can't get in. You're actually dumb as f&&k^. The only reason all white fraternities don't exist are because they decided to open up the all white fraternities that used to be so people wouldn't see the racist trash they really were. So please have several fucking seats. Don't be a hypocrite . We all know the back story of America and how it was and is a racist nation.
-snip-
"So don't try to twist it back on is" probably means "So don't try to twist it back on us".
"hbcus" = historically Black Colleges and Universities
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Reply
53. iayyam
"These frats are open to everyone regardless of race. Whites generally don't join. No one is stopping them...except an ass whooping."
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54. Jim Lahey, 2016
"Historically black, majority black, but not exlusively. Do you have fraternities on your campus comprised of a majority of white men?"
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55. idonigbo Obu
"Fraternities are a form of brain washing, mental slavery!!!!"
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56. tell weez
"If you never attended college... then you more than likely won't understand."
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57. iayyam, 2016
"+Idonigbo Obu you sound kind of stupid. Fraternities and sororities were started in Africa. These brothers are the latest in a long line of African men keeping the tradition alive. Do more research before you talk."
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Reply
58. Corvette D., 2016
"my college doesn't allow frats/sororities and I see why"
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59. Nia Irving
"+Corvette D. These are ALL BLACK UNIVERSITIES."
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60. Corvette D.
"+Nia Irving I know. My school is not an all black one but they don't allow any kind of Greek life"
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61. Biz Mann
"You wouldn't understand the true bond of Friendship these men possess. You only see ugly because your social clubs don't have passion! Ques don't care what you think...that's why they have respect on any yard. Que Psi Phi till the day I die!"
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62. IamWade (Darryl Wade)
"What that yall the Illuminati/ Freemason (all the same since 1700s)..rebudle if you want i expose ur whole fraternity!"
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63. Reply
1stlady90
"-_- illuminati? First off this is not my frat because I am a woman, second you cant expose anything, sooo just take a seat, chill and watch because your opinion means hmm....Nothing!"
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64. yashiramarrero21
"man a whole bunch of black man half naked looks not only gay but very scary"
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65. tuttar3
"Male cheereladers... That was new to me."
-snip-
There were a number of homophobic comments in this video's discussion thread about the first man in the line doing splits, with the commenters implying or directly saying that "real men" don't do splits.
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66. Trice J
"Not only are these comments offensive but clearly they are coming from a bunch of half wits. In any fraternity/sorority there must be unity.. Acting as one. They are not cheerleaders nor are they just some half naked men you see doing chants and steps. Look a bit deeper and see why fraternities/ sororities do the things they do. You idiots make me sick. Many males in my family are QUES and I have nothing but the upmost respect for them. Learn and observe before you speak !!"
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67. 1stlady90
"Dont judge what you don't understand folks."
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68. DoITAll 1911
"I can't fathom , how people will blatantly criticize, what they don't understand. If your not a Que, or even part of a GLO, your opinion stands for little...and your criticism for nothing."
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2016
69. Jay Matt
"the fact that brothers and sisters go through questionable acts to be apart of a glo bothers me because in order to have Greek letters or language you must have a black, moorish, African, indigenous American (which is also black for those who want to question) or natural people's script first. for us to honor a greek social club is to dishonor or ancient ancestors."
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70. michig911
"Now if you want to know the definition of COONING JUST WATCH THIS VIDEO. These are GREEK fraternities not black ones. Brothers and sisters they don't want us there so why keep on fighting for intergration or acceptance?"
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Reply
71. Cedric Herbert
"FauxTep, you do realize this is a black fraternity founded at a black college to enhance black culture."
