This is an Alpha Rho Chapter Step Show from Morehouse's
Campus I shot, from either 1987 or 1988.
This was a few years before I myself crossed the Burning Sands of Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Please excuse
the quality of the video, this was shot decades ago on the old VHS(c) medium,
by a then novice videographer! -snip- "Floor rolls" ("floor ripples") are performed from 2:31 to around 3:09 in this video.
****
School Daze - GPhiG imwithstupidx2, Dec 17, 2007 GphiG steps in school daze
-snip- Here are two comments from this YouTube video:
Mehrunissah93, 2013 So many real fraternities aren't this creative. This is my
favorite scene of the whole movie.
** Reply Rod Cooper, 2018 “They actually got this from real BGLO fraternities.." -snip- "Gamma Phi Gamma" ("GPhiG") is a fictitious Black Greek Letter Organization that was created for this movie.
FSU2Smoov, Mar 16, 2010 -snip- The "floor roll" ("floor ripple") is performed around 1:59 to 2:18.
**** Edited by Azizi Powell This pancoocjams post provides video documentation of the
movement I refer to as a "floor rolls" or “floor ripples" in three
YouTube videos.
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 this post and thanks
to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those who filmed these
embedded videos and thanks their publishers on YouTube. -snip- Click the tags below for other pancocojams posts on Alpha
Phi Alpha and other historically Black Greek letter fraternities, VSU Woo Woo
and other stomp and shake cheerleaders, and School Daze and other African
American movies.
**** PLEASE HELP DOCUMENT THIS CULTURAL PERFORMANCE I'm interested in learning about this acrobatic move that I
refer to as "floor rolls” or “floor ripples". For instance, what is the actual name/s for this move? Is the late 1980s the earliest documented use of this move by historically Black Greek letter fraternities? Which fraternities do this move? Do any historically Black Greek letter sororities do this move?
Please share
information and links to YouTube videos in the comment section below. Thanks!
**** Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams posts presents a compilation of some tweets from the #3 top trending in the United States hashtag #Impeachment Day (January 13, 2021).
These tweets are a sample of those from that hashtag which include vernacular words & sayings from African American Vernacular English, other American Vernacular English words, and play on words.
The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and political purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who voted for the impeachment of Trump and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
These selected tweets were retrieved beginning around 9:00 PM ET to 10:20 PM ET on January 13, 2021. These tweets are given in relative chronological order based on their posting time.
These tweets are given without any photographs or GIFs. I've added some explanatory notes after a few of these tweets.
Tara
@tlacroix2
5h
"Congratulations
@POTUS
#Trump
for achieving twice in one term, what most presidents couldn’t even do once in
two! #impeached #twiceimpeached #ImpeachedTwice #ImpeachmentDay #Traitor
#AchievementUnlocked #WorstPresidentEver #biggestloser #POSpotus #byetrump"
"If you’re the first president in the history of the United
States to be impeached twice, it’s not us. It’s you.
Signed,
The American People
#ImpeachmentDay"
** PoliticalLandscaping FIRST AMENDMENT
@politicallands1
4h
"One of the problems with the #MAGA or #MakeAmericaGreatAgain
movement was the inability to articulate the era "again" was referring
to. And when given the chance to show us what they meant, it didn't look very
good.
#AmericaOrTrump #ImpeachmentDay #MAGATerrorists"
** HBCU Confessions
@HBCUfessions
4h
"Trump is going out sad and he can’t even rant
about it [four emojis of Skull] #ImpeachmentDay" -snip- "HBCU" = "Historically Black Colleges And Universities"
** A.Silver—GIFS & Memes
@SilverAdie
4h
"[emoji of Fire]
Trump’s 2nd #impeachment is way-overdue
Should be no—surprise after [emojis of Right pointing back; hand
index waging] a-coup
#IncitementofInsurrection #ImpeachmentDay #GOP
( [emoji of Face with medical mask] please stay good &
safe & healthy - all)"
** NotWalmart
@NotWalmarts
4h
"We are having a buy one get one sale on (im)peaches
#ImpeachmentDay"
** Minda Harts
@MindaHarts
4h
"He had multiple bankruptcies, why wouldn’t he
have multiple impeachments. It’s on brand. #ImpeachmentDay"
** Bishop Talbert Swan
@TalbertSwan
4h
"Trumpers came to the Capitol with guns, stinger whips,
crossbows, sledgehammers, zip ties, and bombs. They built gallows and hung
nooses—they had every intention to kidnap, maim, assault, and murder.
But....they were white, so, they’re ‘American patriots.’
#ImpeachmentDay"
** ᎠᏌNᎬᎷYᎢᎻᎪNᏩTrade mark sign
@Kris_Sacrebleu
4h
"Dear TraitorTot,
You know what’s SUPER DEPLORABLE? Aside from you I mean...
BEING IMPEACHED TWICE!
#ImpeachmentDay #AmericaOrTrump #MAGA MORONS
#ComplicitCorruptGOP #GOPComplicitTraitors #CapitolRiot"
-snip-
Attached to this tweet is a Sept.10, 2016 tweet from Donald J Trump Jr which
says “Dear Clintons,
You know what’s deplorable?
Being impeached!!!
#BasketsOfDeplorables"
** Rex Huppke
@RexHuppke
4h
"Hello, technical support? I recently subscribed to
Cancel Culture and it doesn’t seem to be working. I’m watching the impeachment
hearing and I can still see all these annoying Republican lawmakers who support
Donald Trump."
My #ImpeachmentDay column:"
** SassALOT
@Sass_Alot
4h
"Couldn’t SNL bust out an emergency show this
week ? #NBC #ImpeachmentDay"
** Fae Blue heartWater waveWater waveWater wave
@fae_grrl
4h
"Got some peach wine to celebrate #ImpeachmentDay"
** John Fugelsang
@JohnFugelsang
3h
"The Trumps
hope hicks
never know
what Hope Hicks knows
about the Trumps.
#impeachmentday"
-snip-
Attached to this tweet is a tweet indicating “JUST IN: Longtime Trump aide Hope
Hicks has left the White House.
ImpeachmentDay”
** Stella Holt
@Stellalesslumpy
3h
[multiple emojis of Raising hands] NOW THAT IS A THREAD!
#ImpeachmentDay #GOPexposed
** Ayanna Floyd Davis
@qu33nofdrama
3h
"Make no mistake.
Nancy Pelosi is the
G.O.A.T.
Strong. Composed. Gets sh-t* done.
She's 80 years old and a MOB showed up at her
job a week ago to kill her. Let that sink in. #ImpeachmentDay x2" -snip- "G.O.A.T." = "Greatest Of All Time"
*This word is fully spelled out in this tweet.
** Sheryl Lynne Yellow heart #25thAmendmentNOW
@shossy2
3h
"Thank you for your dedication, perseverance &
patriotism. Shame on those that doubted you!
You've accomplished something no other Speaker has ever
done: impeached a President twice
Great job!
Shout out to the 10 R's who found a spine & a conscience
today, too
#ImpeachmentDay"
-snip-
Attached to this tweet is a tweet from House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi announcing
that she had signed the Article Of Impeachment against Trump.
** C Two hearts
@Mae__Miss
2h
OH IMPEACHMENT DAY, (Oh Impeachment Day) OH
IMPEACHMENT DAAAY, (Oh Impeachment Daaay) When TRUMP washed, (When Trump
waassshed) His orange face awaaaay... with tears down his face (and couldn't
Tweet it awaaaay) #ImpeachmentDay
-snip-
Attached to this tweet is a GIF of Whoopie Goldberg conducting the choir in Sister Act 2 as they sing the contemporary Gospel song “Oh Happy Day”.
** Cheria (ReRe)
@mzrere2u
2h
"My grandkids history books bout to be straight
lit #ImpeachmentDay #ImpeachedTwice"
** John Fugelsang
@JohnFugelsang
2h
"The 1st POTUS to be divorced 2 times
+
the 1st POTUS to be impeached 2 times
+
lost the popular vote 2 times
=
the Two-Timing POTUS
#ImpeachmentDay"
** Frankie
@studio687
1h
"Damn Trump, the last thing i expected you to do
was force the American people to be better educated on their civics. You know
everyone's been finishing their constitution 101 via google. #ImpeachmentDay"
** Kim Winters
@CommieWinters
1h
"I love that Nancy Pelosi has an impeachment
dress. It's such a power move. #ImpeachmentDay"
-snip-
Attached to this tweet are photos of House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi wearing
the same black dress for both impeachments against Donald Trump.
** The Hill
@thehill
1h
"Rep. Cedric Richmond made last floor speech
calling for President Trump's impeachment: "We said if we didn't remove
him, he would do it again. Simply put, we told you so. Richmond out."
#ImpeachmentDay"
** Brian Kelly
@bwpkelly
1h
"Now that Cheeto Jeezus is well on his way out of
the political arena forever, I’m betting his next business will be bail
bondsman for all those jackass members of Cult 45 that will be arrested for
their actions in the failed coup. #ImpeachmentDay #AmericaOrTrump #LockHimUpNow"
** Nicole
@Nicflix_
1h
"Trump is getting impeached for the SECOND TIME.
Obviously he didn’t get the memo the first timeFace with tears of joy
#ImpeachmentDay"
** Vanessa
@Vanessa12600111
1h
Damn I kinda wish Trump can still see Twitter for just today
to see everyone clowning on him [two emojis of a Skull] #ImpeachmentDay"
** CB3
@CB363982125
1h
Just Saying [multiple emojis of Rolling on the floor laughing] #ImpeachmentDay #impeachment
#ImpeachTrump #Impeach #Impeachment2 #CapitalRiots #BlackLivesMatter #BLM
#ImpeachedAgain #Biden #KamalaHarris"
-snip-
This note attached to this tweet:
“Okay quick question
what happened to
BLUE LIVES MATTER?
MAAAN"
"Don’t forget that one week ago today, the Trump family
gathered in a tent singing, dancing, in the moments leading to the
insurrectionists, storming the WH.
They do not get to rewrite history. Their actions are not
redemptive.
#ImpeachmentDay
Pass it on."
** BlossomCherry blossom NOT SUSPENDED BY
TW1TTER...yetHibiscusBouquet
@StayWokey
1h
Damn Trump, this tweet aged well #ImpeachmentDay"
-snip-
Attached is this tweet is the Donald J Trump tweet from 6/4/14: “Are you allowed to impeach a
president for gross incompetence?”
** Ch
@Chief44445
1h
I was thinking “Damn Trump what you gonna say
this time about getting impeached again” then I remembered he has no social
media’s [two emojis of Rolling on the floor laughing] #ImpeachmentDay"
** Barron Giuliani
@BarronGiuliani
59m
"If Big Red (Santa) comes and spreads joy on
Christmas Day, then does that mean that Big Orange comes and gives us gifts in
#ImpeachmentDay ?"
** [drawing of the Flag of United States] Dr. Bobby Greenville
@BobbyGreenville
15m
"On January 13, 2021, Donald J Trump became the first cast
member of Home Alone 2 to be impeached by the US House of Representatives
twice.
Rep. Cori Bush argues for President Trump's
impeachment.
** Sam I Am
@SamGran33096945
8m
"Imagine wanting the
@NFL
to kick Kap out of
the league and then whining about
@Twitter
kicking trump off
their platform for violating their rules.. what a world to live in
#ImpeachmentDay" -snip- "Kap" = Colin Kaepernick
** Stefanie Herder
@stefherder
8m
"My best friends got me “In Peach Mints” for my
birthday today Raising hands
@bbrax
@BreannaKay
#ImpeachmentDay"
** Brianna Rose
@briannarose_20
7m
"This lovely day has really put me in the mood
for peaches Peach #ImpeachmentDay"
** Mohona Kapur Siddique
@missmks88
4m
"Where can I binge watch #thewestwing these days?
I feel like I need a dose of #samseaborn’s unwavering idealism rn
Expressionless face#ImpeachmentDay"
** JFNose
@JfNose
2m
"I do want to thank those #Republicans who
recognize that this President has crossed a line(s) that can’t be ignored or
accepted. #AmericaOrTrump #ImpeachmentDay"
[The title for this post was revised and its content was reformatted on January 12, 2021].
This pancocojams post provides a compilation of a small number of the comments from two of that spoken word's YouTube discussion threads that were published on or shortly after Trump supporters attacked the United States' Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.
The Addendum to this post This pancocojams post presents the words to and information about Gil Scott Heron's now classic 1971 spoken word "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, political, and historical purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Gill Scott-Heron and all others who were involved in this spoken word and its recording. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks for the publishers of this audio file on YouTube. -snip- Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/02/gil-scot-heron-revolution-will-not-be.html for a 2016 pancocojams post entitled "Gil Scott- Heron The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Full Band Version) with information, words, & comments". That post includes some explanations about African American cultural references in that song. The sound file that was embedded in that post is no longer available as of this date.
DISCLAIMER: The positions expressed in this spoken word and in these comments are those of the spoken word artist and the individual commenters and aren't necessarily the positions that I hold.
**** WIKPEDIA QUOTE ABOUT THE WORD "REVOLUTION" AND PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution "In political science, a revolution (Latin: revolutio,
"a turn around") is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in
political power and political organization which occurs when the population
revolts against the government, typically due to perceived oppression
(political, social, economic) or political incompetence"...
-snip- These selected comments and other comments from these two discussion threads (as well as from other YouTube discussion threads) demonstrate that while people may agree about the definition of "revolution", there's likely to be strenuous disagreement about whether certain conditions and actions warrant a revolution and/or are a revolution. The revolution that Gil Scott Heron was talking about in his "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" spoken word isn't the same revolution that Trump supporters talked about prior to and after Jan. 6, 2021. One person's patriot is another person's terrorist.
**** SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THE JANUARY 6 ,2021 WASHINGTON D.C. CAPITOL ATTACK (FROM TWO YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREADS OF THE SPOKEN WORD "THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED] All of these comments are from Jan. 6, 2021 through Jan. 9, 2021.* Comments are given in relative chronological order with the oldest comments given first, except for replies.
Numbers have been added for referencing purposes only. I'm not including any explanatory notes with these comments. -snip- *YouTube indicates that the comments that were clearly written on Jan. 6, 2021 (as indicated in the comments) as being posted "4 days ago". However, "4 days" from the 1/11/2021 date would be the January 7, 2021. Consequently, I'm designating those comments as being posted on Jan. 6th and I'm adding 1 day to each of the other days that YouTube gaves.
1. Mrs Wilberforce, January 6, 2021 "I've know for YEARS that Gil Scott-Heron was
wrong about this, and today (Jan 6, 2021) is the absolute proof---although, to
be absolutely clear, this is an attempted coup by the Trump Cult and 100% NOT a
revolution"
** 2. Cali Wildflower, January, 6, 2021 "The revolution was live today! Not the one I wanted though.
I remember this recording. Spoken word from 1971."
** 3. funniebunnie4u, January 6, 2021 "Sharing immediately.
Patriots took over Congress today, in response to, an insurrection,
through a high-jacked voting system. The
Revolution will not be televised. The
Revolution will be LIVE!"
** Reply 4. Benzona, January 8, 2021 " "patriots" they literally carried an enemy flag
into the capitol in attempt to bypass one of the most important parts of our
democracy"
** 5. charliemac64, January 6, 2021 "The insurrection certainly is being televised!"
** 6. wild berk, January 7, 2021 "Apparently the "revolution" was televised
yesterday"
** 7. Trayci Campbell, January 7, 2021 "The Revolution was televised even though the media didn’t
show everything on January 6, 2021!"
** 8. Sammy scotchguard, January 7, 2021 "I saw the beginning of the revolution yesterday on tv when
trump supporters stormed the white house. Sad day in the usa...1/6/2021"
** 9. VeryOriginalNickname, January 8, 2021 "To some people saying that this song is wrong, since the
capitol invasion was actually televised:
Yes, the events of 06/Jan/2021 were televised for sure. But
they were, preciselly because it was no actual revolution. At all."
** 10. Sue Rainey, January 8, 2021 "He was wrong. Totally televised."
** Reply 11. Temüjin Khan, January 9, 2021 "Riots aren't a revolution.
DONT INSULT the people who actually engaged in REVOLUTIONARY
actions during the 60's and before that in many countries across the world in
their fight for freedom.
These tight pant wearing, gender neutral COWARDS are
communist sympathizers"
** 12. VeryOriginalNickname, January 8, 2021 "To some people saying that this song is wrong, since the
capitol invasion was actually televised:
Yes, the events of 06/Jan/2021 were televised for sure. But
they were, preciselly because it was no actual revolution. At all."
** 13. Gabe Alvaro, January, 8, 2021 "The non-revolution on 1/6 /21was televised. The actual
revolution will still not be televised."
** 14. Rosemarie Patrick, January 9, 2021 "FYI, the revolution was certainly televised... also tweeted,
instagrammed, facebooked, parlered, and cell-phone-recorded. It also appears to have failed."
1. Alfie John, January 6, 2021 "Turns out not only was the Revolution televised, it was on multiple channels from multiple angles, and simultaneously live streamed 🤣"
** 2. STAY BLACK AND GOLD FOR LIFE, January 7, 2021 "Ha you think that’s a revolution? That’s hilarious"
** Reply 3. Alfie John, January 7, 2021 "@STAY BLACK AND GOLD FOR LIFE lol, no... it was a fizzle at best. I'm just worried about the Jan 19th gathering talked about on Parler (talking about bringing weapons). More so given Giuliani's "trial by combat" comment"
** Reply 4. HermesSonofZeus, January 8, 2021 "This has been going through my head since the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Seems like some folks need to listen to this song."
** 5. carlos costa, January 8, 2021 "You will not stand aside and watch, you will be a part of it. Oh, and don't take selfies wile your at it ;)
**** ADDENDUM: WORDS: THE REVOLUTION WON'T BE TELEVISED
(written by Gill Scott-Heron)
"You will not be able to stay home, brother You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip out for beer during commercials, because
The revolution will not be televised
The revolution will not be televised The revolution will not be brought to you by Xerox in four parts without commercial interruptions The revolution will not show you pictures of Nixon blowing a bugle And leading a charge by John Mitchell, General Abrams, and Spiro Agnew To eat hog maws confiscated from a Harlem sanctuary The revolution will not be televised
The revolution will not be brought to you by the Schaefer Award Theatre And will not star Natalie Woods and Steve McQueen or Bullwinkle and Julia The revolution will not give your mouth sex appeal The revolution will not get rid of the nubs The revolution will not make you look five pounds thinner, because The revolution will not be televised, brother
There will be no pictures of you and Willie Mae pushing that shopping cart down the block on the dead run Or trying to slide that color television into a stolen ambulance NBC will not be able predict the winner at 8:32 on report from 29 districts The revolution will not be televised
There will be no pictures of pigs shooting down brothers on the instant replay There will be no pictures of pigs shooting down brothers on the instant replay There will be no pictures of Whitney Young being run out of Harlem on a rail with a brand new process There will be no slow motion or still lifes of Roy Wilkins Strolling through Watts in a red, black, and green liberation jumpsuit that he has been saving for just the proper occasion
Green Acres, Beverly Hillbillies, and Hooterville Junction will no longer be so damn relevant And women will not care if Dick finally got down with Jane on Search for Tomorrow Because Black people will be in the street looking for a brighter day The revolution will not be televised
There will be no highlights on the eleven o'clock news and no pictures of hairy armed women liberationists and Jackie Onassis blowing her nose The theme song will not be written by Jim Webb or Francis Scott Keys Nor sung by Glen Campbell, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, Engelbert Humperdinck, or The Rare Earth The revolution will not be televised
The revolution will not be right back after a message about a white tornado, white lightning, or white people You will not have to worry about a dove in your bedroom, the tiger in your tank, or the giant in your toilet bowl The revolution will not go better with Coke The revolution will not fight germs that may cause bad breath The revolution will put you in the driver's seat
The revolution will not be televised Will not be televised Will not be televised Will not be televised The revolution will be no re-run, brothers The revolution will be live"
This page also includes this comment: About "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by iam_donald 19, 2018 "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is a rhythmic jam that served as an unapologetic wake-up call to anyone, especially African Americans, who thought they could gain their freedom by sitting on the sidelines. In a series of bold statements, Scott-Heron is essentially saying that freedom is not a spectator sport: you will not be able to sit at home and expect progress to come knocking, you will not see progress in the mainstream media, and you will not be able to rely on social or political leaders to give you your freedom. Instead, you will have to be strong, courageous, hopeful, and most importantly, educated, to finally earn your freedom from the racism running rampant amongst all of the institutions in the United States. It was as true in the 60s/70s as it is today: the revolution will not be televised."
**** INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SPOKEN WORD From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Revolution_Will_Not_Be_Televised " "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is a poem and song by Gil Scott-Heron. Scott-Heron first recorded it for his 1970 album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, on which he recited the lyrics, accompanied by congas and bongo drums. A re-recorded version, with a full band, was the B-side to Scott-Heron's first single, "Home Is Where the Hatred Is", from his album Pieces of a Man (1971). It was also included on his compilation album, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1974). All these releases were issued on the Flying Dutchman Productions record label.
The song's title was originally a popular slogan among the 1960s Black Power movements in the United States.[1] Its lyrics either mention or allude to several television series, advertising slogans and icons of entertainment and news coverage that serve as examples of what "the revolution will not" be or do. The song is a response to the spoken-word piece "When the Revolution Comes" by The Last Poets, from their eponymous debut, which opens with the line "When the revolution comes some of us will probably catch it on TV".[2]
It was inducted to the National Recording Registry in 2005.[3]"...
-snip- This Wikipedia page includes a section explaining the cultural references in this poem.
Guest Church Pastor Gary Roberts & Mt. Sinai M.B.C. -snip- In this usher Grand March video the ushers circle the entire sanctuary. Circling the sanctuary may be the oldest type of usher Grand March, but (based on YouTube videos that I've watched), it appears that most usher marches since at least the early 2000s march up the right (or the left aisle) and then down the center aisle without circling the sanctuary.
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part III of a pancocojams series on African American church ushers.
This post showcase a video of a Church Ushers Grand March and showcases an article excerpt about the roles of church ushers. Special attention is given to Section IV of that article which provides information about the ushers' Grand March.
Selected comments from a discussion thread of another YouTube video of an usher's Grand March (other than the one embedded above) are included in the Addendum for this post. Those comments-including two that I wrote- address a commenter's questions "What is this march about? Is it worship or what?"
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/01/why-black-african-american-ushers-wear.htmlfor Part II of this pancocojams post. Part III showcases a video of African American ushers marching during an annual church Usher Day. Part II also presents some theories about why African American ushers wear gloves as part of their usher attire.
The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.
Also, click the "Black Church Procession" tag for more pancocojams posts on this subject, including posts about Black (African, Canadian, and Caribbean) church choir processions.
Ushers Day Cultural Resources Sunday, June 13, 2009
Ralph Wheeler, Guest Cultural Resource Commentator
"I. Introduction and Historical Overview
A. Role of the Usher
The black church in the United States, as an institution,
functions with, and is supported by, numerous auxiliaries, boards and
departments. These working arms of the church enable the body of Christ to
carry out its basic missions of spreading the gospel, attending to the needs of
the people, and assuring the church’s administrative, physical and spiritual
components remain in accord with governing Biblical principles and accepted
religious tenets.
Generally, the form of auxiliaries, boards and departments
in individual black churches are determined by the age, denomination, size,
location and specific needs ofthe
church body. However, there is one auxiliary that most modern black churches
have, regardless of their age, denomination, size or location: an usher board
or usher guild.
The work of the usher board is considered a ministry of the
church. The pulpit, music and usher departments of the black church are often
the three most visible ministries of the church. Each has an important servant
role in the church’s overall ministry. Yet, each plays a different, but
essential, role.
A major part of the public role of the pulpit and music
departments is oral service. In contrast, ushers perform most of their public
role in the church in silence or through restrained speech. In many respects,
the service that church ushers provide in God’s house and to God’s people is a
testament of humbleness and selflessness. Only their service and uniforms speak
for them.
Each Sunday, ushers are usually some of the first servants
to arrive at the church house. They make sure things are in order and get into
their positions to greet members and visitors. During the worship service,
ushers safeguard the entrances, aisles, exits and financial offerings of the
church.
So as not to be disruptive, ushers master directional signs,
so their work can be done in relative silence. They are purveyors of order and
decorum, even during the most stressful moments of the church’s services and
proceedings. Also, they are often the last to leave the sanctuary, as they
remain after the worship service to retrieve discarded church bulletins and
other items that the audience has left on benches and the floor.
Usually, ushers are at their posts for most church services,
including all worship services, special programs, celebrations, weddings and
funerals. For this reason, the church family, in many churches, set aside a day
once each year to celebrate the role and work of its ushers—Usher’s Day. At the
least, this annual day on the church’s liturgical calendar is a statement of
gratitude and a formal recognition of the importance of the role of ushers in
the black church.
[...]
III. Help Your Sister Board
In addition to being a day of celebration and gratitude,
Usher’s Day is also a major day of fundraising for the black church. The
ushers’ fundraising formula is a simple one: help your neighbor and your
neighbor will you. Usher boards help each other throughout the year. They
assist each other with big events such as anniversaries, conventions and large
funerals.
On Usher’s Day, usher boards from many different churches,
including usher guilds from different denominations, are invited to participate
in the annual day activities of the host church. On that day, the ushers of the
host church do not work. For them, it is a day of rest, except for the grand
usher march, which usually comes at the end of the program. Ushers from the
invited churches do all of the work that is normally done by the host church
ushers. It is not uncommon for usher boards from five guest churches to attend
the anniversary service ofa sister
church.
Each of the invited churches comes with a major donation
which is presented during the usher board roll call and march. These “gifts of
love,” depending upon the number of sister churches invited, can, and do often,
amount to thousands of dollars. Usually, all of the money, except for expenses,
goes into the coffers of the host church. This is repeated year after year.
Ushers refer to it as helping the usher board of a sister church.
In addition, some usher boards also use their annual day to
make special contributions in the name of deceased ushers, to support special
church projects, and to support their church’s scholarship fund for college
students.
IV. The Grand March
One of the highlights of Usher’s Day is the Grand March. All
ushers, including the host ushers, participate in the grand march of the
ushers. Those churches with children and youth usher boards add a youthful
energy to the procession. The nurse’s guild is also a special attraction.
Modernly nurse’s guilds have become part of usher boards and, most often, are
present to assist persons who experience illnesses during a worship service,
those who need bandages or similar items and, in some churches, to aid in the
needs of the pulpit. The nurses can often be seen in white uniforms, with hats
and, in some cases, with capes.
The Grand March is a time that the congregation eagerly
awaits. Prodded by the organist playing one of the great marching songs of the
church, the ushers line up in the back of the church and begin their march
around the entire inner confines of the sanctuary, leaving their love gift on
the collection table. In almost every church, one waits to see the ushers “cut
the corners.” Cutting the corners refers to sharp, precision-like turns made by
ushers as they march around the entire church. The turns bring to mind a
battalion of soldiers quickly turning from one formation to another or a
marching band doing the same. Ushers of the host church march last. It is a
time of high celebration.
When they get to the front of the church, the ushers, to the
delight of the audience, move into an almost syncopated genuflecting movement,
as they cut the corners during their grand march. By now, the crowd is on its
feet, applauding the ushers on their day.
Over the years, I have seen older female ushers wearing
three to four inch high heels and crisp uniforms participating in the grand
usher march. I have also seen disabled ushers, some in wheel-chairs, participating
in the grand usher march. They marched, while singing along with the
congregation and their fellow ushers, as if they had the energy of teenagers.
This was done after many of them had stood at their posts for several hours, in
perfect formation, throughout the Usher Day program.
V. Ushers, Maids or Cooks
When I was a young child, the senior (not the children,
youth, or young adult) female ushers of our church wore all white during the
summer months. The senior male ushers wore white shirts and pants and black
ties. For the females, their summer usher uniforms were identical to the white
uniforms many of them wore to works as maids and cooks.
On Sunday mornings, however, no one ever mistook any of them
for anything but an usher. On this day, they were not maids. They were not
cooks. They were ushers, and they were in charge of keeping and order and
providing service in the Lord’s house.
On any given Sunday, they were responsible for collecting
and safeguarding more money than some of their employers would see in months.
They were responsible for attending to the needs of a much more important group
of people than those on their jobs: the pastor and the congregation. These men
and women had a passion for what they did. They knew their work was important,
much more important than their weekday jobs. This work was connected to a
highway to heaven. The uniform for the two jobs may have been identical, but
their service they provided on Sundays in that uniform was for a higher
purpose.
[…]
VIII. Songs for Usher’s Day
There are staple songs in the black church for any Usher’s
Day celebration. Three of the most noted are “Walking Up the King’s Highway,”
“When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “Till We Gather Again.” Other staples
include “We are Soldiers” and “In the Army of Lord,” both of which were
highlighted in last year’s cultural resource unit for Usher’s Day.”…
**** ADDENDUM: SELECTED COMMENTS FROM ANOTHER YOUTUBE VIDEO OF AN USHERS' GRAND MARCH
This is the annual International Nurses & Ushers
Convention Grand March. This year's event took place at the International
Headquarters of Mount Calvary Holy Church of America Inc. Washington D.C.
April 3, 2009
Numbers added for referencing purposes only
1. Gerald Haynes Jr, 2018 "Can anyone let me knw what is the march about? Is worship or
what. So many churches do this. I have no experience or info on this. Thank u n
advance 4 ur responses. 😁"
** Reply 2. Naturally Naila, 2018 "I'm probably not the best person to answer your question but
I believe it is all just for fun and showmanship. Im SDA so we don't do things
like this but culturally Black people are really into entertainment. Dancing
and music so it seems to be an outward expression of Black culture not so much
for worship." -snip- SDA= Seventh Day Adventist [Christian denomination]
** Reply 3. Lexie J, 2018 "This looks like a convention, many different
churches celebrating together"
** Reply 4. LoveNeverFails, 2018 "Most times you will see this at a "special"
service ( anniversary or appreciation day etc.) This is not your typical Sunday
Service. This is to "show off" and make a grand entrance--really
doesn't have much to do with worship other than the music playing. Best way I
can describe it. Blessings!"
** Reply 5. Azizi Powell, published 2019 & edited January 9, 2021 "@Gerald C Haynes, Jr,
I believe that the earliest roots of the African American Usher Grand
March is the ring shout. Way back in the day, the chairs in the buildings or
tents where people worshiped could be moved and set aside so that people could
participate in a ring shout (shuffling their feet while they moved in a circle
and sang). However, when church pews that are fixed to the floor became the
norm, people began to circle the sanctuary as an adapted form of "ring
shout". During church services,
some people would also run, circling the sanctuary when they felt the
Holy Ghost. That might still happen today. Nowadays, some groups (choirs, ushers,
church nurses) no longer circle the sanctuary, but just march from their pews
to the back of the sanctuary and then march (single file or double file) down
the center aisle and then back to their seats.
That said, as noted by other commenters, the purpose of the
Grand March in Black American churches and church events such as this
convention is to provide an opportunity for the group (choir, nurses, ushers,
women's day organization) to receive their due recognition for their service
from those in attendance.
** Reply 6. Azizi Powell, 2021 "There is a Liberian social dance called "The Grand
March" that I believe has its roots in the Virginia Reel . Descendants of
Black Americans who had been enslaved in the USA or had been free Blacks brought
that custom to Liberia when they emigrated to that West African country.
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/seven-videos-of-traditional-liberian_15.html
That
Liberian Grand March and the African American Ushers/Choirs Grand March are somewhat similar, but I think
that old school African American Usher/Choir marches have more similarities to
military marches and drill teams. Nowadays, some African American usher board
marches, and some church choir marches that are performed during their
anniversary programs or conventions also include some moves such as the dip
that come from non-religious dances. There are different opinions about the
appropriateness of these moves (and of church marches themselves), but
personally, I love this tradition." -snip- Watch the "MCHCA Ushers & Nurses Grand March" video whose link is given at the beginning of this Addendum for examples of ushers doing "the dip" and doing "side to side" and "back step" movements and other movements that are performed in "The Electric Slide" line dance, and in other secular dances.
**** This concludes Part III of this three part pancocojams series.
