A 2012 YouTube Probate Video Of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Performing A Dissing Song About Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (with discussion thread comments)

The GPS SHOW !, Apr 27, 2012

Beta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
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total statistics as of Feb. 15, 2026 at10:10 AM ET
total # of views- 70,538
total # of comments- 77

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of an ongoing pancocojams series about hazing, or about referring to members of historically Black Greek letter organizations as being "paper" because they "skated" into their sorority or their fraternity (i.e. they weren't hazed, but joined their organization by signing papers.). 

This pancocojams post showcases a 2012 YouTube video of a portion of an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. probate (a step show in which that chapter's new members are introduced to the public). That video documents those members of Alpha Kappa Alpha dissing (insulting) Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (SGRho). 

This video is given without any attempt to transcribe this chant. However, some of the words to this chant are given in comment #5 below. 

This post also presents some of the dissing (insulting) comments from the discussion thread of that video and some of the responses to those comments. In particular, this post focuses on some of those dissing comments that document the attitudes of and opinions that these commenters have about these two specific historically Black Greek letter sororities and/or the attitudes and opinions that these commenters have in general about dissing (insulting) sorority chants and song. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-fraternities-sororities-chants.html for the 2015 pancocojams post "Black Fraternities & Sororities Chants That Mention Paper, Skating, & Sliding Into Their Organizations" that I now consider to be Part I of this pancocojams series. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/02/two-online-excerpts-with-comments-about.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post presents a 2014 article excerpt and a 2019 research abstract about hazing in historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. The Addendum to that post presents some comments from the discussion thread for Article Excerpt #1.. 

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in this YouTube video and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.   

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WHAT THE WORDS "PAPER" AND "SKATING" MEAN IN THE CONTENT OF HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS

"Paper" - a derogatory referent for a person who became a member of a historically Black Greek organization by signing papers as opposed to going through a traditional hazing process..
-snip-
In historically Black Greek letter organizations, members who weren't hazed are derogatorily referred to as "skaters" (i.e. they "skated" into their organization). 

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EXCERPT FROM THE 1990 STATEMENT FROM NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL ABOUT HAZING
From https://www.bowiestate.edu/about/administration-and-governance/division-of-enrollment-management/nphc-joint-statement-against-hazing.php ...National Pan-Hellenic CouncillJoint statement against hazing

[...]

" Resolution

WHEREAS the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) is comprised of local councils drawn from the ranks of 1.5 million college and professional members of the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities, namely; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., and the Council of Presidents of these member organizations who come together on issues that promote the common purposes and general good for which these organizations exist; and

WHEREAS these NPHC organizations, operating through chapter located in the UnitedStates, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia, are proud of their commitment since 1906 to scholarship, community service, leadership and the promotion of sisterhood and brotherhood in an atmosphere of respect and responsibility; and

WHEREAS these NPHC organizations are likewise committed to promoting the self-respect and dignity of all persons seeking membership in the respective organizations; and

WHEREAS hazing is antithetical to this commitment and is strictly prohibited by the constitution, policies and procedures of each NPHC organization; and

WHEREAS “pledging” has been officially abolished as a process for membership and pledge “lines” have similarly been abolished; and all members and prospective members are prohibited from engaging in hazing, pledge or pre-pledge “lines”; and

WHEREAS in 1990, the NPHC organizations issued a joint statement announcing the elimination of pledging and each has instituted within its respective organization, a revised membership development and intake process; and

WHEREAS each NPHC organization has instituted strong policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce and strengthen its stand against prohibited conduct: and

WHEREAS as we begin this new century and a renewed commitment to the fundamental principles of brotherhood, sisterhood, human dignity and mutual respect, the NPHC organizations desire to make their commitment against hazing abundantly clear and fully intend for every member, prospective member, parent, university and the general public to be aware of the individual and collective position of the organizations against hazing; and

WHEREAS these NPHC organizations further desire to make known their respective commitment to hold any person who engages in hazing individually and personally liable to the victim and to answer to the law and the organization; and will hold such persons to respond in monetary damages, civil and criminal penalties and severe disciplinary actions by the organization, including expulsion; and

WHEREAS the definition of hazing has been held to include any action taken or situation created that involves or results in abusive, physical contact or mutual harassment of a prospective Fraternity or Sorority member; and that any such action is considered hazing, whether it occurs on or off the Fraternity or Sorority premises, campus or place where chapters or prospective members meet: and that hazing has also been described to include any action that results in excessive mutual or physical discomfort, embarrassment or harassment; that such activities include, but are not limited to paddling, creation of excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shock, morally degrading or humiliating activities, late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities and any other activities inconsistent with fraternal law and regulations and policies of the affiliated educational institution and federal, state or local law; and

WHEREAS such illegal conduct is inimical to the principles for which each organization stands and fails to foster respect for fellow members or preserve human dignity;

BE IT RESOLVED AND RESTATED WITH EMPHASIS ANEW that hazing, pledging, pledge “lines”, pre-pledge “lines” or post-intake hazing are strictly prohibited by these NPHC organizations;"...
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*The National Pan-Hellenic Council is colloquially referred to as "The Divine Nine"). 

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVufiMYhLJY

2012

1. @AftonEpicMusic
"I seen it already. They are paper just like the AKAs at my alma mater and clearly this chapter."

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2. @TheChampagnex7
"I could not even understand what you all were saying. In this day and time instead of talking about each other we need to be working together as one."

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Reply
3. @lavaterchibvon
"Just as i expected. you've said nothing. you're dismissed"
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Based on her comments, this commenter is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. chapter whose probate performance is shown in this video. 

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Reply
4. @lavaterchibvon
"ya'll must ALL be sgrhos...have you guys made it to 100 years yet?? if not, keep your comments among your 50 members who make up your entire sorority <3"

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Reply
5. @lavaterchibvon
"and ya'll know eachother because the maximum number of ya'll that come out is like 2?? like we said in our probate "we're just saying you can do better. you wanted AKA, but you chose lesser, cusss YOU'RE A SILLY RHO." Respect who gave you the opportunity to be in a sorority, the FIRST and FINEST. skeeee-weeeee !"

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6. @tissue1989
"why is there 50 million of you all the time do yah really know each other?"
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This comment refers to the AKA whose probate show is shown in this video. 

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Reply
7. @lavaterchibvon
"actually there were 33 of us. && yes we know our sisters very well. thanks for watching, but your FAILED slander comment is not needed <3"

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8. @aflorine2, 2017
"LaVater Chibvon I have seen 30 Sgrhos  online and you were not first to do the pinky finger, you stole it. Look up old SGRHO hand sign. Even my sister who is an AKA knows the history. My friend didn't want to join any sorority and she did not attend any interest meetings. SGRHO was  love at first sight. Your rude comment just lived up to the stereotype of being stuck up and disrespectful and caring about numbers rather than quality. Hattie McDaniel ( the lady who wrote the song hound dog sung by Elvis) , recent Miss America, MC Lyte, Olivia from young and the Restelss as well as many others our Sgrhos. Greek sororities are not popularity contests. You don't know the unique history of this organization and what they were founded on as well as the many struggles. None of the younger generation can begin to fathom what it was like for a black sorority to be founded at an all White college before Jim Crow and racism was still rampant. Since SGRHO was not founded at  Howard your founders did not pave the way especially to the first divine 9 sorority at and all White school with the kappas Indiana."

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Reply
9. @HerbertONeil, 2021
" @aflorine2  FYI the first BGLO was founded at Cornel University. Chill out."
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This comment refers to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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10. @Rhoyalgold
"boo. lol

Welcome Sistergreeks. :)"
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This commenter's screen name identifies her as a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,Inc. 

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11. @AftonEpicMusic
"And if you don't eff with paper, you should have joined another organization, seriously. You must not want to be a part of your sisterhood if you don't eff with paper."
-snip-
The words "We don't eff with paper" are part of that AKA dissin chant.

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12. @lavaterchibvon
"blah blah blah. you finished?"

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13. @AftonEpicMusic
"I'm also very glad you feel "nuff" has been said.  Living up to your legacy of self-proclaimed elitism and a separatist attitude towards your sister Greeks and other black women must be so exhausting."

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14. @AftonEpicMusic
"Just as I expected. You paid that 1500 dollars, went on that 3 day retreat, now you're coming out bashing.  Know this boo.  I could have been an AKA. I could have been whatever I wanted to be. Think what you want but I chose SGRho because I didn't want to be on a paper line of 33.  You choose paper, I chose hard work. Period."

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15. @AftonEpicMusic
"Why do you think everyone wants to be an AKA? I would never want to be in an organization with a history of self hatred toward dark skinned black women. I'd rather be on a line of two than be wet paper introducing myself to my so called line sisters at the end of my show. That was a concert. Not a probate.  Probate means "to prove oneself." All you've proved is that you're haters that sing as lovely as your three day retreat you call an intake process."

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Reply
16. @ruxewinter6687, 2021
"nobody has self hatred towards black women"

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Reply
17. @Joshua-fr1xp, 2022
"This is a lie."

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Reply
18. @NicNews-y1j, 2024
"Let it be known,  if I wanted to be an AKA I could. My mother crossed back in 1982 so child please."

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19. @jenessa4thewin
"Can ya'll STOP commenting about who is dissing who and how they are dissing you. And show the unity that the founders of all Divine 9 frats/sorros stood for. It doesn't matter who did what, where is the U N I T Y! This is just all fun and games between ya'll so BE QUIET and keep on stepping! And show how your sorority steps! This sad that a 16 year old girl had to tell ya'll this. Shaking my head in disbelief."

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Reply 
20. @Candacewilliams123, 2013
"I’m not hating on the diss.. we all go to the extreme quiet entertaining.. Just had make sure the info was correct that just because they are founded first does not make them the originals with hand signs etc. By the way I think the Dukk video is hilarious. I am not a Greek that that jokes and diss seriously"

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21. @rebellexo
"let these young girls live....it wasn't a "diss" - its supposed to poke fun just like DST, SGR, or ZPB would do. Frats as well.."

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Reply
22. @AftonEpicMusic
"Yeah, but you didn't post the other disses. You just posted this one. Sure, you can post whatever you like, but don't post a video entitled "SGRho Diss" and then have some belligerent troll talking about how we are "lesser" and "really want to be AKAs." That is very offensive and gets people fired up, I don't see what's so hard to comprehend about that."

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Reply
23. @HerbertONeil, 2021
"This really hurt you didn’t it?"

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24. @cocoa9684
"Sometimes "dissing" gets out of hand, but I thought THIS was cute. When other Greeks get mad over a diss, you really have to question THEIR process truth be told. This is nothing to be mad over. sgrhos have seen and heard worse than this lol no shade though :)"

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Reply
25. @amarachukwuonaga7385, 2023
"Right. This is normal in the black greek community."

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26. @AftonEpicMusic
"It's serious enough for you to post just this one part and label it SGRho diss."

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27. @WhitneyAshante
"wow.. im not greek yet &i have respect for all orgs but this just made me loose a lotrespect for them"

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28. @TattedPoodleReact
"lol that was funny, but i guess i really dont care cuz us in the AKAs on my campus cool we even have a stroll together and we diss them real hard at our probate so soRHOrs its all outta fun oh and sweetie we wasnt founded at HOWARD so u didnt create a path way for us, Last Created Best Design SGRho till the day i die EEE-YIP!!!! congratz though"
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"Poodles" are the signature mascot of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Therefore, the word "poodle" in this commenter's name indicates that she is a member of SGRho.

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29. avaterchibvon
"sorry beta pi dont efffs widddd papuhhh . try again"
-snip-
This comment appears to have been written by a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

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30.@AnastasiaOsho
"at least we on your mind...."
-snip-
This comment appears to have been written by a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

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31. @bohum2bz
"My nieces (and sisters) are Deltas, AKA, Zetas and Sigma Gamma Rhos, therefore, I have a love and respect for all of the Divine 9 Sororities and Frats. If I diss a Sorority, I'm dissing my nieces who are smart, sophisticated and classy young women with great sense of decorum; the future leaders of this Country and their communities. All of my personal friends who are AKAs reflect these same characteristics. Stop the dissing!"

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2013

32. @mixedchica2014
"Not to be funny, but I honestly forgot SGRho existed...I mean I never see them..where are they ?"

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Reply
33. @aflorine2, 2017
"mixedchica2014 Very popular and run deep in the West Coast. Also look East as well. Receive alot if hate in the south"

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Reply
34. @aflorine2, 2017
"mixedchica2014 oh and rapper MC Lyte is one as well. Her sorority shoes are displayed in the African American museum. We are not heard of because too many people act like Greek life is a popularity contest. As stated before well SGRHO are well known in the West Coast :)"

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35. @bohum2bz
"Divine 9 Sororities and Frats should stand out from the Street Committee (Gangs); however, these days you can't tell the Gang members from the sorortity and frat members. Education should outshine the S.O.S (Stuck on Stupid) in every situation.

I suppose you can take the person out of the Ghetto but you can't take the Ghetto out of the person. " 

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2014

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2015

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2016

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2017


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2018

36. @tirzahhale5139
"Quality over Quantity. WE know our SISTERS!!! Period point blank."

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2019

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2020

37. @rxnupe
"AKA's are the biggest paper org ever- skee wee 3 day weekend process"

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2021

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2022

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2023

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2024

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2025

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2026

37. @asafee527
"This was my line 😂😂😂 helped come up with lots of funny punch lines throughout the probate…first off…ANYBODY that’s heard of our school knows a 3 day process just doesn’t occur…some even go years waiting to pop out and be a part of the organization…it’s a process even to join the organization to praise God 😂🎉…they don’t play they make u EARN everything…secondly, it’s all fun and games ALL sororities do this to each other at that school…it just so happens our line was filled with very witty and sassy ladies so our punchlines were funnier…it’s all love on campus though…that was the good ol days before everyone got to strict😘"

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Two Online Excerpts With Comments About Hazing In Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities And Sororities

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of an ongoing pancocojams series about hazing, or about referring to members of historically Black Greek letter organizations as being "paper" because they "skated" into their sorority or their fraternity (i.e. they weren't hazed, but joined their organization by signing papers.). 

This pancocojams post presents a 2014 article excerpt and a 2019 research abstract about hazing in historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. 

The Addendum to this post presents some comments from the discussion thread for Article Excerpt #1.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-fraternities-sororities-chants.html for the 2015 pancocojams post "Black Fraternities & Sororities Chants That Mention Paper, Skating, & Sliding Into Their Organizations" that I now consider to be Part I of this pancocojams series. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-2012-youtube-probate-video-of-alpha.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a 2012 YouTube video of and selected comments about an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority probate chant that disses Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Gregory S. Parks and E. Bahati Mutisya, for their research and writing on this subject. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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ARTICLE EXCERPT #1
From https://gregoryparks.net/the-end-of-bglos/ THE END OF BGLOS by Gregory S. Parks, Apr 2, 2014
"For many years now, at least as long as I have been a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha—17 years—I have heard that “we are one lawsuit away from being out of business. I am sure other BGLO members have heard the same thing. I always took it as hyperbole; and over the years, maybe it was such or at least a scare tactic. Having been a researcher on BGLOs for the past 14 years and a law professor who has studied BGLOs for the past 3 years, I would bank on the fact that within 25 years the Divine Nine will be the Great Eight, Stellar Seven or Six…maybe the Fabulous Five or Four.

Honestly, at the rate that BGLOs are going, I can only foresee two having any longevity. Given their sizes, financial resources, and frequency of hazing litigation, my prediction is that the organizations will fall by the wayside in the following order: Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi/Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Iota Phi Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha/Delta Sigma Theta

The typical narrative about how BGLOs will meet their demise is typically one that consists of errant undergrads hazing and getting their organization sued out of existence

[…]

In the end, I am hopeful about the longevity of BGLOs but not optimistic. Their demise will be blamed on 19-23 year-olds, but how responsible can you expect “kids” to be, even those who espouse high ideals? The end of BGLOs will ultimately have resulted from the failure of the adults, especially those in leadership, from doing, not simply something(s) about hazing, but all that needed to be done. Within BGLOs, there is not the will to be transformative. These are inherently conservative organizations where new modes of thinking are strenuously resisted, organizational politics prevails, and provincialism rules the day. Only time will tell; but time is not on their side."

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RESEARCH ABSTRACT
From https://racism.org/articles/basic-needs/education/46-education-higher-education/2939-hazing-black-sororities ""Hazing, Black Sororities, and Organizational Dynamics"

Abstract: Excerpted From: Gregory S. Parks and E. Bahati Mutisya, Hazing, Black Sororities, and Organizational Dynamics, 43 Law & Psychology Review 25 (2018-2019) ...11 June  2019

"In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to the issue of hazing within white college fraternities. While hazing deaths within their ranks provide just cause for this scrutiny, a closer look at analogous organizations may provide insight into why hazing exists and persists. Such analysis may even provide solutions. Over the past several decades, de minimis research exists on hazing within Greek-letter organizations separate and apart from white fraternities. In one study, my colleagues and I investigated how race and sex intersect in the context of fraternity and sorority hazing. To get a sense of the differences at the intersection of race and gender, we analyzed (1) published and unpublished state and federal court cases on Westlaw and (2) media hits in news periodicals between 1980 and 2009.

The results from this study suggest that, overall, violent hazing is more prevalent within black and male organizations than it is within those that are white and female. Fraternities employed calisthenics more; frequently than sororities, and among the latter, only black sororities employed calisthenics. With regard to mental hazing practices, fraternities employed them more often, and black sororities did so slightly more than their white counterparts. While fraternities engaged in more pranks than sororities, this practice was disproportionately engaged in by white organizations. Sex-related hazing practices were also disproportionately employed by white organizations. Alcohol use, however, was the greatest distinguishing factor between black and white groups, with the latter employing it more frequently than the former. White sororities had about a third as many incidents involving alcohol as white fraternities, and white fraternities had sixteen times as many alcohol incidents as black fraternities. Black sororities had no hazing incidents involving alcohol. In sum, there are drastic distinctions in how hazing is conducted depending on the race and gender of the Greek-letter organizations.

[…]

[In this research] the authors investigate hazing within black sororities. As such, this article should augment and enhance the developing literature on hazing in black sororities. Other researchers have found that black sorority hazing is characterized by a secretive “underground” culture, where women undergo an unofficial process to gain full membership into the sorority. Hazing is an addition to the official process sanctioned by the national organization. Some black sorority chapters continue the traditional, old-school pledge process, now synonymous with hazing, irrespective of the National Pan-Hellenic Council's (“NPHC”) 1990 ban on pledging in black sororities. Arguably, the NPHC organizations' pledging ban created the secretive, underground nature of hazing within black sororities. Hazing incidents have increased in severity in black sororities since the ban has taken effect. Pledging has been a historic part of the black sorority experience for at least a couple of generations, and hazing is seen as a way to continue that tradition. Black sorority hazing activities are more chapter-related than sorority-related. Hazing is a means of gaining credibility and admission in sorority chapters. Women who choose to go through the Membership Intake Process (“MIP”)--the non-hazing process adopted by the nine major black Greek-letter organizations in 1990-- often retain a lower status among their own sorority members as well as sometimes among other black Greek-letter organization (“BGLO”) members, as opposed to those who “consent” to be hazed.

The negative aspects of hazing, however, must be considered in light of the benefits that hazing confers on members of black sororities. After pledging, many women report a greater sense of self-determination and believing themselves to be more capable of completing goals. Women report feeling pride and honor about belonging to the sorority. Women also acknowledge feeling that hazing instills a sense of fictive kinship and communal bonding as sisters in the organization. Therefore, they experience joy and excitement in meeting other members of the same sorority over their lifetimes. Women interested in membership and members of black sororities participate in hazing activities to protect two interests: the betterment of the sorority as a whole and the member's own image and reputation.

First, sorority members are concerned about the betterment of the sorority. Members contend that hazing has organizational utility; it preserves organizational commitment and ensures that the organization's mission will be carried out. Also, members are concerned with creating bonds between the old members and the new members within the sorority. Members say that hazing helps foster the necessary legitimate bonds. Additionally, sorority members are concerned about maintaining the exclusivity and integrity of the organization. Sorority women articulated that hazing is “critical to the continuation of the values and mission of their organizations.” These arguments support the theory that hazing in black sororities is done to preserve the organization's identification.

Second, participants are also concerned about their individual image and the reputations of those who will belong to the organization. Members do not want to be disrespected or be given line names that insinuate that they did not have to work or earn admission into the sorority. Women who do not pledge are called derogatory terms like “paper,” “skater,” and “slider.” Sorority members haze the incoming women because they want them to have the reputation that they were “made right.” Those already initiated may see “hazing [as] a form of discipline ... to shape those whom [the sorority members] care for or wish to succeed.”…

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM EXCERPT #1 IN THIS PANCOCOJAMS POST
[These comments aren't given in chronological order. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only]

From https://gregoryparks.net/the-end-of-bglos/ THE END OF BGLOS by Gregory S. Parks, Apr 2, 2014

1.  Chuck Smoot on April 12, 2014 
"I have said this a thousand times and I will say it a thousand more. Trotting out hazing statistics and the like and using scare tactics is NOT GOING TO WORK. Brother Parks, I respect and appreciate your scholarship, and while I cannot disagree with our findings, what I do see is a lack of practical information as to how to deal with the issues of WHY people haze.

We need a fundamental overhaul of why people feel the need to engage in hazing practices. One has to ask themselves why do organizations like the Masons and the Shriners and the Elks, which once all had aspects as brutal (or in some cases, more), don’t/didn’t have the same degree of lawsuits and physical injuries.

The problem has been and continues to be that the BGLO’s have effectively created the equivalent to a “Just Say No” campaign. We all see how well using that in terms of the so-called war on drugs has worked. And we have BGLO’s that ban words like pledging or lines or things of that nature. How absurdly silly is that? Do we really think that just sitting in a room hearing lectures of how hazing is “bad” is really doing anything to stem the problems?

Yes, individuals bear some responsibility, but until the BGLO’s invest significant time and energy into reworking the mindsets, these issues will continue. We need to not only show in what ways programs can be conducted without physical harm, but put back the safeguards that were in place prior to 1990.

We have become more interested in branding and corporate profiles than we are in ensuring the safety of our members. And a 3 or 4 hour course listening to a lecture by people who often speak to members as if they are children is not going to work. There have been several programs proposed over the years that would address these problems, but because they didn’t come from the right people or didn’t include the exact right verbiage, they were thrown out.

So while I agree there is a dire situation, the true failure lies with our organizations, not solely with the individual members. Until our organizations realize those facts, then we will continue to be in jeopardy."

**
2. Jamaal on April 4, 2014
"I second Joe’s questions above. I think your analysis lacks further explanation, that quite possibly could make your case stronger. You did not provide any impirical evidence of your “demise scheme.” Instead, you simply state what isn’t the obvious. Please explain why certain organizations will face demise earlier than others.

Additionally, in much of your writings about BGLOs and hazing, you seem never to state your opinion. Which side are you on, Dr. Parks? On one hand, you say hazing can cause irreparable harm to an individual and/or an organization, while on the other you say we are a litigious society, and speak of “rights of passage.” We need scholars and strategic thinkers like yourself to clearly state how you feel about hazing. Do you support it? Have you yourself called people paper and/or skater? Your scholarly research reads pithy and lacks trust from your followers because you waffle on this most pressing issue. Tell us how you feel so that your efforts can be used to have a real scholarly discussion on the topic. You sound too political and/or diplomatic for me. Let’s hear it.”
-snip-
Dr. Parks didn't write anything in this article's discussion section.

**
3. Aaron Juniper, PhD on April 4, 2014
…"From the top levels down, BGLO’s have lost their purpose and our failing communities are the evidence. We have taken our intellectual wealth and squandered it on selfish endeavors. We have forsaken our people; especially our children. We would rather teach them to step and stomp, than read or write. I know…I know…I know, many of you can say, “my chapter went to a school last week”. However, that one hour or tutoring, or self-aggrandizing speech at career day, is not enough. As individuals, that were/are college students, owe them more. If not us, who?

I remember a gang member telling me, “You all are only organized gang bangers. You wear your colors daily, insult each other in violence and non-violence, and jump each other in as members”.

I truly believe many of us joined, pledged, paid, or whatever to increase our social status. Never once did we think that we have a job to do; other than please each other. Now we are at the point where we have to change our ways, if we want to survive. If not now, when?

You be the change you want to see in your organization."

**
4. Mittie C.Muse Jr. on April 4, 2014 
…"I once believed and still believe that there is positive valuse in the BGLOs, but we have to rid ourselves of the negativity and divisiveness and begin to focus on what really matters. I believe that all of our collective groups can agree that a mature, well developed, African American (or other race) male or female that makes positive constributions to their community, locally and/or beyond, is what we all hope to see and be a part of shaping. I do not believe hazing is the way to do that. Discipline, sacrifice, character building, untiy, and other things we would hope to see in members of our groups can be taught without extreme violence or abuse of any kind."

**
5. Bernie on July 7, 2014
[Quoting commenter Mike Larry]
"I wouldn’t trade my experience with (traditional pledging) with anything in the world..So rather than replace that, I think we need to refocus…make the process hard MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY (make pledges better physically in the end) so that they come out better contributors to their universities and communities."
-end of quote-
"Mike Larry this is why the BGLO’s are facing lawsuits today. Are you stating that your organization’s candidates are not mentally and physically strong at the beginning of their membership intake process? I have been a member of a BGLO for over thirty years and pledging didn’t make me physically or mentally stronger. I have been active with my sorority since I pledged. This mindset is causing great harm to individuals, chapters, and furthermore our beloved organizations. I guess it doesn’t bother you that people have lost their lives and or have serious internal injuries when pledging. Something isn’t right with this picture. We need to work together and cease hazing! Members will want to fulfill their lifetime obligation when they receive a positive and rewarding experience. Violence and mental torture is NOT the answer."

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

References To "Crossing The Burning Sands" That Are Found In Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities And Sororities Songs & Chants

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides some examples of historically Black (African American) Greek letter organizations (Bglos) chants that mention "crossing the burning sands". 

The Addendums to this post presents some information about the Divine Nine (historically Black Greek Letter fraternities and sororities) as well as some information about "crossing the burning sands" in those organizations and in the Shriners organization.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and folkloric purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those whose organization's chants are quoted in this post.

I consider fraternity & sorority chants and vernacular to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. That said, 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 chant.
-snip-
This is a complete reprint (with minor changes and a few additions) to the 2015 pancocojams post "Black Fraternities & Sororities Chants That Mention Crossing The Burning Sands."
: 
https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-fraternities-sororities-chants_16.html

That post (which is still available on this pancocojams blog) includes a comment exchange about "crossing the burning sands" and a comment exchange about why I became and remain an inactive member of  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

Additions of examples with this subject will only be made on the 2026 post. 

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black.html for Part I of a seven part pancocojams series of examples of historically Black Greek letter fraternities/sororities chants/songs. The links to all of these posts are included on the individual posts. 

****
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS' "CROSSING THE BURNING SANDS" RITUAL
"Crossing the burning sands" is an important ritual in the pre-1990 legal "crossing" ("crossing over") ceremony that marks or refers to a person's membership in a historically Black Greek letter fraternity or in a historically Black Greek letter sorority. I don't know if crossing the burning sands is a part of the post 1990 legal initiation process for those organizations. Read the comment below by JSUAKA17 that is found in the "Definition of Sands" section.

The Greek definition list that is posted on the internet by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas gives the following definition for "crossed" that mentions crossing the burning sands":
"Crossed - the same as being initiated. The term means different things to different groups, but generally means crossing over from being a pledge to being a full member. Most groups record this time to the second. Term also refers to "Crossing the Burning Sands"
-snip-
It's interesting that this list uses the term "pledge" as a referent for a person who in the process of joining a Bglo. That word may be banned in other areas and universities, along with the term "to pledge" and "pledging" which have been replaced with the terms "to initiate" and "initiation".

Read my comments in this post about Bglo pledging/hazing. UPDATE: March 13, 2017 [link added]
Click this 2015 pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-fraternities-sororities-chants.html
-end of update-

Cornell University's Greek definition list doesn't mention "crossing the burning sands". However, it gives this definition for "crossing/crossing over":
"CROSSING/CROSSING OVER – The point of membership intake process when pledges officially become members.
http://dos.cornell.edu/greek/about_our_office/definitions.cfm "Greek Definitions" (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York).
-snip-
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority line that I was part of in 1967 used the comparable term "went over". We also experienced crossing the burning sands.

****
DEFINITION OF "SANDS" (AS IN "GREETING, MY SANDS")
The ritual and phrase "crossing the burning sands" is the source of the historically Black Greek letter organization's term "sands". Contemporarily, that word is sometimes spelled "sandz".

"Sands" - "A word used to acknowledge other members that crossed over in other organizations or in the same organization, but a different chapter." http://dos.cornell.edu/greek/about_our_office/definitions.cfm "Greek Definitions" (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York).

Bglo terms may differ across regions and within different organizations. For example, here's a comment from a blogger on an interesting discussion thread about Bglo terms and other customs:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=16727&page=4 "Question Are some phrases/words SPECIFIC to certain Greek orgs?"
"04-14-2006, 12:03 AM
JSUAKA17
"Sands
It seems strange to me to hear that some schools refer to anyone that pledged the same semester as them as their sands, regardless of the organization. When I pledged, the only people that we called our sands were our line sisters that actually crossed the sands with us. Of course that was in 1987, I realize that most organizations probably no longer physically cross burning sands, nor should they (we shouldn't have been doing it either). I just thought that the term sands was reserved for the most intimate of relationships, at least that is how it was in my day."
-end of quote-

Note that that Cornell University list of terms include such terms such as "membership intake process" and "initiation" and doesn't include the word "crossed" or crossed the burning sands", or "sands" (as a referent for a member of ones' sorority or fraternity that was initiated/joined at the same time as another member).

The Greek definitions list from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas also includes membership intake process terms. That list gives this definition for "sands":
"Sands (aka Parallel) - A member of your organization or another culturally based organization that was initiated at the same time you were." http://www.unlv.edu/getinvolved/greek-definitions.

****
SOME EXAMPLES OF CHANTS THAT MENTION CROSSING THE BURNING SANDS
For the most part, these chants are presented without explanatory notes. Almost all of these examples were found online. All of the examples of these chants that I've found to date positively refer to crossing the burning sands.

It's likely that all Divine 9 organizations have chants that mention crossing the burning sands. The number of chants in this post that are from any particular organization or the absence of chants from any organization should not be interpreted to mean anything.

Additional chants will be added if I come across them. Additions from blog readers are welcome.

A,B
AKA WHAT YA DO TO ME
AKA what ya do to me
You make me feel so good
AKA what you do to me
Just like I knew you would.

We cross the burning sands
To find something new
We cross the burning sands
To find real womanhood.
-Azizi Powell, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. pledge song (Gamma Zeta chapter, New Jersey, 1967), 10/30/2006, cocojams.com

[Cocojams was the name of my multipage cultural website. That website was online from 2001 through most of 2014 when I voluntarily deactivated it.]
-snip-
This is one of three pledge songs that I remember from my Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority line (1967).

****
ALPHA, WE LOVE YOU
(Tune: Little Liza)

Verse 1
When we were searching for the LIGHT,
We hears a WISE MAN call,
"Now Listen well! I'm going to tell
THE GREATEST FRAT OF ALL!
ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA!

(Chorus)
Alpha, we love you!
Alpha, we love you!
Love you in the springtime
and the fall.
Alpha, we love you!
Alpha, we love you!
Love you best of all!

(Repeat chorus)

Verse 2
We listened well and made our pledge.
Then crossed the burning sands,-
and entered dear old A*PHI*A,
The greatest in the land!
ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA!

(Chorus)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, posted on cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
-snip-
Brian A. Jackson, a cocojams reader, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.(Beta Chapter, Howard University, Spring 1990) shared with me a number of Alpha Phi Alpha songs & chants with me and gave me permission to post examples of Alpha Phi Alpha songs & chants on Cocojams.com. (March 2010). At that time, Brian A. Jackson was the Vice President of the Xi Nu Lambda Grad Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and had been collecting Alpha Phi Alpha songs and chants over the last 20 years. Examples from this collection are indicated by the notation "Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection".

****
BROTHERS, I DON'T KNOW (also given as "Scrollers, I Don't Know") Example #1

I was looking for the name of this but I kouldn't find it. This is the chant a Brother from "O.G." gave us:

Brothers.....
I don't know,
I don't know if I can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHHH, Big Brother said we couldn't make it,
Huhhh, but we got a big surprise
We're gonna cross those burning sands
we're gonna make into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHH"
-K_I_A_Nupe (Tampa, Florida), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2
Kappa/Scroller Chants, January 8, 2009
-snip-
I'm not sure what the title of this chant actually is.

Another commenter on that same discussion thread wrote that he also learned this same chant when he was a "scroller", and he didn't know that it was national.

****
SCROLLERS, I DON'T KNOW (Example #2)
Yup. We did the same chant as scrollers down here @GL with a few substituted words. (Gamma Lamda) Huston-Tillotson University.

Scrollers
I don't know, I don't know if we can make it over
Scrollers, I don't know if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi.
OHHHHHHHH, if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
Big Brother said, we wouldn't make it
but we got a big suprise
we're going to cross those burning sands alive
we're going to make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
-Kappachino3Klub (Texas), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2
Kappa/Scroller Chants, January 8, 2009

****
BROTHERS, I DON'T KNOW (Example #3)
I was looking for the name of this but I kouldn't find it. This is the chant a Brother from "O.G." gave us:

Brothers.....I don't know,
I don't know if I can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi....
OHHHHHHHHHHHH....
Big Brother said we couldn't make it, Huhhh....
but we got a big surprise....
We're gonna cross those burning sands,
We're gonna make into Kappa Alpha Psi....
OHHHHHHHHHHH
-K_I_A NUPE (Tampa, FL); http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2"
Kappa Stroller Chants; 1/8/2009
-snip-
*I used that phrase as the title, but I don't know if that is the real title of this chant.
-snip-
Notice the substitution of the letter "k" instead of the letter "c" in the would "kouldn't". I've noticed Kappas following this custom in a number of online discussion thread. The use of the letter "k" instead of the letter "c" is to honor the first Greek letter in their fraternity's name.

****
SCROLLERS, I DON'T KNOW (Example #4)
[In response to another blogger's comment that he didn't know that that was a national chant]

We did the same chant as scrollers down here @GL with a few substituted words. (Gamma Lamda) Huston-Tillotson University.

Scrollers..I don't know,
I don't know if we can make it over...
Scrollers, I don't know if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi..
OHHHHHHHH, if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi...
Big Brother said, we wouldn't make it but we got a big suprise..
we're going to cross those burning sands alive,
we're going to make it into Kappa Alpha Psi"
-Kappachino3Klub; http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2,Kappa Stroller Chants; 1/8/2009
-snip-
Notice the use of the letter "k" instead of the letter "c" in this blogger's screen name.

"Stroller songs" are songs that Kappa "pledges" sing before they "cross the burning sands" and become actual members of that fraternity or sorority.

****
C, D

****
E, F

****
G, H
GO DOWN
Go Down, Brother
Way down to Egypt Land

Tell the people
The light has come.

(Back in 06)
Back in 06
Many years ago

7 Black men
Couldn't take no more

They professed to have seen the light
The Light Of The World

They journeyed to
The motherland

Where they crossed
Those burning sands

Marching onward
They had to see

Just what
The end would bring
(What the end would bring)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
-snip-
The first part of this chant or song was inspired by the African American Spiritual "Go Down Moses". "The motherland" either refers to the continent of Africa or specifically to ancient Egypt which is located in Africa.

****
I, J

I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED 
(Gamma Iota Chapter Traditional Song, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)

I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
The big brothers done changed my name.

On this Alpha train
On this Alpha train
I've been pledgin and I'll never be the same
Sons of Alpha are we
One in love and charity
Let our thought of sadness fly
For our own, our Alpha Phi.
Courage brothers banded we
All through life 'till eternity.
Let our hearts in* joyous praise
Sing of Alpha through endless days.

Way down in the jungle deep
Burning sands scorching my feet
Pyramids touching the sky
I'm pledgin' Alpha till the day I die
Been on line pledgin' for days
Put aside my selfish ways
Feel it deep down in my soul
My butt is burnin' and I want to be ice cold.
Own my life, and take my pride
Wood me up on my backside
Pledge me anyway you can
For when I cross I'll be an Alpha man.
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection; posted 4/18/2010
-snip-
Because I was aware that "I Know I've Been Changed" is the title & chorus of an African American religious song, I contacted Brian A. Jackson to ask him if the song posted above was actually three different songs that were sung one right after the other. Mr. Jackson responded to my email with the following comments:
"I have not heard it nor sung it, but I believe that is the full song. Its a song that is sung while they are Sphinxmen so "On this Alpha train" refers to them being on the way to Alpha

Read it as - Let our Hearts, and joyous praise - (2 collective entities, our hearts and our joyous praise - both of them singing Alpha through endless days)

That is how I read it. It makes sense to me."
-end of quote-
In a previous email, in response to my question about the sources of these Alpha chants, Brian A. Jackson wrote that "Some of the "older" ones probably did come from other sources. I know many of them came from old Negro spirituals as well. Some came from the military also. We even had one called Beat #122. Where each section of the line had a different beat or chant.

For example: (on my line there were 16 of us)
#1 - #4 - had the cymbal part
#5 - #8 - would scream "This is BETA"
#9 - #12 - would scream "Pledge Alpha All Night Long"
#13 - #16 - would keep the baseline
-snip-
I'm interested in knowing whether any members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. sung these words given above as three separate songs.

****
IMPRESS ME

Are you really worthy
of the land of the purple and the gold?
Will you succeed?
Will you cross the burning sands?
Are you worthy?
It’s a long hard road to Omega.
Impress me.
-Anonymous, a note in a Q Pearl song book, Edinboro University (Pennsylvania), 1991, posted by Azizi Powell on Cocojams.com
-snip-
"Q Pearl" is one name for the auxiliary ("Little sister") group of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Auxiliary groups aren't legal organizations. Yet, I believe that they still exist.

Like other Bglo little sister groups for other fraternities, females pledging Q Pearl (know elsewhere as Q Essence) were pledged by Big sisters (Q Pearls who had "crossed") and sometimes also by Big brothers (members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity). As is probably the case with the above chant, some of the chants that those line members learned were Omega Psi Phi chants.

****
K, L

****
M, N

****
O, P
ONE MORNING (Example #1)
I woke up one morning and what did I see?
Three mighty founders of PHI B. E.
They touched my heart and they touched my soul.
They said oh don't you pledge that black and gold.

They touched my mouth and they touched my eye
and said oh don't you pledge no K-A-Psi.

Now they looked me down form my head to my shoe
and said you sho don't want to be no Que.

Now I'm walking down that Sigma Street.
I saw some Zetas they were looking at me.
I looked to my left and I looked to my right
and all I could see was that Blue and White.

Now the closer I got to that light you see.
PHI BETA SIGMA was growing in me.

The road is hard to Sigmaland.
Before I got there I had to cross them sands.

Now that I've crossed those burning sand.

I can say I am a SIGMA MAN!!!!
- http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3hmPQ4Qtk7wJ:pbsthe, retrieved on September 30, 2010
-snip-
This is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. chant. The chant also mentions Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (and that organization's colors) since the Sigmas and Zetas are official brother & sister organizations.

****
ONE MORNING (Example #2)
I woke up one morning and what did I see?
Three mighty founders of PHI B. E.
They touched heart and they touched my soul.
They said oh don't you pledge that black and gold.

They touched my mouth and they touched my eye
and said oh don't you pledge no K-A-Psi.

Now they looked me down form my head to my shoe
and said you sho don't want to be no Que.

Now I'm walking down that Sigma Street.
I saw some Zetas they were looking at me.
I looked to my left and I looked to my right
and all I could see was that Blue and White.

Now the closer I got to that light you see.
PHI BETA SIGMA was growing in me.

The road is hard to Sigmaland.
Before I got there I had to cross them sands.

Now that I've crossed those burning sand.

I can say I am a SIGMA MAN!!!!
- http://pbsthetaalpha.tripod.com/chants.html
-snip-
This is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. chant

*On the website from which this chant was taken, the "Zetas" in the chant was given as "Xetas". "Zetas" are the Sigma's official sister group. The colors for both this fraternity & this sorority are Royal Blue & Pure White.

****
PROBATE MAN
When I was a probate man
trying to find my way across the burning sands
come on brothers and rescue me
RELEASE! ME! FROM! MY! MISERY!
i said i oweeeeeeeeeeee
my lifeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
to SIGMA whooooo!
S-I-G-M-A!
I owe! I owe my life!
- http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3hmPQ4Qtk7wJ:pbsthe, retrieved on September 30, 2010
-snip-
This is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. chant.

*****
Q, R

****
S, T
SCROLLERS, (Example #1)
I was looking for the name of this but I kouldn't find it. This is the chant a Brother from "O.G." gave us:

Brothers.....
I don't know,
I don't know if I can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHHH, Big Brother said we couldn't make it,
Huhhh, but we got a big surprise
We're gonna cross those burning sands
we're gonna make into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHH"
-K_I_A_Nupe (Tampa, Florida), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2 Kappa/Scroller Chants, January 8, 2009
-snip-
I used the title "Brothers", but I'm not sure what the title of this chant actually is.

This is a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chant.

**
SCROLLERS (Example #2)
Yup. We did the same chant as scrollers down here @GL with a few substituted words. (Gamma Lamda) Huston-Tillotson University.

Scrollers
I don't know, I don't know if we can make it over
Scrollers, I don't know if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi.
OHHHHHHHH, if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
Big Brother said, we wouldn't make it
but we got a big suprise
we're going to cross those burning sands alive
we're going to make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappachino3Klub (Texas), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2 "Kappa/Scroller Chants", January 8, 2009

**
SOUL STEPPING SISTERS OF DST
The song we sing goes like this:

Who are we?
My Sisters and me
we are the Soul Stepping Sorors
of DST!

We have strived
and crossed the sands
over into Delta Sigma 
Theta Land

Step by step
my Delta Sorors

Step by step
for DST
Step by step
my Delta Sorors
step by step for DST

 

(The sopranos go

We are the SOul STepping Sorors of DST
We are the SOUl STepping Sorors of DST...

(This continues while the remaining Sorors sing Who are we...and is repeated 4 times, then everyone joins back into Wo are we)
-Beauty1913, Location: Chicago, Il USA, 10-07-2001,
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=10669

**
STAY STRONG
It’s a long hard road to Omegaland.
Do you think that I will see you
on the other side?

Are you really worthy
of the land of the purple and the gold?
Will you succeed?
Will you cross the burning sands?
Are you worthy?
It’s a long hard road to Omega.
See it through.
Impress me.
-Anonymous, from notes in Q Pearl book, 1991 Edinboro University (Pennsylvania),
posted by Azizi Powell on cocojams.com [Pancocojams' editor: cocojams.com was my cultural website from 2001 to 2014 which I voluntarily deactivated.]
-snip-
Read my comments for the chant entitled "Impress Me".

****
U, V

****
W, X
WHO ARE WE
Who are we
My sisters and me
We are the soul steppin sorors
Of DST.
We came here
Across the sands
Over into Delta Sigma Theta land.
-anonymous, from memory of Slippery Rock University step show (Pennsylvania late 1990s, early 2000s), posted on cocojams.com 

****
Y, Z
YOU GOT TO PLEDGE HARD
You got to pledge hard, to cross those burning sands,
You got to pay the price, to be an I-Phi Man.
I was walking along the streets one day, when I heard the word of an I-Phi Man -
HE SAID ..
Iota is Great!
HE SAID ...
Iota is Grand!
HE SAID ...
Everybody loves an I-Phi Man!
-http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/23438997/2029917769/name/chants_songs%5B2%5, "Iota Phi Theta, Fraternity song book, retrieved 1/2/2013

****
ADDENDUM- FOUNDING DATES FOR THE BGLO DIVINE NINE
From http://www.blackgreek.com/divinenine/
"There are nine historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Collectively, these organizations are referred to as "The Divine Nine." Each of these fraternities and sororities is rich in history - ties to one or more of these organizations may be found in many college-educated Black families in the United States.
•Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Founded 1906, Cornell University
•Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Founded 1908, Howard University
•Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Indiana University
•Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Howard University
•Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Founded 1913, Howard University
•Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Founded 1914, Howard University
•Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Founded 1920, Howard University
•Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Founded 1922, Butler University
•Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Founded 1963, Morgan State University"
-snip-
Note that the Divine Nine (D9) is not a formal term.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council
"The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities...

The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions."

****
ADDENDUM -THE SHRINER'S RITUAL "CROSSING THE HOT SANDS (OR THE BURNING SANDS)
Note that "crossing the hot sands" (or "crossing the burning sands") is also a Shriner's ritual. (http://forum.mastermason.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4425 "What are the hot sands?"

It's important to note that Bglos (Black Greek letter organizations) are not affiliated with any Freemasonry organization, including the Prince Hall Shriners or any other organization of Shriners."

****
ADDENDUM -BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATION FORMER CUSTOMS OF PLEDGING/HAZING
2015 marks twenty-five years after pledging/hazing was prohibited by all of the Divine Nine (D9)* fraternities and sororities. However, from reading online discussions such as "What is skating?" [archive] http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/archive/index.php/t-90475.html [hereafter given as Greekchat-skating], it's clear that the old skool ways of pledging historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities are still very highly valued and are still very widely practiced underground (in secret). Pledging/hazing contines in spite of its illegality (as indicated by those organization's national offices), and in spite of the very real dangers of serious physical injuries and deaths that continue to result from those pledging/hazing processes. As reflected in the comments and chants that I've read online, many members of Bglos still "pledge" lines (groups of people) although doing so could cause them and those people to be banned banned by those organizations' national office if those underground activities became known. And chants that mention or allude to "paper", "skating" or "sliding" into these organizations make it abundantly clear that the Bglo membership intake process and those who are initiated into D9 organizations by way of that process are largely viewed with considerable disgust and disdain.

This post isn't meant to explore the reasons for that. However, I believe that those attitudes won't change by citing injury & death statistics, or amounts that national has to pay because of lawsuits, and/or by threatening to ban those who don't comply with prohibitions on pledging/hazing. In addition to those things, I believe that historically Black Greek letter organizations should seriously consider why pledging the old way was/is so valued, and reform the membership intake process so that it can be both safe and valued.

For the record, I went over (became a member) of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. (Gamma Zeta chapter) in 1966. That said, I became inactive shortly after crossing over (becoming a member), and I've been inactive since then.

****
Added excerpt- Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.ebony.com/burning-sands-hazing/ Burning Sands Hazing, Ebony Magazine
By Syreeta Greene, Suzette Cole and Rasheed Cromwell  | March 15, 2017
"The new film Burning Sands on Netflix has ignited the Black Greek-Letter Organization (BGLO) community into a flurry of conversations about the film’s message, intent, and content. Does it expose the secret (or not so secret) “underground” pledging-hazing new member process? Is it another way to focus on the negative aspects of BGLOs? Is it an accurate portrayal of hazing in Black fraternities? Is this film condoning and supporting hazing?

What is apparent is that discussing hazing as it relates to historical, prominent and influential organizations that promote brotherhood/sisterhood, scholarship, service, and leadership is challenging. People who believe in the positives of these organizations do not always want to believe that hazing could actually take place in or by these organizations. How does one promote racial uplift in the Black community, but then turn around and physically abuse someone? Does discussing hazing in public spaces somehow air BGLO’s dirty laundry that is already on a clothesline viewed by all?

Hazing behaviors are complex issues that cannot be resolved with one solution. Additionally, one movie cannot and does not deal with the nuances involved with these issues.  Remember, movies are for entertainment purposes. Accordingly, Burning Sands should be viewed through a proper lens."...

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