pancocojams

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

The African American Slang Meaning For The Word "Petty" (Starrkeisha's Petty Cheer & More) 2026 reprint

The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - @TheKingOfWeird

TIU Campaign, Published on Apr 3, 2016

-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-starrkeisha-cheer-squad-petty-cheer.html for a pancocojams post about this Starrkeisha video.

In this video, the cheerleading squad appears to be representing a high school named "Petty" (meaning "Petty" is the last name for someone the high school is named after).

However, these lines from that cheer: "You know I'm petty/I like to start some mess" stance and "You don't want to start stuff (with me) cause I can get down" exemplify the complimentary African American vernacular meaning of being "petty".

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series that provides information about the relatively new African American Vernacular English meaning of the English word "petty".

This post is a reprint of the 2017 pancocojams post that is still available on this blog with the title "A New African American Slang Meaning For The Word "Petty" (Starrkeisha's Petty Cheer & More)." https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-new-meaning-for-old-adjective-petty.html

This post presents information about the fictitious character "Starrkeisha" and presents information about the "new" African American Vernacular English (slang) meaning of the word "petty". A reprint of one comment that I wrote in that 2017 post's discussion thread is also included in this video. There are two additional comments in that 2017 post (as of May 26, 2026).

Click __ for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video of the stomp & shake cheer "You Make Us Go To Sleep" that whose earliest online video was published in 2023. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in that post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of the YouTube video that is embedded in this post.

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THE STANDARD ENGLISH MEANING FOR "PETTY"
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty
"2. having little or no importance or significance"

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From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=petty&page=6
"Petty
When someone overreacts over the littlest things

someone gets mad because the microwave door was left open. That's being petty"
by Dj Ellis March 21, 2017
-snip-
That is considered "petty" because leaving the microwave door open is no big deal.

But it wouldn't be petty if you left the door of a bank vault open.

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AN AFRICAN AMERICAN VERNACULAR ENGLISH MEANING FOR THE WORD "PETTY"
Here's my definition for the vernacular meaning of "petty"
Petty [adjective; African American Vernacular English]
"Responding verbally ("clapping back") or otherwise reacting to someone who has said or done something offensive to you even though other people (and/or you) might think that what you are reacting to is small or relatively minor
-snip-
In this vernacular sense of the word, it's a compliment to call someone "petty" because the person who is described that way is "being real" (not pretending to be someone he or she isn't and not acting like what has been said or done against him or her means nothing).

In this complimentary meaning of this word, people who act petty toward others who caused/cause them some offense (even though that offense might be considered mild) are showing that they can't be messed with. They are "nipping" minor offenses "in the bud" and publicly putting people on notice not to try even larger offenses against them."

Example: I love it when Kayla acts petty 'cause she knows how to throw some good shade."

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Here's an urban dictionary.com entry for "petty":
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=petty
"Petty

The act of keeping it too real, while others find it offensive. 100% honesty, even if it's “mean.”

Alexxis, why did you say his wrinkles make him look like the grinch that stole Christmas, you're so petty!

by QueenLex November 07, 2015
-snip-
In the phrase "keeping it too real", the word "too" intensifies the word "real", giving it the same or similar meaning of "very" e.g. "keeping it very real [not being fake in any way], even if some other people might think that you are being mean by reacting this way.

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WORDS FOR STARKEISHA'S "PETTY" CHEER
(TheKingOfWeird)

Leader -Okay ladies, let's get in formation.
All - Gimme a P
Gimme a E
Gimme a T
Gimme a T
Gimme a Y
I'm petty all the time.

Gimme a P
Gimme a E
Gimme a T
Gimme a T
Gimme a Y
I'm petty all the time.

P E to the T T Y
I’m petty
All the time.

Leader (soloist) - My name Starrkeisha
Group- Yeah
Leader - And I'm the best
Group- Yeah
Leader -You know I'm petty
I like to start some mess.

Leader- Cause you don't like me
Group -Yeah
Leader - But you don't want to get down.
Group -Down
Leader -You don't want to start stuff
When Kiki come around
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
-If a word could have an anthem, this would be the anthem for the relatively new vernacular meaning of "petty":

Here's some information about the fictitious character "Starrkeisha"
From AI Overview #2 [This write-up is the result of my request for information about the character "Starrkeisha".]

"Starrkeisha is a popular comedic character and alter ego created by YouTuber and entertainer Cameron Henderson (also known as Cameron J). First going viral around 2016, the character is best known for her bold personality, exaggerated cheer routines, and viral catchphrases.

Origins and Rise to Fame

The Creator: Cameron Henderson, an Oklahoma native, created the character on a whim after writing a throwaway idea on a sticky note.

Virality: The character exploded in popularity with "The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - Petty All the Time" video, which spawned the viral "Petty Challenge" cheer routine and racked up millions of views.

Persona: Starrkeisha is often portrayed as loud, fiercely protective of her friends, and unapologetically "petty"."...
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note
Starrkeisha was always performed her creator Cameron Henderson. This character was always portrayed as a female with a small beard.

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AI Overview #2 [This write-up is the result of my query "What ever happened to the character "Starrkeisha"?]

" The viral internet character Starrkeisha, created by comedian and entertainer Cameron J. Henderson, never permanently disappeared.

Instead, the character's main video run naturally faded out in late 2020 as Henderson transitioned into other comedic content, though fans and other creators still use the character's audio."...
-snip-
October 15, 2020 is the last date that I found for a video that included the character "Starrkeisha".

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-starrkeisha-cheer-squad-petty-cheer.html for the 2016 pancocojams post entitled "The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad (The "Petty" Cheer), information, videos, lyrics, & comments".

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/12/four-starrkeishas-christmas-carols.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Four "Starrkeisha's Christmas Carols!" YouTube Videos by Random Structure TV ( 2016 - 2019)".

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AN EXCERPT FROM A MADAME NOIRE.COM ARTICLE ABOUT BEING PETTY (IN THE COMPLIMENTARY MEANING OF THAT WORD)
From http://madamenoire.com/597661/petty/ "11 Perfect Memes For That Moment Someone Tries To Come For You And It’s Time To Be Petty"
November 10, 2015 | By Brande Victorian

"We’re all grown women here, which means most days we try to be the bigger person and hold our tongue when someone gets out of pocket. But every now and then our inner Petti LaBelle comes out and, well, we have to remind people, in the words of Kenya Moore, don’t come for us if we didn’t send for you. And here are 11 memes that perfectly sum up that sentiment when our pettiness gets the best of us."
-snip-
"Our inner Patti LaBelle comes out" refers to Soul/Gospel singer Patti LaBelle being a Diva in the positive sense of that word. Patti LaBelle 's reputation for not "playing" with folks or allowing people to "play with" her. Patti LaBelle is known for "throwing expert shade" among her other (complimentary) Diva ways.

Here's a definition of "diva" that fits what is probably meant in that phrase "our inner Patti LaBelle comes out".

From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=diva
"Diva
A fierce, often temperamental singer who comes correct. She is not a trick ass hoe, and she does not sweat da haters.

"And that is why I make the manager cry at the Cheesecake Factory, by being a diva."
by WadaStinsbatsky February 01, 2013
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktCh88GOJd0 for a video entitled "Patti Labelle's Shadiest/Diva Moments".
-snip-
Page four of that madamenoire.com gives this example of "petty":
Petty: "Just basking in the joys of karma"
-snip-
Some people might think that it's petty to feel vindication because something negative has happened or is happening to those who have done you wrong. But in the vernacular sense of the word "petty", that feeling of vindication is something to be enjoyed.

Being petty [by or because you are "just basking in the joys of karma" helps add context to this article's title: "The Internet Is Absolutely Loving Ivanka Trump’s ‘Petty’ Neighbor"; She grabbed her fur and some wine to watch a protest outside Trump’s house." by Cavan Sieczkowski, April 4, 2017

Here's an excerpt of that article:
"Hundreds of LGBTQ people and climate change activists protested outside Ivanka Trump’s Washington, D.C. home Saturday night to demand more than just words of support from the First Daughter.

Aside from the satisfaction of having voices heard for important causes during the massive dance party, one of the best things to come out of the protest was Trump’s “petty” neighbor: a woman who grabbed her fur coat and a glass of wine to gleefully watch the event unfold.

The Daily Mail ran the fantastic photo of the smiling neighbor ... who lives across the street from Trump."...
-snip-
Here are a few comments from that article (All of these comments are from April 4, 2017;Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)
1.Karri Lynn
"Petty is a compliment of sorts when used this way."..

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Reply
2. Marcus Avant
"Yea petty is being used in other ways now..."

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Reply
3. Deborah Paley
"Maybe this is "good" petty as opposed to "bad" petty. I'm down either way, I think it's pretty funny!"

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4. Barbra Blyss
"I don't understand the use of the word 'petty' to describe this neighbor."

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Reply
5. TaShonda Lewis-Taylor ·
"Y'all let me help you before another person ignorantly responds. HER PETTY IS A GOOD PETTY. Let it go if you do not understand because you are becoming very annoying!"
-snip-
This article gives some background as to why some of Ivanka & Jared's neighbors aren't happy about them moving into that neighborhood: http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/03/ivanka-trump-and-jared-kushners-new-neighbors-are-annoyed.html
"Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s New Neighbors Are Justifiably Annoyed", By Jenni Miller, March 26, 2017

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Reprint of One Comment From That 2016 pancocojams post:

Azizi PowellApril 5, 2017 at 10:50 AM

"The idea that people should immediately respond to any provocation-no matter how small it might be-or lose "street cred" seems to be the opposite of the 1970s/1980s or so injunction that people should be cool in the face of opposition or adversity (meaning not show any emotions, not let on that they were bothered by anyone or anything that was said about them or that they experienced).

I think that the term "Suck it up!" is the opposite of the verb "clap back" (Note: "Clap back" (also given as "clapback") is a verb and a noun as the retort that is given when you clap back is called a "clapback".)

Here's an urban dictionary.com entry for "suck it up": http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=suck%20it%20up

"suck it up
To endure a period of mental, physical, or emotional hardship with no complaining.

"I don't care if you're sad, get out there, suck it up and deal with it!"
by Albert February 15, 2004
-snip-
It also seems to me that when "clapping back" became "a thing" [something that is the "in thing to do"]*, then "sucking [something] up went out of favor. Because immediately clapping back (verbally responding to provocation, regardless if that provocation was minor or not, is viewed positively, then being "petty" is also viewed positively.

*In African American urban street cultures, an earlier vernacular meaning of "clap" is to shoot someone (fire back with a gun). Note the sharp sound associated with shooting and clapping.

The popularity of the term "clap back" (and its clapping motion that is sometimes used instead of verbalizing those words) can be attributed to the song "Clap Back" by American rapper Ja Rule, released as the only single from his fifth studio album, Blood in My Eye (2003)... The song is a diss track directed at 50 Cent and Eminem." [Wikipedia]

I think the first use of the complimentary meaning of "petty" occurred after 2003, but I'm not sure when. It's possible that the earliest use of the complimentary meaning of "petty" may be 2015 (the year of the urban dictionary.com entry for this word that is quoted in this post).

Please share any information that you have about the earliest vernacular use pf "petty" as something complimentary."

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Monday, May 25, 2026

Comments From The Discussion Thread Of The Video Of A High School Stomp & Shake Cheerleading Squad That Includes A Girl Who Has Alopecia

Title- "He Aint Gon Make It"

@SAGINAWDANCESHOW, Jan 26, 2025
-snip-
This cheer is usually titled "He's Scared. He's Shakin" Hee are the words to that cheer which is chanted when a basketball player from the opposing team is tying to make a free throw basket.

"He scared.
He shakin.
He knows he ain’t gonna make it"

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III in a thfree part pancocojams series about alopecia.

This post showcases a YouTube video of an unnamed American high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad that includes a girl who has Alopecia. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread that refer to that girls' baldness are included in this pancocojams post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/information-about-alopecia-hair-loss.html for Part I of this three part series. That post presents some information about Alopecia with a focus on Alopecia and Black people.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/video-of-high-school-stomp-shake.html for Part II of this series. That post showcases a YouTube video of an unnamed American high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad that includes a girl who has Alopecia. That post presents my editor's notes about the reasons why I'm showcasing this video and selected comments from that video's discussion thread that refer to that girls' baldness. That post also presents some general information about stomp & shake cheerleading and information about why it is customary for stomp & shake cheerleaders to cheer with deep voices.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unnamed American high school cheerleading squad that is showcased in this video and thanks to the unnamed member of that squad who is the focus of these discussion thread comments. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES ABOUT SHOWCASING THIS VIDEO & THESE DISCUSSION THREAD COMMENTS
Based on comments that he has written in various discussion threads of the videos that he has published either alone or with another person who appears to be affiliated with that specific performance squad or group, it appears that @saginawdance show is that he is an African American male from the state of Michigan who produces and publishes YouTube videos of middle school/high school ages or younger stomp and shake cheerleading squads in Michigan and in other states in the United States. @saginawdanceshow also produces and publishes videos of the same age groups performing majorette dance competitions throughout the United States. Given this information, I don't think that @saginawdanceshow, is familiar with the members of the cheerleading squads that he showcases.

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A number of commenters in this discussion thread expressed that they thought that the cheerleader with a bald head has cancer. It's important to note that Alopecia isn't cancer.

I believe that after the first comment like that @saginawdanceshow, this video's publisher should have replied in no uncertain terms that the cheerleader has Alopecia and not cancer.
His failure to do so, and the hearts that he gave as replies to those comments, may have been interpreted to mean that that cheerleader does have cancern.

Instead of replying that way, Also, I believe that @saginawdanceshow should have not only clearly stated that that cheerleader has alopecia, but he should hae also added a link to an article about Alopecia such as this link that is given in Part I of this pancocojams series: https://theconversation.com/what-is-alopecia-its-no-laughing-matter-for-millions-of-black-american-women-180213 "What is alopecia? It’s no laughing matter for millions of Black American women, Published: March 29, 2022.

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Some commenters in the discussion thread for this particular video, praise the cheerleader who is bald and offer their best wishes for her health. Other commenters chastise those other commenters for calling attention to that cheerleader just because she is bald. Those commenters write that that cheerleader did nothing different than the rest of her cheerleading squad and therefore shouldn't be singled out.

I believe that both of these groups of commenters are well meaning reasons.

I'm focusing attention to this particular cheerleader just because of her baldness. However, I'm showcasing this video and highlighting these comments for the historical record because this is the first time I have come across an online video of a cheerleader who is bald and because I want to document some commenters' reactions to a cheerleader who is bald.

I'm also publishing this video and some selected comments from this video's discussion thread for socio-cultural reasons, especially because-as one commenter shared- a video of a female cheerleader who is bald can provide a role model to and help increase the self-esteem of other females who are bald whether or not they also want to be a cheerleader.

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With regard to another aspect of this showcased video, a lot of commenters in the discussion thread for this showcase video indicated that they couldn't understand what the cheerleaders were saying. A number of those commenters and others were highly critical of the custom of cheering with deep voices that is associated with stomp & shake cheerleading.

Read Part II of this pancocojams series for some information on the stomp & shake cheer voice.

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My personal opinion is that this unnamed high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad scores very high points for the performance of the moves for this cheer routine but scores very low points for their articulation of this cheer.

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The squeal that is heard at the end of this cheer is a "call" that is performed during or at the end of some stomp and shake cheers by certain cheerleading squads. "Calls" aren't part of every stomp and shake performance. Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) are particularly known for including this call in some of their cheer performances.

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An un-official description of the unnamed high school cheerleading squad's routine is found in the comment section for Part II of this pancocojams series. My daughter Tazi Hughes wrote her description of this showcased video's cheer routine upon my request. Thanks Tazi!

Additions and corrections to these cheer routine instructions are welcome.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
From https://youtube.com/shorts/m5J09AFrJiQ?si=4mgMZGXrR3fPxLHI "HE AIN’T GON MAKE IT" (usually titled “He’s scared He shaken)

This compilation only includes the comments in that discussion thread that refer to the cheerleader who has a bald head or closely related comments.

Except for one Black male, all of the cheerleaders in this squad are Black females. With the exception of the cheerleader who is bald, all of the cheerleaders wear their hair in braid extensions that are longer than shoulder length.

These comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

All of these comments are from 2025 except for the last comment.

1. @its-zady4280
"WAITTT I did cheer with that girl with the alopecia and the short girl in the back in middle school!!!!! This is so crazy"

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2. @kailihenry7525
"Im praying for her because i noticed that she might have been fighting cancer or she has something"

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3. @SAGINAWDANCESHOW
"❤️❤️👏🏾"
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4. @gigitube5964
"The girl w no hair is so beautiful, so much natural beauty ❤❤"

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5. @SAGINAWDANCESHOW
"❤️❤️"

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6. @AriaHuguely
"I am so sorry for the one cheerleader who has cancer. I know how you don't like being like this. I want god to bless you. 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔"

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7. @SAGINAWDANCESHOW
"Blessings to you"

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Reply
8. @Starrworld123
"She has alopecia she’s fine"

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Reply
9. @georgeabernathy6646
"😮 she could just have alopecia, I'm sure you meant well by the gesture however, that statement singled her out."

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Reply
10. @CallMe_AdeleO
"It could be alopecia or other medical things, or maybe she js shaved her head, but it’s rlly nice for u to concern! 💗"

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11. @its-zady4280
"I did cheerleading with her in middle school and she has alopecia"

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12. @Wheelerhealer0601
"This is for the Alopecia queen my three year old wants to be a cheerleader she has alopecia also and seeing you her whole face lit up."

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13. @SAGINAWDANCESHOW
"Oh wow blessings to your daughter and thank you for watching the channel"

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14. @Jasmine-d2v2v
"my friend was kicked of the cheer team because she shaved of all her hair because her sister had cancer... I know that they did it just because all of the cheerleaders have to be "slim" and have at least four inches of hair..."

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15. @SAGINAWDANCESHOW
"Blessings to her sister ❤️❤️"

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16. @RebeccaDunlap-h7o
"You don’t have to have cancer to be bald…."

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17. @MaybeMabbey
"Um… I don’t think it’s cancer.."

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18. @RebeccaDunlap-h7o
"@airionacourtney-x1f no it’s not. You can’t be doing chemotherapy while doing such a high intensity sport like cheerleading. That’s not how that works."

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19. @MalaineCrune-l7i
"The way the bald girl has such confidence to cheer"

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Reply
20. @SAGINAWDANCESHOW
"❤️🤍"

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21. R@mswood6256
"Go girls!!! And to Ms lady all natural and beautiful bets believe that look makes you shine girl❤️❤️

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22. @bmooremoore4460
"To my queen with no hair.. YOURE ROCKING IT!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️so pretty !!"

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23. @ziaidk
"@Unknown_randoms she is doing the exact same thing as the rest so I think she just said that because she’s bald"
-snip-
In a subsequent comment in this discussion thread @unknown__random wrote that she or he had deleted their comment about the cheerleader who is bald.

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24.@sunnyjordan5332
"@Unknown_randoms also wtf do u mean brave dude she’s doing what everyone else is doing"

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25. @SilliestSmallGoose
" @Unknown_randoms not hating at all, asking simply out of curiosity. what made her “good” in comparison to the rest? she visually didn’t have the most energy or anything, so what makes her performance stand out?"

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26. @K1m1aaa
"@Unknown_randoms so.. how does she not stand out but she eats? Just delete the comment it don’t make sense"

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27. @Unknown_randoms
"@ bro I was gonna delete it, see the other message that I replied to"

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28. @charcharsbbq-d1y
"She has alopecia"

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29. @yomamabootycrud
"SHE ATE"

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30. @K1m1aaa
"You just saying that bc she bald and stand out the most😒"

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31. @RhylaArd-e8u
" @K1m1aaa I didn't even notice her until I scanned the whole row, She's beautiful❤️❤️ I wonder what happened to her aswell"

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32. @spicytruth8721
"@RhylaArd-e8unothing had to happen… I hope ur a child and not a adult thinking like that."

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33. @Lovelyhearts33
"@K1m1aaa not everyone thinks like you what is wrong with you I don't notice her until the the 3rd time I watched this."

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34. @K1m1aaa
"@ so you’re saying that the person in the original comment is lying AND you’re proving my point because I said they only “rocking it” because they’re bald AND your saying she’s a bad dancer? Ok"

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35. @313-lee
"@K1m1aaa nah what you said was definitely weird"

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36. @K1m1aaa
"@313-lee well if she ate doesn’t that mean she stands out? And ain’t she bald? Or do you see natural 613 wig?"

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37. kyacookie.digital
"The craziest thing is that some people are only hyping up the lady (I’m sorry if I mis-gender) with no hair (I promise no disrespect) and not the other cheerleaders.. They ALL did amazing!! Keep up the work❤️❤️"

**
38. anitahaynes, 2026
"The girl that has cancer she is so brave 🎉❤️

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This concludes Part III of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Video Of A High School Stomp & Shake Cheerleading Squad That Includes A Girl Who Has Alopecia (with general information about stomp & shake cheerleading)

Title- "He Aint Gon Make It"

@SAGINAWDANCESHOW, Jan 26, 2025
-snip-
This cheer is usually titled "He's Scared. He's Shakin" Hee are the words to that cheer which is chanted when a basketball player from the opposing team is tying to make a free throw basket.

"He scared.
He shakin.
He knows he ain’t gonna make it"

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II in a two part pancocojams series about alopecia.

This post showcases a YouTube video of an unnamed American high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad that includes a girl who has Alopecia. That post presents my editor's notes about the reasons why I'm showcasing this video and selected comments from that video's discussion thread that refer to that girls' baldness. That post also presents some general information about stomp & shake cheerleading and information about why it is customary for stomp & shake cheerleaders to cheer with deep voices.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/information-about-alopecia-hair-loss.html for Part I of this three part series. That post presents some information about Alopecia with a focus on Alopecia and Black people.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/video-of-high-school-stomp-shake_0599040167.html for Part III of this series. That post showcases a YouTube video of an unnamed American high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad that includes a girl who has Alopecia, Selected comments from that video's discussion thread that refer to that girls' baldness are included in that pancocojams post.

Stomp & shake cheerleading squads are found on the middle school, high school, and university levels. Most stomp & shake cheerleading squads consist of Black females. Some stomp & shake cheerleading squads have had and/or currently have one or a few cheerleaders non-Black female cheerleaders.

Some stomp & shake cheerleading squads have had and/or currently have one or a few cheerleaders who are Black males. As of this date (in 2026) I have never come across any information or videos of male stomp & shake cheerleaders who are non-Black. Male cheerleaders don't perform all of the movements or all of the movements the same way as female cheerleaders in their squads.

Stomp & shake cheerleading focuses on hyping up their athletic teams' fans at football games and at basketball games. However, these squads do so as show entertainment more than leading fan participation in their cheers.

Certain motions such as "high steps" (formerly referred to as "upstomps") and "double shakes" (formerly referred to as "jigga pops") distinguish stomp & shake cheerleading from traditional cheerleading routines or modified cheerleading routines that combine traditional & stomp & shake routines. Unlike traditional cheerleading, stomp & shake cheerleading routines rarely if ever include cheerleading stunts.

In 2026 stomp & shake cheerleading is mostly found on the Black pre-university and Black university levels in North Carolina (USA) and in Virginia (USA). However, those styles of cheerleading can now be found throughout many Black communities throughout the United States. That said, it's historically and currently incorrect to say that stomp & shake cheerleading is associated with every Historically Black College & University (HBCU).

This pancocojams blog has multiple posts about stomp & shake cheerleading. Here are links two of those posts:

"When Did Stomp & Shake Cheerleading Begin? (Online Comments & Website Statements)"
https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/06/when-did-stomp-shake-cheerleading-begin.html

and "Examples Of Stomp & Shake Cheerleading Cheers, Part I (A - H)" https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/06/examples-of-stomp-shake-cheerleading.html
[This is Part I of a three part pancocojams series that document some examples of stomp & shake cheerleading cheers. The links to the other posts in this series is found in each post in this series.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT THIS PERFORMANCE OF THAT STOMP AND SHAKE CHEERLEADING CHEER
A lot of commenters in the discussion thread for this showcase video indicated that they couldn't understand what the cheerleaders were saying. A number of those commenters and others were highly critical of the custom of cheering with deep voices that is associated with stomp & shake cheerleading.

Here's a portion of the result of an AI Overview about this custom (retrieved on April 25, 2026 in response to my query "Why Do Stomp & Shake Cheerleaders Chant With A Deep Voice?"

"The deep, guttural chanting style [of stomp & shake cheerleading] serves a few specific purposes:

-Maximum Volume and Resonance: Cheerleaders are taught to shout from their diaphragm rather than their throat. Lowering the pitch and pushing from the core creates a booming, bass-heavy sound that travels through the bleachers and can be heard over loud game-day audiences.

-Vocal Preservation: Yelling at the top of your lungs for hours during a game takes a massive toll on the vocal cords. Using a deeper, relaxed "cheer voice" acts as a protective mechanism, preventing hoarseness and injury."...
-end of quote-
That said, it is possible to cheer with a deep voice and be understood.

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)'s cheerleaders are on example of stomp & shake cheerleaders who use the deep stomp & shake cheer voice and are easily understood.

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkpOiVssR0s "WSSU CHEERLEADERS 2010-11 Basketball BATTLE" published by cavettaj, Jun 11, 2011 for a Winston-Salem State University for a video of their now iconic cheer "You Gets No Respect In Here". The beginning portion of the cheer routine that WSSU created for their cheer was used by the unnamed high school cheerleading squad in their "You Scared You Shakin" cheer that is embedded in this pancocojams post.

My personal opinion is that this unnamed high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad scores very high points for the performance of the moves for this cheer routine and very low points for their articulation of this cheer.

Note that the squeal that is heard at the end of this cheer is a "call" that is performed during or at the end of some stomp and shake cheers by certain cheerleading squads. "Calls" aren't part of every stomp and shake performance. Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) are particularly known for including this call in some of their cheer performances.

An unoffical description of the unnamed high school cheerleading squad's routine is found in the comment section for this pancocojams post. My daughter Tazi Hughes wrote her description of this showcased video's cheer routine upon my request. Thanks Tazi!

Additions and corrections to these cheer routine instructions are welcome.

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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Information About Alopecia (Hair Loss & Hair Baldness) With A Focus On Alopecia & Black People

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I in a three part pancocojams series about alopecia.

This post presents some information about Alopecia with a focus on Alopecia and Black people.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/video-of-high-school-stomp-shake.html for Part II of this series. That post showcases a YouTube video of an unnamed American high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad that includes a girl who has Alopecia. That post presents my editor's notes about the reasons why I'm showcasing this video and selected comments from that video's discussion thread that refer to that girls' baldness. That post also presents some general information about stomp & shake cheerleading and information about why it is customary for stomp & shake cheerleaders to cheer with deep voices.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/video-of-high-school-stomp-shake_0599040167.html for Part III of this series. That post showcases a YouTube video of an unnamed American high school stomp & shake cheerleading squad that includes a girl who has Alopecia, Selected comments from that video's discussion thread that refer to that girls' baldness are included in that pancocojams post.

The content of this post is presented for educational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Danita Peoples, MD,MSA, the author of theconversation.com article that is featured in this post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT ALOPECIA
From https://theconversation.com/what-is-alopecia-its-no-laughing-matter-for-millions-of-black-american-women-180213 What is alopecia? It’s no laughing matter for millions of Black American women, Published: March 29, 2022

author: Danita Peoples, MD,MSA

Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology, Wayne State University
"The Oscar slap that overshadowed the Academy Awards ceremony was sparked by a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s lack of hair – with husband Will Smith objecting violently to comedian Chris Rock mocking the actress’s shaved head.

Away from the recriminations over what could be perceived as a mean-spirited jibe and a disproportionate response, many people will sympathize with Pinkett Smith. As millions of women in the U.S. will attest, hair loss is no laughing matter.

The Conversation asked dermatologist Danita Peoples of Wayne State University’s School of Medicine about alopecia and why certain forms of it can disproportionately affect Black women.

1. What is alopecia?

Alopecia is a medical word that refers to hair loss generally. And there are descriptors added which can refer to where the hair loss is occurring, or to the cause of it. Traction alopecia, for example, is hair loss from trauma or chronic inflammatory changes to the hair follicles.

2. What causes alopecia?

Traction alopecia happens when there is trauma to the scalp, where the hair is being pulled or rubbed on a regular basis, causing inflammation around the hair follicles. This can lead to hair loss or thinning.

Alopecia areata describes hair loss to a particular area. It has different levels of severity, so there might be just a coin-sized area of hair loss on the scalp, or it could affect large areas. It can occur any place on the body.

Or it might result in complete hair loss on the scalp, alopecia totalis. Some people lose eyebrows or see a thinning of their eyelashes.

People can even have alopecia universalis, which is a loss of hair on the entire body.

Alopecia areata is considered an “immune-mediated” type of hair loss. The immune system is attacking the hair follicles. It has to do with T cells, the important white blood cells in the immune system.

And then other autoimmune disorders can have alopecia associated with them. This is the form of alopecia that Jada Pinkett Smith has said she has.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to hair loss. One type is systemic lupus erythematosus. Another type, discoid lupus erythematosus, primarily affects the skin and can cause hair loss with scarring on the scalp.

Thyroid abnormalities can be related to hair loss as well. In fact, when patients come to me with hair loss, the first test that I may order is a thyroid study.

3. Who does it affect?

Anyone can get alopecia. Alopecia areata can show up at any age, from children to adults, and both men and women. But it’s more likely to affect African Americans than white or Asian Americans. About 1 million people in the U.S. have alopecia areata.

Traction alopecia can affect people in certain professions, like ballerinas, who wear their hair up in buns all the time. The pressure and friction from sports headgear, like helmets or baseball caps, can also cause hair loss. And in some parts of northern Europe, where it is common for people to pull their hair back tight on a regular basis, there are higher rates of traction alopecia. Traction alopecia affects one-third of women of African descent, making it the most common type of alopecia affecting Black women.

4. Why is traction alopecia so common among Black women?

That is due to certain hair styling practices that Black women use on their hair – wearing tight weaves or extensions, straightening with heat, that sort of thing. Hair is a big deal among African American women in a way that it isn’t for others. When I was growing up, my older relatives told us girls that our hair was our “crowning glory.” And they made a big deal about us keeping our hair looking stylish and well groomed, and that usually meant straightening it.

5. How is alopecia treated?

It depends on the cause. There are injected or topical corticosteroids for alopecia areata. If it’s due to a nutritional deficiency, like iron or protein, obviously you simply need to correct the deficiencies with supplements or by changing the diet. When it is caused by traction or discoid lupus, if you don’t treat the inflammation on the scalp soon enough, the hair loss can become permanent."...

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This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series.

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