Hairstyles Worn By Members Of Historically Black Sororities - Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. (University of Maryland College Park)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post documents the variety of hair styles worn by some members of the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.'s Kappa Phi chapter at University of Maryland College Park during their stepping performances at their annual Block Shows (2012-2017).

This is the first post in a pancocojams series that documents various straight/straightened and natural hair styles that are worn by some members of a specific chapter of a historically Black sorority or hair styles that are worn by some members of multiple chapters of that particular sorority.

This series also documents selected discussion thread comments that viewers (particularly Black viewers) made about the hair styles that are worn in these videos.

Click the "Black sorority hair styles" tag below for those posts.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to Shegaw Mekonen, the publisher of these videos.
art series on current (as of October 2016) attitudes among African Americans about the word "nappy".

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I came across the 2016 video of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. chapter at University of Maryland College Park Block Show while surfing YouTube in search of videos about the inclusion of body patting (pattin juba, hamboning) in historically Black Greek letter fraternities' and sororities' step show routines. Watching that video, I was struck with the images of so many members -or actually any member- of a HBCU (Historically Black Greek Letter Organization) wearing their tightly curled (nappy) hair in braided extensions, or in any natural style. And watching other Block Show videos of Deltas from UMCP I was also surprised to see some women wearing their natural or straight/straightened hair in short hair styles. (Also, in at least one or two videos I was surprised to see a woman stepping wearing eye glasses).

In 1966 I pledged and became a member of another historically Black Greek letter sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.). In those days, it was both expected and required that women pledging any Black sorority wear their hair straightened/or naturally straight in uniformly shoulder length hairstyles-without any hair extensions, hair weaves, wigs, or braids. Midway in my pledge process, I challenged that rule by getting my hair cut and wearing it in an afro style. Although I received a lot of pressure to straighten my hair from the women pledging me, I refused to do so and was allowed to continue my initiation.

I realize that was waaaay back in the day, but I've watched a number of YouTube step show videos since I started this cultural blog in 2014, and I don't recall noticing so many sorority members wearing their hair in natural styles. As a result of happening upon the 2016 video that is presented below, I decided to document in a small way the impact-if any-of the Black natural hair movement on each of the historically Black Greek letter sororities that are members of the "Divine Nine"*.

The videos that are featured in this particular post show members of this sorority's chapter wearing their hair in a diversity of styles- except very closely cropped or bald. I applaud this diversity.

These featured videos are presented without comments except for those that mention the hair styles worn by a woman, or women in that video.

*"Divine Nine":
From https://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 nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine". The member/partner organizations have not formally adopted nor recommended the use of this term to describe their collaborative grouping."...

Sororities that are members of the Divine Nine:
(given in order of their founding dates)
Alpha Kappa Alpha

Delta Sigma Theta

Zeta Phi Beta

Sigma Gamma Rho
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/10/articles-about-black-natural-hair.html for a 2016 pancocojams post entitled "Articles About The Black Natural Hair Movements In USA, Brazil, France, Ivory Coast, & South Africa". This is part II of a four part series on current (as of October 2016) attitudes among African Americans about the word "nappy".

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FIVE SELECTED COMMENTS FROM A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE'S DISCUSSION THREAD
As some background to the videos featured in this post, here are five selected comments from a 2013 New York Times article about Black women wearing their hair natural:

From http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/03/fashion/the-afro-as-a-natural-expression-of-self.html "The Afro as a Natural Expression of Self" by Ruth La Ferla, Oct. 2, 2013

[Pancocojams Editor's Note: These comments are given in no particular order and are all dated October 2013. Numbers have been assigned for referencing purposes only.]

1. tiffany, Los Angeles
"I know Dante DeBlasio*'s afro makes this a timely piece, but natural hair styles, including the afro is a "trend" about 20 years in the making.

For many in the academic and Afro-centric communities, and low-maintenance women like my auntie, it never really died. But this most recent resurgence began in the mid-to-late 1990s -- about the same time weird rappers and neo-soul became a thing. I was definitely not the only black woman in DC wearing a teeny weeny afro in 1994.

Even if it's not acknowledged as such, this natural hair movement is really is an outgrowth of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Those earlier movements did the hard cultural work of shifting beauty norms. Gen X and those behind us get to wear the hair without the same kinds of assumptions about militancy."
-snip-
Dante De Blasio is the mixed race (Black/White) son of Bill De Blasio, the current mayor of New York City.

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2. Melanie Columbus, Ohio
"I wear my hair natural, and so does my 11 year-old daughter because it's easy and inexpensive to maintain. We can swim and sweat from exercise with no worries about ruining expensive, elaborate styles. We straighten our hair occasionally, just for a change now and then, but most days it's natural; and I get compliments from everyone (Black, White, male, female) almost daily when I don't wear it straight."

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3. Marcos, New York City
"Whether it is the writer of this article, and/or some the kids sporting them, it is naive to think that a large afro is no longer read as a political and social statement. Wear a big afro outside of a big city and analyze the reaction.

It is also interesting to hear commentators chastising black women for straightening or weaving their hair, but no such statements about white women dying, curling and straightening their hair.

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4. Felice, California
"I am SO sick and tired of the conversation about Black women and our hair!!! I AM NOT MY HAIR. WE ARE NOT OUR HAIR. We are so beautiful, sexy, intelligent, versatile, and nuanced! Why in the heck do people keep reducing us to hair? Non-Black women do whatever they want with their hair, and no one complains generally. The way to liberate Black women is not by publically criticizing them for their hairstyle choices. Acceptance is the key. Some women look fabulous with natural hair, fantastic in braids, and beautiful in weave. It really doesn’t matter at the end of the day? And, no, wearing weaves or extensions is not always evidence of low self-esteem. Sometimes, those options are just easier, sassier, and more fun!! I happen to choose what is easiest for me. On the East Coast, that has been wearing a weave at times due to the weather and the lack of salon services available for Black women (ahem . . .Boston). Caring for natural hair is no walk in the park. It requires dedication, patience, and money to keep buying the best products (natural or not). It boils down to this: allow Black women to do what they want with their hair. There are so many societal problems today that we cannot afford to be preoccupied with hair. Let’s feed some folks, keep folks employed, educate our youth, learn how to manage money, erase racism, and make sure all people have access to medical care.

Let’s celebrate all Black beauty, and move on to more important matters!

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5. antoinette, brooklyn
"awesome article! i love the interactive feature of women talking about their own relationship to their hairstyles!

i am african-american and my mom put a relaxer in my hair when i was five to make styling easier. (and because that's what she had/thought was acceptable at the time). i let it grow out when i was in high school opting for afros and braids and then shaved my head for the final year of HS and into college. then i grew out my first set of dreds for seven years and am currently working on my second set. it seems to be the easiest style for now: the traditional femininity of long hair (that some get from a weave) mixed with the strength and clear presentation of my natural self.

also: the politics will never not be a part of the conversation, but i'm glad that the mainstreaming of weaves has de-politicized the issue for many women (especially younger generations who seem fine to sport an afro one week and a beyonce-type weave the next).

and lastly: i would have loved the inclusion of a bald/cropped hair black woman in the interactive feature though, because i think it's one style (that a large minority of black women consistently wear) that pushes against not only perceived notions of race, but also of gender/femininity."

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
The only comments from these videos' discussion threads that are included in this post are those that mention hair styles. I've added brief explanatory notes after a few of these comments.

Example #1: 2012 UMD Block Show: Delta Sigma Theta



Shegaw Mekonen Published on May 9, 2012

The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc's Kappa Phi chapter perform at the University of Maryland College Park Block Show

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Example #2: 2013 UMD Block Show: Delta Sigma Theta



Shegaw Mekonen Published on May 9, 2013

The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc's Kappa Phi chapter perform at the University of Maryland College Park Block Show
-snip-
Here's a comment from that video's discussion thread:
bigprice93, 2013
"But nah tho, she kille dit with that knee brace; dese ni&&as* wont hold me back!!!
*ANd her locks likes dats."
-snip-
*This word was fully spelled out in this comment

“locks” = dreadlocks

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Example #3: 2014 UMD Block Show: Delta Sigma Theta



Shegaw Mekonen Published on May 8, 2014

The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc's Kappa Phi chapter perform at the University of Maryland College Park Block Show

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Example #4: 2015 UMD Block Show - Delta Sigma Theta



Shegaw Mekonen, Published on May 21, 2015

The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc's Kappa Phi chapter perform at the 2015 University of Maryland College Park Block Show

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Example #5: 2016 UMD Block Show - Delta Sigma Theta



Shegaw Mekonen Published on May 27, 2016

The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc's Kappa Phi chapter perform at the 2016 University of Maryland College Park Block Show
-snip-
selected comments from that video's discussion thread:
Comments:
hiitsmeeeeeeeeeee, 2016
"hair was poppin"

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Reply
Mad Marsz, 2016
"That's what I was thinking woow. So diverse! I love the deltas."

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3Marron, 2016
"but their hair though: luscious and bomb! i was totally distracted by all the beautiful textures on display"

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Example #6: 2017 UMD Block Show - Delta Sigma Theta



Shegaw Mekonen, Published on May 21, 2017

The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc's Kappa Phi chapter perform at the 2017 University of Maryland College Park Block Show
-snip-
This particular Block Show included a Probate (the first time new members of a sorority are introduced to the public).

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