Edited by Azizi Powell
This post is Part II of a new ongoing pancocojams series on non-Black members of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities and sororities.
This post showcases four online articles and one discussion forum about this subject. Selected comments from three of these online pages are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Click the "non-Black members of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs)" for subsequent posts in this pancocojams series.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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FIVE ONLINE POSTS AND COMMENTS ABOUT NON-BLACK MEMBERS OF HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES
These articles/forum post, and comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
ARTICLE #1 [complete article]
From http://progressivegreek.com/news_events/alumni/whites-have-growing-interest-in-black-greek-organizations-experts-say/ Whites have growing interest in black Greek organizations, experts say
by kevin1914, Alumni Newswire, published 2009
Whites have growing interest in black Greek organizations, experts say
"Former President Bill Clinton’s announcement last month that he will join the Black fraternity Phi Beta Sigma sent shockwaves through the Black community—but he’s far from the only White to cross the color line.
Many Blacks wondered why any president other than Barack Obama would want to join a Black Greek Letter organization, given the benefits that many White social organizations offer. But according to Dr. Matthew Hughey, an assistant professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Mississippi State University and a White member of Phi Beta Sigma, Clinton’s actions aren’t a first.
Hughey pledged and “went over” to Sigma at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in 1996.
“President Clinton becoming a Sigma is an indication that Black Greek Letter organizations are being looked at by non-Blacks,” said Hughey, who has written an article on the subject, “Crossing the Sands, Crossing the Color Line: Non Black Members of Historically Black Greek Organizations,” for the Journal of African-American Studies.
“In my research on this topic, [we] do not know how many Whites are in the traditional nine Black Greek Letter Organizations because the demographic information is not there. But I can say that there are a few Whites here and there,” Hughley said. “Obviously, there are more Whites in Black Greek organizations on predominantly White campuses than on HBCUs [Historically Black Colleges and Universities].”
The traditional Black Greek organizations are Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta.
Prominent Whites have joined Black Greek organizations through the honorary route, becoming a member by the support of the general membership body without going through a formal pledge process. The late former first lady and human rights activist Eleanor Roosevelt was an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
The late Hubert Humphrey, the vice president of the United States under President Lyndon Johnson, was inducted as an honorary member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and former Ambassador to the Vatican and ex-member of Congress Lindy Boggs is an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho.
“Soror Boggs was made a Sigma in July, 1978,” Rachel E. Morris, the executive director of the sorority, told the AFRO. Boggs served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1990, representing New Orleans. She is the mother of ABC News commentator Cokie Roberts and lobbyist Thomas Boggs, and was succeeded in the House by William Jefferson in 1990.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton almost became an AKA but withdrew her application when informed that she could not join other Black Greek sororities.
Dr. William Kimbrough, the president of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., and an expert on Black Greek organizations, said that the White presence in Black Greek organizations is there but small.
“I would venture to say that only about two or three percent of Black Greek organizations have White members,” said Kimbrough, author of a book, “Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black fraternities.”
“Those Whites who choose to join do so because they are attracted to the community service aspects of the Black Greeks,” Kimbrough said. “Both Black and White Greeks work in the community, but it seems that the Black Greeks take it more seriously. It would seem that White Greeks tend to be more socially-oriented.”
Hughey agrees with Kimbrough.
“White Greek Letter organizations are not as serious about service as the Black Greeks are,” he said. “Black Greeks do way more hours of community service than the Whites.”
Hughey also said that Whites are interested in the cultural aspects of Black Greek life.
“It seems to be more of bond while in college and after college,” he said. “Also, stepping, the pledge process and line jackets seem to appeal to Whites who join Black Greek organizations.”
Nevertheless, Hughey acknowledges that there are problems with Whites in Black Greek organizations.
“You get it from both sides,” he said. “The Blacks see you coming into ‘their’ fraternity and think that ‘they are taking over.’ The Whites wonder what is wrong with you with being in an organization of Blacks.”
Kimbrough, who is an Alpha, said that when he worked with student organizations at Emory University in Atlanta he found an interesting perception about Greek Letter organizations and race.
“It seemed to me that the White fraternities were more open to having members of other races as brothers than the White sororities,” he said. “I could not explain why but that is the way it was.”
It is the matter of brotherhood that seems to attract Whites the most, said Hughey.
“Today, Whites are looking for something more lasting than the four-year experience,” he said. “Black Greeks offer a lifetime of brotherhood and friendship.”
Also, he said members may feel more social pressure in White organizations based on status, money and other things.
“With the Black Greeks once you are in, you are accepted regardless of who you are.”
****
ARTICLE #2
From https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2000-07-12-0007110289-story.html ESTABLISHED AS A BLACK SORORITY, AKA NOW TOUTS ITS RACIAL DIVERSITY
Dallas Morning News THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 12, 2000 [complete article]
"Not long ago, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha could tout themselves as being the nation's oldest and largest African-American sorority.
Established at Howard University in 1908, the sorority can still lay claim to being the oldest. With 150,000 members and more than 900 chapters, AKA is among the largest.
But sorority members, known for their trademark pink and green colors, can no longer say that the club is exclusively black. Nor can most other historically black sororities and fraternities.
Their diversity is simply a sign of the times, says AKA president Norma White.
"We no longer refer to ourselves as an all-black sorority," says White, who is presiding over the AKA national convention in Dallas, which began Saturday.
"We still say the AKAs were founded for and by black women, but through the years, because of societal changes, we have become an interracial sorority. We're multicultural now."
Although the membership of the AKAs is overwhelmingly black, Asians, Hispanics and whites have become a part of the mix and will be among the estimated 10,000 members expected to attend the annual meeting, which runs through Friday at the Dallas Convention Center.
Black sororities were established by black women college students during a time when they were unwelcome in sororities started by whites, says White, a longtime AKA member.
"In the '30s and '40s, a person of another race would not have wanted to join us," she says.
Women of other races started joining the AKAs in small numbers in the 1960s. At Stetson University in DeLand, the undergraduate chapter was started by white women, she says. She recalls white women joining the graduate chapter in Tallahassee when she was regional director in the mid-1970s. And during that time, a Hispanic woman was accepted into a Miami chapter.
The AKAs have accepted some women of other races as honorary members, including former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Ritu Singh, an Indian woman who joined the sorority in 1998 while studying psychology and African studies at The George Washington University, in Washington, D.C., will be one of the conference panelists.
She says she learned about the AKAs when she was in high school and was invited to attend a friend's debutante cotillion. She says it was the members' style and community-service activities that inspired her to join.
Although she was embraced by most of her sorority sisters, her transition was not as smooth as she hoped it would be. She says she felt "completely ostracized" when she attended a regional conference and one of the black sorority sisters questioned having non-blacks in the sorority.
"I had only been an AKA for three weeks, and it shook me up a bit." When she shared her feelings with other members, they assured her that she was welcome in the group.
She says the experience hurt her but didn't discourage her. She has held a number of positions within her chapter, including president.
Singh says people still ask questions about her affiliation with the AKAs.
"They automatically say, 'Isn't that a black sorority? I have to let them know that it's predominantly black, not exclusively black."
Some members of the Dallas chapter say they have no problem with the AKAs becoming more diverse, as long as the group doesn't lose sight of its mission or forget its history.
"The purpose of the sorority is a purpose that is not limited to race," says Dallas lawyer Jessica Dixon, who is an AKA member.
"It is an organization that focuses on community service. But it was founded by black women to help the black community, and I would want it to keep that soul and spirit," says Dixon.
Even though the racial makeup of the AKAs has changed somewhat, the gender base remains the same.
"We're still an all-female organization," says White, the AKA president. "The only person we wouldn't take is a man.""
****
ARTICLE #3
From https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/experiences-leading-white-males-join-historically-black-butts-edd?trk=related_artice_Experiences%20Leading%20White%20Males%20to%20Join%20a%20Historically%20Black%20Fraternity%3A%20Finding%20the%20Seven_article-card_title Experiences Leading White Males to Join a Historically Black Fraternity: Finding the Seven by Calvin Butts, Published on February 13, 2018
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is the second of a series of linkedin.com articles on this subject that Calvin Butts published. Click https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d974/fee31e910442fe59bbc023c58218be282a70.pdf for Dr. Calvin Butt's University of Central Florida's 2012 dissertation "White Males In Black Fraternities: Life Experiences Leading White Males To Join A Historically Black Fraternity"]
"[...]
My initial intention in interviewing had been to interview White members in the state of Florida so I could interview them face-to-face. I asked the Director of Membership Services for a current list of White members, both alumni and undergraduate, in the state of Florida. He found, in reviewing his membership list, that I was the only White member in the state of Florida. When I mentioned expanding my potential pool of participants to White members in the southern region, he indicated that number would also be very low. I informed him of my need to have between 5 and 20 possible participants to interview and also inquired as to the number of White members nationwide. When he informed me that his listing revealed 17, I was in disbelief because I know I have run into a number of White Alphas over the years, and this number seemed to be very small. When I inquired about the small number, he indicated that (a) members have to self-identify on the application and (b) some information was lost when the national office updated their database in 2005. Knowing that I had no alternative to the database, I requested the list of White members along with their contact information. He emailed a file containing the White members’ names, alumni or undergraduate status, email address, and year and state where initiated to me. I must admit I was surprised by how easy it was to obtain the participant information I needed, but I was also surprised at how few members the national office had identified as White members in their database. “...
Selected Comments [out of 30 total; Numbers added for referencing purposes only]
1. Jay Reynolds (LION), 2018
Principal at WolfCreek Consulting
"Chris , There are far more than 17 white Alphas in the state . Perhaps active is the minimizing factor. In the last 3 years I have watched at least 5 cross in South Florida . What is the ultimate goal of the research ? 06!"
**
Reply
2. Christopher Butts, EdD, 2018
Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Organizational Dev., Diversity & Inclusion, Professor
"Jay Reynolds Lion 1200+ I know there are more than 17 White Alphas throughout the State of Florida. When I conducted my research years ago, I was surprised at the number of White brothers identified by the National Headquarters. However, to receive IRB approval I had to use what the governing body had on official file. I knew many in the State of Florida during my time in undergrad and beyond. Yet, they were not identified through National Headquarters and because of this, I was limited to only those 17 as possible participants in my study."
**
3. Nicholas M. Browner, 2018
Investor-backed Entrepreneur seeking to acquire and run a small-to-medium sized business
"Pretty interesting articles. I've always wondered myself about not just white but other non-black Fraternity brothers - their motivations for pledging Alpha, their experiences, and how has our great Fraternity help shape their perspectives on life, race, culture, and brotherhood. At the end of day we are not only brothers in the same Fraternity, but also brothers in Christ. I look forward to reading other articles you plan on publishing. Whenever you're in Atlanta , let's link up."
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ARTICLE #4
From https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-surprising-themes-leading-white-males-join-black-butts-edd?trk=related_artice_7%20Surprising%20Themes%20Leading%20White%20Males%20to%20Join%20a%20Historically%20Black%20Fraternity_article-card_title 7 Surprising Themes Leading White Males to Join a Historically Black Fraternity
Published on April 1, 2018 by Christopher Butts, Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Organizational Dev., Diversity & Inclusion, Professor
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is the latest of a series of linkedin.com articles on this subject that Calvin Butts published. Click https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d974/fee31e910442fe59bbc023c58218be282a70.pdf for Dr. Calvin Butt's University of Central Florida's 2012 dissertation "White Males In Black Fraternities: Life Experiences Leading White Males To Join A Historically Black Fraternity"]
"This study was conducted to identify and investigate the life experiences that influenced the decision of White males to seek membership in a historically Black fraternity and to consider the concept of social identity theory as it influenced study participants to seek membership and participate in this organization. Understanding the experiences of White males in a Black fraternity may give insight to fraternity personnel and higher education professionals about the White male experience in these organizations. Results and implications that emerged from study findings are discussed in this article.
[...]
Four of the seven participants were raised in culturally diverse environments. They all attended diverse high schools and had diverse friend groups. The participants played on high school sports teams, dated interracially, and shared time at work or on a sporting team with close friends of different cultural backgrounds. Though they were aware of racial differences, none of the participants viewed race as an important factor when choosing their friendships, dating partners, or team sports. Participants did not have confrontational experiences in their friend groups or other personal relationships.
Participants were assimilated into the Black culture and were influenced by it. Yet they maintained a good sense of identity as White men. They did not join Alpha Phi Alpha because it was Black. Rather, they joined the group because they believed it was the best “fit” for them in terms of individuals with whom they would feel comfortable and relaxed and to whom they could relate.
[...]
Limitations of the Study
There are a number of limitations that must be acknowledged in regard to this study. The first limitation would be in regard to the accuracy of the number of White male members identified by the national headquarters of the Black fraternity. Because information was lost at the national headquarters in a 2005 database update, the population for this study may have been, in reality, greater than was provided to the researcher. Given the inability to obtain an accurate count of White male members, negative stories that may exist were not able to be accessed. The 10 White members who did not respond to the initial email may reflect this population. It is possible that without their participation another dimension of this study was left unexplored.
[...]
Closing Remarks and Reflections of a White Alpha
I started this study asking a question to which I believed I already knew the answer. I believed this because I had lived the White male seeking membership in a Black fraternity experience. I knew, logically, that not all experiences are the same but I expected the experiences of other White Alphas to be so similar to mine that interview responses would be like listening to my own story. I was definitely surprised at how different the participants’ experiences were from my own, but they, too, had sought membership in a Black fraternity. For the participants, race did not seem to play a factor leading to their decisions nor did it play a large role in their being accepted or not. In my experience, it was something that had to be overcome by long-term interactions and continuous demonstration of my character.
The study I have conducted was something I wanted documented for others to read about and know that White males in Black fraternities do exist. However, I did not want to disgrace my fraternity. I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the quick responses to my initial email from the seven participants and their eagerness to participate. I hoped that the stories of the participants would reflect only the great ideals I know Alpha and the brothers of Alpha uphold. I was proud to learn the experiences of the participants reflected brotherhood and fraternal companionship, no matter the color of their skin. It reemphasized the decision I made in 1999 to join this great fraternity knowing the aims of scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind were not just words the fraternity spoke but words they truly lived.
This article shares the study conducted to identify and investigate the life experiences that influenced the decision of White males to seek membership in a historically Black fraternity and to consider the concept of social identity theory as it influenced study participants to seek membership and participate in this organization. Understanding the experiences of White males in a Black fraternity may give insight to fraternity personnel and higher education professionals about the White male experience in these organizations. Results and implications that emerged from study findings are discussed in this article."
Selected Comments [out of 41 total; Numbers added for referencing purposes only]
1. Frank Johnson, PhD, LCSW, 2018
"I'd rather believe that the 10 brothers who didn't respond to your request simply didn't get the email instead of not responding due to negative experiences. You may want to consider reaching out to them again. '06!"
**
2. Stormey Collins, 2018
Former Fortune 1 Marketing Rock Star. Currently Rocking in eCommerce.
"Loved this. Many observations and reports from your research are very much in line with my experience (very much positive) and Greek journey (AKA ‘00). Too many layers to describe here, but excellent work! It really hit home. Thanks for delving into it and sharing. Keep it up! 💥"
**
3. Gregory Parks, 2018
Associate Dean of Research, Public Engagement, & Faculty Development and Professor of Law at Wake Forest University
"Nice work. There's an article in a back-issue of The Sphinx on white Alphas. I wrote it and interviewed about a dozen of them--including Bernard Levin (the first white brother) and Roger Youmans (first white brother to speak at a General Convention. You might also check the work of Matthew Hughey, on non-black BGLO members and Rashawn Ray and Kevin Spragling on diversity within Alpha."
**
4. Allegra Grice, 2018
Veteran Health Administrator, Practice Manager, Nonprofit Management
"Very intriguing study frat. Was this the basis for your dissertation? Some studies can convert between qualitative and quantitative and vice versa. Any benefit to making this quantitative?"
**
Reply
5. Christopher Butts, EdD, 2018
Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Organizational Dev., Diversity & Inclusion, Professor
"Hi Allegra Grice, Ph.D. yes this was the basis for my dissertation. I used a qualitative approach due to the small number of White members in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. I only used one fraternity due to my membership and my expected ability to ensure a level of comfort with the members for our discussion. If this were converted into a quantitative study, I imagine it would have to span all of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. fraternities to have enough participation for analysis. However, documenting those who completed the survey as White members would be an additional challenge."
**
6. Daphne Means, SPHR, 2019
Global HR Solutions North America Market Lead—East at Cargill
"This article was sent to me by one of my Sorors, and as a white member of a predominately black sorority myself (ΔΣΘ), I have to say this accurately explains the circumstances around my own decision to commit to my organization. Very refreshing to see this articulated so well and also awesome to know we have shared experiences! Thanks for your work!"
**
7. Ramon Taylor, 2019
M.S., DAWIA SE I
IT Specialist at U.S. Census Bureau
"Recently came across this article, great job! but I am pretty sure there are more than 17 white brothers in Alpha, personally knowing two, once from my college chapter and another from a different university. Thank you for the study.
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ARTICLE #5
From https://bossip.com/978836/white-members-of-black-greek-letter-organizations/
What Is Wrong With This Picture????
Posted on June 13, 2014 - By Bossip Staff
"“Heyyyyyyy white Kappa!
For Discussion: Is There Anything Wrong With These White Members Of Black Greek Letter Organizations?
The Atlanta Greek Picnic is continuing to be a hot topic of discussion on social media and a picture of white sorority and fraternity members is raising eyebrows.
Last weekend ATL was flooded with members of the divine 9 including a few caucasian devotees to Sigma Gamma Rho, Delta Sigma Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi.
#HeyBoo
And while some people were happy to see non-blacks representing the orgs, others were outraged and noted that blacks joining white fraternities and sororities would not be as readily accepted.
What do YOU think…what is wrong with this picture????
No really we’re asking, what’s wrong with it???"
-snip-
Selected Comments [out of 348 total; Numbers here added for referencing purposes only]
1. Redman1911, 2014
"First and Foremost, let me clarify that not all BGLO's were conceived or founded at an HBCU. Now as a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. I can tell you the BROTHER in the picture is not the first, nor will he be the last to join our illustrious organization. I know a whole lot of people feel some kind of way when they run across non black members, and that is between them and their feelings. I factually know without ever meeting the BROTHER in the photo several things; 1) He met the criteria to join 2)he went through a stringent vetting process with his chapter 3) He has Heart 4) He is strong in will and a PROUD card carrying member 5)More than likely active and financial. With all that being said he subscribed to a set of ideologies followed his own convictions and achieved his intended purpose of gaining membership. KUDOS! It should not matter what your skin looks like, because if we remain separate in all that we do, we will never make any progress from the human perspective. FYI I went to school in the Kappa Mecca ----INDIANA"
**
2. gmail, 2014
"But what is the problem.. I DONT GET IT? Are people bored and just need something to talk about? As a member of a D9, I just don't understand why this is getting so much attention especially when the comments that are being made have NOTHING to do with the service that this young man and women contribute to their communities. ( I am not assuming they do the work of their organizations, however, the comments I have been reading do not indicate that that is the issue so therefore... why is this an issue?) The attention this picture is getting is sadly attracting trolls of the worst type and it is disheartening (and yes I am speaking to you D9 folks as well) This has turned into a complete circus and these 3 individuals are being gawked at and stared as if they are some freak show. People should really be questioning themeselves and who they chose to surround themselves with rather then questioning why these three chose to join a D9. Why? How diverse is your circle if you have never seen a non-black member of a D9 organization? How intelligent are you if you are questioning the intentions of someone you have NEVER met? #HaveAseat#severalAtThat"
**
3. Bahamas242, 2014
"If they have pledged thats fine I have white frat brothers in my chapter. I am an Iota Sweetheart. Of Iota Phi Theta its all good if they have crossed....OW SWEET!!!"
**
4. Lyris, 2014
"There is nothing wrong. We all deserve equal opportunities, period. If other races want to partake in our culture, there is nothing wrong with that."
**
Reply
5. disqus_BIhiXjr7Ep, 2014
"cool if they want to show but white people always exclude us from theirs, I don't know why blacks are thirsty to include whites in everything. I believe in black pride and we should have our own stuff."
**
6. lol, 2014
"all i see is a bunch of non dancing white people copying blk people dances."
**
7. ImJustAGirl, 2014
"As a member of BGLO, I don't have a problem with someone of another race joining my beloved org, however, i do have a problem with people of any race joining for all the wrong reasons. Greek letter orgs period have gotten so far removed from its original purpose, that now people join to become popular entities on campus, dubbing the phrase "t-shirt wearer". My biggest question is, did you really feel compelled by what our sisters and brothers have done or did you see the strolling and the stepping and the fun side of it (and believe me that's just one side) that you wanted to join? When i look at this picture I see something bigger. I see 3 white individuals who probably don't know each other who were chosen to take a picture together. Not because the photographer wanted to show Greek Unity, but more so because of the color of their skin and because they knew this pic alone would spark controversy. Although the pic represents the strides that we are making in the Greek community ie making it more diverse, it also shows just how far we have to go. While I don't discredit the work that these individuals are doing for their orgs, I do have an issue with them becoming our token brothers and sisters. I personally think people get more caught up in whites or ppl of any other race in a black organizations, than the actual work they are putting in. Because lets face it you can do the same work ( which is what you're there for) in any organization be it predominantly white, Latino, Asian etc. Hell you can do work by yourself. You don't have to be a part of something to give back. I used to say you'd have to give me a really good reason why you'd want to join a black organization as a white individual, but then i realized how closed minded that was. All I can say is, hold your orgs near and dear to your heart and if you wholeheartedly joined for all the right reasons, not because you wanted to cause a stir by being the token white, not because your black roommate was in th"
**
8. sophia, 2014
"I don't see what the issue is....as long as they embrace being a part of the frat/soro and not try to poke fun or bring any negativity......then who the hell cares?????"
**
9. Joe Broadnax, 2014
"Exactly,Dont do what was done to you"
**
10. CoCoKisses, 2014
"IDK...My family is legacy Deltas, and to be honest, I wouldnt feel 100% comfortable that the legacy of an all Black Sorority is become interracial. But at the same time, I can't demand equality and not give it at the same time. It would be initially uncomfortable, but over time I would treat her as family :)"
**
11. c_nc, 5y, 2014
"Black people love giving away our cultural legacy. This is why jazz and hip-hop are largely controlled by, created for and marketed to white people. Nowadays white boys are receiving awards for R&B and concurrently blacks are being shut out. A couple of years ago an uproar ensued when some white girl group received a top award for an extraordinarily mediocre step routine. That was remedied by making them co-winners with a more deserving black group. In a few years white people will be taking over the black college experience and remaking our creations in their own image I.e. the Harlem Shake."
**
12. Anonymous, 2014
"I'm a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and I don't see a problem with other races joining BLGO's. I live in a diverse neighborhood and my children attend a diverse private school. My husband and I moved to this area due to the diversity and the great family atmosphere it provided our family. African Americans, especially the older generation have been so scarred by the "past" that they pass on this "segregate yourself" mentality to the next generation. Which is so sad.... Think "progressively" people and everything else will fall in place according to God's order and his plan. Also, that Kappa is a cutie, I would defiantly set him up on a date with my niece who's in college and about the same age as him......."
**
13. DuBois, 2017
"Here is the story of Joan Trumpauer Holland, Freedom Rider, sit-in activist, Tougaloo College graduate, and first white member of Delta Sigma Theta.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Trumpauer_Mulholland
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from that page:
“Tougaloo College
Soon after [Joan Trumpauer Holland Mulholland's release [in 1961 from Mississippi’s infamous Parchman Penitentiary where she and others were arrested for refusing to leave a bus sit in area] , Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton E. Holmes became the first African-American students to enroll at the University of Georgia. Mulholland thought, "Now if whites were going to riot when black students were going to white schools, what were they going to do if a white student went to a black school?" She then became the first white student to enroll in Tougaloo College in Jackson, where she met Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend Ed King, and Anne Moody.[12]
... Two years later [in 1963], Mulholland was the first white student accepted into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.”...
****
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Showing posts with label Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. Show all posts
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Non-Blacks In Historically Black Greek-Letter Fraternities & Sororities (2009 Book excerpt, chapter written by Dr. Matthew W. Hughley)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post is part of a new ongoing pancocojams series on non-Black members of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities and sororities.
This post provides an excerpt from the Google review of the 2009 book Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities edited by Craig LaRon Torbenson and Gregory Parks. The portion of the book that is quoted was written by Matthew W. Hughey.
The Addendum of this post provides a partial list of the first non-Black members of the Divine Nine (historically Black Greek Letter Organizations BGLOs), using information that is given in this post and information that I've found online. Please help to complete this list.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Dr. Matthew W. Hughey and all others who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Dr. Matthew W. Hughey is a White member of the historically black Greek-letter organization, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He pledged and “crossed over” to that fraternity in 1996 while he was a student at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Hughey
Click the "non-Black members of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs)" for subsequent posts in this pancocojams series.
****
REVIEW OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS: DIVERSITY IN COLLEGE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES
Edited by Craig LaRon Torbenson, Gregory Parks (Associated University Presse, 2009 - Education - 320 pages)
From https://books.google.com/books?id=lJ0hFQlKx4oC&dq=Gregory+Parks+white+Alphas&source=gbs_navlinks_s
"The 1950s are arguably the watershed era in the civil rights movement with the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, and the desegregation of Little Rock (Arkansas) High School in 1957. It was during this period--1955 to be exact--that sociologist Alfred M. Lee published his seminal work Fraternities without Brotherhood: A Study of Prejudice on the American Campus. Lee's book was the first and last book to explore diversity within college fraternal groups. More than fifty years later, Craig L. Torbenson and Gregory S. Parks revisit this issue more broadly in their edited volume Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. This volume draws from a variety of disciplines in an attempt to provide a holistic analysis of diversity within collegiate fraternal life. It also brings a wide range of scholarly approaches to the inquiry of diversity within college fraternities and sororities. It explores not only from whence these groups have come but where they are currently situated and what issues arise as they progress."
****
GOOGLE BOOK CHAPTER EXCERPT: "Crossing The Sand: NonBlacks In Black Greek-Letter Organizations" from the 2009 book Brothers And Sisters: Diversity In College Fraternities And Sororities
[chapter author] Matthew W. Hughey
[page 258]
[...]
The first collegiate fraternity for African American men still exists today. Alpha Phi Alpha was established in 1906 at Cornell University. However, like their white counterparts, fraternities for nonwhite groups often excluded students who were not members of their particular racial group. Accordingly, when questioned about the need for fraternities for nonwhite students in 1949, Alpha Phi Alpha president Wilbert Whisett responded “If we are not permitted to join other fraternities, we must form a fraternity of our own. We have no other choice. “ E. Franklin Frazier affirms in Black Bourgeoise that BGLOs were founded in direct response to the refusal to allow blacks to join white Greek organizations. So too, Swedish economist Gunner Myrdal, in his classic study An American Dilemma remarked that “America has an unusual proliferation of social clubs, recreational organizations, lodges, fraternities and sororities…. Despite the fact that they are predominately lower class Negroes are more inclined to join associations than are white….in this respect, Negroes are “exaggerated” Americans…With rare exceptions, these associations have only Negroes as members, and their large number is in some measure a product of the prohibitions against having Negroes as members of white organizations.
While Myrdal praised black fraternal organizations for their “exaggerated” Americanness of civic participation, he went on to decry black fraternal organizations as “pathological” and “a poor substitute [for] political activity”. Sadly ironic, he missed how BGLOs were vehicles for political and social change. Skocpol, Liazos, and Ganz argue “To gain critical leverage against US white racism and build as much black solidarity as possible…African American fraternalists have always been internationalists. They became human rights universalists, as it were, long before this stance was fashionable…and thus enhanced the power and dignity of appeals for racial equality inside the United States.” Accordingly, while many white Greek organizations were excluding black members, BGLOs were breaking the color-line. Even though BGLOs were either changing their constitutions early on in
[259]
their organizational history, or never possessed racial restrictive clauses, nonblack membership (especially for whites) was often framed as a taboo topic. Walter Kimbrough writes “Whites who goes against the grain of societal norms and seek membership in groups founded to serve the Black community. This is definitely a controversial subject”.
Instances in nonblack membership in BGLOs started to make headlines in the 1940s. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity pledged Bernard Levin, a senior at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry on June 21, 1946. “Pledging a white student, the opposition maintained, would violate an ancient Alpha tradition of seeking recruits from the cream of college-bred Negroes. Supporters of the admission of Bernard Levin attacked these arguments as smug bigotry. To oppose reaction of an interracial fraternity amounted to justifying Jim Crow, they said. After hours of heated wrangling, the interracialists finally triumphed and Levin was pledged. In 1949 Mrs. Marjorie T. Ware and Miss Olive Young became the first two white women into Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Both members attributed their choice of membership in the black sorority to their belief in human rights and racial integration. In 1953 at the University of Kansas, a white man named Roger L Youmans pledged Alpha Phi Alpha and moved into the fraternity house during the next fall semester. After Youmans gained media attention for his move, a cross was burned in the front lawn of the fraternity house.
Chi Delta Mu (one of the first BGLOs, no longer exists today), along with Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Howard University, admitted white members in 1949. In 1954 at Philander Smith College, Georg Iggers (who fled Nazi Germany when he was twelve years old when the German army began rounding up Jewish citizens to put in concentration camps) became the first white member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Five years later in 1959 at the Omega Psi Phi conference, Herbert F. Tucker, the assistant attorney general of Massachusetts, urged all BGLOs to encourage interracial membership and challenged the members in attendance by stating “Negro fraternities had only token white membership.” These patterns of sporadic nonblack membership continued into more recent years. As a corollary to the University of Alabama (UA) attempts at cross-racial membership that were discussed in the preceding section, several BGLOs have succeeded in obtaining white membership before the aforementioned Twilley, Johnson, and Houston examples at UA. In 1986 a white student made headlines when she joined the UA chapter of Zeta Phi Beta sorority at UA. In 1987, Mark Brafford became a white member of Zeta Phi Beta’s brother organization-Phi Beta Sigma. Jeff Choron became a white member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity at the UA in 1990 because he felt “they were more tolerant, because differences are to be
[260] This page is not part of this [Google book] review.
[261]
“Most people didn’t want me to be part of the chapter. They didn’t want to be known as the ones who allowed a White soror to slip in”. Davina Brown, a black member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority remarked “we service the special needs of our black communities- it just makes me uncomfortable in knowing that, here again, is a tradition that is slowly being taken away from us. Yet, Lawrence C. Ross, Jr, author of The Divine Nine, argues that the fear of whites taking over BGLOs is unfounded and almost impossible, and that even though white membership in BGLOs has grown, it is far from a “white stampede”. Accordingly, a white professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, Jere Robinson, pledged Omega Psi Phi in 1977 and stated that his fraternity brothers “made me feel at home, comfortable, and happy.” Many feel that contemporary racial politics would be an impediment to cross-racial amity due to prejudicial attitudes based on white stereotypes. However, Damian L Duchamp, who became a white member of Phi Beta Sigma at Clemson University in 1997 stated “Some of my brothers would say that I’m the Whitest gay they know…I grew up in a very Caucasian environment.“
Despite these differences, most white BGLO members report substantial accord and unity. Writing in the Cornell Sun online discussion forum in conjunction with the one-hundredth year anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha, White Alpha member Karl Rainhold stated “While it would be understandable if I were not well received amongst the ranks of the organization given the still persistent divisions and inequities in our society today, my experience for the last 15 years has been quite to the contrary. Does it raise eyebrows? Yes, but not with the feelings of animosity or exclusion, only curiosity at the visual singularity of my presence. I am welcomed and embraced as a Brother in the organization, an inspiring testament to working by example, fellowship, and brotherhood, without preoccupation or undue regard to my racial or cultural background.”...
****
ADDENDUM- PARTIAL LIST: NAMES & DATES FOR THE FIRST NON-BLACK MEMBERS OF THE DIVINE NINE ORGANIZATIONS
As a means of making this information easier to find, as of this date, here are the names that I've found for the first non-Black members of the historically Black Greek letter organizations that are informally known as the Divine Nine (along with the date they joined their organization and where they pledged). [given in chronological order]
Unless otherwise noted, this information is given in the chapter that is quoted in this post.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity - Bernard Levin (June 21, 1946)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - (name not given in chapter quoted above) - 1949 [Howard University?]
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Mrs. Marjorie T. Ware and Miss Olive Young, 1949 [Howard University?]
Zeta Phi Beta sorority - (name not given in chapter quoted above), 1986 [University of Alabama]
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity - Georg Iggers, 1954, Philander Smith College, 1987 [University of Alabama]
Delta Sigma Theta - Joan Trumpauer Mulholland (1962, Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi). http://www.watchtheyard.com/deltas/joan-mulholland-delta-sigma-theta-white-member/
****
Please add to this list sharing the names of the first non-Black members of the historically Black Greek letter organizations that aren't listed here yet. Corrections are welcome. Thanks!
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post is part of a new ongoing pancocojams series on non-Black members of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities and sororities.
This post provides an excerpt from the Google review of the 2009 book Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities edited by Craig LaRon Torbenson and Gregory Parks. The portion of the book that is quoted was written by Matthew W. Hughey.
The Addendum of this post provides a partial list of the first non-Black members of the Divine Nine (historically Black Greek Letter Organizations BGLOs), using information that is given in this post and information that I've found online. Please help to complete this list.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Dr. Matthew W. Hughey and all others who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Dr. Matthew W. Hughey is a White member of the historically black Greek-letter organization, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He pledged and “crossed over” to that fraternity in 1996 while he was a student at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Hughey
Click the "non-Black members of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs)" for subsequent posts in this pancocojams series.
****
REVIEW OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS: DIVERSITY IN COLLEGE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES
Edited by Craig LaRon Torbenson, Gregory Parks (Associated University Presse, 2009 - Education - 320 pages)
From https://books.google.com/books?id=lJ0hFQlKx4oC&dq=Gregory+Parks+white+Alphas&source=gbs_navlinks_s
"The 1950s are arguably the watershed era in the civil rights movement with the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, and the desegregation of Little Rock (Arkansas) High School in 1957. It was during this period--1955 to be exact--that sociologist Alfred M. Lee published his seminal work Fraternities without Brotherhood: A Study of Prejudice on the American Campus. Lee's book was the first and last book to explore diversity within college fraternal groups. More than fifty years later, Craig L. Torbenson and Gregory S. Parks revisit this issue more broadly in their edited volume Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. This volume draws from a variety of disciplines in an attempt to provide a holistic analysis of diversity within collegiate fraternal life. It also brings a wide range of scholarly approaches to the inquiry of diversity within college fraternities and sororities. It explores not only from whence these groups have come but where they are currently situated and what issues arise as they progress."
****
GOOGLE BOOK CHAPTER EXCERPT: "Crossing The Sand: NonBlacks In Black Greek-Letter Organizations" from the 2009 book Brothers And Sisters: Diversity In College Fraternities And Sororities
[chapter author] Matthew W. Hughey
[page 258]
[...]
The first collegiate fraternity for African American men still exists today. Alpha Phi Alpha was established in 1906 at Cornell University. However, like their white counterparts, fraternities for nonwhite groups often excluded students who were not members of their particular racial group. Accordingly, when questioned about the need for fraternities for nonwhite students in 1949, Alpha Phi Alpha president Wilbert Whisett responded “If we are not permitted to join other fraternities, we must form a fraternity of our own. We have no other choice. “ E. Franklin Frazier affirms in Black Bourgeoise that BGLOs were founded in direct response to the refusal to allow blacks to join white Greek organizations. So too, Swedish economist Gunner Myrdal, in his classic study An American Dilemma remarked that “America has an unusual proliferation of social clubs, recreational organizations, lodges, fraternities and sororities…. Despite the fact that they are predominately lower class Negroes are more inclined to join associations than are white….in this respect, Negroes are “exaggerated” Americans…With rare exceptions, these associations have only Negroes as members, and their large number is in some measure a product of the prohibitions against having Negroes as members of white organizations.
While Myrdal praised black fraternal organizations for their “exaggerated” Americanness of civic participation, he went on to decry black fraternal organizations as “pathological” and “a poor substitute [for] political activity”. Sadly ironic, he missed how BGLOs were vehicles for political and social change. Skocpol, Liazos, and Ganz argue “To gain critical leverage against US white racism and build as much black solidarity as possible…African American fraternalists have always been internationalists. They became human rights universalists, as it were, long before this stance was fashionable…and thus enhanced the power and dignity of appeals for racial equality inside the United States.” Accordingly, while many white Greek organizations were excluding black members, BGLOs were breaking the color-line. Even though BGLOs were either changing their constitutions early on in
[259]
their organizational history, or never possessed racial restrictive clauses, nonblack membership (especially for whites) was often framed as a taboo topic. Walter Kimbrough writes “Whites who goes against the grain of societal norms and seek membership in groups founded to serve the Black community. This is definitely a controversial subject”.
Instances in nonblack membership in BGLOs started to make headlines in the 1940s. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity pledged Bernard Levin, a senior at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry on June 21, 1946. “Pledging a white student, the opposition maintained, would violate an ancient Alpha tradition of seeking recruits from the cream of college-bred Negroes. Supporters of the admission of Bernard Levin attacked these arguments as smug bigotry. To oppose reaction of an interracial fraternity amounted to justifying Jim Crow, they said. After hours of heated wrangling, the interracialists finally triumphed and Levin was pledged. In 1949 Mrs. Marjorie T. Ware and Miss Olive Young became the first two white women into Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Both members attributed their choice of membership in the black sorority to their belief in human rights and racial integration. In 1953 at the University of Kansas, a white man named Roger L Youmans pledged Alpha Phi Alpha and moved into the fraternity house during the next fall semester. After Youmans gained media attention for his move, a cross was burned in the front lawn of the fraternity house.
Chi Delta Mu (one of the first BGLOs, no longer exists today), along with Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Howard University, admitted white members in 1949. In 1954 at Philander Smith College, Georg Iggers (who fled Nazi Germany when he was twelve years old when the German army began rounding up Jewish citizens to put in concentration camps) became the first white member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Five years later in 1959 at the Omega Psi Phi conference, Herbert F. Tucker, the assistant attorney general of Massachusetts, urged all BGLOs to encourage interracial membership and challenged the members in attendance by stating “Negro fraternities had only token white membership.” These patterns of sporadic nonblack membership continued into more recent years. As a corollary to the University of Alabama (UA) attempts at cross-racial membership that were discussed in the preceding section, several BGLOs have succeeded in obtaining white membership before the aforementioned Twilley, Johnson, and Houston examples at UA. In 1986 a white student made headlines when she joined the UA chapter of Zeta Phi Beta sorority at UA. In 1987, Mark Brafford became a white member of Zeta Phi Beta’s brother organization-Phi Beta Sigma. Jeff Choron became a white member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity at the UA in 1990 because he felt “they were more tolerant, because differences are to be
[260] This page is not part of this [Google book] review.
[261]
“Most people didn’t want me to be part of the chapter. They didn’t want to be known as the ones who allowed a White soror to slip in”. Davina Brown, a black member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority remarked “we service the special needs of our black communities- it just makes me uncomfortable in knowing that, here again, is a tradition that is slowly being taken away from us. Yet, Lawrence C. Ross, Jr, author of The Divine Nine, argues that the fear of whites taking over BGLOs is unfounded and almost impossible, and that even though white membership in BGLOs has grown, it is far from a “white stampede”. Accordingly, a white professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, Jere Robinson, pledged Omega Psi Phi in 1977 and stated that his fraternity brothers “made me feel at home, comfortable, and happy.” Many feel that contemporary racial politics would be an impediment to cross-racial amity due to prejudicial attitudes based on white stereotypes. However, Damian L Duchamp, who became a white member of Phi Beta Sigma at Clemson University in 1997 stated “Some of my brothers would say that I’m the Whitest gay they know…I grew up in a very Caucasian environment.“
Despite these differences, most white BGLO members report substantial accord and unity. Writing in the Cornell Sun online discussion forum in conjunction with the one-hundredth year anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha, White Alpha member Karl Rainhold stated “While it would be understandable if I were not well received amongst the ranks of the organization given the still persistent divisions and inequities in our society today, my experience for the last 15 years has been quite to the contrary. Does it raise eyebrows? Yes, but not with the feelings of animosity or exclusion, only curiosity at the visual singularity of my presence. I am welcomed and embraced as a Brother in the organization, an inspiring testament to working by example, fellowship, and brotherhood, without preoccupation or undue regard to my racial or cultural background.”...
****
ADDENDUM- PARTIAL LIST: NAMES & DATES FOR THE FIRST NON-BLACK MEMBERS OF THE DIVINE NINE ORGANIZATIONS
As a means of making this information easier to find, as of this date, here are the names that I've found for the first non-Black members of the historically Black Greek letter organizations that are informally known as the Divine Nine (along with the date they joined their organization and where they pledged). [given in chronological order]
Unless otherwise noted, this information is given in the chapter that is quoted in this post.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity - Bernard Levin (June 21, 1946)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - (name not given in chapter quoted above) - 1949 [Howard University?]
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Mrs. Marjorie T. Ware and Miss Olive Young, 1949 [Howard University?]
Zeta Phi Beta sorority - (name not given in chapter quoted above), 1986 [University of Alabama]
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity - Georg Iggers, 1954, Philander Smith College, 1987 [University of Alabama]
Delta Sigma Theta - Joan Trumpauer Mulholland (1962, Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi). http://www.watchtheyard.com/deltas/joan-mulholland-delta-sigma-theta-white-member/
****
Please add to this list sharing the names of the first non-Black members of the historically Black Greek letter organizations that aren't listed here yet. Corrections are welcome. Thanks!
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
"Ice Ice Too Cold Too Cold" And Other Examples Of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity "Ice Cold" Chants And Motifs
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision - May 20, 2026
This pancocojams post provides information about and examples of the historically Black Greek letter fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc's signature chant "Ice Ice".
This post proves that The title and chorus of Vanilla Ice's 1989/1990 hit Rap song "Ice Ice Baby" originated from the signature chant of the historically Black Greek lettered fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated (A Phi A; Alphas).
The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/origin-of-brrr-its-cold-in-here-cheer.html
Latest revision - May 20, 2026
This pancocojams post provides information about and examples of the historically Black Greek letter fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc's signature chant "Ice Ice".
This post proves that The title and chorus of Vanilla Ice's 1989/1990 hit Rap song "Ice Ice Baby" originated from the signature chant of the historically Black Greek lettered fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated (A Phi A; Alphas).
The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/origin-of-brrr-its-cold-in-here-cheer.html
"The Origin Of The "Brrr It's Cold In Here" Cheer"
****
DISCLAIMER
The statements I make about Alpha Phi Alpha's use of the "ice cold" motif are in no way official. I'm am not affiliated in any way with that fraternity, except as a long inactive member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a sorority which is unofficially considered by many persons involved with historically Black Greek Lettered Organizations to be the Alphas' sister organization.
****
DEBUNKING THE VIEW THAT VANILLA ICE ORIGINATED THE "ICE ICE BABY" WORDS IN HIS SONG WITH THAT TITLE
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Ice_Baby
"Robert Van Winkle, better known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, wrote "Ice Ice Baby" at the age of 16, bas[ed] its lyrics upon his experiences in South Florida.[1] The lyrics describe a drive-by shooting and Van Winkle's rhyming skills.[2] The chorus of "Ice Ice Baby" originates from the signature chant of the national African American fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha.[3][4]
3. Keyes, Cheryl L (2004). "Blending and Shaping Styles: Rap and Other Musical Voices". Rap Music and Street Consciousness. University of Illinois Press. p. 107.
****
DISCLAIMER
The statements I make about Alpha Phi Alpha's use of the "ice cold" motif are in no way official. I'm am not affiliated in any way with that fraternity, except as a long inactive member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a sorority which is unofficially considered by many persons involved with historically Black Greek Lettered Organizations to be the Alphas' sister organization.
****
DEBUNKING THE VIEW THAT VANILLA ICE ORIGINATED THE "ICE ICE BABY" WORDS IN HIS SONG WITH THAT TITLE
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Ice_Baby
"Robert Van Winkle, better known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, wrote "Ice Ice Baby" at the age of 16, bas[ed] its lyrics upon his experiences in South Florida.[1] The lyrics describe a drive-by shooting and Van Winkle's rhyming skills.[2] The chorus of "Ice Ice Baby" originates from the signature chant of the national African American fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha.[3][4]
3. Keyes, Cheryl L (2004). "Blending and Shaping Styles: Rap and Other Musical Voices". Rap Music and Street Consciousness. University of Illinois Press. p. 107.
4.Fine, Elizabeth Calvert (2003). "The Cultural Politics of Step Shows". Soulstepping: African American Step Shows. University of Illinois Press. p. 145."
-snip-
Also, Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze includes a scene in which Alphas from Morehouse University step while chanting "Ice Ice Baby". Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" song wasn't released until 1989.
Instead of repeating the basic fact that the "Ice Ice baby" song title is lifted from the Alpha Phi Alpha signature chant and motif, this post provides examples of Alpha Phi Alpha's use of the "ice ice too cold too cold", "ice", and "ice cold" motif. In addition, I present two statements from Alphas and my speculation about the sources of that "ice cold" motif, and what they mean.
****
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" MOTIF
These opinions about the sources for this motif are presented in no particular order. The numbers are given for referencing purposes only.
1. I received an email on October 8, 2012 from [Alpha Phi Alpha member] Charles K. that indicated that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s "Ice Ice, baby" has its origin in the poem "Excelsior" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Charles K. quoted the first verse of that poem. Here's that portion of that poem as it was sent to the fraternity and sorority page of my no longer active cocojams.com website by a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity:
"Excelsior! (poem)
"ICE, ICE, BABY..." | "Ever Higher", "Onward and Upward"
The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore,
'mid snow and ice
A banner with the strange device, Excelsior!"...
-snip-
According to ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excelsior_(Longfellow) "The poem [Excelsior"] describes a young man passing through a town bearing the banner "Excelsior" (translated from Latin as "ever higher", also loosely but more widely as "onward and upward"), ignoring all warnings, climbing higher until inevitably, "lifeless, but beautiful" he is found by the "faithful hound" half-buried in the snow, "still clasping in his hands of ice that banner with the strange device, Excelsior!"
****
2. email from Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. to Azizi Powell
On July 27, 2014 I received an email from from Lawrence C. Ross, Jr., author of the book The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. In a portion of that email, he wrote "You asked if the "Ice Ice Baby" predated 1989 ... and it most certainly did. Way before. It comes from our founder Vertner Woodson Tandy talking about Alphas needing to fight, and even if hell freezes over, "We'll fight on the ice." And from there, you get the evolution to Ice Ice Baby."
-snip-
Also, Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze includes a scene in which Alphas from Morehouse University step while chanting "Ice Ice Baby". Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" song wasn't released until 1989.
Instead of repeating the basic fact that the "Ice Ice baby" song title is lifted from the Alpha Phi Alpha signature chant and motif, this post provides examples of Alpha Phi Alpha's use of the "ice ice too cold too cold", "ice", and "ice cold" motif. In addition, I present two statements from Alphas and my speculation about the sources of that "ice cold" motif, and what they mean.
****
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" MOTIF
These opinions about the sources for this motif are presented in no particular order. The numbers are given for referencing purposes only.
1. I received an email on October 8, 2012 from [Alpha Phi Alpha member] Charles K. that indicated that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s "Ice Ice, baby" has its origin in the poem "Excelsior" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Charles K. quoted the first verse of that poem. Here's that portion of that poem as it was sent to the fraternity and sorority page of my no longer active cocojams.com website by a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity:
"Excelsior! (poem)
"ICE, ICE, BABY..." | "Ever Higher", "Onward and Upward"
The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore,
'mid snow and ice
A banner with the strange device, Excelsior!"...
-snip-
According to ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excelsior_(Longfellow) "The poem [Excelsior"] describes a young man passing through a town bearing the banner "Excelsior" (translated from Latin as "ever higher", also loosely but more widely as "onward and upward"), ignoring all warnings, climbing higher until inevitably, "lifeless, but beautiful" he is found by the "faithful hound" half-buried in the snow, "still clasping in his hands of ice that banner with the strange device, Excelsior!"
****
2. email from Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. to Azizi Powell
On July 27, 2014 I received an email from from Lawrence C. Ross, Jr., author of the book The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. In a portion of that email, he wrote "You asked if the "Ice Ice Baby" predated 1989 ... and it most certainly did. Way before. It comes from our founder Vertner Woodson Tandy talking about Alphas needing to fight, and even if hell freezes over, "We'll fight on the ice." And from there, you get the evolution to Ice Ice Baby."
-snip-
To emphasize this point: the word "ice" in the Alpha chant "Ice Ice baby" refers to the value of being coldly determined and steadfast, refusing to be deterred from one's goal (of becoming an Alpha, and by extension, other worthy life goals.
By the way, Lawrence C. Ross's book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of historically Black Greek letter[ed] fraternities and sororities.
****
3. The reference to "ice cold" might have been influenced by -if not created because- the first "line" (group) of Alphas occurred on a cold December day. Here's the comment that prompted me to think about that possibility:
MissLG Taylor,* 2011
"The first Alphas probate was held on the ice cold day of December 4, 1906.. it was so cold they shook.. so they shook to show homage to them :)"
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqffhURTQEc
*That commenter also wrote "My dad is an Alpha and I find BLGO interesting". [BGLO = Black Greek letter[ed] organizations, meaning "historically Black fraternities and sororities that use three letters of the Greek alphabet".
4. The positive cultural meanings of being "ice cold" and of being "cool" may be considered as sources for the motif's use by Alphas. Read more about those cultural meanings in the next section.
-snip-
I wonder if reasons #1-#3 were thought of after the fact to fit the cultural meanings of "ice" and "ice cold" for the Alphas.
****
MY SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE MEANING OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" MOTIF
I believe that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's use of "ice" and "ice cold", i.e., being "cold as ice" encapsulates the high value in African American culture of being stoic in the face of difficulties, being "cold blooded" in the positive sense of that word. In African American Vernacular English terms, we say "not letting anything "phase" you"(not letting anything negative bother you).
Men striving to become Alphas place a high value on having the dedication, will, courage, and fortitude it takes to persevere in spite of difficulties, until you reach your goal of becoming an Alpha; an Alpha can not be deterred if difficulties occur. Alphas' "coldness" means that they are :determined", unwavering", steadfast, fixed, serious, resolute, "on point", "hard", unemotional, and heartless when it comes to their cheer performances.
The word "cold" and the word "ice cold" can have several meanings at the same time for men who are pledging Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and for men who are already members of that fraternity. Here are some other likely meanings of "cold" and "too cold" in the culture of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc:
-"Cold" and "ice cold" refers to the cold day on December 4, 1906 when Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded at Cornell University, New York.
-"Cold" and "ice cold" refers to being "determined", unwavering", steadfast, fixed, serious, resolute etc. on being a member of that fraternity, and living up to the fraternity's mission and ideals.
-The word "cold" is the highest form of "cool" (awesome, great, wonderful etc.
-The word "cold” can also mean being unemotional (showing no emotion) or heartless.
I don’t think that’s what that word "cold" means in Alpha chants and statements, except that being emotionless may be a strategy to achieve the desired condition of being resolute (determined) to reach one’s goal of being a member of that fraternity and having the appropriate attitude when you represent that fraternity in stepping and stroll competitions and otherwise.
EXAMPLES OF ALPHA CHANTS
1. WE ARE THE BROTHERS OF A PHI A
We are the brothers of A Phi A
Ice, Ice
We're going to make yo-a-a-ll say
"Ice, Ice"
And when you see the Black and Gold.
Ice, Ice.
you know it's gonna be
a heck of a show (normally helluva but censored for the festival)
Ice, Ice,
We're too cold,
we're too darn (damn) cold.
Ice, Ice".
We are the brothers of the Black and Gold
Ice Ice (twice)
Source: quoted in Elizabeth fine's 2003 book Soulstepping: African American Step Shows, p. 123.
This book is another must read for those interested in BGLOs.
*crack= insult, diss
-snip-
That example was given in this passage about p. 123 as an example of "trade" or "signature steps".
"Trade or signature steps. while based on a traditional core, gain power and appeal through variations that reflect an ability to adapt to the audience and theme of a particular occasion, Thus, Alpha Phi Alpha's well-known trade chant "Ice Ice" (which inspired the white rapper Vanilla Ice's national hit of 1990 "Ice, Ice, Baby") can be used to crack*, or to boast, or for more serious purposes. Alpha Phi Alpha, for example, used "Ice, Ice" to boast during a show at the Dance Heritage Festival at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City in 1991".
-snip-
Elizabeth Fine goes on to quote another example of "Ice Ice" which was used by the Alphas in another venue.
****
2. ICE ICE ICE TOO COLD TOO COLD
I said “Ooh it's cold in here”.
I said “There must be some Alphas in the atmosphere”.
I said “Ooh it's cold in here”.
I said “There must be some Alphas in the atmosphere”
It’s like ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice,
the black and gold
Ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice.
Ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice,
the black and gold.
-transcription from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EajhKrRrlpk, Alpha Phi Alpha stepping , video uploaded in 2009 [given as Video Example #1 below]
The "black and gold" refers to that fraternity's colors.
3. WE ARE THE ICE COLD BROTHERS OF A PHI A
We are the
ice cold brothers of-ah A PHI A.
We rock * that black and gold until the day we die.
So when you see us in the street
Expect to be holified.
Ice ice baby,
WHAT!
Too cold too cold.
IT’S LIKE
Begin step routine
Aaaah
ICE!
do another step
Aaaah
ICE!
do another step
Aaaah
ICE!
- transcription from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EajhKrRrlpk Alpha Phi Alpha stepping , video uploaded in 2009, given below as Example #2
* I'm unsure of this word
"Holified" is a made up word based on the word "holy". In the context of this chant, it probably means something like "amazed".
-snip-
A third member of that fraternity speaks to the audience and says “We are the ice cold brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity inc. Alpha Phi Alpha was founded on an ICE COLD Tuesday of December 4, 1906 at Cornel University,,, [the step team does a head down step move when saying "Ice cold"]
At the completion of the show the step team end with a routine and end by saying “ We are ice cold!”
****
ADDITIONAL TEXT EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF "ICE" OR "ICE COLD" IN REFERENCE TO ALPHAS
Comments from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqffhURTQEc Alpha Rho, Alpha Phi Alpha Morehouse College Fall 2011 Neophyte Show
Morpheus, 2011
"Well done brothers.........very well done. Ice cold salutations....... #4, Fall '06, Mighty RHO, "Morpheus""
-snip-
"Might Rho" is a referent for the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. That chapter was founded at Morehouse University in 1924. A step team from that chapter is featured in Spike Lee's School Daze movie. That scene from that movie is given as Example #2 below.
**
Alan Ferguson Sr, 2013
"So Proud of my Ice Cold Brothas!!! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO6!!!"
-snip-
1906 was the year that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded.
****
Comment from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkiw_VDRQGk
kwamkong766 years ago
"Whats so ICEY about this is OUR pledge club, the sphinxmen in the background holding the ICE ICE BABY sign. Spring 1996 right here baby! But yeah, Fall 82, etc...whew... 6-NS-96 (6 as in Sphinxman #6) Sadistic"
-snip-
This comment refers to the brief scene of the Alphas stepping to "Ice Ice Baby" in Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze.
-snip-
"Icey" here is a made up word that I believe means "hip", "cool", and other similar superlatives.
****
VIDEO EXAMPLES OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" CHANTS
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube with the oldest dated posts presented first.
Example #1: Alpha Phi Alpha stepping
sarkazm69Uploaded on Mar 19, 2009
Alpha's from Mu Chi, Gamma Xi and orgs. from Dominguez Hills spoke about college, education and the future to H.S. students.
-snip-
Examples #1 and #2 above are from this video.
****
Example #2: Ice Ice Baby . . . . The Black & Gold
C. Allen Johnson, Published on Jul 3, 2014
Ice Ice Baby . . . . The Black & Gold
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
credit: school daze
-snip-
This same video clip was posted to YouTube in 2008 with the title “Step for real” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkiw_VDRQGk
that was published on YouTube in 2008.
I used the 2014 video instead of the 2008 one because its visual quality is much better. However, the 2008 video has some comments that are interesting from a historical/cultural perspective.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
To emphasize this point: the word "ice" in the Alpha chant "Ice Ice baby" refers to the value of being coldly determined and steadfast, refusing to be deterred from one's goal (of becoming an Alpha, and by extension, other worthy life goals.
By the way, Lawrence C. Ross's book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of historically Black Greek letter[ed] fraternities and sororities.
****
3. The reference to "ice cold" might have been influenced by -if not created because- the first "line" (group) of Alphas occurred on a cold December day. Here's the comment that prompted me to think about that possibility:
MissLG Taylor,* 2011
"The first Alphas probate was held on the ice cold day of December 4, 1906.. it was so cold they shook.. so they shook to show homage to them :)"
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqffhURTQEc
*That commenter also wrote "My dad is an Alpha and I find BLGO interesting". [BGLO = Black Greek letter[ed] organizations, meaning "historically Black fraternities and sororities that use three letters of the Greek alphabet".
4. The positive cultural meanings of being "ice cold" and of being "cool" may be considered as sources for the motif's use by Alphas. Read more about those cultural meanings in the next section.
-snip-
I wonder if reasons #1-#3 were thought of after the fact to fit the cultural meanings of "ice" and "ice cold" for the Alphas.
****
MY SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE MEANING OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" MOTIF
I believe that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's use of "ice" and "ice cold", i.e., being "cold as ice" encapsulates the high value in African American culture of being stoic in the face of difficulties, being "cold blooded" in the positive sense of that word. In African American Vernacular English terms, we say "not letting anything "phase" you"(not letting anything negative bother you).
Men striving to become Alphas place a high value on having the dedication, will, courage, and fortitude it takes to persevere in spite of difficulties, until you reach your goal of becoming an Alpha; an Alpha can not be deterred if difficulties occur. Alphas' "coldness" means that they are :determined", unwavering", steadfast, fixed, serious, resolute, "on point", "hard", unemotional, and heartless when it comes to their cheer performances.
The word "cold" and the word "ice cold" can have several meanings at the same time for men who are pledging Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and for men who are already members of that fraternity. Here are some other likely meanings of "cold" and "too cold" in the culture of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc:
-"Cold" and "ice cold" refers to the cold day on December 4, 1906 when Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded at Cornell University, New York.
-"Cold" and "ice cold" refers to being "determined", unwavering", steadfast, fixed, serious, resolute etc. on being a member of that fraternity, and living up to the fraternity's mission and ideals.
-The word "cold" is the highest form of "cool" (awesome, great, wonderful etc.
-The word "cold” can also mean being unemotional (showing no emotion) or heartless.
I don’t think that’s what that word "cold" means in Alpha chants and statements, except that being emotionless may be a strategy to achieve the desired condition of being resolute (determined) to reach one’s goal of being a member of that fraternity and having the appropriate attitude when you represent that fraternity in stepping and stroll competitions and otherwise.
****
For the cultural record, it should be noted that television depictions of stepping on several African American television series in the 1990s were largely directed (if not performed) by one or more actual members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
****For the cultural record, it should be noted that television depictions of stepping on several African American television series in the 1990s were largely directed (if not performed) by one or more actual members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Here's a comment that was published in the discussion thread for a video of a stepping performance in the Fresh Prince television series in which the step team chanted "Ice cold" while they do that step routine. ("Ice cold" is a signature statement and chant for that historically Black Greek letter fraternity.)
@bigbruhdocg4028, 2012,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a5A9h5MZlM
"This is my 1st time seeing this post on you tube after
all these years but im the 1st guy vernon and yes in the 90's we did most of
the black shows "a different world", I choreographed the movie house
party 2 , arsenio, hall, yes sister sister and the list goes on. those are my
fraternity brothers we are from alpha phi alpha
fraternity inc. i will be posting more footage soon!"
-snip-
This comment was written in response to several previous
comments about him being cast as a fraternity stepper in several television
series in the 1990s.
**
For the cultural record, it should be also be noted that in
African American English, something or someone "being cold" and
"being hot" ("bringing the heat") can both mean "being awesome" mean
"being awesome. A person or group can "bring the heat" because
they are coldblooded in their dedication to and their performance of what they
are doing.
EXAMPLES OF ALPHA CHANTS
1. WE ARE THE BROTHERS OF A PHI A
We are the brothers of A Phi A
Ice, Ice
We're going to make yo-a-a-ll say
"Ice, Ice"
And when you see the Black and Gold.
Ice, Ice.
you know it's gonna be
a heck of a show (normally helluva but censored for the festival)
Ice, Ice,
We're too cold,
we're too darn (damn) cold.
Ice, Ice".
We are the brothers of the Black and Gold
Ice Ice (twice)
Source: quoted in Elizabeth fine's 2003 book Soulstepping: African American Step Shows, p. 123.
This book is another must read for those interested in BGLOs.
*crack= insult, diss
-snip-
That example was given in this passage about p. 123 as an example of "trade" or "signature steps".
"Trade or signature steps. while based on a traditional core, gain power and appeal through variations that reflect an ability to adapt to the audience and theme of a particular occasion, Thus, Alpha Phi Alpha's well-known trade chant "Ice Ice" (which inspired the white rapper Vanilla Ice's national hit of 1990 "Ice, Ice, Baby") can be used to crack*, or to boast, or for more serious purposes. Alpha Phi Alpha, for example, used "Ice, Ice" to boast during a show at the Dance Heritage Festival at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City in 1991".
-snip-
Elizabeth Fine goes on to quote another example of "Ice Ice" which was used by the Alphas in another venue.
****
2. ICE ICE ICE TOO COLD TOO COLD
I said “Ooh it's cold in here”.
I said “There must be some Alphas in the atmosphere”.
I said “Ooh it's cold in here”.
I said “There must be some Alphas in the atmosphere”
It’s like ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice,
the black and gold
Ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice.
Ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice,
the black and gold.
-transcription from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EajhKrRrlpk, Alpha Phi Alpha stepping , video uploaded in 2009 [given as Video Example #1 below]
The "black and gold" refers to that fraternity's colors.
3. WE ARE THE ICE COLD BROTHERS OF A PHI A
We are the
ice cold brothers of-ah A PHI A.
We rock * that black and gold until the day we die.
So when you see us in the street
Expect to be holified.
Ice ice baby,
WHAT!
Too cold too cold.
IT’S LIKE
Begin step routine
Aaaah
ICE!
do another step
Aaaah
ICE!
do another step
Aaaah
ICE!
- transcription from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EajhKrRrlpk Alpha Phi Alpha stepping , video uploaded in 2009, given below as Example #2
* I'm unsure of this word
"Holified" is a made up word based on the word "holy". In the context of this chant, it probably means something like "amazed".
-snip-
A third member of that fraternity speaks to the audience and says “We are the ice cold brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity inc. Alpha Phi Alpha was founded on an ICE COLD Tuesday of December 4, 1906 at Cornel University,,, [the step team does a head down step move when saying "Ice cold"]
At the completion of the show the step team end with a routine and end by saying “ We are ice cold!”
****
ADDITIONAL TEXT EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF "ICE" OR "ICE COLD" IN REFERENCE TO ALPHAS
Comments from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqffhURTQEc Alpha Rho, Alpha Phi Alpha Morehouse College Fall 2011 Neophyte Show
Morpheus, 2011
"Well done brothers.........very well done. Ice cold salutations....... #4, Fall '06, Mighty RHO, "Morpheus""
-snip-
"Might Rho" is a referent for the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. That chapter was founded at Morehouse University in 1924. A step team from that chapter is featured in Spike Lee's School Daze movie. That scene from that movie is given as Example #2 below.
**
Alan Ferguson Sr, 2013
"So Proud of my Ice Cold Brothas!!! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO6!!!"
-snip-
1906 was the year that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded.
****
Comment from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkiw_VDRQGk
kwamkong766 years ago
"Whats so ICEY about this is OUR pledge club, the sphinxmen in the background holding the ICE ICE BABY sign. Spring 1996 right here baby! But yeah, Fall 82, etc...whew... 6-NS-96 (6 as in Sphinxman #6) Sadistic"
-snip-
This comment refers to the brief scene of the Alphas stepping to "Ice Ice Baby" in Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze.
-snip-
"Icey" here is a made up word that I believe means "hip", "cool", and other similar superlatives.
****
VIDEO EXAMPLES OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" CHANTS
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube with the oldest dated posts presented first.
Example #1: Alpha Phi Alpha stepping
sarkazm69Uploaded on Mar 19, 2009
Alpha's from Mu Chi, Gamma Xi and orgs. from Dominguez Hills spoke about college, education and the future to H.S. students.
-snip-
Examples #1 and #2 above are from this video.
****
Example #2: Ice Ice Baby . . . . The Black & Gold
C. Allen Johnson, Published on Jul 3, 2014
Ice Ice Baby . . . . The Black & Gold
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
credit: school daze
-snip-
This same video clip was posted to YouTube in 2008 with the title “Step for real” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkiw_VDRQGk
that was published on YouTube in 2008.
I used the 2014 video instead of the 2008 one because its visual quality is much better. However, the 2008 video has some comments that are interesting from a historical/cultural perspective.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Four Videos of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Roll Calls
Edited by Azizi Powell
[Updated June 30, 2017]
Former title: Seven Videos Of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Roll Calls*
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO) calls. This post showcases four* YouTube videos of Black Greek Roll Calls.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/09/black-fraternity-sorority-calls.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides information and comments about the custom of BGLO having signature calls. A list of the "Divine Nine" fraternity and sorority calls is also given in that post.
The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
*Update: June 30, 2017: The original title of this post was "Seven Videos Of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Rpll calls. I've changed that title because two of those videos are no longer available and one video was mistakenly posted two times. My apology for that mistake.
I attempted to find additional videos of BGLO roll calls, but couldn't find any other videos at this time that I felt were appropriate for this family centered blog. Hence, the title change.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITORIAL COMMENT
I recognize that providing information about Black Greek lettered fraternity/sorority calls is very much frowned upon by most members of those organizations.
While I agree with the position that the history & meaning of specific calls doesn't need to be shared with persons who aren't affiliated with those specific organizations, I believe that the horse has already left the barn regarding sharing the specific calls with the general public. I say this because those calls are routinely performed in public at Greek step shows, Greek strolls, and other Greek events, and those calls and chants are also showcased on YouTube videos and other online websites.
I agree for the most part with the position that information about the history & meaning of historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) calls, hand signs, and some other organizational information should be privileged information. However, as a folklorist I want to document & disseminate as much cultural general information as possible about BGLO fraternites and sororities.
If someone were to ask me* what are BGLO fraternity and sorority calls, I would respond:
Historically Black Greek lettered organization calls are signature sounds that members of an organization makes to get the attention of another member or members of their organization who is some distance away.
Calls can also be used to greet another member or member of that organization, and calls can also be used to "represent" (promote, "big up") their organization during public events. I would also add that out of respect, people who aren't members of a particular organization should not use that organization's call.
*I'm a long time inactive member of a BGLO (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.), but i feel that -inactive or not- I can still respond to these questions:
The section on definitions below provides more information on historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) calls.
****
DEFINITIONS
From http://uca.edu/nphc/terminology/
"BGLO: Black Greek Letter Organization. [Note that I prefer the referent "Black Greek lettered organization". However, that isn't the referent that is routinely used.]
Calls – a unique vocal expression attributed to an organization. Please Do: Enjoy listening to the unique calls of the groups. Please Don’t: Repeat an organization’s particular call or response. It is considered a sign of disrespect."
**
The general definition for "roll call" is a process of calling out names to determine who is present.
In the context of BLGO roll calls, a roll call provides an opportunity for members of each organization to represent their organization. To "represent" one's organization means to publicly demonstrate your affiliation with that particular organization.
Giving a "shout out" to your organization is another way of saying that you are doing a fraternity/sorority roll call or any other organizational roll call.
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates given first. Every organization which is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council [NPHC] isn't included in each of these videos. One reason for the non-inclusion of a particular BGLO which is a member of the NPHC is that
fraternity or sorority might not have had any members who attended that particular university or that particular event.
Notice that in a roll call the audience shows respect for each organization wheen that organization's name is called. Usually there is no hissing or booing. One exception to the audience remaining silent is when members of the audience claps & "throw" their own hand signs when an another organization's chant get them "hyped" (excited). Another exception to the audience's usual lack of response to another organization's shout out is that members of a fraternity which considers itself to be "brothers" to that particular sorority will give one of their signature calls after that sorority's chant/call (and vice versa).
These videos are presented with no other editorial comments.
Example #1: Roll Call THE RIGHT WAY!
mfogles,Uploaded on May 13, 2007
All greekS should take notice. We are like 15 strong and get the crowd on their feet. This is how you do roll call at historically black colleges and universities. Lessons will be given later for all of you. Shout out to Fall 2K. GET CRUNK BRUHS!
****
Example #2: Greek Speak Roll Call
.
UABStudentLife, Uploaded on Sep 19, 2008
Check out the eight organizations of UAB's NPHC.
[University of Alabama at Birmingham]
****
Example #3: Greek Roll Call
M3trisjm92,Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011
Claflin University
Spr. 11' Yard Show
****
Example #4: Roll Call College Connection Sunday 2012
docshann Uploaded on Feb 9, 2012
Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.......... [Montgomery, Alabama]
College Connection Sunday........ Roll Call all Organizations Fraternities and Sororities and Colleges
****
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos & thanks to those who published these videos on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
[Updated June 30, 2017]
Former title: Seven Videos Of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Roll Calls*
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO) calls. This post showcases four* YouTube videos of Black Greek Roll Calls.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/09/black-fraternity-sorority-calls.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides information and comments about the custom of BGLO having signature calls. A list of the "Divine Nine" fraternity and sorority calls is also given in that post.
The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
*Update: June 30, 2017: The original title of this post was "Seven Videos Of Black Greek Fraternity & Sorority Rpll calls. I've changed that title because two of those videos are no longer available and one video was mistakenly posted two times. My apology for that mistake.
I attempted to find additional videos of BGLO roll calls, but couldn't find any other videos at this time that I felt were appropriate for this family centered blog. Hence, the title change.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITORIAL COMMENT
I recognize that providing information about Black Greek lettered fraternity/sorority calls is very much frowned upon by most members of those organizations.
While I agree with the position that the history & meaning of specific calls doesn't need to be shared with persons who aren't affiliated with those specific organizations, I believe that the horse has already left the barn regarding sharing the specific calls with the general public. I say this because those calls are routinely performed in public at Greek step shows, Greek strolls, and other Greek events, and those calls and chants are also showcased on YouTube videos and other online websites.
I agree for the most part with the position that information about the history & meaning of historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) calls, hand signs, and some other organizational information should be privileged information. However, as a folklorist I want to document & disseminate as much cultural general information as possible about BGLO fraternites and sororities.
If someone were to ask me* what are BGLO fraternity and sorority calls, I would respond:
Historically Black Greek lettered organization calls are signature sounds that members of an organization makes to get the attention of another member or members of their organization who is some distance away.
Calls can also be used to greet another member or member of that organization, and calls can also be used to "represent" (promote, "big up") their organization during public events. I would also add that out of respect, people who aren't members of a particular organization should not use that organization's call.
*I'm a long time inactive member of a BGLO (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.), but i feel that -inactive or not- I can still respond to these questions:
The section on definitions below provides more information on historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) calls.
****
DEFINITIONS
From http://uca.edu/nphc/terminology/
"BGLO: Black Greek Letter Organization. [Note that I prefer the referent "Black Greek lettered organization". However, that isn't the referent that is routinely used.]
Calls – a unique vocal expression attributed to an organization. Please Do: Enjoy listening to the unique calls of the groups. Please Don’t: Repeat an organization’s particular call or response. It is considered a sign of disrespect."
**
The general definition for "roll call" is a process of calling out names to determine who is present.
In the context of BLGO roll calls, a roll call provides an opportunity for members of each organization to represent their organization. To "represent" one's organization means to publicly demonstrate your affiliation with that particular organization.
Giving a "shout out" to your organization is another way of saying that you are doing a fraternity/sorority roll call or any other organizational roll call.
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates given first. Every organization which is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council [NPHC] isn't included in each of these videos. One reason for the non-inclusion of a particular BGLO which is a member of the NPHC is that
fraternity or sorority might not have had any members who attended that particular university or that particular event.
Notice that in a roll call the audience shows respect for each organization wheen that organization's name is called. Usually there is no hissing or booing. One exception to the audience remaining silent is when members of the audience claps & "throw" their own hand signs when an another organization's chant get them "hyped" (excited). Another exception to the audience's usual lack of response to another organization's shout out is that members of a fraternity which considers itself to be "brothers" to that particular sorority will give one of their signature calls after that sorority's chant/call (and vice versa).
These videos are presented with no other editorial comments.
Example #1: Roll Call THE RIGHT WAY!
mfogles,Uploaded on May 13, 2007
All greekS should take notice. We are like 15 strong and get the crowd on their feet. This is how you do roll call at historically black colleges and universities. Lessons will be given later for all of you. Shout out to Fall 2K. GET CRUNK BRUHS!
****
Example #2: Greek Speak Roll Call
.
UABStudentLife, Uploaded on Sep 19, 2008
Check out the eight organizations of UAB's NPHC.
[University of Alabama at Birmingham]
****
Example #3: Greek Roll Call
M3trisjm92,Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011
Claflin University
Spr. 11' Yard Show
****
Example #4: Roll Call College Connection Sunday 2012
docshann Uploaded on Feb 9, 2012
Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.......... [Montgomery, Alabama]
College Connection Sunday........ Roll Call all Organizations Fraternities and Sororities and Colleges
****
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos & thanks to those who published these videos on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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