A "Step" Backwards? (Full Version)

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Level -> A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:09:32 PM)

quote:

ATLANTA — Visit any of the nation's more than 100 historically black colleges or universities and you'll see clusters of men and women engaged in the rhythmic clapping and foot stomping routines known in black Greek circles as "stepping."

Now a white Arkansas team's win in an Atlanta step competition has started a fiery debate over the African-inspired tradition and whether the integration of a once-ethnically exclusive activity constitutes a form of cultural theft.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g0CiyQnstLPTPGAIas816aHbqqCQD9E42R581

The audience was wowed by the white team after their performance, but erupted into boos when they were announced as winners. Why?



Jeffff -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:14:25 PM)

Black folks had so little for so long.  It can be a problem when you see your culture being absorbed by the mainstream.

I will not condone it, but I understand where they are coming from.

Jeff



Kirata -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:19:09 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeffff

It can be a problem when you see your culture being absorbed by the mainstream.

That's why I stopped eating spaghetti. [:D]

K.



Jeffff -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:20:23 PM)

And I stopped drinking bee............ wait.... never mind



lovingpet -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:23:47 PM)

A step backwards, no.  A step forward in the wrong direction, yes. 

*no one saw this and I didn't really post here LOL*

lovingpet



Level -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:30:36 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: lovingpet

A step backwards, no.  A step forward in the wrong direction, yes. 

*no one saw this and I didn't really post here LOL*

lovingpet


Explain the "step forward in the wrong direction", please, mystery poster.

[image]http://www.collarchat.com/micons/m11.gif[/image]

Jefff, you make a good point, I think.

*swears off German chocolate cake for the time being*



Domin8tingUrDrmz -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:30:42 PM)

I think it's only a step backward for those who booed. If people want equality, no matter race/religion/gender etc, they have to expect that others will be better. Equality doesn't mean being best at what you've done when it was segragated from the rest of the population. Equality means sharing all those things and occasionally losing.



VioletGray -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:40:04 PM)

The way I heard it, they were announced as the winners, some people didn't like that, then the judges took it back, saying "They actually tied with this other group."

And THEN, after that, black students started saying "Bullshit, these white girls deserved to win!"

Of COURSE you're going to get people booing them. That's what haters do. A something like a big step contest is something that all parties involved assumed would happen with historically black colleges in mind, and when the white sorority came in and won, they felt invaded. It's wrong, and unfair to those fabulous girls who deserved to win, but I understand it. The reverse of this would be boxer Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, and more recently the William's sisters. But I don't think that the crowd as a whole were booing them. Far too often, though, when people of a certain race start acting stupid, people perceive it as "Look at the (insert race here)'s are doing now!"

I do agree with the point that integration works both ways. You can't expect elements of black culture (hip-hop and stepping are good examples) to appeal to the greater demographic and then expect them not to want to participate.

Imagine if someone at a mexican restuarant said to you, "Sure, I'll make you a taco, but I'll be offended if you make one at home!"

The way I see it, if you don't like the fact that they won, step up to the plate and top them next year!




Level -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:42:06 PM)

quote:

On Thursday, sponsor Coca-Cola announced "scoring discrepancies" and said the runner-up — the Alpha Kappa Alpha team from Indiana University, whose members are black — would share first place and receive the same $100,000 in scholarships that the Zeta Tau Alphas won.

It was unclear what the discrepancies were and Coca-Cola would not elaborate.


I would have a problem with this, unless Coca-Cola came forth with the "discrepancies".



Level -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:45:23 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: VioletGray

The way I heard it, they were announced as the winners, then the judges took it back, saying "They actually tied with this other group."

And THEN, after that, black students started saying "Bullshit, these white girls deserved to win!"

Of COURSE you're going to get people booing them. That's what haters do. But I don't think that the crowd as a whole were booing them. Far too often, though, when people of a certain race start acting stupid, people perceive it as "Look at the (insert race here)'s are doing now!"


I haven't heard the part about the students saying that, but good for them if they did.

And no, from what I understand, it was not a matter of everyone booing them, but supposedly, a large number were.



Domin8tingUrDrmz -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:49:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: VioletGray

The way I heard it, they were announced as the winners, then the judges took it back, saying "They actually tied with this other group."

And THEN, after that, black students started saying "Bullshit, these white girls deserved to win!"

Of COURSE you're going to get people booing them. That's what haters do. But I don't think that the crowd as a whole were booing them. Far too often, though, when people of a certain race start acting stupid, people perceive it as "Look at the (insert race here)'s are doing now!"





I probably should have read the link. I was basing my comment solely on the paragraphs quoted in the OP. If in fact it was anything like you mention, I too would have booed. And in that instance, I'd definately see it <the booing> as a move forward in race relations.

ETA: I'd be booing the judges, hopefully that's what the other boos were for as well.

Edited again because I put my first edit in the wrong spot...lol...oops.



Level -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:54:57 PM)

No, the booing was aimed at the white team.



Domin8tingUrDrmz -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:56:08 PM)

/wanders off to read article/



VioletGray -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:56:54 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Domin8tingUrDrmz

quote:

ORIGINAL: VioletGray

The way I heard it, they were announced as the winners, then the judges took it back, saying "They actually tied with this other group."

And THEN, after that, black students started saying "Bullshit, these white girls deserved to win!"

Of COURSE you're going to get people booing them. That's what haters do. But I don't think that the crowd as a whole were booing them. Far too often, though, when people of a certain race start acting stupid, people perceive it as "Look at the (insert race here)'s are doing now!"





I probably should have read the link. I was basing my comment solely on the paragraphs quoted in the OP. If in fact it was anything like you mention, I too would have booed. And in that instance, I'd definately see it <the booing> as a move forward in race relations.

ETA: I'd be booing the judges, hopefully that's what the other boos were for as well.

Edited again because I put my first edit in the wrong spot...lol...oops.


Just to clarify, I heard that blacks who heard afterwards about what took place were saying it's bullshit, not during.



willbeurdaddy -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 4:59:04 PM)

its boring as hell anyway, let them keep it culturally pure if they insist



Domin8tingUrDrmz -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 5:09:32 PM)

Boring as hell? Really? I have seen a few Step Competitions, I found them anything but boring.

Okay, so yes, the booers sucked. The judges sucked. Both teams, according to the article were very gracious to one another. Those team's (I didn't watch their performances) attitudes toward each other were very positive and for that I'm happy. The crowd and the judges should take their lead and base the scoring/reaction on the actual ability of the teams.

I would like to see CocaCola elaborate on the discrepencies though. Since that isn't likely going to occur, I am glad to see that both teams are getting scholarship money. Who actually won and who deserved it may always be a mystery. But apparently both teams were pretty awesome and since the original winners don't mind sharing the title...hey, more kids get a better education.




lovingpet -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 5:13:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Level


quote:

ORIGINAL: lovingpet

A step backwards, no.  A step forward in the wrong direction, yes. 

*no one saw this and I didn't really post here LOL*

lovingpet


Explain the "step forward in the wrong direction", please, mystery poster.

[image]http://www.collarchat.com/micons/m11.gif[/image]



I think it is entirely possible to proceed through history and take a bad path along the way and that is what I believe occurs on occasions such as this.  There are a few (a slim few) who, since the civil rights movement and all the very hard won battles for equality, find they can stand toe to toe with the (for the most part) former oppressers and decide the best way to keep their newfound status is to push those who once pushed them down to the back of the bus so to speak.  It doesn't seem to have anything to do with skin color per se as much as it does history and holding on to hatred and bitterness for past injustices.

The next step in ethnic relations is not to turn thing on its ear and take that eye for an eye.  As justified as it may feel, it solves nothing.  I see a lot of self segregation going on by the very groups who fought long and hard to have the option to not be excluded.  I see the choice to remain or become separate as a self empowerment thing, but it is detrimental when it is done with wrong motivation.  I want everyone to be proud of their heritage, but I appreciate those who can share their heritage and graciously accept incorporate others outside their traditional group far more than I do those who wall themselves off unduly out of what?  Fear?  Anger?  Hate?  A sense of righteous indignation?  This isn't an ethnic/race thing.  I see it in political affiliations.  I see it every time a woman has to hop up on her soapbox and proclaim how she "doesn't need any man".  I see it when men huddle in their old boys' clubs.  I see it when someone gains success and financial stabilty, but still need to "keep it real".  It's ugly.  Progress and forward motion allowed folks to be able to take this stance, but it is one that is harmful both to self and future positive change.  The consequences can be anything from stalemate to a reversed, but equally tragic, injustice in the near future.

Like I said, this is a slim few that do this and it isn't limited to things such as ethnocentrism.  I am not clear on the final outcome, but I hope those judges didn't cow to the negativity of the crowd.  I hope they remained fair and awarded based on merit rather than skin color, national origin, gender, public opinion, or political correctness.  Isn't that supposed to be the great dream that we've been trying to attain?  Then let's make sure we are taking step forward, but in a direction that leads to positive change and closer to this laudable ideal we've been working towards for so long.

lovingpet
the unposter 



DarkSteven -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 5:16:21 PM)

We have a black golfer and President.  Two of the top women's tennis players are black.  We have a white rapper.

America is a melting pot, and it's vital to what we are, that we remain that way.

If they don't like that... they can leave.  Along with other racists.



willbeurdaddy -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 5:27:34 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Domin8tingUrDrmz

Boring as hell? Really? I have seen a few Step Competitions, I found them anything but boring.

Okay, so yes, the booers sucked. The judges sucked. Both teams, according to the article were very gracious to one another. Those team's (I didn't watch their performances) attitudes toward each other were very positive and for that I'm happy. The crowd and the judges should take their lead and base the scoring/reaction on the actual ability of the teams.

I would like to see CocaCola elaborate on the discrepencies though. Since that isn't likely going to occur, I am glad to see that both teams are getting scholarship money. Who actually won and who deserved it may always be a mystery. But apparently both teams were pretty awesome and since the original winners don't mind sharing the title...hey, more kids get a better education.




Living in Portland Maine, yes I can see where you wouldnt be bored by anything livlier than paint drying. [sm=fight.gif]



servantforuse -> RE: A "Step" Backwards? (3/8/2010 6:23:25 PM)

I heard that one of the White girls was going to run in the Miss Black American pageant.



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