At a Greek President Roundtable, some members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council allegedly spoke last fall against traditionally white fraternities and sororities continuing to participate in step shows. The news leaked last month, a couple of weeks before "Why Do You Hate Me?" Week - a week devoted to promoting the acceptance of people's differences.
"People expressed personal opinion about a couple of acts but none of which came from (a particular) organization," said Malikah Nelson, coordinator for Greek Affairs.
The statements shocked some attendees, particularly members of the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council.
One member of the Greek community said the accusations are an example of discrimination "at its finest." The student, who asked not to be named, said the councils need to integrate campus activities instead of keeping them segregated.
"It is very frustrating when the NPHC members have a problem with the 'white' IFC and PAN organizations performing in a step show," the student said.
Despite some people in the Greek organizations feeling as if they are being discriminated against, no distinct race was targeted at the roundtable, Nelson said.
"They in their mind have determined black and white on their own," Nelson said. "There is no black and white; there are councils. They have to retrain their own minds on how to think."
Some attendees said they agreed the conversation at the roundtable was constructive. Questions were asked and answered by many members. Attendees said they learned more about how other councils felt about the step show and what their understanding of the purpose was.
"It's nothing that can't be solved with some discussion and planning and real understanding of what we're trying to do," said Tristan Wilkerson, who added that he is "for Greek unity."
Nelson said the real issue is that some Greek organizations don't understand the historical context of stepping.
"Step is a cultural NPHC thing. There's a lot of pride in it that's very unique to NPHC," Nelson said. "With other organizations, that's not a part of their history."
Stepping most likely evolved from a black Greek-letter society tradition of marching on a line performed by pledges for recruitment in the early 1900s, according to an excerpt from Elizabeth Fine's book, Soulstepping.
Fine defines stepping as mixing "centuries-old movement patterns from African and slave dances, such as patting juba and ring shouts, with percussive foot and hand movements of black cheerleaders and drill teams."
Step blends new and old beats and moves, becoming "a vehicle for showcasing the unique style of each fraternity and sorority, an important ritual of group identity," according to Soulstepping.
Making fraternities and sororities unique includes certain calls or signs that are exclusive to particular organizations. Greek members said other Greek organizations from IFC and PAN used these calls and signs in the step shows that some members of NPHC didn't approve of.
"In the same apprise, even to NPHC fraternities and sororities, if someone else were stepping or expressing some type of artistry that's culturally specific to NPHC, it may seem like a mockery and could possibly be interpreted as something of offense," Wilkerson said.
"I don't necessarily have a problem with it," he said. "It's an opportunity to share our culture with our peers and those you live and interact with every day. We can't walk around like boxes. We have to be open."
Members from traditionally white fraternities and sororities said they hope to keep the step show around because it's one of the most fun and anticipated events of homecoming.
At the March 18 President Roundtable, students came together and "found common ground to work with," Nelson said.
"We want to find a way all three councils are involved and comfortable in step and all aspects of homecoming," Nelson said.
Ideas from the Greek community regarding the step show for next fall will be discussed with the Student Activities Council. The homecoming step shows are sponsored by SAC.
During homecoming last fall, the Michael D. Rose Theatre was filled to capacity for the step shows, bringing attendance to approximately 900, SAC President Jenn Armstrong said.
Alpha Phi Alpha is having their step show Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the Rose Theatre, and Delta Sigma Theta is having their step show April 17 at a multicultural fair at 1:30 p.m.
