I was recently looking at television and noticed a commercial for Stomp The Yard. I was reminded that I had wanted to speak on this subject. I mean the Step Shows. This movie is a big production on what is essentially a small part of Black Fraternities. When I say small I mean exactly that.
I presume that many non-African Americans in or out of college are unfamiliar with what a Step Show is. I further believe that even fewer have ever seen an actual show. That is a loss, as the event is quite spectacular. In many ways a step show reminds me of watching military drill, to a degree like the Marine Corp Silent Drill Team. The degree of precision, timing, style and innovation is unique and stunning.
I can say that prior to my going to college, at Rutgers University [I do not like the administration of that institution by the way], I had never heard of a Step Show. I had barely known of the Black Greek Association. This was not a unique thing as no one in my neighborhood was familiar with this either.
This movie was a great opportunity to delve into that rich history of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Many have existed for nearly a century now. They have help improve communities, and enrich lives since their inception. Many notable figures in history have been members of the Black Greeks, including Dr. Martin Luther King. Yet none of this is in the movie.
Similar to the movie Drumline, nothing of depth is really discussed about the black colleges or the Greeks. The benefits are glossed over, the goal of enriching minds with knowledge is tertiary. The whole point that this is taking place at a college is so unimportant as to be replaceable with a high school background without notice. That is sad. The events, a step show or marching band, are significant and have a history of their own. Yet they are hardly the focus of the organizations that encompass them.
If these types of movies drive more interest in Black history, help to create more members to the fraternities and sororities then they are well worth the time. I doubt this will be the case. The focus is far to shallow, seeking to hype a lesser activity in a much larger sphere of opportunity. Members of the various National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations may disagree. Perhaps they are seeing increased interest, which I cannot. If so I look forward to hearing from them.
Until that time, I wish that there would be a movie that can capture more of the real importance of being at a Black college, of just being African American at a college. Right now I think that Mr. Spike Lee’s School Daze conferred the most about all the various aspects. That same movie offered the most important thought for an African American, student or not. “Wake up!” was the call. Yet multiple films since seem to focus on putting us to sleep about various aspects of college and enriching our minds and spirits.
Stomp The Yard looks good. The Step Show is impressive. But college and the knowledge it can impart, and our ability give back to our communities, is more than just a superficial passing thought.
If you want, do a google search on the Black Greeks. They are : Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Phi Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta.
[I am not a member of any fraternity. In case you wondered.]
This is what I think, what do you think?
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