I received the following fascinating email from a P1 and thought I would post it.
Gordon, this is a story about double-standards on top of double-standards. You’re probably familiar with “stepping”, which is that choreographed stomping, dancing, clapping and yelling practiced by black fraternities and sororities. Coca-Cola sponsors the largest step-off competition in the nation (Sprite Step Off) to connect with an African-American audience. As this article from ESPN so eloquently states, “[w]hat nobody envisioned was… …a group of white women walking away as the sole winners” of the competition.
So nearly two weeks after the competition was concluded, Coke announced that it found a “scoring discrepancy” and named a black sorority as co-winners together with the white sorority (Zetas) that won the night of the competition.
The ESPN article is fascinating and explains how white sororities/fraternities at the University of Arkansas began stepping to forge bonds with black greek organizations on campus.
I watched some videos of the competition and was floored. When the all-white Zetas walk onto the stage, the predominantly black audience roars with laughter. However, by the 2nd or 3rd minute of the Zetas’ routine, the audience is cheering loudly because the Zetas were “killin’ it,” and at the end of the routine the audience gives the Zetas a loud and long standing ovation. Now, contrast that support with the audience’s reaction after it is announced that the Zetas won the competition.
Zetas routine:
Crowd boos winner:
The comments from individual audience members during the clips is revealing, as are the hundreds of very racist comments left on YouTube after each clip. I know nothing about stepping, but after watching the Zetas and some of the other performances, the Zetas won hands down in my opinion.
Your buddy, James
Wow. So sad that race-based hatred and ignorance is alive and well in the US in the 21st Century. Will we ever be free from it?
Nope. It certainly doesn’t look like it. Now we have a true African-American President. What was once just below the surface has reared it’s ugly head.
Whitey,
Obama is not a “true” African-American president. His mother was white and father is a Kenyan. If he was born to a black mother and a black father from the U.S., then he would be “true”.
Funny, funny libs. There is no reverse racism in Obamyland. You asked for it, so you better embrace it.
at what point did obama said he was the the cure to racism? if by “funny lib” you mean “person who thinks conservatives hold on to bad, bad ideas simply because they existed first (hence the very term “conservative”)” then i am definitely a “funny lib”. just so you know, a person who uses the term “reverse racism” is just as ignorant as the person who practices it. there is no “reverse” in the act of being racist. racism is universaly human condition. this statement implies that racism itself was invented by white people alone.
A proud member of Phi Beta Sigma, Fall 97 and these girls did their thing! Stepping is about unity, representing your frat or sorority and welcoming all to the stage if you want to step. If Tiger Woods and the Williams sisters can get into mostly mainstream “white” sports then why can’t any “mostly/all” white frat/sorority step? My people come on…can we grow up???
Wow! That pretty much says it all!! Agreed.
Grow up,get over it,if you can’t,build a bridge to get over it.
It’s like laughing at men who get physically abused on tv. some things in life are just not going to get a lot of sympathy.
well men who get abused by a woman probably deserve it….I mean come on…
The racism starts with the judging. Even they couldn’t believe they had judged the white girls into first place. “They double checked the judges scores.”
Yes they double checked the scores and it still took them 2 weeks to figure out there was a “scoring discrepancy” that they missed.
LOL. I think it was more because the announcer was afraid the crowd was going to attack him, so that is why he made it clear it wasn’t him who chose the winner.
Blacks are good good
hahaha yeeeeeeeeeeeeeessss!
This is the Wigger generation! I’ve never even seen this type of event before, but it was interesting that the audience seemed to know the Zeta’s won before it was announced. They started booing after second place was announced (meaning they knew it was a two horse race) and when the M.C. asked who the winner was, they collectively said Zetas. So, it must have been pretty clear that these former cheerleaders rocked the house.
I’m sure Jessie Owens heard much worse and more threatening comments winning the formerly all white Olympics in Hitler’s Germany. While this is much less significant, there are parallels. This is a black dominated competition with only one white competitor and apparently never won by anyone but black competitors. The audience, nearly all black.
Audience pushback under those circumstances is hardly a surprise and in fact was less than I thought it would be. It is unfortunate the results were tainted and altered, apparently under political pressure. Still, it is merely a sujective competition, which we all know is subject to opinion, not verifiable, objective criteria.
Did you just say my favorite word “taint(ed)”?
Ahhhh yeees! The Taint word.
Racism at its finest-this is our shiny new America. Is anyone surprised? Too bad we have the sense of self enough not to treat a victorious black man this way after he wins, say, a golf tournament.
@zeke- A shiny new america? WTF? Where are you from? This is old. Racism is old. Nothing new going on. Just because a black man is president doesn’t mean racism is done in this country. And using white’s reaction to tiger woods winning a golf tournament to compare to blacks reaction over the step off results shows your lack of intelligent thought.
Actually, there is pretty obvious parallel…And there is a very visible inclusion/exclusion disparity between white and black societies in today’s time. I don’t think anyone is arguing that racism is dead, just that the level of racism of today hardly compares to that 50-60 years ago. In this example, if roles were reversed, this video would have been on CNN the same day and Al Sharpton would have already boycotted someone or something.
…but is is much easier just to be ignorant and ignore those who have different opinion than yourself.
Some of the ZTA’s have some fake tan going on.
While I don’t agree with the reaction of some of the crowd, it’s funny to me how people are blowing up some boo’s into a big reverse racism issue. We are entitled to have our own opinions, did we see the other step performers to judge on our own who, in our opinion won the competition. While I am not naive enough to think some of the boos were because they girls were white, I think presenting only their performance and none of the others leads to this type of response. As a side note, as a minority, boos at a competition don’t compare to the countless of face to face racism that is often encountered. Many of you will never know what it’s like being placed with certain pre determined charactiristics because your name isn’t John Doe and your complexion is not white. Many of you won’t know what it’s like going to a store and just being looked at and not helped because of your skin color. When I get introduced to people and they find out I have a Master’s degree from a prominent university, there is usually a look and statement of shock…I wonder why, is it because it is hard to obtain or because I am not white. Some of you will never have to live with these issues that we confront on a day to day basis. Ask yourself how many of you will drive to a prodimantly minority neighborhood or business and feel comfortable? But as a minority we don’t have that choice, we are constantly the minority in the workplace, in the places we shop, etc. As far as we have come, we still have a long way to go when it comes to race relations, here’s hoping we continue to make strides to get rid of the prejudice of our eyes and see at the end of the days we are all human beings with a limited time on this earth; why spend it hating each other?
Shut up. As a white man I can not face racism? As a white man, I do not know what it’s like to be excluded or PREJUDGED based on my race? That is the problem we face today… the unwillingness to understand that whites face racism. I have been passed over on promotions because I am white and a minority had to be given the position.
I have been told by numerous African Americans that white people don’t have to deal with racism and that an African American isn’t capable of racism.
When an African American is so quick to defend their same race without knowing the facts then it shows how far they still have to go. You say that we shouldn’t assume that the white girls had a better performance without seeing all the routines and yet you assume that the black girls had a better performance without seeing all the routines.
Hypocrisy… it’s unbecoming.
It’s a fact that people see what they want to see in the world around them. I’m not particularly good looking and, when I go to a club, you can bet that I am at a disadvantage. Because I focus on what is working for me and don’t dwell on what isn’t, I do do just fine and have a great time. When “minorities” think of themselves as “minorities”, they bring the elephant into the room with them. Dwayne Dyer says to believe it and you will see it. You will see whatever you believe the situation to be.
Can someone please send Dr Carlton Maxwell into retirement? He’s not as funny as the Musers seem to think he is.
everyone at the bedford parks dept thought carlton maxwell was funny. we walked around repeating it all day like it was a snl skit.
SNL skits are funny??? When did they change things?
In all fairness, the crowd did boo the 2nd place team, too.
They were booing because it was not the “whiteys” in second and they knew the “crackers” were going to win now. And that’s the shiznit, my nizzle!!!
They booed because they knew the Zeta’s had 1st place.
Nice contribution there, Caleb. I cringe at the thought that people like this get to vote. And reporoduce.
Dang it, its R_E_P_R_O_D_U_C_E sorry for the extra letter!
Thats what she said
If the table was turned it would have made world wide new that a white crowd boo black dancers. Why is this acceptable? That is straight up Racism not reverse racisim. When are other people besides white people going to held accountable for thier actions. I guess never!!
Racism or bad manners, I say both
Where’s Greggo?
Greggo was in the group right before this one.
woo pig sooie.
I’m confused – I was told only white folks can be racist. What am I supposed to do with all this guilt.
The curious thing is that I would say black Americans are probably 90% Christian – right? Not I am not sure if a higher % of black Americans routinely go to church than white Americans. But isn’t “do unto others as you want done onto you” the number 1 guiding mantra of Christians, if not a top 3? So we white Americans here all the time that there is still racism in the US (which of course there is) then I ask all of those that hated on this group and the judges – why don’t you practice what you preach? You preach that we have to do away with racism but then you practice it. They are only hurting your own cause.
Great , here comes the fookin christians with “their” spin on it.
j/k
The best thing we can do about this type of racism is to not hype it and give it legs. No retalitation or finger pointing, just be dissappointed it happened and maybe those involved might have time to reflect once they gain their senses. Obviously folks get caught up in the moment, its no excuse but really what will you gain in this situation by pointing and crying racist? Dont compare this to violent or criminal racism, it is what it is and we should all be disappointed it happened. We have to stop being polarized by this and learn the lesson. Hopefully the parties involved will learn, but I fear we still have generations to go before we can move past. As long as there is an us and them we will always see a form of racism or maybe in the future a classism. We can only be examples and I dont think being polarizing finger pointers will help the cause at all. It in no ways justifies the horrible past of clear outright oppression. We should all be dissappointed but not retalitory in our rhetoric.
Did you mean “As long as there is anus…?”
I don’t think so.
Let’s get a Hard Line vs Musers stomp competition. How great this would be . Let me here from ya.
Alllllllllllright. Gather round gather round.
Donnie Do can be the judge.
Donnie Doo would win even though he didn’t compete
This is about a trivial subjective dance competition where extreme personal preference is encouraged.
If this crowd booing and the politics afterward doesn’t upset you, then you are: 1) a grown up, 2) seen more than a sliver of the real world outside your sheltered neighborhood
On the other hand if you are upset by this, you are: 1) white, 2) desperately looking for something to point at to make you feel better about your own racism.
i guess the black chick who wrote the article is either a honky, a racist, or a racist honky.
Beg your pardon Michael,i’m not a racist,everyone should own at least two.
Michael, while you do make a very good point… Can you blame a white person for feeling some sort of resentment after reading/seeing this? It is kind of a double standard. Racial issues are like politics and religion… the argument never ends. The “white man” will jump at something like this even if they are not a racist. Why? Because like most black people we are also tired of some stereotypes… That all (and only) white people are racist.
People who use the word “Wigger” should not bother to complain about racism.
Why is it perfectly acceptable when white people are racist, but not so much when black people are. The term “reverse discrimination” is only saved for the uneducated. Any sort of discrimination is discrimination. Duh.
I was thinking the same thing it’s not reverse racism it’s racism reverse racism for example would be if you hated on someone of your own race because they acted like they were…say..black or Asian like Marshall Mathers (eminem) or Stephen Segal but it’s O.K. to hate Stephen Segal
And just for the record I don’t think racism is “perfectly acceptable” even though it is still alive and well unfortunately
This “S” looks equally as stupid to see white women do it as I thought it did to see black women do it.
Is that racist?
Tracey Morgan said it best…. “we can do whatever we want; the President is black!”
glad he is a comedian.
I’d like to post my thoughts and comments on this racially charged step dancing video using words that have been formed in my head and then put into electronic representations of those words here on this computer screen…
I would like to insert wording directly under your comment with a slight indent. This will allow me to assume some level of ownership over your comment above. I find this necessary because I have a strong desire to have my voice heard, but have an inability to compose original thoughts.
I gagree and will also type my words in this box to be connected to your comments.
I have thoughts too….How do you spell Djub-Djub???
I am very proud the Zeta’s were able to overcome their “Whiteness” to win such a prestigious competition. They rocked the house man. And looked really hot doing it too. Good for them, and shame on Sprite for their backtracking.
Great article.
Random Whiteboy Likes this.
Wait… is this not facebook?
I think white girls steppin’ is HOT. I’ve always wanted a piece of da white prize! Mmm Mmmmm!
Why am I not in the least bit surprised? If there was a poll done we would all find that racism is predominately against white people, not black! Is that racist?
Typical for the black community. They so want to be treated as white and receive the same respect as the white but when a white man/woman wants to be treated the same as a black, it ain’t happenin’!
Yes…white people can dance, if you call that crap dancing.
Switch this around…people leaving a “tennis or golf match” Serena or Tiger wins…and Whites acting the way these guys acted. Oh, wait..now we’re racist. Lets turn over cars and start fires and loot local stores. Extreme yes, but its true…Peace
Gordon, Nice going for bringing this article to our attention. I watched it and thought the Zetas were terrific. Too bad the audience did not agree with the judges.
Fo shizzle my wizzles!
It just shows that the younger generations that are screaming the loudest for racial tolerance has a long way to go. very disappointing! more so because they are college students who are suppose to be our future leaders.
you should picket humans.
From the picture I thought the Incredible Story was going to be about a spike-haired hoooker giving VSBB to a baby arm.
2010 Census song. In Dallas. gag.
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/weird/032510-local-performers-write-census-song
I think it’s funny that the emcee, who sounds a lot like Ludacris, had to preface the announcing of the winner with “remember, this is based on the judges scores…etc.” Why did he have to do that??
yeah shame on sprite for seemingly falling under pressure and supporting still alive racist views.
why don’t all of you get out of our country, we indians had it good until white devil man and black brother hit our shores!
Its really not that shocking to see White’s having adapted a Black “ART FORM” and making it better.
I’ll “just mark this under…Who gives a S…?”
Sports.
Anyone heard of black-on-black racism driven by level of skin tone.
Since whites are the new minority, wouldn’t this be a Hate Crime?
Hey shouldnt this be on CNN, NIGHTLINE, ETC ETC. Imagine that, no one from the black community standing up for this blatant racism. Where is Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when you need them? GOOD MORNING TO YA!!!!!
I was at the step off, and I have two things to say.
1. You all didn’t see the best performers. The AKAs were way better than the Zetas and should’ve won hands down. Really, it wasn’t even close.
2. Zetas should’ve been THIRD place. The “Jews from Omega Mu-s” (get it? it rhymes! haha! hahaha! haha!) totally kicked face and were much better than the Zetas.
I totally agree!!!
It’s sad that people look at the small picture of color, when obviously the boo’s come from AKA’s getting robbed, not because of ZTA.
If it was a white crowd and a black step team won… would white people be booing them? Probably not.
You all treat the other race different. You know it, and don’t act like I am not talking to you. Can I hear it my brothers, I mean my pals, or my sistas, girlfriends…
If you look at the Step Off website homepage, and the results, (http://www.spritestepoff.com/home), something happened with the scoring or the results were re-tabulated as both ZTA and AKA were both awarded 1st place (no second) and both got the $100,000.00 scholorship… WTF?????? I guess the racial pressure got to Coke.
Why didn’t they just paint their faces black, then everyone would have been happy?
I’m still addicted to it.
giggle
I love how we all see something like this and immediately begin identifying with the characters. Personally, I don’t identify with anyone in this case. I’ve never been in a sorority, let alone a sorority step competition. I’ve never been black. I’ve never had racial comments hurled at me. I’ve never hurled racial comments at anyone else.
I think we’ve taken a very small and insulated incident and tried to make a broader point about how much we fear everyone who doesn’t look like or sound like us. It appears that some commentors are using this as a launching pad for their own agendas, somehow twisting this into a political argument. I got news for you FOX Newsers and MSNBCers, not everything is about libs and neocons. Sometimes s*$% happens. Sometimes a crowd reacts negatively to a bunch of white chicks winning a historically black competition. Sometimes School boards cancel proms because they don’t like chubby lesbians. Sometimes paranoid college students ask weird questions and then have to be tazed by campus police…
Also… reverse racism is an overcompensation for previous racially motivated negativity. If a white guy passes 2 hobos (1 black, 1 white) and gives 5 bucks to the black hobo instead of the white hobo, that’s reverse racism. If the black hobo tells the white guy to go to hell and that he wouldn’t touch a white man’s money, that’s racist… or maybe it’s just the booze talking… he’s a hobo for christ sake.
Racism? Of course it’s alive and well. Look at all the black people who voted for Obama because of his skin color.
This is actually pretty rediculous. I’ve seen the whole competition and the AKA’s were by far the better step team. No one even knew ZTA would win. The boo’s were coming from the fact that the AKA’s were voted second.
I guess the thing that is most frustrating is to read the comments and see that there seems to be an obvious wanting for a bigger story. I am sure that some of the actual boo’s may have been out of frustration, but i really can’t believe how this is being interpreted as a racist act!!!
The fact of the matter is the majority of the cheers came solely from the fact that they have not seen white college girls with such rhythm. But it was very CLEAR that the AKA’s had a better performance.
I heard someone say Donnie Du. Donovan used to be able to step his @ss off back when he attended ETSU and he will be the FIRST to vouch for every word I am saying. I have seen whites, hispanics and blacks all win these competitions, but the boo’s were because the “Michael Jordan” of this competition came in second place.
Check the facts!!!
Racism, schmasim. The biggest problem with the whole deal is that such a “competition” exists in the first place. What a time-waste.
Reverse racism by its very natural is an oxymoron, it does not and can not exist. Racism is defined as the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races. The dominate race will never be discriminated against based on the the preception of inferiority. If a white man does not get a job because a black individual gets preferential treatment is not reverse racism, its called balancing the equality ladder. Here’s the best analogy for racism and reverse racism argument: If an older much stronger big brother represent white America and the young weaker brother represent black America. (stronger and weaker represent power and influence in society not intelligent level). Now if the little brother smacks his big brother there will be little to no damaged done. However, if much stronger big brother decides to use his superior strength on little brother the impact is more severe and damaging. There is a racial double standard in America but is a necessary evil like the domestic violence double standard. Don’t worry white America just because your precious innocent pure girls were booed doesn’t mean you have lost any power in this Ivory Tower called USA.
“Reverse racism by its very natural is an oxymoron, it does not and can not exist” – What online blog did you copy this from?
This post is entirely wrong. Our nation needs (not desires, but needs) everyone to treat everyone equally. One need not be treated fairly in order to treat others fairly.
I’m guessing MLK’s vision of equality never included an intention to get revenge on the white man. I could be wrong, but I think it’s a good bet I’m right on this one.
So instead of saying reverse racism, let’s use the term reverse discrimination because that can and does exist, and correct me if I’m wrong but racism is a form of discrimination.
Sprite is White. Coke is black. Go figure.
Sprite is clear…Jus sayin…
The ZTA’s also wear shoes with live goldfish in them.
what if they had been wearing black face?
So did Coca Cola change the results because they were afraid black people would stop drinking Sprite??? If they did, they need some new P.R. people. Now if the white girls somehow had an advantage I might think about looking into a result change but last time I checked most white people don’t even know what Stepping is.
Maan hold up!!! The Zetas killed that stage! They deserve to be named winners of this competition. Now, I am a black man that attended Prairie View A&M University, and I know a good show when I see one. Fellow black folks, get over yourselves! The girls went hard! They don’t deserve anything but praise for their routine. Don’t get mad about it, beat ‘em if you don’t want them to win.
In my humble opinion the black culture is declining at a rapid pace. We see that 70% of the kids born our out of wedlock and the sense of family is disappearing. Where are the real leaders of the community telling people to try to improve themselves by getting an education. As a poor white boy I was able to put myself through college and now I am finacially doing well. It can happen to anybody that works hard. Yes there are still prejudices in the world and it is harder for a minority but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. So Jess and Al step up to the plate and work to improve your community instead of making excuses and blaming the world.
SCOREBOARD!!
Saddened 1, Black People 0
You better hope that it doesnt go to the shootout.
*rock me*
We all can see a better way – those folks that cry about reverse discrimination, they don’t see the better way –
There is a better way – I believe that there is – I see it, I have always seen it – I grew up in the 60′s, yes, I have seen it – it requires discipline – we didn’t know it then, but it requires discipline -
It is hard, it does not validate your feelings – It validates none of your feelings –
It does not see the short – it sees the long – It sees what you will be asked, at the Judgment Seat – Did you do good, or did you do bad? and there will be no excuses – God does not allow excuses – you either did good, or you did bad
So finally, in the end, do the Conservatives retards wish us Liberals to admit there is “reverse discrimination” -
Ah, Well, I guess – there is reverse discrim – really – so sorry, you get to inherit your father’s sins – isn’t that what the bible says -
You cannot throw away your past – so what get’s you up in the morning? is it hate? or is it love? look carefully, you may not know one from the other -
As an outsider, I don’t care – I have gotten up to hate, and to love, and I have gotten up because there was nothing else to do – from despair –
No matter – because I have gotten up, that does mean something -
Gordon is playing you all for the fool – he is the arsonist, he throws out the fire bomb, and you all hop -
The Zetas have been doing this for 20 years – they were bound to win it sometimes – perhaps the black frats didn’t have it this year –
Ha ha – I hate frats – f*ck anyone in a frat -
May be, that’s all it is – the black frats took a year off – we’ll see next year -