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april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 2/1/2010) It's the step routine that's sparked debate.
Members of Zeta Tau Alpha showed their moves in a recent step off in Atlanta.
The University of Arkansas sorority won the first place $100,000 prize.
"My heart beat was going 12,000 miles an hour. Definitely surprised and excited," said one member of Zeta Tau Alpha.
But the excitement turned to a racial debate on the internet, with some asking if the white sorority should have won in a traditionally African American event.
One person wrote 'let the black folks have their own thing for once'. Another wrote "That's reverse racism."
"If you put in the time and work to do the stepping and you win it fair and square, I think you deserve first place no matter what race and Greek organization you may be," says Michael Hayes, a University of Memphis Senior.
Stepping started among African American Greeks but has slowly attracted other races.
"Truly it did originate with African dance. But if they mastered it better than the black sorority, I think that's fine," says Cameron Baker, a University of Memphis Junior.
University of Memphis officials say step competitions are open to all, and a small part of Greek life.
"We focus on academics, we focus on unity, we focus on friendship and leadership development," says Malikah Nelson, University of Memphis Coordinator of Greek Affairs.
"I don't think it depends on where the competition originated from. Everybody has an equal opportunity to learn everything involving the competition, whoever comes out on top wins." says Chelsea Prince, a U of M Senior.
Coca Cola, the sponsor of the step show, later said because of scoring discrepancies it was also awarding the first place prize to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, an African American Sorority that had come in second.
Now both groups will get $100,000 each, settling the issue, but hardly settling the debate that continues on tradition and race.
- White sorority wins step show competition
- Internet debate begins over whether whites should win traditionally African American step shows
- Students at University of Memphis weigh in on debate, saying may the best team win
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 2/1/2010) It's the step routine that's sparked debate.
Members of Zeta Tau Alpha showed their moves in a recent step off in Atlanta.
The University of Arkansas sorority won the first place $100,000 prize.
"My heart beat was going 12,000 miles an hour. Definitely surprised and excited," said one member of Zeta Tau Alpha.
But the excitement turned to a racial debate on the internet, with some asking if the white sorority should have won in a traditionally African American event.
One person wrote 'let the black folks have their own thing for once'. Another wrote "That's reverse racism."
"If you put in the time and work to do the stepping and you win it fair and square, I think you deserve first place no matter what race and Greek organization you may be," says Michael Hayes, a University of Memphis Senior.
Stepping started among African American Greeks but has slowly attracted other races.
"Truly it did originate with African dance. But if they mastered it better than the black sorority, I think that's fine," says Cameron Baker, a University of Memphis Junior.
University of Memphis officials say step competitions are open to all, and a small part of Greek life.
"We focus on academics, we focus on unity, we focus on friendship and leadership development," says Malikah Nelson, University of Memphis Coordinator of Greek Affairs.
"I don't think it depends on where the competition originated from. Everybody has an equal opportunity to learn everything involving the competition, whoever comes out on top wins." says Chelsea Prince, a U of M Senior.
Coca Cola, the sponsor of the step show, later said because of scoring discrepancies it was also awarding the first place prize to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, an African American Sorority that had come in second.
Now both groups will get $100,000 each, settling the issue, but hardly settling the debate that continues on tradition and race.
