Alpha Phi Alpha step show, initiation open to public

It's a ritual. It's a right of passage. And for new members of Alpha Phi Alpha, it's their ticket into brotherhood.\nAlpha Phi Alpha fraternity will hold its annual Neophyte Step Show at 10:30 p.m. Saturday in Alumni Hall of the Indiana Memorial Union.\nThe Step Show is an induction ritual staged by Alpha Phi Alpha members to formally recognize new chapter members, said Alpha Phi Alpha President Jason Lee, a junior.\n"Basically, this Neophyte step show is a presentation of new members of the fraternity," Lee said. \nEach year, a string of chapter members are inducted through a ceremony officially christened "Cross the Burning Sands." Here, fledgling members cross the chapter threshold, committing themselves to the demands and duties of the fraternal organization. \n"When new members are inducted, or 'Cross the Burning Sands,' they are called Neophytes," Lee said. "You are technically a Neophyte, until another line comes through the fraternity, or for a year and then you are Prophyte."\nThis year's show will acknowledge a five-member line donning the name R.E.D.E.M.P.T.I.O.N. Lee said the name bears an important meaning to each individual chapter member because its inherent meaning is confined to small circle of people, according them a sense of group pride and brotherhood. \n"...It has significant meaning to only those of the fraternity, and is special to each of the members of this line," he said.\nAlpha Phi Alpha member Brandon Williams, a sophomore, echoed this sentiment, saying the show is significant because "each letter represents something special to us and gives us some commonality." \nWilliams is one of the five chapter members stepping at the event.\nAlpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate greek-letter fraternity established for African American college students, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., in 1906 by seven men, who are now commonly referred to as the "seven jewels" by chapter members. It is recognized as the first African-American fraternal organization. The fraternity is also said to be the largest black intercollegiate fraternity worldwide, with more than 700 undergraduate and graduate chapters spanning across the coast.\nFrom its inception, the fraternal organization has prided itself in supplanting a void in social and cultural interaction among African Americans across the nation's collegiate landscape. The organization's philosophy is grounded on bedrock principals -- good character, sound scholarship, fellowship and the uplifting of humanity.\nThe step show is a long-standing tradition among black fraternities and sororities across U.S. college campuses, tracing its ceremonial roots back to the marching armies of antiquity. Among them include the Warriors of Carthage, the Nubian warriors of the mighty King Piankhy of Nubia and the Zulu Legion of the famed general Chaka, the Zulu monarch. \nThe ceremony began with singing or chanting in observance of the crossing of the burning sands. \nThe nature of stepping has changed over the years, Lee said.\n"Over the years, stepping has become very intricate and demanding, incorporating props, synchronization and some levels of athleticism," Lee said.\nToday, the tradition remains embedded in black greek life because it fosters a pride in and love for one's cultural and racial heritage, Lee said. \n"The tradition was forged on college campuses in black fraternities and sororities out of the African heritage of speech, song and dance." \nSophomore member Mike McDonald said the show accords the chapter an opportunity to harken back to its African roots.\n "Most of the steps are originated in African tribal dances," he said. "The show pays homage to African culture through dance."\n The show is hard work, requiring participants to invest a large share of their time into preparation, members said.\n "We started practicing for this show two months ago," Lee said. "We practice five nights a week, for two to three hours. It is time consuming, but in the end, it is worth it."\nLee said stepping is comprised of synchronized claps and stomps to complicated beats. \n"What makes a show good is if everyone is in sync," he said.\nMcDonald said the show is designed to allow the chapter to present itself to the larger campus. \n"The presentation is one to let the campus know what the fraternity stands for and two display the fraternity purpose here on campus," he said. "It is a way of showing the fraternity off."\nWilliams said the show will generate concrete results by making the fraternity known to the student body. \n"It is a seal of approval to let the campus know that R.E.D.E.M.P.T.I.O.N. is here to stay and to let others know to be there and have fun with this moment and occasion."\nAlpha member Joel Githiri, a junior, said the show will be a gratifying experience. The show will observe that members have "accomplished something when they have an opportunity to be involved in something like this." \nChapter members said they want to encourage everyone to attend the show. \n"For this year, we want to reach not only black students, but all students," Lee said. "We have people coming from all neighboring schools…it's a pretty big event."\nAll-night admission is $6. A party complete with a DJ precedes the main event, which begins at midnight. \nProceeds generated will go in a pool of money to fund educational programs, scholarships and promotional activities.\nMembers said they hope that the show gives campus insight into the chapter and its mission. \n"We hope campus will have a better understanding of our fraternity and members and make people more interested in not only our fraternity but also in greek culture," McDonald said.