What use to be a reunion celebrating African American Sororities and Fraternities, has now turned into a large population of people that do not even attend colleges attending the festivities. It has become such a mess, that Police often are asked to shut the event down. I am referring to what is known as the "Greek Picnic" held annually in Philly.
Back in the day Greeks can recall coming together and being able to enjoy food and drinks, while they got to mix and mingle with the different Frats and Sororities. If you attended the festivities you would be surrounded by Pink, Green, Red, Purple and Blue all around you. You could hear the sounds of the Omega's barking and the Kappa's swirling their canes. You could not help but notice the Delta's and AKA's strolling to the sounds of the DJ and the Zeta's posing for a picture holding up their sign.
Now the picnic has become a place for the local teens and young adults to come out and walk around trying to look cute and catch a boy or girl. The Greeks barely can recognize or locate where their Frat is and older Greeks have become turned off completely.
Well, ten years ago a group of "Old School Greeks" got together and created the "Old School Greek Picnic", also held in Philly. This event was to be held separate from the original Greek Picnic, which still goes on today.
They wanted to create a picnic that was reminiscent of how the Greek Picnic used to be. Keeping up with the Huxtables was delighted and honored to attend this event on Saturday August 9th, and truly felt like they were at a real "Greek Picnic".
When we arrived at the event we were immediately greeted by the Omega's who were quick to offer us a plate of food and some "purple stuff in a cup", a few of you know what this is called. We quickly wanted to look around and found that every Greek had their own tent, food and drinks.
Brett and the Socialite
There were also vendors out that were selling paraphernalia and the sounds of the DJ could be heard from miles away. The Greeks joined in the middle of the park singing and dancing to old and new school tunes. We were quickly taken back to old school family reunions where the Electric Slide was a must.
Everyone there seemed to be Greek except for a few friends and family members. The event reminded me of the true reason that Black Sororities and Fraternities were founded, brotherhood and sisterhood!
It was truly a delight to see Brothers and Sisters come together and the police not have to show up! lol
Keeping up with the Huxtables would like to say congratulations to "The Old School Greek Picnic" committee for Taking it Back! The Old School Greeks invite you to come out next year to celebrate with them, as long as you don't turn it into an event that people cannot truly enjoy!
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16 comments:
sister what u know about old school LOL
It's good to see people getting an understanding of why these organizations were established. I think if more people truly knew the history of Black Greek Letter organizations maybe those issues wouldn't have come about.
Torrance:I may not be that old, but I know that old school stuff just always seems to be better. Lol
Foxxy: Yeah so many people have no clue why these organizations were started. Half of their current members don't either.It was good going to this event and seeing that somewhere the Greek spirit is still alive. I wish it would come alive more and Greek organizations would become role models for the rest of the community again. There are members still alive, let's just get the entire organizations alive!
It's too bad that a few people mess the picnic up for everyone. But looks like you managed to have a nice day tis time, without getting shut down, so that's all that matters.
Yeah i hope that this picnic doesn't turn into how the other one is!
I think they have to move the Greek around. When my boys from Morgan State used to go up there it was more like freaknik than the Greek. I think if they rotated it to different cities it will eliminate it. Philly isn't exactly the Black Mecca for Greek frats.
Hiya! Just found your blog! Love this post, it really is "American" to me. We just don't have any kind of these gatherings in Sweden and I would love those!
Best wishes to you!
FreeMan: when I was in college I was thinking about having one in DC. I never got around to trying to plan it, because it would take so much, but you are right. There are so many places that we could have it. Going down south where it is really big would be nice!
Rocketqueen: Thank you for stopping by! I hope that you come back and spread the word. I am glad that I could also give you a little positive taste of "America". lol
I remember when the Greek Picnic at Jones Beach was popular in the 90's. It made me want to pledge Kappa to follow in my Brother's footsteps.
that seems to be a good idea. lol Greek weekend over here in the A is more like a party. But I guess it and still has traces of the original intentions, building family etc lol but more fun for college age kids, and hookups, lol.
I'm not Greek, so I never attended the weekend events, and the heat never helped.
Wow. Looks like fun times, despite some of the other people's foolishness. My hubbyFAB and I are both greeks who just don't go to many of the various picnics anymore.
I really like this concept. I have been to a few Greek picnics in the Washington D.C. area and they weren't that bad, however, they weren't exactly family functions either (not enough for the kids to do or activities in general for people to participate in).
Despite my lack of bad experiences with Greek picnics, I would still prefer to attend an Old School Greek Picnic, it sounds like some actual camaraderie occurred, and I'd pay money to see some Ques do anything that could be associated with chivalry! LOL (As you mentioned they offered food and "drinks.")
Catherine: lmao off at paying money to watch the Ques being associated with chivalry! They actually did the most at the picnic. They were so giving! You have to go to this one next year.
Lol. Is there a website or contact information for the event?
I know one of the ladies on the commitee and she told me it was August 9th, 2009. But I can keep you posted on more details and try and get you some contact info. Send me an email, so I can have your email address.
I pledged K-A-Psi/Phi Nu Pi in the fall of 1975 @ MSU... We Had To Earn It!!! "Nuf Said!" Greetings to all of my Greek family... We are all black men and women first & foremost... I'm from the old school so I know what rivalry is about, but we need to stick together as a whole in todays crazy world...Need I say more?
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