Bama Rush has been taking over TikTok these last few weeks, and the content just keeps coming. From GRWMs to everyone’s fave potential new members (PNMs) receiving bids to join a house, people on social media are obsessed with the videos these sororities have been pushing out during recruitment. While there have been hundreds of different clips and trends shared these last few weeks, TikTok has especially loved the viral dance videos taking over the app.
ICYMI, once 2023 rush season went into effect at Bama and other big schools, videos of current sorority members doing viral dances on the steps of their ~HUGE~ houses were all over everyone’s FYP. Though these have been recreated dozens of times by organizations across the country, the trend has caused a bit of controversy.
To most, the dance videos are just fun and cute — they’re used to get PNMs excited for rush season. But in reality, these dance rush videos were taken from Black sororities and organizations, who have yet to receive credit.
For decades, dance rituals have been practiced by historically Black Greek organizations. These rituals, known as stepping/ strolling, are choreographed dances done to the beat of popular music. The dances are a way for Black sororities and fraternities to show solidarity and celebrate their organizations.
Since those videos of predominantly white sororities dancing along to R&B and rap music during recruitment went viral, some have called out these Greek orgs for failing to give credit where credit is due.
TikTok user Anna Claire Gregorgy made a video saying that trend “is directly from Black sororities and their traditions.” Another user added to the conversation, noting that it’s “incredibly entertaining” that predominantly white sororities use Black music and dance trends to “recruit their members.”
Some have also pointed out the lack of diversity in some of these sororities. While the girls are dancing along to songs by Black artists, not one person of color is seen among the group.
Diversifying predominantly white sororities is a separate conversation that needs to be had, but I wonder — when will the Greek orgs start giving credit to Black sororities in their viral dance videos?
Many institutions have made strides to make their campuses more inclusive and diverse. Though there are still a few sororities that have yet to recruit more than one POC, I believe this can change if Black sororities start receiving the credit they deserve.
Hopefully, rush season 2024 will look much different.