Spike Lee tells the story behind "School Daze", how he feels about fraternities,sororities

[dollarbill125]

As much as I don't like Spike Lee for several reasons I gotta say this issue had to be spoke on...too many black people are joining these greek orgs mostly just to belong and go through a lot of crap just to get in...if a person dies pledging to me that's that person's fault big bro/sis aren't there to baby pledgers but it shows how desperate some people are to belong like he said...most of the dudes I see in greek orgs mostly do it just to get play from chicks anyway

[mrphreeze]

My boy Young Sav , Def Jam baby boy

[LooseEnds06]

@DanFreeman717 Brotha you can just google the information and find out that this brother did not pass in 1987; so both you and this book are INCORRECT! In addition, if this unfortunate Morehouse incident occured prior to Spike's School Daze, then why in the world would Spike have the Alpha Rho chapter perform in this movie? Moreso, Alpha Rho was suspended for a # of years because of the death of this pledge, so they certainly wouldn't have been in able to particpate in a movie!!

[Wolfpack8706]

@DanFreeman717 Yeah did you get my messages???????

[FitnessMinded]

In a nutshell, people don't know what they are joining nor aware of the origin of the rituals you are performing during your "pledge" process. It is more to this "process" than you think...

[LumbeeMariah]

it sounds cliche but if you ain't Greek meaning in an organizations with strong moral & values which is what most frats & sororities pride theirselves on then you don't understand. theres certain organizations that pride theirselves on pledging filled w/ hazing & other demeaning things but they arent the majority. the letters don't make you, its the other way around. ppl hurt others bc theyve been hurt if you've been hazed just stop the cylce. Alpha Pi Omega Sorority Inc. *My Sister As Myself*

[jjone13]

partyhype.webs.com

[ddenniscoleman3]

Why would descendants of Egyptians want to be Greek in the first place? That's a DOWNGRADE!

[03030303]

@ddenniscoleman3

Same reason Egyptian descendants participate in a Greek graduation ritual.

Same reason Egyptian descendants have European names, both first and last.

Same reason Egyptian descendants celebrate Christmas instead of the Birth of the Sun of God after the 3 day solstice.

[mjohnson2479]

@ddenniscoleman3 African Americans, are NOT, I repeat are NOT, descendants of Egyptians! they took them from the Western coast of Africa; Europeans did not travel accross the deadly Sahara desert to capture slaves. #educate yourselves #geography #common sense

[GScott7]

@mjohnson2479 their would be no history with out African American history, the first human was found in the center of Egypt. before the continents split apart people walked out of central africa to start a new life, the melanin in their skin adapted to the environment giving you light and darker skin. All africans have roots from egypt.

[jazzzsexy]

@ddenniscoleman3 AGREE TOTALLY!!!!!!!!!!!

[captaindlo]

@ddenniscoleman3 We are not all descendants of Egyptians. It's just the fact that many present blacks like to associate themselves with an African nation that is well known for its strength. Black people like to shout out Egypt, when in truth Egypt was mixed with people with dark, medium, light, and other tones.In reality, we are more akin to be closer to the Central and Western regions of Africa. Not East Africa that is close to the Middle East, Turkey and Greece or what you call EGYPT.

[sherrylewisdaponte]

Oh, please! Spike couldn't make it as a Greek, so he made this movie. I enjoyed the movie although it tried desperately to portray us Greeks as evil and corrupted. I am a very proud member if Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I pledged as an undergrad in Spring '90, so I know about the 'old ways' of pledging. If you're not Greek, you don't know - period. GDI's will always be GDI's.

[yungsandifer]

@sherrylewisdaponte your a faggot ass boule boot lickin uncle thomasette you coon for life stay in the house nigga

[2blakandbold]

My favorite Spike Lee Film.

[ncurry1425]

So I'm a freshman goin to an hbcu and thinking about pledging a frat my sophomore year. Any suggestions?

[manansis86]

@ncurry1425 that's a decision you have to make for yourself do your research first and get to know the chapter on the campus..

[youngcrunkg06]

@ncurry1425 yeah. One: don't tell nobody on campus about you deciding on pledging besides the frat brothers/sorority sisters of the group YOU want to be in.

And Two: As you...correction....BEFORE and while you talk to all organizations to see what they're about, do like I do and research more about greek life. Have an open mind before you make decisions.

[jksmba]

@ncurry1425 Yeah..if you're asking strangers on youtube about a life long bond... Join anyone except for Kappa!!!!

[MsTasha007]

I went to an HBCU, and it has its pros and cons like any other school. What's funny, Mission looked so much like Union (where I went) because it was in Richmond and the colors were the same. I still like this movie to this day

[theiceman2you]

i am in a Black Greek organization and I have to say most of my frat brothers are full of shit!!!

[beastzeus]

rofl @ you all who know nothing about black greek life, yet comment about it as if your some expert. "all of my love my peace and happiness" whoopty doo a song, I could twist this and say how could you promise to give your husband and or wife all of your love, peace and happiness, your only supposed to give that to jesus...the fact of the matter is most of you, tried and couldn't, didn't qualify and are jealous, or got embarrassed and are trying to make up for it by hating, #UHAVENOCLUESTOPIT

[b2223967]

@beastzeus "Whoopty doo a song"... the Bible says.. "that life and death are in the power of the tongue" and that one judgment day we will be accountable for every idle word we uttered. C'mon man! Words have power! Look at all the uproar over one word "nigger". And really, even if your not a Christian... if you're giving all of your love or heart to an org... where does that leave your family? Back in the day, people believed in being as "good as their word". Again, words have power.

[skip1lp]

SAD, he didn't mention that he dropped from Que line.

[PRODIGALSUN2050]

From my experience, the whole SERVICE and BROTHERHOOD sh** is all smoking mirrors! I'm glad that I truly saw the Light and had the sense to disassociate from some of the most backstabbing, backbiting people that I have ever met (IOTA).

[socalrep091]

As a neo i have never worshiped any god in my fraternity da hell do u people be talking about where is this image of worshiping coming from. and what god is in a fraternity. its nothing but a group of brothers getting together to do service and be there for each other

[josey2181]

pt 2 No membership strings attached.

[brittchann]

that may have been the issue back then but I know that I worship none other than Jesus christ! and had to worship nor sacrifice not a thing while becoming a member of my org. Please get updated and quit spreadin these lies thank and good riddens

[sabrinatai31]

@brittchann

I mean this in the most respectful way , how can you promise to give an organization all of your love, peace and happiness . The only person that deserves such devotion is our lord jesus.  The stated that god is a jealous god so how can you even symbolicially say you will give love and peace to a group of people . The group has founders whom are dead yet the group hold these dead leaders dear to their heart.

[godofthisshit]

@sabrinatai31

You do know that Jesus is dead also?

[sabrinatai31]

@godofthisshit

I see you do not believe in Jesus judging from your responds .  I think that is okay but , I will answer your question Jesus is not dead . Most christians believe that jesus is alive and well . One of god'd commands for true chirstians is stay way from idol worshipping . Kneeing down , chanting or given any form of praise to the dead is not acceptable. Jesus is god's son, and jesus is not dead so given praise to him is acceptable .

[godofthisshit]

@sabrinatai31

He's been dead for nearlly 2000 years. Dead is dead as of now. If he really did exist and we find his tomb, maybe we can bring him back by his DNA but as of now he's never coming back.

[sabrinatai31]

@godofthisshit I do not wish to contiue such a negative back and forth arguement about Jesus with a non believer . I addressed a Christian person . I did not wish to talk to a non believer as I do not find it productive . I say good luck and take care .

[godofthisshit]

@sabrinatai31

What was negative about what I said? Surely your faith is strong right? I'm not the devil, link me to some credible evidence that Jesus is coming back and I'll believe you.

[sabrinatai31]

@godofthisshit

As I said before good luck and I am done with this situation .

[godofthisshit]

@sabrinatai31

No evidence I guess. Good luck and Hopefully Hey-Zeus comes back before you pass. If the past 2000 years is any indication....................­.

[b2223967]

@sabrinatai31 THANK YOU! Those songs "all of my love, my peace and happiness..." "my heart and my soul belongs to XYZ" C'mon now! If Kirk Franklin sang these words to Jesus, we would call it worship. But when undergrads sing it for their org's, it's different??? Christians should not be in these org's, other faiths have their own rules. But Christians have a different rule... Matt 22:37. Your heart and your soul belong to God. Be encouraged sis, you can lead a horse to water but you can't...

[LooseEnds06]

@b2223967 Although I agree that I don't care for bglos singing that song about giving all of their love to their frat or sorority (and this action is something more recent cause we no one song these songs wihen I was in college); however, I propose this question: Do you think you have it "right" and that all the thousands of Christians that are members of these organizations all have it "wrong?" If so, do you have a closer walk with the Lord than the rest of us?

[b2223967]

@LooseEnds06 It's not about me. As Christians, the Bible as our standard. 1)The Bible says "don't swear oaths". 2) It says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength." 3) It says "Have no other gods before (or besides) me". Well..1) You swear an oath to join a frat. 2) Those songs about giving your love, peace and happiness or heart and soul to a frat. 3) Those "mentors" were once someone else's GODS. That's like me saying Jesus is my Lord but Allah is my mentor. What!?

[brittchann]

@sabrinatai31 you're saying what I just stated lol. I don't believe in the rituals performed by a lot of greeks. I kept my individuality when i became a member of my org. Nothing changed including my religious views and spirituality.

[firefox8192]

to all concerned please view a video entitled HOW TO DEACTIVATE YOUR WILLIE LYCNCH CHIP. also SEE STEVE COKLEY. ON BOULE'

[lightmajor1]

I'm not even gonna waste my time readin thru the comments on this one I'm sure this struck a nerve wit lots of ppl. All ima say is I'm a que and I love this movie and spike lee. Mans entitled to his opinion

1

[Odawg96]

(cont. 2). I had vowed when I was in high school that I would NEVER let anyone beat me down so they could me "brother" even if that meant I had to kill somebody...A-PHI-A, Q-dawg, or whatever. Point blank, "You hit me, I'm'a try to kill you!" Ultimately, my OWN sense of individulaity trumped everything BGLOs don't have a monopoly on black leadership and uplift. Not all members of BGLOs are low-lifes, but some didn't embody the values they claimed to represent during college and they don't now.

[Odawg96]

(cont). I was the first to go to college. I was quiet and kept to myself for the most part, but I knew that because of my academic prowess and certain "militant" attributes, some of the Greeks would be interested in me...and they were. All of the worst elements of that culture were expressed on our campus (a non-HBCU). I had some pledgee friends get BEAT DOWN. At the same time, I had some friends who actually embodied the ideals that many BGLO subscribed to and that created conflict for me.

[Odawg96]

I'm not gonna lie: seeing this movie when I was in the 9th grade around '89 set my entire college agenda. It was my intro to BGLOs. Looking back perhaps it was a bit of a skewed view, but I had an hyper-developed since of blackness by my teens and this movie intensified it. This was further compounded as I started reading Kunjufu, Diop, Welsing, Tony Browder, etc. By my first day of college, I was so anti-Black Greek, it was ridiculous. Also consider I was from a military family.

[LooseEnds06]

And please don't get me wrong, I still love Spike Lee's School Daze! It is one of my favorite movies and I think that he speaks a lot of truth in the movie! I don't agree with the brutality and hazing activities of pledging, nor does the organizations themselves condone it. However, speak the truth brotha! These organizations are not the ills of society, but just the opposite! Greek life is not for everyone - I get it! But don't hate on those that choose to join these great organizations!

[caramelcutie739]

@LooseEnds06 THOSE WHO CHOOSE 2 JOIN THESE ORGANIZATIONS GO INTO THE PROCESS WITH THEIR EYES CLOSED AND END UP WORSHIPING AND IDOLIZING FALSE GODS. NO I DON'T KNOCK PEOPLE WHO WANT 2 BECOME A PART OF THESE TYPE OF ORGANIZATIONS BUT I DO KNOCK THOSE WHO PUT ANOTHER GOD BEFORE JESUS CHRIST! SORRY JUST MY OPINION.

[88Bigs88]

@caramelcutie739 I agree what you are saying. But I bet you didn't most black leaders through out history have pledged Greek.

In my opinion some black frats and sorors have lost their way from the after the 1990s. I dont understand why people talk about the bad but never talk about the good the Fraternity and Sororities have done in the community. Black Greeks need true leaders, not people who do not want the responsibility. I am starting to get mad

[JayTAkins]

@caramelcutie739 ay yo...what god is that ??? or ideology is that ??? real question, because I use to want to join a fraternity...now I'm reconsidering, because I've heard some others say what you just said

[brendout20]

@caramelcutie739 its soo true and these are just organizations funded bye the illluminati to degrate african pride in ancestry because they know that thats were the beating heart of humans come from and its best they keep these people separated and arguing while they get away with the money its been this way even before the whole slave trade they been worshipping egptian and greek gods till today just with different names -___-

[LooseEnds06]

LET ME CALL SPIKE LEE OUT ON HIS MISLEADING OF THE TRUTH HERE!! HE INDICATES @ 1:56 - 2:13 THAT IT IS BECAUSE A STUDENT DIES WHILE PLEDGING ALPHA WHICH IS WHY HE WANTED TO PORTRAY THE ILLS OF FRATERNITIES IN HIS FILM!! SPIKE LEE'S SCHOOL DAZE WAS RELEASED IN THE THEATERS IN 1988!! THIS YOUNG MAN (GOD REST HIS SOUL) THAT HE SPEAKS OF, DIED WHILE PLEDGING AT MOREHOUSE IN FALL OF 1989!! THIS MOVIE WAS DAMN NEAR 2 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS VERY UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT OCCURED!

[kshadeed06]

Why are folks so qick to denounce something, U can be both; a good greek and a good person is all on who u choose to be! Don't blame anyone else for your bad behavior, I know many good Ques, Kappa's, Alpha's ETC... and I know some with drug problems just like GDI's and the rest. We just people, I will never say African men should not come together and build a nation!

[ExtremelyClassy]

Great testimony!!!

[TonyC00PER1]

I need that aaca hoody!!!

[raventakayama]

Morehouse's administration has always been known to act a fool over crumbs. I don't know whats wrong with the leaders over there...

[pistonear]

@raventakayama

yes that's true. we had a cat named eddie glaude. he use to get into it with admin. just make sure you left right front and back are covered. Same thing happened in 89 joel alan harris, rip ebd rip

[Tmcm40]

he looks better with hair.

[pootausedapot]

fuk all that brainwashn bs! bottom line ya parents or whoeva tha fuk paid a hi price for you to go to school for u to look down upon ur own people AN GO SUK THA WITE MAN'S DIK TO GET AHED N THIS WITE MANS WORLD, PAT YASELF ON THA BAK YA MAMA MUS B SO PROUD. DO LIKE SPIKE BEN TRYNA TELL ALL US NIGAS FROM DAY 1 N HIS FILMS, WAKE THA FUKUP!, OR STAY YO ASS ASLEEP WILE THE REST OF US WAKEUP, LOL.

[raventakayama]

@pootausedapot You know no very little... indeed. And that's not me looking down on you that's me telling the truth.

[hlfrankjr1906]

Spike actually is an eternal sphinxman. Meaning he tried to pledge ALPHA and dropped line!

[dreamkasts]

@hlfrankjr1906 Wheres the proof?

[LuLusQueen]

Wow, did Spike just say that his brother died pledging a fraternity? OMG! That is deep!smh

[missmaria82]

There are many ways to support your community as a college student. I, for one, think the irresponsibility that some greek organizations show with their hazing practices and the exclusionist mentalities that are imbibed in such organizations are childish and pointless, but man has a history of secret societies so perhaps it's inherent to some part of human nature. The "Sambo" comment made to Lee is indicative of a major problem in the Black community and that's what I loved about the film.

[plentyone]

Let me tell you. Back during his days at Morehouse. I had a couple of Frat Brothers(Omegas) tell me. That Spike used to stay with a couple of Frats of mine. Spike is nothing but a wanna be QueDog...In the film, just take a look at the fictional Fraternity and how it is portray. Bottom line, just look at the role he plays. Enough said....

[missmaria82]

@plentyone It's a critique and not a glorification. The role he plays is a stereotype of the someone pledging, not some deep-seated desire to be a Q on his part. The fraternity is also a stereotype, but is obviously based on real fraternities. I guess your comment just irritated me because it's the same mentality that the film depicted, of frats who really believe everyone is trying to be like them. It's not that serious.

[plentyone]

@missmaria82 First of all, how do you know, in what I speak about??? All you are doing, is speaking from some basic generalize perspective, based on what you saw on the screen. Seeing you are in so love with the Movie... I am talking REAL LIFE. The role he play for himself was that of Art imitating Life for him personally. Hell, he was the Producer and Director of the film. Why play the part that he did??? And like I said, he is still a WannaBe Q.............................­.....

[missmaria82]

@plentyone By "role" I assumed you meant in the film, not as a director and/or producer. So, yes, I was speaking on what I saw on the screen. Outside of that I don't really follow your reply, as I don't "know" if he is a "wanna be" or not, but I don't think the role he played on "the screen" is reason enough to believe he wants to be a Q. Nor does living with some Qs once, as in "real life" we all have varied friends and that doesn't mean we want to be them. Your opinions are yours, mine, mine.

[plentyone]

@missmaria82 Well. Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one. Which is why I go strictly by the facts. And I really do not care about anyone's opinion. Tell me, what the real deal is. Believe me, I know about the "wanna be part".

[pootausedapot]

@missmaria82 KEEP TALKN, DNT SHUT UP TIL THY SHUT UP SPREADN THIS POISON CALLED MENTAL ILLNESS, OR SHIT SUM CALL IT IGNORANCE. EITHR WAY STAND YA GROUND, SUMBDYS GOTA B STANDN WIN THY ALL TAKE THER FALL, FEEL ME

[pootausedapot]

@plentyone THT WAS FOR U N CASE U AINT NO!

[plentyone]

@pootausedapot Looks like you need to learn how to read and write some damn English. Instead of this Text message BS you got going on here. Before you address anybody, I suggest you learn some English. You know speak it, write complete sentences. I hope you get the idea...IGNORANT MOTHERFUCKER. You see, how I wrote and spelled that out correctly...

[Alouette1968]

Spike speaks the truth. At least things came full circle and he got on the board of trustees

[cwpaul]

Do I think MLK or Thurgood Marshall or Bill Cosby would have pledged today's black fraternities? Yes, they would have because just like myself and thousands of others who have crossed those burning sands our purpose for joining our respective organizations was bigger than the individual reward but the chance to stand with men who believed in a bond and brotherhood that would last a lifetime.

[tip862]

Each member of frats, sorors, freemasons, eastern stars..knows exactly what they individually had to do to get into the organization and stay in it. Hopefully the truth will convict each person to denounce it as them as leavened/apostate and against the will of God. Jesus said, "in secret have I said nothing". Also what is secret shall be revealed before all men, so what's the point in taking these secret oathes? Either you're swearing falsely or you're worshipping false gods.

[lilchanchan864]

i appreciate you posting this :-)

[cwpaul]

The problem with Spike's perspective is that it is a narrow-minded view of BGLO's. It seems as if he was on a mission to portray black greeks in a negative light even in spite of the many significant contributions that they have made to American society. The Martin Luther King's, the Thurgood Marshall's and Bill Cosby's and so many more who pledged a black greek fraternity and have gone on to be great contributors to society. Spike missed the boat on this one, even though I love School Daze.

[mzG216]

But who's to say if they wouldn't have gone on to do those great things even without pledging?

[cwpaul]

I'm not saying that these men needed to be in a fraternity to be successful, but what I am saying is that it is wrong to depict fraternities from only one perspective. BGLO's have and continue to do wonderful things not only in the black community but in society in general. Yes, there are bad apples in the bunch and they have often cast BGLO's in a bad light but even with that being said, it still cannot overshadow all of the their good deeds which is what Spike failed to portray!

[nowhackazzness]

mzG216

hes not saying pledge'n made them who they are.jus that greeks do positive things.not jus the things spike expressed.

you make your letters your letters dnt make you.

[Aplustradomus]

Preach!

[mocity5]

exectly. but u still have the ones that dont get that

[LooseEnds06]

@mzG216 And who's to say that they would have!! I can say this - Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., were fully supported by their fraternity!! The organizational, intellectual and financial power of their fraternity, backing and supporting them - is beyond measures of what you may realize; and the impact it made for Thurgood and Martin to be able to make accomplishments during the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement! Just watch the PBS Centennial clips of A PHI A on YouTube!

[mzG216]

@LooseEnds06 So, the frat wouldn't have supported them if they hadn't have pledged?

[LooseEnds06]

@mzG216 What I can say is that because of these brothers being fraternity members, there was a stronger effort, expectation and support from their when you are leading a great cause that may make a huge difference for a community! On the other hand, it is nothing wrong with that notion neither, because it is only natural that we desire to want to strongly support our own!! Whether it be a member of our family, church, fraternity, school, social group/friends, community or race!

[LooseEnds06]

@mzG216 And NO, I am not saying that !

[mzG216]

@LooseEnds06 I agree. I believe that we all want to "fit in" to something. But at the end of the day, lets not say that the reasons these men did great things was because of the frat. I hear frat brothers say all the time, "You make the frat, don't let it make you" or something to that effect.

[Daizy10231023]

@cwpaul he did get rejected from q psi phi...

[westbakutsa]

First off MLK, Thurgood, Cosby, all pledged well before the 70's, when any Black Organization that provided unity was appreciated. In my opinion, the Black greeks are all an old rubber stamp today. Tutoring kids and cleaning up parks is pointless if your organization carries itself the way most Black Greeks do today. And FYI, Just because a couple of great people pledged a black frat, does not excuse them from being how they are today. You think MLK and Thurgood would pledge today??

[ExtremelyClassy]

@westbakutsa Great Comment!!

[GenuinelyGiGi]

Wise words spoken from a wise man.