Howard University QuaDrew Step Team performed for Lower School students yesterday in order to kick off Black History Month. QuaDrew step team then shared the history and the cultural significance of stepping in African-American history. The name of QuaDrew honors two prominent figures in history, Harriet Tubman and Charles R. Drew, who are also named on dormitories at Howard University. Lower School technology teacher Lucia Hassell was a part of this step team when she was at Howard University and shared her own personal experience with the girls.
Stepping is a form of dance that uses the body as an instrument to create intricate rhythms and sounds through a combination of stomps, claps spoken word, and even snaps. Stepping is based on a long and rich tradition in African-based communities that use movement, words and sounds to communicate pride and allegiance to a group. The stepping tradition in the United States grew out of song and dance rituals practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the early 1900s.
In addition to step shows and competitions on college campuses, today stepping can also be found in schools, churches and community organizations around the country. Although some schools may not officially consider stepping an athletic sport, it is competitive and can involve intense physical challenges and training. A "grit face" or a "mean mug" expression is commonly worn by steppers to convey the seriousness of their commitment to that organization and their common goal. Historically, the "grit" expression worn by steppers, particularly members of the African American fraternities and sororities, is a representation and reminder of the perseverance and resilience black colleges students held during the early 1900s, as they were not always welcomed into institutions of higher education and faced countless persecution. A steppers grit pays homage to their journey and represents their aggressive determination to conquer any obstacle or adversary to stood in the way of their path to education.
The girls were then part of the action and learned a step routine to show their best "grit face." Check out the video below!
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