Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. History of the Kane.

The History of the Kane
Why Kappa's Have Kanes
page 3

These excerpts from The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi tell the National Organization's viewpoint concerning the whole cane stepping issue:

Although cane stepping had become one of the most popular and well-attended activities on college campuses throughout the country, Kappa Alpha Psi was slow to accept this form of entertainment as a national activity. Earlier, Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Ullysses McBride had complained in the Journal about the vulgar language and obscene gestures sometimes engaged in by cane-stepping participants. Many complained of the profanity woven into the chants of the steppers and condemned what they considered 'lewd and sexually suggestive gestures that accompany some routines.' Critics further contended that the hours spent in step practices by chapters each week would be better devoted to academic or civic achievement. 'I think it's more important to honor scholastic achievement. I think the attention given to stepping should be placed into developing an honor roll or to recognize a group of Kappa scholars,' was the opinion of Arthur Grist, a member of the East St. Louis Alumni Chapter and adviser to the Zeta Pi Chapter at Southern Illinois University.

The Journal reported: 'What is undeniable, however, is the widespread popularity that stepping has attained. The avid attraction at college to stepping has caused shows to be propelled from mere performances in the school dance hall to such prominent forums as homecoming celebrations, civic auditoriums and fraternity province meetings. Step shows have become events that are frequently attended by parents and relatives of collegians.'

The Fraternity succumbed to the pressure and during the 66th Grand Chapter meeting in Washington D.C. (in 1986 - 75 years after the founding of the Fraternity), cane stepping was programmed as an official item on the Grand Chapter agenda.

Cane stepping became an official part of [Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the 66th Grand Chapter meeting in 1986] and a dazzling competition was held in front of hundreds of onlookers during a picnic in Washington's Rock Creek Park to illustrate the skills of the trade. Several groups participated, performing frenzied and entertaining steps."

Members of the Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
perform in 1986 during the 66th Grand Chapter

Now that cane stepping was openly embraced by the National Organization of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, publicity of the old tradition was gaining and many television shows, T.V. commercials, and music video artists sought out to display Kappa's stepping in their respective forums. One of the first national airings came about on February 2nd, 1989 when NBC chose members of Kappa Alpha Psi to perform a step routine on the Black college sitcom "A Different World". Later, members of Kappa Alpha Psi could be found stepping in Brother Montell Jordan's remix of "This is How We Do It" in the summer of 1996. Also airing in the summer of 1996 was another display of Kappa's stepping in an episode of FOX's "New York Undercover".

Kappa's were again called upon to perform in songstress INOJ's music video "Love You Down" which ran in the Spring of 1997. WB's sitcom "Sister Sister" ran an episode that focused on college fraternities in the spring of 1999, and members of Kappa Alpha Psi were chosen to perform the stepping segment. Other music videos that feature members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity are "Woof!" by rapper Snoop Doggy Dog which ran in the spring of 1999, and "Imma Shine" by Mia X which ran in the summer of 1999.

Video Clip of "Twirling" being performed.

Therefore, the tradition of the Kappa Cane has a longstanding history that reaches back as far the the history of the cane itself, and sweeps forward with the introduction of Black Greek Letter Organization step shows, cane stepping, cane tapping, cane twirling, and finally the acceptance of this tradition as an official and integrated part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. which truly sets it apart from any other organization of its type.