Macy is under fire after calling black sorority on parade a ‘diverse dance group’



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Retail giant Macy’s comes under fire after calling the Zeta Phi Beta Centennial Steppers a “diverse dance group” in a Thanksgiving Day tweet.

Zeta Phi Beta, founded at Howard University in 1920, was one of many performing groups at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade that year.

MACY’S THANKS DAY PARADE TO CONTINUE WITHOUT A LIVE AUDIENCE

“What is that sound, you ask? Why is it the diverse dance group, Zeta Phi Beta Steppers!” Macy exclaimed in a now deleted tweet. “They have put together a special routine to help us celebrate this unprecedented year.”

The tweet prompted a response from MSNBC “The ReidOut” host Joy Reid, who explained that the Centennial Steppers are “not a ‘dance group’.”

“Zeta Phi Beta is a black sorority founded in Howard U in 1920 and part of the Divine Nine,” she says. The Divine Nine is a coalition of nine black sororities and fraternities that make up the Pan-Hellenic National Council.

Social media users called Macy’s description “reductive” and claimed Macy had used the Centennial Steppers.

Pedestrians walk past black curtains along 34th Street believed to block the view of a pre-tap of Macy's Thanksgiving parade outside the New York flagship store on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)

Pedestrians walk past black curtains along 34th Street believed to block the view of a pre-tap of Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade outside the New York flagship store on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)

“I’m tired of companies that use black entities (including historically black sororities and fraternities) as a way to appear more ‘diverse’ and to accept,” added @_AwesomeKid. “It is clear how successful this attempt was, due to your lack of research for your own parade performers.”

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hasn’t been around for 100 years just for Macy’s to call them a ‘diverse dance group,’ said @TevonBlair.

Macy’s has since posted a separate tweet, without recognizing the deleted message.

“Look who just MOVED things forward. We loved having @ ZPHIBHQ – an international, historically black sorority – with us at #MacysParade for their centennial, ”he wrote.

After the performance, Zeta Phi Beta tweeted a celebratory message to their sisters.

“Congratulations again to our Centennial Steppers who performed at the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade this year!” they said. “You were all #Finer and represented Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, well incorporated!”

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Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade kicked off the holiday season for more than 90 years, with thousands of marchers and more than two dozen floats alongside performers.

This year, due to coronavirus concerns, the parade was relegated to a one-block radius of 34th Street in front of Macy’s flagship store in Manhattan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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