The Study of Racialism

mixedmom · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 776 }

As I have stated before, I CAN'T DANCE!!!! Sad

This was problematic at one time in my life because being (part) black, it seemed as if there was some looming expectation over me to be able to dance (well). Thank goodness I'm older and wiser. There are parts of my childhood that I'd NEVER want to repeat. I'm still very sensitive about seeing people being ridiculed for not being able to dance right. Dancing is supposed to be about having fun. We each have artistic license to interpret the music the way we choose. It's sad in my opinion that there are adults who still hold folks to certain standards when it comes to dancing (at clubs or parties). I suppose this is a pet peeve. (Rant over now)

I decided to sign my daughter and myself up for bellydancing classes a few years ago. We had a good time and even went up a level to a more advanced class. Some of the dancing is sensual but there's also a lot of folk dancing as well. Almost all of the women wore hip scarves with coins that jingle. I bought some too for both my daughter and me. I purchased a couple of sets of Zils (the finger cymbals). We mainly danced barefoot so I didn't need to get any special shoes. Some of the costumes are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. We learned some things about various Middle Eastern cultures and it was over all a positive experience. I also developed a liking for some Middle Eastern music. I especially enjoy the tabla drumming. It's pretty awesome if you get to see a live performance. I'm thinking of returning with or without my daughter (most likely with). The class was only one night a week so it didn't bite too much into homework for her. I was actually able to sort of get over feeling self conscience about dancing. At one point in my life, I got laughed at by some stupid boys and I thought that I'd NEVER dance again! I'll tell that story later when I have more time.

OTHER · Posted: Fri 12 Oct 2007 17:03 Post subject:

I love it that you two took bellydancing classes together! What a wonderful way to bond/be active/learn about another culture/socialize etc., etc., etc. You are a very cool mom!

Oh, and as for the dancing part. I got lucky and have black and white relatives that can dance! Laughing

I love to dance, but I think I actually inherited that passion more from my white mom than from my black dad. My mom AND her brothers love to dance. Oh, and my grandmother cannot EVEN hear a jam on the radio without tappin' her hand and jostlin' in her seat. And she's white and in her mid-80's. Go Granny! Wink

Now, mixedmom, let me tell you that when I was in H.S. I was in the band and we had one of those COOL bands where we performed choreographed dance while playing. Our band director was a trumpet player who graduated from Hampton University, need I say more? Anyway, there was this one poor black guy in the band who OBVIOUSLY could keep a beat because he was the BEST trumpet player we had and homeboy COULD NOT DANCE. Awww, I remember it was so awkward for him to learn the dance routines. Meanwhile, the majority of the white kids were doing JUST FINE with the routines.

And so, in conclusion, stereotypes be damned! Razz

sagascend · Moderator Joined: 17 Jun 2006 {Posts: 2112 }

I think there is a difference between rhythm and coordination. You need rhythm AND coordination to dance well with unstructured dances where you create moves based on the music. You need rhythm to play an instrument or snap in time to a beat. You need coordination to learn a structured dance of any kind (like salsa, the Electric Slide, the waltz).

Even if you have all that, you have to perform well and be comfortable with your body to do any of that stuff without embarassing yourself. Look at how well the athletes and singers perform on Dancing With the Stars vs. the actors or generic celebrities.

My theory about the ability of many Blacks, Africans and Afrodescendents is that they come from cultures where performing and physical expression are important. Kids are encourage to dance and express themselves and take pride in being able to do so. Many Anglo/Germanic cultures just don't do this in the same way. Germans, for example, don't do unstructures dance well at all. But Italians? Another story. Italian culture is more fluid and expressive. Germans need structure for everything ( Laughing

) but that doesn't mean they don't have rhythm.

Of course you will find individual differences matter more than anything. Both Whitney and Mariah couldn't dance worth a damn but Madonna and Christina Aguilera could MOVE. I can dance well but I am so self-conscious (without a drink or two!) that I look stiff. Sorry, I don't think Britney Spears can dance. Rolling Eyes

femmedecouleur · Posted: Fri 12 Oct 2007 23:56 Post subject:

I can't dance, either. Unless it's waltzing or the fox trot. No one in my family can dance. You just do not want to see it--it resembles 'Elaine' from 'Seinfeld'.

And DH can't dance, too.

However, we've been Cuban Salsa dancing, and doing well. Not as well as native Cubans, though. Laughing

I agree with sagascend about structured vs. unstructured dancing.

DucorpsToo · Posted: Sat 13 Oct 2007 00:45 Post subject:

I'm another non-dancer as well. Couldn't dance my way out of a paper bag Laughing

... However, whenever I hear a melody that "moves me", instead I always say "gee-I wish I had my rollerskates with me right now". Whenever people watch me on skates, they always think that I can dance as well. But I always insist no. Many of the things that I'll do on skates cannot be done once they come off of my feet Wink

...kinda like seeing a word in a foreign language that has no English equivalent.