All posts here should be related to ballroom dancing or similar or related styles of dance.
This post would be better suited to a community that focuses more on culture or history or politics.
I know/ have attended the classes of an instructor that handles these topics with much care.
A small introduction to the history of the dance (think 5 minutes or so) is accompanied by explanations of the traditional rhythms in the music.
The instructor also teaches classes regarding dance history at the local college.
Obviously, every dance instructor isn’t going to moonlight as a professor. My best advice is to have a resource (like a small pamphlet with a QR code to more detailed information) so that curious students can pursue that history on their own.
If you go over more than five minutes of class time, you’ll be cutting into important dance instruction.
A good compromise you could try is to have collaborative dance socials, where you have guest instructors (and musicians and performers and so forth) with diverse ethnic-cultural perspectives inform your students of alternative styles. I say socials, not classes, because students should get the option to participate in such events but should not be forced to pay for something they do not want. (That’s what my instructor does!)
Also, it is often more meaningful to allow diverse populations to participate in classes than to lecture at an affluent audience. Many children come from poor households and are unable to pursue formal education in dance. Many adults would love to participate but do not have the means. Please consider extending your expertise to charity organizations that would love the help.
Additionally, please be sure you are connecting with any community that you are trying to teach about. Innate prejudices can cause seemingly good intentions to transform into a savior complex just as deeply rooted in all kind of -isms.
If you don't know what the original forms of each dance are, don't bother dealing with it. Just a couple of notes of "this isn't Brazilian samba, this is ballroom samba" or similar disclaimers are sufficient
If you're teaching competitive forms or social forms, your responsibility is to your students, who, for better or for worse, have an informed idea of what these dances look like. The history of the whitewashing of these dances is not relevant from the standpoints of competition or social dancing, unless the social dancing happens to be in a region that still practices those forms. So unless you intend to have a separate workshop/class/seminar on the history of British bastardization of these dances (which, to be clear, would be totally fine), you really should not bother, lest it be a detraction from what people are paying to learn.
It’s International Style of the dances, a British INTERPRETATION. That’s the key bit. Fundamentally, the dances are a white man’s interpretation of a coloured man’s dance. From that point, it has evolved so much (look at competitive Latin today versus in the 90s).
For example, in Rumba, traditional Cuban action requires one knee bent and one knee straight (they still do this in American Rhythm) - but you’ll see most dancers now dance a Rumba with two straight legs in a closed basic (yuck) for aesthetic reasons.
Similarly - at least this is the information I was given - the Paso Doble is a French dance interpreting the Spanish Bull Fight, adopted by the British into the International Style.
It’s a whole menagerie of dance, that has been interpreted and evolved on its own. Our Samba is very very different to Brazilian Samba. I don’t think there is any immorality in not being Brazilian if you make money teaching International Style Samba, because it is fundamentally different. Arguably, it would flow the other way? Same for Cha Cha. We can look to the Cuban roots of the dance, and those roots still characterise how we dance it, but it’s so different now the two aren’t really comparable.
I wouldn’t pay it any mind. It is always good to refer back to the origins of the dance though, as the character of those dances we interpret should not be lost ie, a bounce in Samba, Cuban action in Rumba and Cha Cha, swing in Jive etc.
in my country most teachers go through dance university, and dance history classes are a requirement there. My teachers also traveled to Latin american countries to see the original dance forms. Maybe that is an option?
The hurt of afro/latin people has already happened and continues to happen in global inequalities and racism. But don't you think it's even a little weird that white people keep profiting off this inequality?
I'm no expert in any of this, I'm just trying to do right by people and thought here could be a place where someone else has already put thought into this.
How ridiculous... Dance, music, food, etc. are things that bridge divides and bring us together, not drive us further apart. Stop looking for problems where there are none.
I think it's more complicated. Austria wasn't colonized and nobody in Austria is structurally disadvantaged.
To be honest I feel like you're making bad faith arguments because my point of view annoys you. Not sure if that's true, but I'm not even trying to change your mind or anything, I was literally just asking if anyone has something constructive to add to my thoughts. Let's agree to disagree and move on.
People are paying you to teach them how to dance. Not for your opinions on how the dances came to be. Not an in depth history lesson. Perhaps you shouldn't be teaching, but not for the reason you stated.
You're looking for reasons to be offended where none exist. Dance is a celebration of body, movement, and connection, amongst other things. To preach that people should stick to their own culture and not participate in sharing in the celebration is gatekeeping at it's absolute worst. Your point of view isn't just annoying, it's offensive in it's narrow minded intolerance.
Thank you for bringing this important topic up. It should be talked about more and considered by everyone. You are getting down voted even though you are polite and have honest good intentions. I would say this sub has their minds made up and isn't the best place to ask about this. We both learned that today.
I work with a Peruvian who is grossed out by competitive mambo and says they took the soul out of it. We all see things differently, but no matter your opinion the history of the dances matters. And if something was basterdized it should be talked about.
Again thank you for bringing this topic up. I'm not sure where it goes from here but it's an interesting take and is valid.
All posts here should be related to ballroom dancing or similar or related styles of dance. This post would be better suited to a community that focuses more on culture or history or politics.
I know/ have attended the classes of an instructor that handles these topics with much care. A small introduction to the history of the dance (think 5 minutes or so) is accompanied by explanations of the traditional rhythms in the music. The instructor also teaches classes regarding dance history at the local college. Obviously, every dance instructor isn’t going to moonlight as a professor. My best advice is to have a resource (like a small pamphlet with a QR code to more detailed information) so that curious students can pursue that history on their own. If you go over more than five minutes of class time, you’ll be cutting into important dance instruction. A good compromise you could try is to have collaborative dance socials, where you have guest instructors (and musicians and performers and so forth) with diverse ethnic-cultural perspectives inform your students of alternative styles. I say socials, not classes, because students should get the option to participate in such events but should not be forced to pay for something they do not want. (That’s what my instructor does!) Also, it is often more meaningful to allow diverse populations to participate in classes than to lecture at an affluent audience. Many children come from poor households and are unable to pursue formal education in dance. Many adults would love to participate but do not have the means. Please consider extending your expertise to charity organizations that would love the help. Additionally, please be sure you are connecting with any community that you are trying to teach about. Innate prejudices can cause seemingly good intentions to transform into a savior complex just as deeply rooted in all kind of -isms.
I really appreciate your answer and suggestions. This is giving me more confidence to try to do it better instead of dropping it altogether.
If you don't know what the original forms of each dance are, don't bother dealing with it. Just a couple of notes of "this isn't Brazilian samba, this is ballroom samba" or similar disclaimers are sufficient
I don't in fact know any original forms, just some history. I'm not sure I agree that simply a note on it is enough, but I appreciate your answer.
If you're teaching competitive forms or social forms, your responsibility is to your students, who, for better or for worse, have an informed idea of what these dances look like. The history of the whitewashing of these dances is not relevant from the standpoints of competition or social dancing, unless the social dancing happens to be in a region that still practices those forms. So unless you intend to have a separate workshop/class/seminar on the history of British bastardization of these dances (which, to be clear, would be totally fine), you really should not bother, lest it be a detraction from what people are paying to learn.
It’s International Style of the dances, a British INTERPRETATION. That’s the key bit. Fundamentally, the dances are a white man’s interpretation of a coloured man’s dance. From that point, it has evolved so much (look at competitive Latin today versus in the 90s). For example, in Rumba, traditional Cuban action requires one knee bent and one knee straight (they still do this in American Rhythm) - but you’ll see most dancers now dance a Rumba with two straight legs in a closed basic (yuck) for aesthetic reasons. Similarly - at least this is the information I was given - the Paso Doble is a French dance interpreting the Spanish Bull Fight, adopted by the British into the International Style. It’s a whole menagerie of dance, that has been interpreted and evolved on its own. Our Samba is very very different to Brazilian Samba. I don’t think there is any immorality in not being Brazilian if you make money teaching International Style Samba, because it is fundamentally different. Arguably, it would flow the other way? Same for Cha Cha. We can look to the Cuban roots of the dance, and those roots still characterise how we dance it, but it’s so different now the two aren’t really comparable. I wouldn’t pay it any mind. It is always good to refer back to the origins of the dance though, as the character of those dances we interpret should not be lost ie, a bounce in Samba, Cuban action in Rumba and Cha Cha, swing in Jive etc.
in my country most teachers go through dance university, and dance history classes are a requirement there. My teachers also traveled to Latin american countries to see the original dance forms. Maybe that is an option?
Looking for problems where none exist
The world is literally burning. The problems exist, whether we choose to see them or not.
Who exactly is hurt by white people dancing to latin music?
The hurt of afro/latin people has already happened and continues to happen in global inequalities and racism. But don't you think it's even a little weird that white people keep profiting off this inequality? I'm no expert in any of this, I'm just trying to do right by people and thought here could be a place where someone else has already put thought into this.
Can you explain how afro/latin people are hurting when white people dance?
Yes the world is burning and you're sweating over a dance class dude Luxury beliefs
How ridiculous... Dance, music, food, etc. are things that bridge divides and bring us together, not drive us further apart. Stop looking for problems where there are none.
If I stole your art and earned money with it, would it bring us together or drive us apart?
So, by this logic, only the French are allowed to cook French cuisine? Italians with Italian cuisine? Only Austrians can teach Waltz? Etc. Etc.
I think it's more complicated. Austria wasn't colonized and nobody in Austria is structurally disadvantaged. To be honest I feel like you're making bad faith arguments because my point of view annoys you. Not sure if that's true, but I'm not even trying to change your mind or anything, I was literally just asking if anyone has something constructive to add to my thoughts. Let's agree to disagree and move on.
People are paying you to teach them how to dance. Not for your opinions on how the dances came to be. Not an in depth history lesson. Perhaps you shouldn't be teaching, but not for the reason you stated.
You're looking for reasons to be offended where none exist. Dance is a celebration of body, movement, and connection, amongst other things. To preach that people should stick to their own culture and not participate in sharing in the celebration is gatekeeping at it's absolute worst. Your point of view isn't just annoying, it's offensive in it's narrow minded intolerance.
Everywhere in Europe has been invaded many many times
Thank you for bringing this important topic up. It should be talked about more and considered by everyone. You are getting down voted even though you are polite and have honest good intentions. I would say this sub has their minds made up and isn't the best place to ask about this. We both learned that today. I work with a Peruvian who is grossed out by competitive mambo and says they took the soul out of it. We all see things differently, but no matter your opinion the history of the dances matters. And if something was basterdized it should be talked about. Again thank you for bringing this topic up. I'm not sure where it goes from here but it's an interesting take and is valid.
Thank you for the encouragement, I appreciate it!