Hey guys. So one of the main reasons why I joined this forum is to address this particular issue. ..because I'm feeling really weird about this. . this is going to be long, so please forgive me for that.
My country (India) is really enjoying a boom in Belly dance right now. My school started with 2 students in 2009, and have 1k (or 2k?) plus students now. Many other schools have opened up and are doing very well. Though perceived as a very conservative country, people are surprisingly open about BD and I have never, ever got any rude or shocked comments about it, in fact many ppl tell me how they would love to join as well(And have!). Even my cousin who lives in a very small town learns!! (Irrelevant info but I'm very excited about this) Anyway, so on the problem.
I went to this 'fest' that was held in my city, where a group of international master teachers had come to our city for workshops. Since I've never learnt any tribal moves, I signed up for that just for fun. (It was a two hour thing).
There were almost 25-30 women of all ages who had signed up for this particular workshop. Before the teacher arrived, we all fell into conversation about BD in general. Around 15 of them had never attended a class before and had just come to check it out.
When I told them I learn BD, they asked me questions about it and I told them my usual 'Beautiful dance - bad rep- thanks to horrible media representation- etc' A lot of them said they will surely join and asked me about my studio etc. The workshop was really good, conducted by a 'master teacher' who is performing since the last 15 years. Amazing dancer. (I don't want to name her I'm scared...)
THEN THE AWKWARDEST THING happened. At the end of the class, she said 'these dance moves were inspired by slave girls. This particular move was used by slave girls to make their masters cum etc etc' um...OK.
The girl who was really enthusiastic before said 'that's torture!!' The teacher shrugged and said ' yes but that's the way it is' this, I know is not true. My teachers have never told us stuff like this. I've learnt from this forum as well that this is not true. Then why did this woman, a famous, accomplished dancer said things like this?
The worst part is, the enthusiastic girl and her friend, at the end of the class said something like.." Well, clearly this is not something I want to do.' I felt bad about this. Now these 25 girls went home with the wrong idea of BD.
We are being very open to this dance form and its flourishing here, the last thing we need is someone coming and reinforcing more harmful stereotypes!!
Why did she say that.? :/
My country (India) is really enjoying a boom in Belly dance right now. My school started with 2 students in 2009, and have 1k (or 2k?) plus students now. Many other schools have opened up and are doing very well. Though perceived as a very conservative country, people are surprisingly open about BD and I have never, ever got any rude or shocked comments about it, in fact many ppl tell me how they would love to join as well(And have!). Even my cousin who lives in a very small town learns!! (Irrelevant info but I'm very excited about this) Anyway, so on the problem.
I went to this 'fest' that was held in my city, where a group of international master teachers had come to our city for workshops. Since I've never learnt any tribal moves, I signed up for that just for fun. (It was a two hour thing).
There were almost 25-30 women of all ages who had signed up for this particular workshop. Before the teacher arrived, we all fell into conversation about BD in general. Around 15 of them had never attended a class before and had just come to check it out.
When I told them I learn BD, they asked me questions about it and I told them my usual 'Beautiful dance - bad rep- thanks to horrible media representation- etc' A lot of them said they will surely join and asked me about my studio etc. The workshop was really good, conducted by a 'master teacher' who is performing since the last 15 years. Amazing dancer. (I don't want to name her I'm scared...)
THEN THE AWKWARDEST THING happened. At the end of the class, she said 'these dance moves were inspired by slave girls. This particular move was used by slave girls to make their masters cum etc etc' um...OK.
The girl who was really enthusiastic before said 'that's torture!!' The teacher shrugged and said ' yes but that's the way it is' this, I know is not true. My teachers have never told us stuff like this. I've learnt from this forum as well that this is not true. Then why did this woman, a famous, accomplished dancer said things like this?
The worst part is, the enthusiastic girl and her friend, at the end of the class said something like.." Well, clearly this is not something I want to do.' I felt bad about this. Now these 25 girls went home with the wrong idea of BD.
We are being very open to this dance form and its flourishing here, the last thing we need is someone coming and reinforcing more harmful stereotypes!!
Why did she say that.? :/