Dear Miranda,
I do not feel either offended or neglected. What I feel is damn tired. This happens to me from time to time because I put an incredible amount of effort into trying to preserve something that many people do not even feel exists. As for "old and new", that is not the issue here. The dance continues to evolve in countries of origin, which is something that is often overlooked. The difference is that in countries of origin, the dance is retaining that ethnic essence in ways that is not happening in other places. Western countries are not saving the dance. It is alive and well in Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey! (And please, God, if you truly are merciful, do not let anyone try to say that it is because of the West!)
Thank you for the words of encouragement. They do mean a lot!
Dear Cathy,
Thanks for actually understanding what I am saying, whether or not you agree. I used to be one of those who had a very romantic view of what living in an academic environment would be like. The reality was a real slap in the face for me. I saw abuse and power struggles like you would not believe, both as a student and as a staff member. It seemed like for every truly gifted teacher who cared deeply about the students, there were five people who were there because they were tenured, or they had egos so out of control that they made students' lives miserable. It was certainly not all about advancing education, believe me. I took classes in many different disciplines, but worked for 7 years in the theatre/dance department. I costumed people from at least 4 different universities and colleges at times, as well as some other theatres, so this is not my experience based on one school. I dealt with some of the most pompous human beings I have ever, ever met.
You are correct. My frustration is not with students, but with the whole premise of teaching the dance from a place of not being clear about what is being taught in the first place, and passing that on to students as if it were ethnic gospel. I think Morocco's quote sums it up quite nicely.
Regards to you both,
A'isha
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