Posts Tagged ‘ABC News’

In regards to the recent controversy regarding the video of 7 and 8 year old girls . . . As I see these posts throughout the Internet defending the choreography and costumes as the norm, I am feeling frustration. Yes, the dancers are strong, but no they do not have to be presented in this way. Whether they were participating in an urban competition is irrelevant. The same group of dancers can be presented in a way that shows off how technically savvy they are with choreography and costumes that will not offend anyone.

This is not about whether or not these young dancers are talented, instead it’s about the decisions that the adults in these children’s lives have made on their behalf. If this was a good decision, why has it created so much stir? If another choice was made by the adults, this controversy would not be on national television.

The really hard part to accept about this video and the controversy is that I believe the “Adult Decision Makers” have caused our entire field to take a hit. My frustration lies in the knowledge that there are thousands of dance schools and educators who are doing so much good for future generations of children. They know that they are mentors with tremendous influence on their students. They know that the awards are no reason to sacrifice the opportunity for a child to be a child.

Good Morning America and other national shows are focusing on this group of dancers, which I totally get because I do not believe that their performance was appropriate and I also believe that the subject of age-appropriateness needs to be discussed. However, there are young dancers, schools and teachers who do get it and I wish they too could get the kind of coverage that this incident have been given.