Who is disgusting? (HINT: Not these young girls!!!)

So this topic comes about due to a Facebook post by an acquaintance. I will link the post, its comments, and the video it refers to. I can promise not everyone will see this my way, clearly the few people who responded to this post are not on my side, but I feel I need to speak out against those who don’t know better about the topic.
Scream and Shout(YT Video) watch first!

So as you can see this post is about a YouTube video of a dance showcase with a young dance troop doing a Hip Hop routine. My first impression of this video was “OMG these girls are so high energy, and talented for girls that young.” I was amazed by their talent, and ability, to do this entire dance so flawlessly. Unfortunately I seem to be the only one who feels this way because those who commented on the post make it seem like these girls are strippers and should be shamed for dancing.

I have cousins who danced in similar competitions, and in similar outfits, from elementary up to high school…. So this type of event does not phase me.  I also have a better understanding of what goes into Dance than those who see it as “Shameful” and “Disgusting.” My aunt and uncle forked out 20$ per class; so that could come out to roughly $80 a week just for one daughter to go to class. Not to mention costumes run almost 100$ per outfit, and my cousins did almost 5 dances per competition. This sport is quite expensive; I feel that saying these girls’ parents should be “ashamed” for allowing their daughter in such a sport is ignorant. Parents give up quite a bit to afford this for their daughters, and sons. This is a costly sport; it requires lots of trips to the dance school, and trips to competitions yearly. (Hotel rooms, food, gas, competition fees.)

While these onlookers are only watching a dance they see as “provocative”… they did not seem to take the time to think, “That takes discipline, long hours, and hard work by dance students and their instructors.” These girls work for years to perfect such a talent; dance skills don’t come over night. Mind you, this video is just one of probably several dances these girls performed at this competition. They each probably performed in a ballet, jazz, and some solo/duet dances. So now we have to figure in their ability to learn, retain, and perform several dances. These girls are learning a skill. They are not trying to be sexy or seduce anyone; they are dancing for a competition. They are doing this as their form of competition, just like boys who play football, or any child who plays sports. I could jus as easily say a child in karate is promoting violence and should not be hurting another child, then blame their parents for various ignorant reasons.

Kids could be doing a lot worse than dancing in costumes that are comparable to what most kids wear to the pool. When these girls hit 17 they will probably still be dancing and spending weekends competing. Dance is likely keeping them from drugs, underage drinking, and unwanted pregnancies.  Not to mention these girls are getting good exercise at dance class during the week. Most kids these days are in front of a TV or computer watching garbage and playing mindless games. The sport of dance could take these girls to amazing performing arts schools and give them a future on Broadway! “Call of duty” won’t send your son to the army to save our country.

So as I began this post I texted my lovely cousin Noel and asked her about the numbers that went into her career of dance during her school years. When I told her the nature of my post this was her response.

“Wow, there is so much more to it.  I feel like it was a way to wind down and just move through emotions.  It's like painting, but expressing yourself in a different way.  The first year I didn't dance I felt like a piece of me was missing.  Also, it taught me not to be shy or fear performing in front of an audience.   It has helped me so much through college because I kill every presentation I give now! I even feel like it has taught me a lot about never giving up and understanding what hard work and persistence can do. I honestly wouldn't be the same person today without it!”

Her response made my happy to say she is my cousin, she is very smart and strong, and I can guarantee her dance school helped her to become such a great person!

I would also like to address a few comments that were in this Facebook post.  One person mentioned that this was “degrading to women, and trashy!” I feel that trashy things would include not being able to afford a family you have, yet still have money for habits like smoking and drinking. Trashy is putting your business out on Facebook and letting others hear your drama.  Trashy is when you cheat on your significant other and blame it on your significant other for whatever lame reason. It could be that the person who said “trashy” meant “talent” they both start with a T so there must have been some confusion.

Regardless, I feel those who call eight-year-old girls disgusting for a talent they posses are disgusting for judging a child. Like I said, these girls probably won’t be engaging in dangerous activities or become a Teen mom. Kids could be doing so much worse, just because these girls can move their bodies doesn’t mean they will one day end up on a poll. If you feel that way go to your local strip club and ask the strippers how many of them had actual dance training from the age of 3 to 18!!!  The girls in this video wont be the future strippers, they will be the future Broadway stars and Circus de Soleil cast!