  |
|
|
|
When Politics and Dance Meet
This archived discussion is "read only".
» zumarrad - Another word on "terrorist" dance I've only just found this article and think it was mostly positive.But I'd like to add, to the list of France/guillotine/ballet and Tschaikowsky/Cold War/ballet: The popularity of major Irish dancing shows, featuring a dance form born in the same country as the IRA, UDR, etc etc; New York, the city that hates terrorists, celebrating St Patrick's Day with a Sinn Fein member at its helm; US belly dance troupes wearing shamrocks for St Patricks Day festivities, thus, presumably, supporting two sets of "terrorists" at the same time - etc etc. Everyone's a terrorist, it just depends on what side you happen to be on, and what historical period you're in. You are right, dancing shouldn't be blamed or denigrated. Or, if one form is, then they all should. -- posted by zumarrad » vickilynn2002 - sources of terrorist funding I saw on Dateline or something that Al-Qaeda utilizes the black market for diamonds and other precious gems to move money around. Probably other terrorist organizations do too. Maybe we should stop buying diamonds abroad, or any precious gems of dubious or unknown origin? I seriously doubt that al-qaeda would be able to sustain the kinds of activities they support with the trickle of income provided by belly dancing trinkets. Most Afghani jewelry I have seen is as cheap as dirt. It would be much easier to transport large sums of money in the form of smaller, more expensive stones. It only makes sense...And if anyone wants to make sure their money is going to the right people, in support of human rights in Afghanistan, visit http://www.feminist.org/afghan/intro.asp to purchase products made in Afghanistan which support efforts to better the lives of Afghan women. I am certain Al-Qaeda receives no funds from the Feminist Majority! Some others you might want to check out: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com -- posted by vickilynn2002 » missmogga - Re: Another word on "terrorist" dance >i would like to add some thoughts as an arab descendant, mainly that veiwing the middle east as a place that 'spawns terroists' is not very helpful, one may wish to veiw American invasive foreign policy as legitimised terroism. i have found that i do not get on in western run dance classes, teachers take a very strange attitude to me, which can only be described as competative. competition amongst arabic dance is not at the heart of this dance. i wish some western teachers would acknowledge what they are taking and reusing, if you don't have respect for the culture you take from then you are exploiting it for your own profit. i saw a terrible tv documentary where this western woman explained that belly dancing was 'to please a man', it certainly has more of a history than that, thankyou. Dance is political in this climate..who is allowed to dance and where and with whom are the questions in my mind. i don't like these watered down versions of dance,,or the elitism of raqs sharqi teachers, very few people will acknowlege the rougher, more'primitive' styles, this isn't to discourage anyone, but to say what i find frustrating as a dancer of colour missmogga uk -- posted by missmogga
Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
|
|
|
