History Lesson by Christank

I just read this entry on Christine aka Christank's blog on her perspective of the dance scene. I thought it was really well written and I enjoy reading it. I'm not gonna lie, it did take me a minute to read though.  For those of you that know me, you know I'm a slow reader.  HAHA. Nice write Stank!

I've become desensitized to the "dance scene" because I've seen it evolve into something I don't necessarily advocate over the years that I've logged. I'm not saying I'm a Yoda of the dance world or that when I started is when it all started...it goes back decades, although I think "our" particular scene is in its teen years. Still, I think several years of having been through the ins and outs of this funny little world of artistic expression, I've experienced the entire spectrum of what one can experience. I've been on a team that was hardly respected for a long time...a team we managed to create respect and a name for, but a team that still remains perceived as an underdog (not a bad thing). I've been on 2 different professional teams, one of which crumbled. I've been a founding member of what I consider to be one of the most influential teams and organizations in the whole circuit. I've hung up my competitive dancing shoes, only to be "forced" to put them back on again. I've won and I've lost. I've been complacent, and I've been hungry & motivated. I've been inspired, and I've been disappointed. I've seen creativity and originality, and I've also seen "biters". I've seen new teams come to rise, I've seen more established teams fall down and get back up. I've seen people I admired and looked up to when I first started move on with other aspects of their lives...I've seen some of them still continue dancing as strong as ever. I've heard sincere "congratulations" or "good jobs" and fake ass ones as well. I have friends who've made it big in the "industry". I also have lost many of them as friends in the process. I've performed in medleys I've loved and been proud of, and there's been times where I've had to dance through 6-8 minutes of bullshit. I've danced in projects for some of the most highly regarded choreographers, and wished that I were dancing in some other projects. I've made money dancing, and I've given up tons of finances in order to dance. I've never been the best dancer, but I've never been the weakest either. I've fallen in love with teammates, teams, and dancing itself...and there was a point in time where I thought I didn't love it at all anymore. I've watched people grow into superstars, and I've seen superstars fade into the background. I've had to humble myself time and time again. Let me reiterate - I'm not saying I've done it all by ANY means. I'm not trying to be an elitist of any sort, but I've seen a lot, and been through a lot.

This is why it kind of frustrates me when I witness or participate in a conversation where dance history doesn't seem to exist beyond 2005. The generational gap at dance shows these days are self evident, and although there do exist some younger dancers who yearn to know the history of teams, people, and the shows in which they have the privilege of dancing in now, there are far too many who don't care to know enough. They don't know where they are, why they're there, and most importantly, what events have made it possible for them to even have certain opportunities. You're not there thanks to Lil Mama, Mario Lopez, and the rest of the ABDC "phonemenon". You're there because of individuals whose names you probably don't even recognize. Shit, there's so much I don't know either.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that it's lasted as long as it has, and that this whole crazy world of dance can provide an outlet for so many people. Like I've said before, art is at its best when shared. I guess all I'm venting about really, is the lack of interest in the history that built the very stage we get to stomp around on. Everything seems so self motivated these days. But as much as it seems as though I'm blasting the dance world with cynical bitterness, I still choose to be involved. True, the depth of my involvement is hardly worthy of mention these days, but I still choose to be here. Why? Because like everyone else who chooses to be involved...young or old(er), experienced or inexperienced, strong dancer or weak dancer...ultimately, we sacrifice so much because we love to do it. We have a common bond in choosing dance as our medium of expression. My hope is that we can lift the entire community into sharing a sincere desire for, and love of, the history. Afterall, the history belongs to all of us, including those who came before us and those who will come after us. Despite the differences in styles, locations, organizations, and dance philosophies, our history is our one commonplace, so it's all of our responsibilities to take care of it. Go get a history lesson today.