You're right
We do have some work to do. I haven't seen the movie, but I saw a preview of it when I saw "Crash" and I couldn't believe that young black kids would think that dressing up in clown make-up and dancing would ever be "cool." I spent part of my childhood in the very neighborhoods where these youth live now. I am here to tell you that the popularity of this sub culture stems alot from the fact that the kids don't see any outlet for their creativity as well as a release for their frustration born out of a lack of understanding their condition and meaning in life. "Krump" dancing is simply physical release of painful frustration, sort of like a primal scream. When our young people are subject to relating to this life through this type of dance, it shows a fundamental breakdown in our connectedness to them.
At some point I have tried to think back to when I was younger and used to break dance and how my folks thought it was dumb. I'll admitt that it was different , not dumb. So I'll try to see this as different, but it's hard to do so when the kids are painting their faces like clowns!!!!!
The other night , Dave LaChapelle and the krump dancers were on Charlie Rose and the dancers were saying that LaChapelle (the director of the film, and a white guy) showed them that what they do is art. What are they saying about the world by krump dancing and looking like clowns? I'll say that it is release, and I'll give them dance, but the clown make up makes it seem like they just want to create a niche to fit themselves in, set themselves apart, which isn't art, but an expression of a desire to belong, which is evidence of fractured community. Let's wake up ya'll, seriously.
Blackwatch!!!!!!
|