Blog Against Sexism Day, Or Biting Hard on the Hand that Feeds Me.
In support of:
Here's the problem, in a nutshell.
There is a wondrous power, a amazing power, a healing power, in having "the dance" be an all-woman thing. There's no denying that. I love watching dancers grow as people, grow in personal strength. I've been blessed to watch stories that brought tears to my angry brown eyes.
Yet, in trying to claim the concept of women's dance, we ignore the fact that it wasn't women who labeled this dance as a female-only affair. And we ignore that the men who created, and perpetrated, that myth, did so because they liked having sexy women around, period. Moreover, they loved making money on the backs of honest artists. When that truth is ignored, when we incorporate dreams of Jeannie into our dance as some kind of truth, we reject the power to actually change minds and hearts about this dance.
The dancer in the sequined push-up bra? To the mainstream, you're just another iteration of a crap 60's TV show, to be tossed out after they get their thrill. You sell yourself, your art, your body for cheap thrills and a wad of cash. When you don't speak truth, don't explain the culture behind the costume, don't talk to the audience about the art behind the glitter, you support sexism.
A sexist dancer gives into the mainstream, believes that her only worth is skin-deep. She parades that worth into a series of gigs, wiggling her hips between men who care shit-all about her as a person, or as an artist. Worse, she teaches everyone who comes in contact with her that "belly dancers" are downright toxic human beings, willing to do anyone to get over their own insecurities.
Dancers who thrive on sexism are sellouts. They hollow out their soul, flinging the crap on the rest of the dance community.
Here's the problem, in a nutshell.
There is a wondrous power, a amazing power, a healing power, in having "the dance" be an all-woman thing. There's no denying that. I love watching dancers grow as people, grow in personal strength. I've been blessed to watch stories that brought tears to my angry brown eyes.
Yet, in trying to claim the concept of women's dance, we ignore the fact that it wasn't women who labeled this dance as a female-only affair. And we ignore that the men who created, and perpetrated, that myth, did so because they liked having sexy women around, period. Moreover, they loved making money on the backs of honest artists. When that truth is ignored, when we incorporate dreams of Jeannie into our dance as some kind of truth, we reject the power to actually change minds and hearts about this dance.
The dancer in the sequined push-up bra? To the mainstream, you're just another iteration of a crap 60's TV show, to be tossed out after they get their thrill. You sell yourself, your art, your body for cheap thrills and a wad of cash. When you don't speak truth, don't explain the culture behind the costume, don't talk to the audience about the art behind the glitter, you support sexism.
A sexist dancer gives into the mainstream, believes that her only worth is skin-deep. She parades that worth into a series of gigs, wiggling her hips between men who care shit-all about her as a person, or as an artist. Worse, she teaches everyone who comes in contact with her that "belly dancers" are downright toxic human beings, willing to do anyone to get over their own insecurities.
Dancers who thrive on sexism are sellouts. They hollow out their soul, flinging the crap on the rest of the dance community.
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[...] Understand. I would never say that Western-style feminism is the answer for anyone’s life; it’s your life, and you should live it as you like, so long as you’re not harming others. Yet there’s power in having options. And the option that’s at the core of feminism — the right to have a public voice, to work where and how you can, to be free of oppression based on wearing a bra — is lacking for many of these women. It’s a basic, fundamental human right, in my mind. Being able to take another husband is a step. It’s good to see ulema hew to the real meaning of Mohammad’s words, and not just the sexist interpretations that have grown up like weeds, choking a religion that started as very respectful of women. Yet it’s only leverage against public power, not actual power in the public sphere. That’s something to keep in mind as these things move forward. [...]
Excellent.
I'm a little confused by this entry. Who exactly are you accusing here -- female dancers who wear skimpy costumes? Those who dance at "lower-class" venues like restaurants and parties? Those who promote false stories about the background of the dance?
Probably most raqasas have benefited from sexism at one point or another, maybe by receiving a tip from someone who only wanted to tip the bustiest dancers, or getting chosen for a gig over someone else because the alternative had short hair, or was heavy, or was (gasp!) a man. Most of us will never know why we get the breaks that we get, so we have no way of "boycotting" the sexists. Of course, some deliberately use "feminine wiles" to promote themselves -- whether through sleazy promo pictures, taking gigs at all-male events, or downright sleeping their way to the top -- and that is a problem. But dancers who wear "sequined push-up bras" and "wiggle their hips" is a category that includes, well... almost all of us.
I just found your blog and, despite my argumentativeness, I like it a lot. I have my own blog about similar issues at aneworlddance.blogspot.com, in case you are interested.
um, that was supposed to be anewolddance.blogspot.com, not a new *world* dance. oops.
Persephone, those are good questions. The problem is that there are no easy answers.
Because yes, to some extent, every time you're in bedlah it's about your sexuality -- but that doesn't make you sexist. And what I'm not pointing out is exactly that, and a parallel "blindness" in the dance community as a whole towards it's effects. We tend to take the stance that bedlah is a "traditional outfit", and should be seen as such...yet I feel that's not a position shared by the mainstream, and it's an ongoing concern of mine. My point, in that regard is far more about blindness about sexism than being sexist, and that is a problem, I feel.
But that's not sexism. What really was my point is that there are women who not only use their "feminine wiles" but who's dependence upon them damages the dance community, and our standing in the mainstream, in very direct and ugly ways.
I agree it's poorly-worded. Maybe I'll re-attack this, later on...
So, this presents further issues. It sounds like your saying any dancer who puts on a Bedlah is just reinforcing sexism and making money off her "wares". This just brings more questions into my mind.
First, does that make actresses who dress provacatively, or who wear bikinis for a beach scene fall into the same category? Are you saying that JUST sequined bedlah does this, or do tribal costumes count too? Are you saying that women should be more conservative in order to counteract sexism? If so, is that legitimately fair, and would it lead to more problems (I think it would).
For comparison - I dance at a club/hookah bar in NYC, in my sequined Bedlah every weekend. There isnt any way I can introduce myself, my art, etc. Everything I do will be watched - and I will be judged accordingly. Usually before I hit the dance floor, there are a bunch of NYU girls in miniskirts and revealing tops with high heels griding with each other and men on the dance floor. Dancing much much more provactively than I ever do. A dance friend of mine came to see me dance, with my boyfriend and commented that she couldnt believe how slutty girls can be when dancing in a club, and "no wonder arab men think american women are whores". She vented to me about it after. I said little, and waited and thought. We talked about it again, a week later. We both consider ourselves feminists - or perhaps more realistically, equalists.
Here are the conclusions we came to -
Women should have the freedom to do and dance as they please, without judgement. That is what female empowerment really allows - freedom. Some women handle that with more or less wisdom, and with varying philosphys, and they should have the right to do so. Women have always, and will probably continue to always face unfair double standards - placing MORE restrictions on women does not help. Its like capitalism - many social injustices may occur, and there will be different kinds of oppression and corruption, but overall, those in the market will have more choices. And having the freedom to choose is good.
What does this have to do with this conversation?
Well, for one thing, this benefits me. Compared to these girls, I dont dance that sexilly at all. I also establish very clear boundaries with my audience. I dont allow people to touch me, if I dance with the audience I always disperse my attention equally with men and women, or more on women. I am sure that some people walk away still not "getting it". But if I change one mind each night alone, I am waging that uphill battle. After all, as a woman in America, I can wear whatever I damn well please. Dont judge me by my costume, but by the intention behind my dance - by my facial expressions, and by the story I tell. If my DANCE reinforces sexism, and not my costume, then you'd be right.
By blaming it all on dancers who wear bedlah, you do a serious diservice to your dance sisters. It would be impossible for those of us who do want to raise the quality of dance up (and the legitimacy of it as well) to get jobs without the bedlah. And the jobs are necessary - the more people who see us, the better our chances we can change someones mind.
You said "You sell yourself, your art, your body for cheap thrills and a wad of cash. " No, I dont. I sell my art, my vision of this dance, and joy, and work hard to sell that vision to my audience, so that the next generation of dancers can easily be recognized as legitimate artists. I sell my talent, like ANY artist of any gender, to open people's eyes.
The problem with having a good rant is that you then have to explain what you're actually saying.
The probblem with explaining it detail is that you bore the crap out of everyone.
to simplify:
And many people watching don't, as you know. And many dancers don't get that that's what's going on behind the scenes. And worse, some who do inflict wounds upon those who don't, and contribute to the sexism at the heart of my commentary.Does that make more sense?
Yup, it does. In which case we are essentially saying more or less the same thing. You said, "And worse, some who do inflict wounds upon those who don't, and contribute to the sexism at the heart of my commentary." Yes, truer words may never have been spoken.