I find it racist that the judges on Strictly continue to tell Fleur to control the power

[DailyEnergyCrisis]

As I just can’t imagine them repeatedly saying the same to a white woman. Interested in what others think…

I've had this thought throughout the competition. They bang on about it all the time, always about Fleur.

I absolutely disagree that Shirley is unfair or bullies anyone. Also, Motsi was so overwhelmed by one of Fleur’s performances because it evoked her heritage, that it moved her to tears, in a profoundly positive way. This, along with Gio and Rose’s amazing Symphony dance, was among the most moving things I have ever seen on British TV. I think, in the past, viewers have been racist, but not judges.

I don't watch Strictly. But there is a broader context to this. Surya Bonaly and figure skating is an interesting comparison. I think there is a netflix documentary somewhere about the comments she regularly received and how her physicality as a black woman in an overwhelmingly white sport was received by judges. It's also interesting that since gymnastics has reduced the 'dance' elements and made it much more about the power of female gymnasts that African American gymnasts in particular have been doing better.

Oh for goodness sake 🙄

It’s about her dancing op.
Don’t try to make it into something it’s not.
You’re just trying to stir up trouble, and it’s not needed.

I do think it's good to be mindful of the comments black women receive in shows like this; I've seen many a questionable statement but I can't in this instance - I assume it's just the lingo they use in dance.

I didn't think they appreciated Fleur enough from the start - but I guess they know a lot more about dancing than me! She certainly puts a lot of power into all the moves I don't think anyone can argue with that - and that's not right for all the dances. Meant that her Tango was fab though. Fleur or Hamza to win for me, I love both of them and I think they stand out far more than the other two girls or Will. Hamza has such grace and style and makes it all look so bloody easy!

Hamza has blown me away. I love watching his dances. I really hope he wins. He’s my favourite by miles this year.

I do find her strength limits her dancing somehow. I'm not an expert, but I think her strength prevents vulnerability or softness.

When Helen does a 'strong' dance, it's with great delicacy and bravery. The contrast is moving. Fleur doing a strong dance somehow feels like a bulldozer.

I actually love fleur as a character- but more so in the rehearsals than the finished dance.

It's not technical language, I don't know any, just observation.

Hamza personifies strength and vulnerability. He's amazing. Strength that undergirds such gentleness.

@Comefromaway

Sorry I thought Molly had left last week. I've barely been watching it these last few weeks. The judges have irritated me too much, even Craig has been all over the place with his scoring this year.

I think you're looking for something to get uptight about. The comments are accurate. Her colour is incidental to the comments.

' I dunno- I might be over thinking it'

Yes, yes you are.

Exactly. Why single out Fleur?

Yawn.

To make everything that isn't about racism ( in this case just judging her energetic dancing) sound like it IS actually does a lot more harm than good.
The judges have made similar comments to lots of dancers.

racism isn't everywhere - people have different opinions on the dancers. I don't believe the public are racist when they vote either. It just so happens that some contestants have more of a following and some are more appealing than others for varied reasons.

There are lots of things in dance that are racist (body types, aesthetic etc) power and control of movement isn’t one of them. When you try and find racism where it isn’t it can detract from the many things that are racist and need addressing.

Absolutely. And it makes people much more sceptical about situations that might on reflection be racist.

I think it's worthwhile flagging up comments like this, even if the consensus is "nah!" - we all need to be aware of unconscious bias.

We do, but Helen and Will are the only white finalists. (Are we down to 5 now?)

Shouldn't we do a context check in assessing whether there's racism? As in 'are there other signs of racism to cement my vague worry about this particular possibly racist comment?'.

Its an interesting point OP and have been mulling exactly that over the last few weeks but personally I think the judges are commenting on her dancing style rather than making assumptions based on race.

On the other hand the white male privilege over scoring of Will pi**es me off every week. He could stand stock still for three minutes and still walk away with 8s.
He's not on a par with the quality of dancing we've seen from Fleur, Molly, Hamza and Helen and he shouldn't still be in the competition.

😱 dame, how can you say such a thing!?

Actually I might agree. He did some fabulous early dances, but isn't quite sustaining it now.

Actually its probably more to do with him being a bloke than his race. God forbid it ends up being an all female final, how would the public cope.

I think a lot of middle aged women fell a little in love with him on the dirty dancing one.
I love Fleur and Helen, but they don't quite have that effect!

I do think Molly is disadvantaged by her age- I've felt it before on strictly, that the youngsters have energy and skill but might lack the life experience for the emotional side. But that's a shocking digression, sorry!

Yes I think Will is advantaged as a bloke, yes I think the judges should be better than me at discerning that!