to ask if you think this would be offensive

[TirednWorried]

I have to put together themed group dances for eachof 15 classes for an end of year show, so i am looking over the last 10 or 14 years to see of there is anything that can be reused.
One is a native American themed dance to Running bear which afor anyone is basically about Romeo andJuliet type scenario between young lovers of different tribes.There would be no headdresses etc but the dance id quite sort of hoppy and arms folded like a native american. I;ll get them to where neutral coloures legging and T shirt and probably plaits in their hair.
Is that offensive / too much do you think?
YABU yes poor form
YANBU OK

@ABCeasyasdohrayme

Absolutely not.

My heritage is not your entertainment.

Please also look at the meaning of plaits for us before casually throwing it in there as dress up.

@ABCeasyasdohrayme

My daughter wears plaits to school most days
Would this be offensive to you?

@lentilsforever

If she was also doing Native American style dance to Running Bear then yes. Normal plaits then no.

Much like it would be inoffensive to wear a kilt skirt but paired with a ginger wig and blue and white face paint I’d be a bit

My daughter wears plaits to school most days
Would this be offensive to you?

Not at all. It would be offensive in the context the op described, but definitely not generally

Don't do it.

Thanks for clarity

[quote Kanaloa]@lentilsforever

If she was also doing Native American style dance to Running Bear then yes. Normal plaits then no.

Much like it would be inoffensive to wear a kilt skirt but paired with a ginger wig and blue and white face paint I’d be a bit [/quote]
That sums it up really

@ABCeasyasdohrayme I agree with your point on dressing up as a Native American but for clarity European women hAve been plaiting their hair since records began. In fact the oldest braids ever found on a human were in Austria and France so wearing plaits as a hairstyle can not in anyway be described As cultural appropriation and for Europeans they have no meaning - they are simply a way of tying hair. Of course when teamed with running bear that is a different matter

[quote flippertyop]@ABCeasyasdohrayme I agree with your point on dressing up as a Native American but for clarity European women hAve been plaiting their hair since records began. In fact the oldest braids ever found on a human were in Austria and France so wearing plaits as a hairstyle can not in anyway be described As cultural appropriation and for Europeans they have no meaning - they are simply a way of tying hair. Of course when teamed with running bear that is a different matter [/quote]
I haven't described it as cultural appropriation at all, in fact I did clarify later in the thread that it was only in the context of the op, and it was no issue otherwise.

Please don’t be the 21st century equivalent of those people defending the Black and White Minstrel Show in the 80s, OP.

Choreographing and teaching 15 dances is a huge job OP so I can see why you are tempted to recycle old dances, but this one should definitely go in the bin.
To be honest, I would steer clear of all dances from other countries and cultures given your time frame. Anything perpetuating racial stereotypes is inappropriate and you really need to understand the meaning and history of traditional dances to do them justice. When my DD danced competitively she did perform dances from other cultures - I don't think that there's necessarily anything wrong with that, but she and her teacher used to spend a lot of time ensuring the dances were appropriate and as accurate as possible. Given you have got a lot to do in a short time I'd stick to simple, uncontroversial themes where you're not going to be worrying about causing offence.
Good luck with the show, it sounds like you've got a lot on your plate.

I don’t think it’s offensive, but in the current climate you’re bound to upset someone so would probably avoid for that reason alone.

Sure. It’s only recently that it has become offensive. 🙄

@MedusasBadHairDay

We've had Irish dancing at school, all of them do it, should the black kids not be allowed to?

The PP you've quoted specifically says Irish dancing is fine.

But why is it fine? British imperialism committed near genocide on the Irish people in the 1840s as well as a multitude of ongoing drastic human rights abuses designed to deliberately destroy our culture. So why are our cultural dances ok to appropriate by any British person, apart from those of Irish heritage?

Generally obviously Irish people don't actually mind. But it's absolute hypocrisy to suggest it's so different and very similar issues don't exist.

@Kneller92

There will always be someone who takes offense at the sort of thing but I personally wouldn't see it as offensive no

Are you Native American?

If not then why would you be offended?
You may however be informed and sensitive enough to recognise others would be offended at appropriation if their culture and abstain from engaging in or supporting offensive activities

We've had Irish dancing at school, all of them do it, should the black kids not be allowed to?

Given that black people have lived in Ireland since the 1700s and therefore there are plenty of black people with Irish heritage potentially going back generations, yikes.

@Heiferr

People who spout that we're all offended by everything these days are just mourning their loss of ability to be racist/offensive/derogatory with no push back.

This. 1000x this.

A-fucking-men.

Incredibly offensive. The dances have ritual meaning embedded within the cultures of nations who have been victims of genocide at white hands.

The issue with black kids doing Irish dancing is totally different. These children aren’t learning about Native American dances, they’re dancing along to running bear with no understanding of the culture.

It’s more like if a group of black dancers from London decided to do an Irish dance where they did incorrect ‘Irish looking’ steps, wearing Scottish costumes because what’s the difference really, and they danced to Westlife because that’s Irish isn’t it?

Also, Irish dancing isn't tied in with faith the way native American dances are.

Yes I grew up in the States and I'd find that pretty offensive and an old fashioned stereotype that I would have hoped didn't exist anymore.