Willing to be shot down in flames: Ghetto Kids on BGT

[SmugglersHaunt]

I haven’t watched BGT in ages (the alarming changes in the faces of B. Tonioli and S. Cowell deserve a separate thread alone).

I watched tonight for the first time in years and saw Ghetto Kids, who were a very good dance act and have deservedly been given praise and have a moving backstory (as per) - but I found myself incredibly uncomfortable watching young kids twerking and dancing in what seemed at times quite an inappropriate way for their age. Have I morphed into Mary Whitehouse?

Yep again. Op needs to have a think why they saw something sexual in this.

@Crazyshihtzulady I don't know. I'm quite hungover and only got 2 hours of sleep last night. Cried at the new John Lewis advert too

@Mars27 what swearing? One mention of shit, is that it really? You are definitely Mary Whitehouse then. Don't stray too far into MN we say cunt and fuck a lot here

Well, there definitely are highly sexualised and inappropriate dance moves - there was a video circulating on twitter of children staggering which was very, very disturbing.

It's just that this isn't it. This is totally normal and we've seen children do this forever on BGT!

Thanks for the clip. Goodness what a hideous show. I cannot imagine enjoying this kind of OTT over-scripted crap with that baying screeching and embarrassing audience, and plastic judging panel.

But I didn’t think that dance was sexualised at all. That twerking was a tiny part of the show and felt like a dance move using the bum rather than a sexual act. It was all a bit chaotic for me but good luck to them. They seem like lovely kids with a great leader.

Hope they can progress without racism and nasty stories in the UK press; they seem so decent and innocent.

So you watch the clip about their lives but how they dance is what makes you uncomfortable 🙄

children copy how adults dance they always have dance is fun and can be provocative if meant to be but these children are having fun

The crotch grab and thrust at the beginning was inappropriate for their ages, imo.

It's amazing hip isolation, and traditional posture, grounding through the feet.
It fits in the context of their dance and music.

If they were dancing to WAP or whatever then I'd agree.

I loved the way kids danced to jerusalema and this had the same vibe. I used to do some Arab Egyptian dance that was similar.

I’m African and I thought it was mostly fine but some small sections were inappropriately sexual. It is true that African dance uses the whole body, including the buttocks, but that doesn’t mean it can never be described as sexual. Oftentimes dancing with the buttocks isn’t sexual but sometimes it is. I feel it veered into the sexual occasionally here. I don’t think the children see it that way though, they were just having fun.

I also want to make the point that African dance influences and is influenced by dance forms from other parts of the world, notably black America, so what you were watching is probably a fusion of old and new. The opening sequence for example seems to be inspired by Michael Jackson.

By the way, I didn’t watch the programme. I watched a clip on the internet so perhaps I missed the explanation about African kids performing on a show called Britain’s Got Talent. I’m happy for anyone from Africa to have opportunities for a better life but the programme needs to be retitled.

I think this video catches the mood better- it includes the kids mimicking other people, which is part of the fun and perhaps explains the odd borderline 'inappropriate' move.

I've just searched for the clip.

It's lovely - I'm having a rough day but that's just made me smile. Kids, with lots of talent doing something they clearly love.

It's not sexual in the slightest. Get your mind out of the gutter

I thought they were incredible. I actually said to my husband that I think we've just seen the winners.
I don't normally like dance acts at all either. One of the best BGT acts ever in my opinion.

Yes, that is of course exactly what I meant. 🙄🙄🙄

🙄

I just watched it- they are awesome! They can really move. After hearing the back story too I wish them all the luck in the world. May it bring them opportunities.

I didn’t think the dancing was inappropriate. It was whole body movement and playful. An adult putting anything else to it is just projecting on the children. They were well covered frankly compared to half the high street on the average Saturday too.

They were fabulous!

I'm utterly shocked by your comment. I'm even more shocked you go to elaborate a d further it by using the word slum.

Are you aware that's like me referring to your neighbourhood as a SHITHOLE because it may be not as posh as mine? I thought OP had a poor selection of wording... but good God you win the THREAD.

You have no right to be using words like slum. Have you actually visited anywhere in Africa? Some of the most humble people.... perhaps you should try it.

@Flowersun6 you know it's the name of the group, so you? No one is 'calling them' anything apart from the name they have chosen for themselves.

Was there any need for the poster to go and use the term slum? I think it was uncalled for don't you think its below the belt? I do.

They did a live stream on Instagram where they described their home as a slum. It's a word they used themselves which is why I also used it. And yes I have visited Africa, and met lots of African people. I am one.

We’ll best of luck to them whatever they’re called!

And no, it's not the like you referring to my neighbourhood as a shit hole because it's not as posh as yours. It's not even close.

Sheesh! Why did they call themselves Ghetto kids? Of all the names in the world and no adult asked them to think of something else.

Haven't watched it yet so can't comment on the dance atm