Footloose
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Hot Rod Dance - Blowing off steam
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| Picture from Samuel Beckett background Information |
"Dance First.
Think Later.
It's the natural order."
Samuel Beckett.
"Multiculturalism" describes the presence, tolerance or preference of many cultural customs and traditions within a single governance. Usually considered in terms of the culture associated with an ethnic group. In saying that though, we need to take into account whose governance? and if the rules set in place are to favor those who are in power! Is it still considered a level playing field to include all views of all cultures?
This post will introduce that celebrating cultures is important for accepting the differences in a multicultural society, especially for young children. Such celebrations in the form of cultural days at schools and other events which celebrate the diversity among us. (Pasifika festival, Polyfest)
This post will introduce that celebrating cultures is important for accepting the differences in a multicultural society, especially for young children. Such celebrations in the form of cultural days at schools and other events which celebrate the diversity among us. (Pasifika festival, Polyfest)
When we learn about other cultures, we become tolerant and the misinformation of the stereotypes labelled on ethnic groups become a myth. With more experience we become aware of the cultural differences. The one true language that we all share is dance.
We are all human. We are all people. Not everyone can see
past the colors. The more you learn about the people, the more the colors will
stop defining them. People are people no matter if they’re brown, white, purple
or green with polka dots. Extract from Green with Polka Dots.
Dance is also an appreciation of language and tradition, for the Maori people it is a celebration of their culture. Passing on invaluable knowledge to their next generation.
It it is also important in other ethnic groups showing the diversity of New Zealand. The Tokelau community in New Zealand tell their stories through dance. A pacific community New Zealand has assisted and employed their numbers into the labor force in the late 1960s and early 1970s before the national economy was depleting leading to the dawn raids. This performance is in reference to climate change in the Pacific islands.
"No matter how far you go in life, never forget where you came from, you can’t change who you are. We may be planted in different places but we all come from the same root under the same tree."
Helava
There are many good reasons to dance. Be it the robot, the electric boogaloo, break-dancing, the Macarena and the chicken dance. No matter what it is, it can influence people and be accepted in making a positive change for accepting other cultures.
This made me laugh hahaha but in the best way, what a cool post!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, it’s great that NZ celebrates its diversity with events like Pasifika, Polyfest, Kapa Haka, Japan Day etc. they can also act as mediators between cultures. Bringing people from all walks of life together in order to (hopefully) get a better understanding of a certain ethnicity.
Also I think it’s important for us to remember that dance acts as a story teller (as you mentioned), and outlet for many of us, especially communities that don’t necessarily record everything in written form. I know this is a prevalent idea in the islands so I’m glad you brought this topic up.
But I was also thinking about appropriation. In class we learnt about appropriation, adopting elements of one culture by members of a different culture. We’ve seen those ads by Bvlgari and Adidas endorsing distinctly Maori designs on their products, so can dance be appropriated too?
I mean, where do we draw the line between appreciating and appropriating dance?
Maybe it depends on the intent, or perhaps what we’re wearing - costume wise, but yeah just something that popped into head.
Ps thanks for the shout out :D
WOOOO I made the cut too. Interesting/funny read :) Thanks Tali
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