Think Twice About Twerk Out Classes
There has never been a shortage of group fitness fashion trends – from TaeBo to zumba to pole dancing and everything in between. However, there is a new fashion that you might want to think twice about: the twerk that has evolved from African roots to a growing passion for exercise. And, unfortunately, the further into the mainstream dance style goes, the more it risks perpetuating the history of appropriating black culture and earning hatred and sidelong glances from sympathetic friends. To stop the cycle (or at least be more aware), there are a few extra steps you can take before paying to spin it in a virtual fitness class.
Know a little about what you are doing
Popular dances often have a history that gets lost before they hit the mainstream. Twerking is one of these originating from West African dance, where small, isolated movements of the hips in a squatting position were often used as a festive dance . As soon as the music of “Bounce” became popular in New Orleans and the artist Big Freud used twerk in her videos , a more modernized version of the dance began to take shape in the United States. At the same time, the Harlem twerk bands started to put out some amazingly skillful twerk videos , and we ended up getting where we are today.
Remember how to recognize assignment
Cultural appropriation is best defined as “the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that does not respect their original meaning, does not honor their source, reinforces stereotypes, or does not contribute to oppression.” Of course, just because something is culturally related doesn’t mean you can’t do it or enjoy it, but the way you approach it shows your level of respect for this art form. You can get a workout from a twerk, but you can also learn a little about its cultural significance before using it as a cardio. Verywell Minded has some great questions to help you determine if you’re really interested in something new:
- What is your goal?
- Do you follow the trend or study the history of culture?
- How would people from the culture you are borrowing from think about what you are doing?
- Are there any stereotypes here?
How to choose the right class
You probably won’t take judo lessons from a teacher who only watched Steven Seagal’s films, or learn a new language from someone who knows little about the countries or cultures in which it is spoken. If you are interested in learning a new dance style, start by finding a dance instructor who knows its history and meaning. You will most likely gain a new level of respect for what you are learning, and at the same time, you will practice well.