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Depressing...
This is a copy of the email my dance instructor is sending to another dance teacher, who maintains a website about dance troupe activities in the area.
Celeste: I and my Directors have decided that we (Desert Fire) are pulling out of every public performance venue for the immediate, if not "long term" future. We have cancelled Mama Lucia's, Gopuram, Arts Alive already and I plan to cancel the State Fair, Globalfest and Opening Night.
DFIC , because it is a private venue, will still go ahead, as planned. It might be the only dance venue available to everyone in the coming months so (as in prior years) I will be inviting every other dance troupe in the area in the hopes they will support our dance community and attend. At least it will give us all a chance to enjoy what we love to do in the safety and privacy of our own event and not foist our love of arabic music and dance on an unsympathetic (if not antagonistic) general public.
Part of our decision here is that I remember all too well the repercusions we faced during the Gulf War - I personally did not dance for a whole year - I know we are going to have exactly the same situation here again, if not worse.
My other request is that, as soon as you can, I want you to pull all references to DF off your page, including any and all pics. I do not want my Princesses identified and singled out by "crazies" out there.
This has not been a hard decision to make. Everyone knows I hold our artform in high esteem and am not ashamed of what I do or what I teach, but promoting anything "middle-eastern" at this time will only antagonize an already "nervous" and suspicious public. As I said, I speak from past experience of what we faced during the Gulf War. Many newer dancers might not fully understand the ramifications of what we are facing. I hope everyone will think long and seriously about the situation before putting themselves in a vulnerable
position just because, as I have heard so often, "we just love to dance!".
Already, there has been a great backlash on anything "middle-eastern", from killings, beatings, and vandalism of arab-owned businesses. Many of my Arab friends are nervous. Many did not attend the local "Arab" church last Tuesday night for our classes. Many are already "lying low".
A sad state of affairs..... but one that should be recognized as part of human nature, you have to protect yourself before you can protect others. And I intend to protect my Princesses! :-)
Shimmy Hugggzzz.....
SAM
Celeste: I and my Directors have decided that we (Desert Fire) are pulling out of every public performance venue for the immediate, if not "long term" future. We have cancelled Mama Lucia's, Gopuram, Arts Alive already and I plan to cancel the State Fair, Globalfest and Opening Night.
DFIC , because it is a private venue, will still go ahead, as planned. It might be the only dance venue available to everyone in the coming months so (as in prior years) I will be inviting every other dance troupe in the area in the hopes they will support our dance community and attend. At least it will give us all a chance to enjoy what we love to do in the safety and privacy of our own event and not foist our love of arabic music and dance on an unsympathetic (if not antagonistic) general public.
Part of our decision here is that I remember all too well the repercusions we faced during the Gulf War - I personally did not dance for a whole year - I know we are going to have exactly the same situation here again, if not worse.
My other request is that, as soon as you can, I want you to pull all references to DF off your page, including any and all pics. I do not want my Princesses identified and singled out by "crazies" out there.
This has not been a hard decision to make. Everyone knows I hold our artform in high esteem and am not ashamed of what I do or what I teach, but promoting anything "middle-eastern" at this time will only antagonize an already "nervous" and suspicious public. As I said, I speak from past experience of what we faced during the Gulf War. Many newer dancers might not fully understand the ramifications of what we are facing. I hope everyone will think long and seriously about the situation before putting themselves in a vulnerable
position just because, as I have heard so often, "we just love to dance!".
Already, there has been a great backlash on anything "middle-eastern", from killings, beatings, and vandalism of arab-owned businesses. Many of my Arab friends are nervous. Many did not attend the local "Arab" church last Tuesday night for our classes. Many are already "lying low".
A sad state of affairs..... but one that should be recognized as part of human nature, you have to protect yourself before you can protect others. And I intend to protect my Princesses! :-)
Shimmy Hugggzzz.....
SAM
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Stuff like this makes me pretty mad. :P
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