MovieChat Forums > Mad Hot Ballroom (2005) Discussion > Multi-cultural agenda of this movie real...

Multi-cultural agenda of this movie really bugged me

posted 17 years ago by chinaskee
7 replies | jump to latest

When the teacher from Washington Heights says "If my kids make it to the finals they'll be representing their country" I thought that's cool. I guess all those right wing talking heads who are always ranting about how we're losing our national identity don't know what they're talking about. That was until I realized that when she referred to "their country" she wasn't talking about America. She was talking about the Dominican Republic. Yes I understand most of us are the children of immigrants. I am too. But when you emigrate to the United States the only country you should be representing anymore is America, not (fill in the blank). If you want to represent (fill in the blank) then stay wherever (fill in the blank) is and don't come here.

[–] MissPiggy13 17 years ago

Just because you emmigrate to another country does not mean you are no longer fill in whatever here. It is what you are no matter where you live and whatever citizenof country you might belong to.I might be American but that doesn't stop me being a Navajo or being proud of it...Go and get enlightened..

Nobody notices the sober Indians. On tv the drunk Indians emote In books drunk Indians philosophize

[–] changa-1 17 years ago

It is possible to identify both with your new country and the country which your family came from. My husband is also from DR and spent many years in Washington Heights once he moved here to the US. He is very proud to be a naturalized citizen but still identifies as a Dominican, too. That culture doesn't just go away once you take that oath and, frankly, I'd be disappointed if it did.

There is nothing wrong with the teacher being proud that her students will be representing DR in the competition, especially since merengue is from DR to begin with. It was just a nod to the kids remembering their roots, in my opinion.

[–] whatintheworld123 17 years ago

Why does a person have to abandon their cultural pride once they arrive on American soil? Nationality is a significant part of a persons identity. Deal with it!

[–] fadingsunrise137 17 years ago

So narrow minded.

What a shame.

[–] ohhhappyday 15 years ago

Speaking as a foreigner and under the assumption these children are Americans born of immigrant parents; I was taken aback when I realized the teacher was not referring to the United States when she said "their country". The nationality of these kids is American and they're part of an American school taking part in an American dance competition, I thought what she said was stupid. One teacher says something stupid and another doesn't correct a pupil when he says something stupid (refers to Africa as a country), no wonder these children are in trouble.

[–] VWaltz77 13 years ago

Why does it bother you? Why does it matter if people of color celebrate their culture, heritage, or language; or if it is a focal point of this film?

According to the Right wing, "our National identity" is White, Christian, and English-speaking. The more White, the more Christian, and the more English, the better.

When someone possesses qualities that classify them outside of these norms, they are targeted, subjugated, and oppressed. Other norm categories that we are expected to fall into are: heterosexual, freedom from disability, age, etc.

What are you so afraid of? It is patterns of thinking like this that perpetuate systematic and institutional racism. I hope you can understand the power of your words and see how passively intolerant they are. When enough people believe the way that you do, passive intolerance abounds. I want better for our country, for myself, and for our future.

[–] magpie1120 9 years ago

NYC doesn't have Hispanic, Asian, African or even Carribean Neighborhoods. They are much more specific.

*NEVERMIND*