MovieChat Forums > Bring It! (2014) Discussion > white dancers

white dancers

posted 9 years ago by Chaseterrier
11 replies | jump to latest

So is the reason that there is not a lot of white dancers on this show is because this style of dance is more popular with black people?

I am not saying it is racist or anything like that. I know some dance styles is more popular among some groups and not others. Kind of like how I never seen a black person do Irish dancing. Not racist, it is just Irish dancing is more popular among people of Irish descent. I am just curious if it is a coincidence I don't see any white people on this show or if it is due the dance style being more popular among blacks.

[–] veronica56 9 years ago

This style of dance is called HBCU majorette or just majorette.

It is a tradition from the HBCU's. It developed in the South--the location of most HBCU's. The marching bands at HBCU's are very flamboyant and the majorettes are part of their show.

The style of HBCU marching bands is called Show Band style.

The style has spread to many high schools in the South that are predominately Black.

The high school girls Miss D trains will join a famous college team if they are lucky. Some of the girls even get scholarships.

Here is a clip from a famous team--the Southern University Dancing dolls.

Please note that they are performing in front of their band in the stands( that is why a dance off of teams is called a stand battle--the terms originated in the HBCU band world).

Notice the dance form and appearance of the captain and the girls and notice that they dance a bit more like the Divas of Olive branch style than the harder edge style of the Dancing dolls of Miss D. That is why Miss D will occasionally lose to a team that dances less "hard" than her team--the judges come from the HBCU Band world and know that the dance teams on the college level have a more feminine style:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUdfcq_rdbs

As to white dancers, it would be difficult to learn this form of dance if you are not exposed to it culturally. It is like Irish riverdance--you have to be exposed to dance forms culturally early on in some forms of dance to excel. Many of the majorettes started in baby groups,etc at an early age. Dance groups for majorettes often have baby mascots,etc.

[–] veronica56 9 years ago

Here is another HBCU majorette clip--this time from Jackson state--which is in Miss D's home area. Note the band is dancing in place a bit as well.

This team dances a little bit more hard edged than the Southern University team above and has the buck style you see in Miss D's team but it still not as hard core as Miss D's style:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMx08G-ejs8

There are a lot of clips like this on Youtube--check them out.

Search for Hbcu bands or Hbcu dance teams.

[–] erinictob 9 years ago

Ah, just as a note, Riverdance is the name of an Irish dance show. Riverdance isn't a style of dance.

And people from all ethnicities do Irish dance, even black people. And Asian people, and Native Americans and Hawaiians and Hispanics. It's actually pretty culturally diverse these days.

[–] carolineno 9 years ago

This is so enlightening. I have wondered since I first saw this show why they were called stand battles. Thanks for the explanation.

[–] queenshan 9 years ago

There is actually a white girl on the Dancing Dolls team. They zoom in on her occasionally but she's not a cast member for the show. It would have been interesting if they had done it but maybe Dianna or someone figured it would be too gimmicky to showcase her. Or maybe she is too shy to be interesting to the producers.

I know someone who is white who got a minority scholarship to an HBCU by the way!

[–] shoolaroon-9-43507 9 years ago

I don't want to be insensitive about this but I was wondering if she was white or if she was an albino. I've known African American albinos and while they look "white" because of the pale skin, frequently they seem to have red hair and they are AA. People don't know much about albinos which must make things difficult for them.

I'm white and I think this is a great show. I was watching it last night for the first time for several episodes and I'm amazed at the discipline these girls have (and their coaches instill). They dance magnificently and it obviously brings out the best in the kids. The problems, as usual, seem to be the parents, at least those who are just too competitive. A little bit of prodding might be okay, but don't be harrassing the dance coach just because your girl can't do all the routines!

Thanks for sharing your insights with us, you posters on this thread. I'm from up North and am totally unfamiliar with the majorette programs.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] queenshan 9 years ago

She's definitely white and they even showed her mother. Black albinos really don't look like white people because of their facial features. At least none of the ones I've ever seen.

It looks like there are white team members on the Prancing Tigerettes as well.

[–] EmilyTheDramaQueen 9 years ago

I think it was Divas of Olive Branch, had a little white girl, I think she was one of their "Baby Dolls" or whatever they call their younger girls, but she was featured when they did the Nascar dance routine but it might not have been Olive Branch but another team.

"I'd rather lose for what I am than win for what I ain't"

Kacey Musgraves "Pageant Material"

[–] lilkinney 9 years ago

I'm just curious if you're this curious as to why there aren't that many blacks or minorities on other shows. The many many many other shows?

On every station and every genre not just dance shows :)

And they do have white girls on the teams if you watch all the episodes the appear.

[–] robocop-37224 7 years ago

For one most of them can't dance . Not to mention how not in shape they are. Plus listening to the way everyonr talk makes me worried about our future. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS HORRIBLE, DISGUSTING SHOW?