I am a African American female you enjoys Ballroom/Latin dancing and is a member of USABDA, however, I live in Texas. Like you, I to only see one or two others (always female) at competitions.

I have been encourage to continue devloping this skill (at the moment I am learning the American Rhythm and Smooth) by Tony Meredith and Alicia & Vincent Duhon.

I can not help but wonder how far would I be able to go. I wonder because of:
* the seemingly lack of partners
* would it be acceptable at the Amateur level to have obvious mixed race partnerships
* I never see any African Americans on TV in the Professional or Amateur competitions. (The movie "Dance With Me" does not count ) Are they out there, but never make it to the semi-finals?

Right now I am taking a break from dancing due to issues of race. It would be nice to e-mail you privately on the subject.

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Originally posted by Yvonne:
When I attend ballroom and latin competitions as a spectator or a competitor, I'm often one of only a few African-Americans present. I'd like to network with other African-Americans in the NYC area who are involved in any level or style of competitive ballroom dancing

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Thanks for all the responses! I don't mind dancing with someone of another race. Like Toni, I was curious about the reasons why we don't see many Blacks or Latinos in the amateur circuit and we don't see any on the pro circuit. Are they not competing at all? Do they never make it to the finals? could the expense of Dancesport be a factor?

To some extent I agree with David. Some people may be intimidated and give up. I was rejected by Asian dancers who wouldn't dance with me because they "only do International" or told me to "come back when you know more when I made mistakes." However, I was totally captivated by dancing and I resorted to asking people to dance with me. I improved and now those snooty people have to take a number to dance with me! Anyone who loves dancing enough to want to compete isn't going to be intimidated by these types.

I have also received encouragement from various instructors to continue developing my skills. I have also discussed this subject with vendors at the comps. There needs to be some focus on products specific to the African-American competitor. They sell Pro-tan but there are no cosmetics or fishnets suitable for the darker skin tones of African-Americans. This may not be profitable for them now, but as the number of Blacks in ballroom increases, they could reap the benefits.

Finally, I feel that, despite the expense, more African-Americans would be encouraged to participate if they could see more African-Americans participating. Since I'm competing as an amateur, I can't be paid to dance yet. However, I'm interested in doing volunteer work in schools (lessons or shows) to expose minority children to ballroom dancing. I also think that if the general public had more exposure to ballroom competitions we could encourage sponsorships for minority participants. What do you think?

Ronnie, it is true there are few male dancers compared to ladies. This is for the same reason that there are few african americans. They are intimidated by the dance studios. They are embarrased to let anyone see that they are unable to do something that looks so easy. The man has many things to do when it comes to dancing. He has to keep time, maneuver, and string various steps together and lead all of this without appearing to be shoving and bullying the lady around. It is difficult to master all of this as one must practice all of it at the same time. It can't be broken apart and practiced in pieces. I know several men who have taken lessons for years, yet they can't muster enough nerve to get out on a crowded floor and use what they have learned. They avoid socials like the plague.

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Originally posted by Samara:
I am African-American and I compete regularly. My partner and I recently won pre-champ rhythm at Nationals. We have been competing for over three years. I do see some African-Americans at regional, and collegiate comps, however I do not see very many. My partner is white and I have never had the opportunity to dance with someone of my own race. I have had a wonderful time dancing both socially, and competatively. Most people I have met have been supportive and friendly.

Right now I am taking a break from dancing due to issues of race. It would be nice to e-mail you privately on the subject.

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Samara,
Thanks for your response. I'm currently competing ProAm and two of my three instructors are white, the Latin instructor is Puerto Rican. As I said before, I don't care if he's purple as long as he can dance. However, I'd like to partner with a black person once in a while--especially if I'm doing something specifically geared to the African-American community like Harlem Week or Black History Month.

I'm curious about your last statement--that you're taking a break because of racial issues. Please elaborate. e-mail me at smithyval@earthlink.net

Comment from David:
"Asian dancers tend to be too technical in their dancing,
so they have no training or natural ability when it comes to social dancing."

Does it have something to do with the type of dance program ?
I took social dance program so I practiced my dancing with just about anyone.
As far as I understand, correct me if I am wrong,
international program is quite different from social(or smooth/rhythm) program.
Most students of international program tend to compete
and thus practice mostly with their competition partners.
That type of training would maximize their competition performance
but limit their ability to dance with a wide variety of other dancers.
Would the above reasons be more plausible
than just attributing it to someone "Asian" and "too technical" ?

Comment from David:
"Western music is not their thing, with the exception of the undanceable type."
Ballroom dance music is part of western music.
If "they" are interested in learning ballroom dancing,
I assume that they would also be interested in western music.
That would make western music "their" thing too, wouldn't it ?

The comment "with the exception of the danceable type"
is quite puzzling. Where does it come from ?

The comment "Western music is not their thing"
reminds me of something I read on another web site.

There was an enthusiastic discussion of salsa break on 1 or 2
with many interesting contributions from many readers.
At one point, the following response came up:
"....
Another tieso on the loose . whem will they learn that you do not have to pay to
learn how to dance our music , you just have to feel it and let your body go ,
also it help to look how other people dance , Do you know how many dance academy
do we have in our countries no many i tell you at least i do not know of any
where i come from (Cali Colombia )and let me tell you when some body does not
know how to dance is the exception to the rule , on the other hand you see
little kids dancing on ways that you will not believe how good they are .Believe
me you can spot a tieso a mile away....do not waste your money on lessons spend
it on going to clubs and you will be better off , i just can picture myself
going : on one two three my legs will be so tangle that i will need paramedics
to bring my legs to the right positionsjust feel the music man !!!
...."
The above comment obviously assumes that "our music" is not "tieso"'s thing
and technical training is a waste of time.

Like Samara I have not met anyone yet, who has not been supportive and friendly.

I recall the times like, Mant when I was rejected by higher level dancers. This was a problem for me, because I am a shy person. When I was a student at a studio, the only skilled level male that would dance with me was my instructor. That is the reason why I never turn down someone if they ask me to dance for the first time. While he is guiding me through the box step, rock step, fifth postion break, I try to practice my techique of foot position, body control and alignment.

I plan to continue dancing and making others aware of this wonderful Sport.

Feel free to keep in touch...Toni227802@aol.com