Fighting The Thread of Negativity

Unfortunately, there are constant threads of negativity ailing our street dance culture, which have been exacerbated by online feuds. We see this in many communities. When you have differing opinions, a conflict can erupt into something more than just a spirited discussion. It can be laced with hatred and miscommunication. Here's the tragic effect on the younger generation of dancers: a culture of fear is brewed among them. As a result, this fear can prevent the free exchange of creative ideas. One way that it can manifest is the unwillingness for young dancers to share videos of themselves online for public viewing or in their fear of being filmed at any event or session. We become paranoid of the ever-present digital camera because we worry about what other people will think of us.

It is a natural human quality to consider what others think of us. We love it when we are lauded and are hurt when we're brutally criticized. But fear is a terrible enemy to creativity. It drives people away from sharing. It paralyzes the heart and mind. Fear of being torn apart by online critics makes the young dancer, who's sensitive to public opinion, feel at the mercy of critics whom he never sees or meets in real life. That's the double-edged sword of anonymous online communication. When we use screen names and handles, every typed opinion suddenly can take the air of merit. It can democratize the value of everyone's opinion if we're not discerning. You see the madness on Youtube comment pages. You see it on endless threads in forums. When the online feuding and criticism gets out of hand, very little is ever resolved. The controversy drives speculation and gossip within our culture. And it leaves the young generation in a state of fearful anxiety.

What we fail to recognize is that our greatest enemy isn't the online critics. It's the fear that can be instilled in our hearts. There must be ways to combat this. Ask yourself: when you receive criticism, is it constructive? Are critics giving you valid reasons and detailed, reasonable explanations for their suggestions? Aesthetic issues are always prone to multiple interpretations. So it's perfectly fine for you to defend your artistic creation and to also be open to hearing another's opinion. The ideal scenario is when we know how to extract the most useful bits of criticism and use it to further our craft. Critics should receive equal treatment: can their analysis be criticized and debated? Of course, they can. If a critic has a strong opinion, can he back it up with a compelling argument? Anyone who has ever done debate team in high school or has had a liberal arts education will be familiar with these scenarios. So young dancers shouldn't be afraid. They should be ready to discuss and debate in order to fight these threads of negativity in our culture.

It's important for young dancers to know that they're not powerless in this increasingly online-influenced street dance culture. Being an artist sometimes requires an acute ability to articulate about your artform. That's why it matters to be able to write, express, and debate your thoughts. You can even understand your craft at a deeper level because you have mulled over it and translated it into a line of logical thinking. Sometimes the greatest weapons against fear is powerful self-knowledge and a curious, willing mind to seek the truth.