Everyone in dancing must break the dividing environment

The following information is related to Latin-related partner dancing Environments (Salsa, Bachata and many more). Also this article includle some examples of of my experences and perspective.

INTRODUCTION
Since the worldwide pandemic, I have observed and experienced a major problem which is affecting different dancing environments.

BACKGROUND
Unfortunately, I have observed an increasing amount of judgmental attitudes which are dividing the dancing environments at parties & major events. I have myself experienced this with receiving negative mistreatment. This is sadly partly due to discrimination against my difficulties and how I am misperceived. Also, when I face the psychological side effects of ableism and against any competitive dancing environments, I am often being taken advantage of against my presence. With these of these factors, I have been made to be less visible. This includes not attending social parties too regularly and not participating in freestyle dancing after classes unless I am very confident from the classes I have learned.

MY OBSERVATIONS
Depending on a particular location, I have also seen an escalating amount of impatience from attendees at classes, including at parties and conventions

In addition, I have seen an increasing amount of dancing environments appear more competitive at parties and festivals. Because of this, it makes it harder to approach people to dance, and it can drain anyone's dancing confidence.


MY EXPERIENCES
At social dancing after classes and parties, I have experienced dancing exploitation. For example, if I don't get my timing right to approach a woman to dance I will end up standing around the dance floors alone. This often leads to being rejected when asking a woman to dance. (This also occurs at parties and conventions)

I have also faced exploitation when dancing with a partner. Usually, when this occurs, the person would deliberately attempt to interrupt my dancing. This is done by making a different dance the opposite of what I attempted to lead. This is very disruptive to my concentration, and it occurs when the partner is either bored or tries to set me up to demonise me and damage my dancing confidence.

Due to how my difficulties affect me, it takes me longer to be motivated to dance at parties and conventions while trying to memorise dance steps to lead a partner. Unfortunately, this can be wrongly interpreted as having low confidence, shyness and lack of self-esteem. Within recent years this has caused negative harm against my presence. An example includes being rejected to dance due to how my difficulties affect my perception and appear below the standards of expected confidence.

Also, I face too many situations when certain people deliberately lure away the people I am socially engaging with. Because of the division and exclusion, I have noticed I am frowned upon and have been made to feel discredited just because of the difficulties I live with and being seen on my own for too long. This has damaged my dancing confidence and self-esteem within the past 18 months. This has sadly forced me to be less visible and reduce my attendance at the number of dancing events.

DIVISIONS FROM OTHER VOICES
The barriers don't just apply to me and the difficulties I live with. After listening to many voices locally and elsewhere, the dividing dancing environments have become more apparent in recent years. Some are related to misperceptions based on perceptions and interpretations of confidence. Some of my friends have reduced attending events for the same reason.

DISCRIMINATION AND EXCLUSION
This includes facing offensive accusations of weakness or a lower-level dancer. I am expected to adapt unrealistically to the competitive dance environment. This is impossible which is damaging my confidence in my dancing and presence.

These examples I have written can have harmful effects on me and other people with similar difficulties, including mental health stress and ongoing anxiety.

THE CONSEQUENCES
There is a serious danger that dancing environments could be limited in the future to fast learners and those who appear very confident. This means more people are at risk of having their dancing confidence and social presence harmed.
Also, it can mean more people, including those with difficulties, could be excluded and be forced out or be less visible from dancing environments.
Ultimately, we could lose a vibrant and colourful social experience for everyone.

WHAT HAS TO CHANGE
Everyone needs to change their attitudes in how we judge & treat each other in dancing environments.

All attendees have a responsibility to not use vanity and perception to divide and exclude others (including individuals with neurodivergent and invisible disabilities).
Be more respectful and not use assumptions to disrupt or undervalue other people's dancing confidence and social presence.

Teachers, teaching assistants, event organisers and experienced dancers can also help by encouraging inclusivity, discouraging divisions, and, when necessary, intervening. Also, become more supportive when learning is challenging or when dancing environments are impossible.


POSITIVE STEPS FORWARD
See a person, beyond how they have the perceived
Have an open mind and make it effort beyond people you are familiar and confident with
Offer help and support if needed when somebody is finding learning or dancing environments overwhelming. Sometimes, it is just about having encouragement.


FINAL POINT
Everyone can play their part to break the divisions and have a vibrant and inclusive dancing environment