Exactly this. -Amy On Tue, Jul 30, 2024, 1:43 AM JJ via Contra Callers < [email protected]> wrote:
> I think there's a bit of privilege being shown in this thread that needs > to be addressed. Those who are admonishing others for avoiding shadow > swings clearly haven't been put in a position where they felt unsafe > swinging with someone they didn't choose, and then being (more or less) > forced to continue to swing with that person throughout an entire dance. > And I'm not just talking about feeling uncomfortable with someone's > personality, sexual harassment, or general bigotry. I'm also talking about > unsafe dance practices like forceful/non-consentual flourishes/dips, > improper weight given, unsafe swinging speeds without paying attention to > the needs of the person you're swinging with, ignoring (and therefore > exacerbating) an existing injury... The list goes on. > > The swing is arguably the move that requires the most trust in the other > person, and not being able to choose someone that you're doing half the > swings in a dance with can cause some unsafe situations for various > reasons. A single swing with a neighbor can usually be accommodated, but > much more than that can become dangerous. > > Also, people are allowed to just not like shadow-swings without giving a > reason or explaining themself. They are allowed to find them > confusing/disorienting. Just as others are allowed to enjoy them. > People are also allowed to avoid dancing with certain people for any > reason whatsoever; yes we want to be inclusive, but inclusivity to the > point of ignoring the safety/comfort of the individual runs into the > Horseshoe Problem (ie. pushing an issue so far that you end up causing the > problems you set out to avoid). > > To bring it back to the topic at hand, I think a good rule of thumb as a > caller (and one I employ on the rare occasion I choose a dance with a > shadow swing) is telling people that the next dance has a shadow swing in > it, in advance of the walkthrough. And then giving people a chance to > choose to sit out or even join a different line if they have concerns. That > way, those that enjoy the move can have a nice time, and those that don't > aren't forced into an unsafe situation until they can get to the end of a > line to drop out. > > On Wed, Jul 17, 2024, 10:39 Maia McCormick via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Prompted by some recent conversations, I’m curious how folks here feel >> about shadow swings! >> >> 1. As a caller, do you: >> A) not have an issue with shadow swings, and program them freely >> B) not tend to program them just bc they don’t come up in your >> repertoire, but have no issue with them >> C) not program shadow swings as a matter of principle >> D) some secret fourth thing (feel free to elaborate!)? >> >> 2. How do you feel about shadow swings as a dancer? >> >> Will weigh in with my thoughts later, both to avoid biasing the >> conversation from the outset, and also because I’m currently in transit 😅 >> >> Thanks for participating in the data gathering! >> >> Cheers, >> Maia >> >> -- >> Maia McCormick (she/her) >> 917.279.8194 >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >
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