The clean story on dirty dancing
Several of the Gargoyle editors read Ms. Patton's Feb. 14 blog entry and respect her opinion, but at the same time take issue with her points.
Ms. Patton specified that she and the Uni High faculty members have the right to oppose grinding going on at dances. Just as the faculty and parents have the right to their opinion on the issue, the students have the right to their opinion and the right to express their opinion through civil disobedience.
Of course such a thing causes friction between the two generations, but the way we dance is part of our culture. This is the hip-hop generation, and the youth culture today is often just as shocking as it was when our parents were growing up. Attempts at restricting activity at school dances are a misguided attempt by our parents and teachers to fight back against this culture.
Gargoyle editors
Comments
Gargoyle editors:
Methinks you misunderstand my meaning. I never said that I personally oppose your dancing. I asked if students are surprised when “adult chaperones” oppose your dance techniques.
Different, yes?
And your last paragraph expresses the very same thing I was saying in my blog. Generational differences are an inevitable part of life.
My suggestion was on how to avoid aggravating inter-generational conflict.
Lighten up, Francis.
Posted by: Kathleen Patton | February 15, 2006 7:31 PM
“Of course such a thing causes friction between the two generations.”
It’s totally lame but I’d just like to note the double meaning of friction—there’s friction between the two generations over the friction between two people on the dance floor!
And re. civil disobedience—this is a school and a minor disagreement over dancing, not Gandhi’s India.
Posted by: Ben Hyman | February 15, 2006 10:14 PM
On what Ben said, I’d like to point out that social change can and should occur at all levels (even just at a small school like Uni).
I personally don’t feel that grinding is as important as everyone (adult and student alike) is making it out to be, but I do feel that “we can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind, ‘cause your friends don’t dance and if they don’t dance, then they’re no friends of mine.” (Props to senior editor Ben Erickson for the Men Without Hats reference.)
Additionally, we have not only a right but a duty to express our concern when we face oppression. After all, we’re Uni students, and we’re supposed to be thinking out of the box and for ourselves.
Freedom for the children.
Posted by: Jono | February 16, 2006 11:10 AM