Olympics Made a mockery of African American culture

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the decision to include breakdancing in this year's Paris Olympics was seen as acknowledgement of this artform.

So imagine the surprise when the IOC decided to scrap Breakdancing from future Olympics.

While the IOC has remained "tight lipped" about the decision, one possible reason is the outcry from African Americans who claim the Olympics made a mockery of the art
In particular one performer did more to bring the artform into disrepute given she has a PhD in breakdancing
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olymp ... aster.html

But the other performers ranging from countries and backgrounds not linked with African or African/American culture from societies traditionally antithetical to black people (Japan, Indonesia and Scandanavian countries) wore outfits that had nothing to do with culture and dancing that also seem to denigrate the artform. Both professional breakdancers and black/latino people in California (where breakdancing was born) were incensed at the performers who won gold (Canadian-Korean Phillip Kim and Japanese girl Ami) appeared to be a) culturally appropriating black culture and b) performing at what many consider to be sub-par levels compared to those in the black/Latino community who were left wondering what the actual entry criteria was?

Any wonder this seemed to be a sham and the event will not see another Olympics. the IOC should be investigated.

to put things in cultural perspective

Imagine an international Japanese Kimono competition where everyone participating in the competition was white or black, the referees were white and all the judges were white. Not sure how anyone else was embarrassed? the IOC eventually knew they they stuffed up.

"Cultural Appropriation" is considered an offensive action by some, and may be a valid complaint.

More likely, the Olympic Committee realized that they were judging a creative event without any Standard of Forms (e.g., a checklist), such as they have for floor routines, ice routines, and possibly other similar events.

How can they judge two or more completely different routines in an event that has no 'official' performance standards?

Breakdancing originated in the Bronx.

Breakdancing, like Hip-Hop itself, originated in the South Bronx of New York. Not on the West Coast.

Though elements that get lumped under the umbrella term "breakdancing" like "the pop" and "electric bugaloo" may have originated on the west coast.

I don't think they did. I enjoyed the competition, especially the men's final when Canada won the gold.

I feel like the Daily Fail isn't exactly a credible source on this issue.

I also like this article
https://www.salon.com/2024/08/13/breaki ... cs-raygun/

Breaking is different. Like the music and the rest of the culture, hip-hop’s original movement form was born in New York and created in the late ‘70s by poor Black and brown kids living in the Bronx, who established its main cultural currency to be skillfulness and respect.

Pop culture’s industries swiped music and fashion and left the dance form to Madison Avenue. Self-appointed mainstream ambassadors like Dena Rizzo, who was lampooned in a “Bob’s Burgers” episode, killed its mainstream popularity for good.

It would seem we saw self-appointed reps of a culture without consent. White judges judging white and east asian participants in an artform created by black/brown people