We think that spirituality and the entertainment industry should come together. Why not? Why do they have to be two different things instead of coming together to help heal the world!
Recently I was listening to some hip hop songs that my 10 year old nephew was listening to on the radio and I couldn't believe some of the lyrics that were actually being played on the radio. All mature content and really, nothing worth listening to or having a point. Yes the beats sound awesome but the messages are negative and not inspiring and uplifting. The industry needs to change this and parents need to be more aware of what their kids are listening to on the radio and watching online and on TV.
I also saw recently some photos and videos of a program in L.A that had young teens dressed trashy during a video shoot and I was shocked. I think that I am open minded and although I am in my late 30's, I think that I am still young and progressive but I was not only embarrased for their program, but I felt sorry for these kids who are being taught that to make it in the entertainment industry, you need to dress inappropriate and do things that may not be ethical.
This is the same at many dance competitions that allow young kids to dress maturely, use music that is not age appropriate and costumes that look more like burlesque dancers rather than studio kids.
I think that it's important that as dance educators, we teach our dancers and kids on having choices and learning to stay true to themselves. This of course also starts at home with parents and family but I think this is something that we as a whole, as a community need to just be aware of.
Same with advertising. I think it's time for change and that ethical advertising becomes law. Aren't you tired so many times of seeing ads especially those with women that are inappropriate and don't make sense on what they are selling or trying to promote? I am tired of this and I think that it's time that we do something about this.
At all our programs, we teach dancers not only about dance and the industry, but also about ethics in the industry, having choices, knowing that shaking your bootie in a music video won't take your career to that next level and that most of these girls in videos are models and not dancers. Working dancers do a lot more than shake their bootie for the camara.
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