By Emanuel Vinson, Morgan Park
Every generation, it seems, gets hassled by their elders for their new cultural developments.
Today’s dance trend of juking is just a newer version of The Twist. It’s not a sign that society is on a downward spiral (in fact, I’d say the opposite ...) and it’s not something that’s inherently bad—it’s just a way of dancing.
Yes, there are times when it gets out of hand, but that surely doesn’t warrant trying to ban something because of a few isolated incidents. That’s going to happen with almost anything.
During school dances, teens are just trying to have a good time. I feel that everybody should have freedom to express themselves however they see fit. Unless immediate safety is tangibly threatened, I don’t see any reason why an adult should feel the need to step in and interfere. When teachers overreact in a situation like that, it makes them seem antagonistic and overbearing. Often, those who detest “dirty dancing” the most are on the outside looking in. This isn’t a matter of hygiene or safety, it’s a mere culture clash.
I’ve never been at a CPS dance where juking has led to a legitimate issue. There are myths floating around about outrageous (and undeniably illegal) antics that occur when a couple took things too far. But these tales rarely are substantiated.
Regardless, when it comes to dances at school, many students do not condone or partake in bad activity. The majority just want to have good, clean, clothed fun. That is not a crime, so don’t treat it like one!
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YES, THERE IS A LIMIT
By Lyanne Alfaro, Northside
School is an educational and social place. Sure, we may learn how to belly dance at an after-school club, but there need to be limits.
When it comes to dancing at school functions, it can easily turn into a situation that could have been avoided. People can get hurt.
At Lyons Township High School in La Grange new rules were set last year on dancing. According to the Pioneer Local newspaper, the school found that “grinding” violated the rules.
However, when the King of Hearts dance at the end of the year came along, a student journalist for the Pioneer Local reported that the rules weren’t enforced. Elizabeth Pierson referred to the school’s new regulations as a “threat.” The article said a few adults present at the dance occasionally asked students to keep their distance from one another.
The administration may have recognized that dancing needed a limit, but it appears it didn’t enforce its own rules. The school could have done more to make the grounds a safer, more comfortable environment that night.
Just as Lyons Township did, CPS should take into consideration how far dancing can go, then enforce guidelines. Getting close to your dance partner may quickly lead to something more. Besides, each year, students are asked to read CPS’ Code of Conduct. Under the “Inappropriate Behaviors” section, it says “inappropriate consensual sexual activity” on school grounds is an act of misconduct, punishable by suspension or expulsion.
Of course, parties are all about expressing yourself and having a good time. However, the safety and comfort of everyone on the dance floor matters as well. Have fun, but don’t ruin it for the person dancing next to you.
WHAT IS THIS LIMIT?
The issue with this topic has been pushed and shoved around at my school for years.
The thing is, who is to decide what is 'appropriate' and what isn't? With over 20 teachers patrolling all dances, each one has his or her own idea of what should be allowed for us and what shouldn't. In fact, I've been told different things by at least three different teachers at NVHS's last party.
People need to realize that by restricting how we dance, thay are becoming hippocrites to THEMSELVES. i dare you to find a teacehr out there who didn't have this same argument with their school authorities about the way they danced. Just because their version involved stuff that they justified, what makes it right for them to condemn what we justify?
In response to the 'safety' issue, dances are as safe as we make them. The people who don't take breaks and get water or just get out of the middle of the floor for a few minutes are the ones that pass out and get hurt. This doesn't make the dance unsafe, it just means that that particular person didn't take care of themselves.
When a teacher interferes because a student's or students' 'conduct could compromise the safety of others,' people often feel cheated. Do you give a kid a detention because it looks like he COULD be going to vandalize the building? Do you suspend someone because they COULD be getting in a fight soon? You can't. The same should apply for dance floor conduct.
You can't throw students out because something that they are doing COULD potentially cause a problem, therefore; if someone isn't on the floor out cold or bleeding, then leave them alone.
People should, on the other hand, respect the consequences involved if someone was indeed injured due to irresponsible conduct at a school dance. Students shouldn't play the victims in a situation where they actually did something that could have and DID compromise the safety of others, resulting in an injury or dangerous situation.
All school dances should be fun for the students involved, a place where students can forget school and have fun. Dances should not be an environment where something as simple as how a person moves to a dance beat is brought up on the same level as other school misconducts.