Racism alleged in dancer tryouts. Mother implies it's b/c daughter doesn't have that "Barbie look."

The Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | Friday, November 7, 2003 | Sue Kiesewetter

[yankeedame]

Friday, November 7, 2003

Racism alleged in dancer tryouts

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By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Cheryl Sims' 12-year-old African-American daughter doesn't have what she calls the "Barbie look."

But if there's one thing the Hopewell Junior School seventh-grader can do, it's dance, her mother says.

That's why Sims doesn't understand why her daughter didn't make Hopewell's Winter Dance Team. "She's just a natural dancer," Sims said. "Almost every year in school she's voted best dancer. She's come home with gift certificates she's won for her dancing."

Sims suspects her daughter (she asked that her name not be used), didn't make the team because she is African-American and is not a cheerleader or athlete. None of the three African-American girls who tried out made the dance team.

"I think they already had it figured out who was going to make it,'' Sims said. "If you weren't a certain look, they didn't pick you for the team."

Lakota spokesman Jon Weidlich denied any allegations of racism and said selection was based on the judges' scores and students' talents. In past years, the same judges have selected African-American team members.

Sims met this week with school officials to discuss the selection process and said she will be told today what might be done in the future so that more students can participate on the team. She would like to see new judges, criteria and an audience present during another set of tryouts.

Lakota Assistant Superintendent Mike Taylor said concerns were raised to him by at least one other parent and at the building level by a third parent.

His discussions with Sims were "focused on the selection process and 22 girls not making the team and the reason why those girls did not make the team,'' Taylor said.

Forty-seven seventh- and eighth-grade students tried out before a three-judge panel. Weidlich said the team size was increased to 25 to accommodate more students.

E-mail suek@infionline.net

[Naspino]

Hard to say though. Depends on what kind of dancing they want. Watching most African American music videos there is a lot of "dancing" going on.

[EggsAckley]

There's nothing quite as ugly as a stage-door mother.

[Robert_Paulson2]

I am guessing:
But "not a barbie" usually means "she's ugly as a dog."
or more likely, "FAT."

NO amount of LAWS, COMMITTEES or attempts at enforcing "fat and ugly is okay" forms of political correctness will ever alter that reality.

[swany]

While I wouldn't doubt this young lady is probably very talented, the judges for school dance and drill teams are looking for style and continuity in form, not the color of ones skin. This is especially true if they compete.

Many auditions will teach choreography and performers will dance in groups, if a performer's style stands out, they will be cut. If a performer is heads and tails above the rest, they still stick out, they will be cut. If a performer is comparitively overweight, they will be cut. If a judge is having a bad day and makes a poor decision, doesn't like the color you are wearing, or lord knows what else, they will be cut.

If this child wants to become a performer, her mother better teach her the value of try, try again.

[Chuckster]

If this child wants to become a performer, her mother better teach her the value of try, try again.

Don't be silly. What the mother must teach her child is to get a good lawyer who will force the school to pay a huge settlement and then eliminate the program for fear of future lawsuits.

[Luke]

Well... seems to me she just wasn't good e'nuff!

[Lady Composer]

It entirely depends on her formal training, technique and the style they are looking for. What may look "good" to a proud stage-mother just may NOT cut it in auditions.

Trust me. I have 25+ years of experience in casting and music direction in music theatre.

[Ace's Dad]

Good insight!

[tbpiper]

It entirely depends on her formal training, technique and the style they are looking for. What may look "good" to a proud stage-mother just may NOT cut it in auditions.

Are you trying to imply that air humpin' and the close camera butt wipe is not good style?

[connectthedots]

This article contains too little information to make a fair evalvuation of the situation. I'd be interested in seeing what kind of dancing the awars were for.

Many excellent ballroom dancers do not dance the swing or country dances very well. I much prefer WCS, hustle, NC2S and a few latin dances over ballroom/smooth dancing.

[fishbabe]

so, i guess the white girls that didn't make weren't "BARBIE LOOKING" either??????????? funny, the black mother never mentioned all the white girls that didn't make it......

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I am guessing:

But "not a barbie" usually means "she's ugly as a dog."

or more likely, "FAT."

NO amount of LAWS, COMMITTEES or attempts at enforcing "fat and ugly is okay" forms of political correctness will ever alter that reality.

I'm thinking your speculation is probably spot on.

[BubbaBasher]

Here's the real problem:

[<1/1,000,000th%]

There are black barbies now.

[retrokitten]

[<1/1,000,000th%]

You have a Marilyn picture on your homepage.

[retrokitten]

LOL! I have that doll! I'm not a barbie collector, but I love Marilyn. My mom gave it to me for Christmas last year.

[Xenalyte]

Depends. Is she dancing, like choreographed routines, or is she ass-tappin and booty-snappin?

[<1/1,000,000th%]

So does my wife. I bought her this, plus a few others. She even has the dolls that came out in the '60's with Marilyn's costumes from the movies.