Recently in China, square dancing has gained massive popularity among citizens. This phenomenon has reached the attention of the central government due to its apparent noise pollution affects. In response, it has tasked an expert panel to choreograph 12 accepted square dance routines.
Still, restrictions on location, music volume, and timings for square dancing are still up in the air. The new initiatives stem from community complaints in areas where large group and loud volume square dancing is popular. Surprisingly, the majority of the square dancing constituency is elderly people. Chinese “experts” attribute this to the notion that older people are more educated and healthier now.
Many see square dancing groups, which can reach numbers in the thousands, as an opportunity for exercise. Apparently, the most important factor is the networking aspect for Chinese people. In large groups, they meet new people and find friends with a common interest. While the community aspect benefits those involved, over 100 million people have participated in the phenomenon, disturbing the peace. With this many people square dancing, questions arise over whether or not regulation can be effective, especially without a massive organization to implement it. Moreover, how can the government stop people from dancing in any open areas?
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/china-moves-to-regulate/1766790.html
The implementation of 12 “acceptable” square dance steps seems impossible to enforce in a population of over a billion. This seems like more of a crowd control issue. When people meet in groups of thousands, ideas and trends can spread quickly.
Very interesting that the government has felt it necessary to step in and regulate such a seemingly innocent cultural trend. I wonder who will be appointed to the expert panel that oversees square dancing regulation. In my opinion it seems a bit overbearing. Let the people dance
How can the government even try to regulate people dancing? As an American, I am frustrated by even the notion (see Bill of Rights). Honestly, this seems like something out of the musical Footloose.
It’s important to look at this from a Chinese perspective. As Americans we value dancing (noodling, dougieing, bernieing, etc.) as part of our right to freedom of expression. However, the potential for movements outside of the 12 “acceptable” ones to symbolize dissent or to propagate rebellion is simply too great. Additionally, it’s impossible to ignore that square dancing originated in the American South, a region all too familiar with domestic military backlash. For all the Chinese know, the innocent-looking woman in the red is a Putin-like, iron fisted ruler in the making. Beware of the square.
It’s important to look at this from a Chinese perspective. As Americans we value dancing (noodling, dougieing, bernieing, etc.) as part of our right to freedom of expression. However, the potential for movements outside of the 12 “acceptable” ones to symbolize dissent or to propagate rebellion is simply too great. Additionally, it’s impossible to ignore that square dancing originated in the American South, a region all too familiar with domestic military backlash. For all the Chinese know, the innocent-looking woman in the red is a Putin-like, iron fisted ruler in the making. Beware of the square.
First, the father of one of my high school friends called square dances as a hobby. What the video shows is not what Americans know as square dancing.
Specifying standard steps, however, is congruent with martial arts and many other athletic endeavors as it can facilitate recognizing someone as having mastered the basics for a teaching certificate. It likewise would make it easier to come up with music. Since this is a group endeavor, not solo dancing as at a disco or club, you do want some coordination. Surely on TV you would find the equivalent of “dance with the stars” taking things beyond the 12 basics. But if everyone knows those 12 sequences, they can also better appreciate what the pros do.
It certainly is not the square dance we know in America. Moreover, before my first viewing of the video, I was fully expecting (hoping) “Cotton Eyed Joe” to be blasting on the streets in China.
That being said, population plays an important factor here. I can understand how regulations may be needed when you have people dancing in numbers above 100 million!
I think that the Chinese government will always we wary of allowing foreign (especially Western/ American) activities to become popular in China. I’m sure they worry about too many cultural adoptions leading to the cultivation of the “American spirit” which might lead to thoughts of freedom and sovereignty. Ideas such as these are completely not allowed.