Racist and homophobic evangelical dance studio
I grew up as a fundamentalist christian (now deconstructed) and went to a christian dance studio called light of the world ballet. I never questioned the things they did there while growing up because everyone acted like it was normal, but in hindsight it was insane.
The studio makes up their own story ballets, all of which are about god (which is fine with me). The problem is that the (all white) company made a story ballet about Harriet Tubman that is racist and definitely not historically accurate. The picture is from a dance where little kids are dressed up as cotton plants and the older girls are dressed up as slaves who are picking the cotton. The dance is meant to be fun and silly and makes it seem as if the enslaved people were having fun. This is obviously a repulsive depiction of the horrific reality that enslaved people faced. The story ballet is still on the studio’s website so they’re obviously not ashamed of it.
There’s another story ballet condemning abortion. It’s just subtle enough that the little kids won’t understand what it’s about but I think it’s still kind of an insane premise, particularly for children to be a part of. There’s one dance that depicts christians praying outside of an abortion clinic. I just don’t think it’s appropriate to make kids be a part of a political message that they don’t even understand.
The studio is also openly homophobic. The older dancers have the opportunity to join the “youth ballet” where you learn more choreography and do more performances. There’s a code of conduct that you have to sign to be a part of it. One of the rules states “Homosexual behavior of any kind is not acceptable. Acting on or fulfilling same-sex attraction or gender confusion are not considered acceptable at LWB. If you are struggling with such tendencies and are willing to follow Biblical principles, opportunity will be made available for counsel and accountability.” While I understand that this is part of their belief system, it was very hurtful to sign that as a closeted teenager.
I just wanted to vent about my experience and perhaps receive confirmation that I’m not the crazy one for thinking that this studio is absurd. It is a truly bizarre experience to grow up and realize that the place and people you grew up with are so bigoted.