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많이 읽어주시고 공유해서 퍼트려주세요 **
Russian Below
Dear Facebook Dance Friends.
I’m stunned and distraught by the number of stories that are coming forward about women being sexually assaulted. What’s even more distressing is the fact that what we’re hearing is but the tip of the iceberg. Most women who are assaulted will never utter a public word about it. So if you want a clearer picture of the epidemic of sexual violence against women, take all the stories you are hearing on Facebook or in the media and multiply by ten.
Our dance scene is no exception. I’ve seen firsthand how many people question the veracity or reliability of the women who go public with their stories — especially when the assaulter is a prominent instructor. I’ve seen firsthand how many people will make excuses for the instructor’s conduct. That’s one of the reasons it took 9 women (one being the highly decorated Ramona Staffeld) coming forward before the entire lindy hop community was willing to ban Steven Mitchell.
One of the most insidious excuses is that the accused has not been convicted in a court of law. But there is a reason women do not go to the authorities. As a fellow lindy hopper, Alex Gaw, so eloquently said, “If someone comes forward, it’s probably after a great deal of agonizing doubt and reflection, in part because they know exactly what they’ll face if they do. Until we live in a world where survivors of sexual assault feel empowered to report their attackers, where police are likely to make arrests based on reports of sexual assault, where prosecutors are more likely to pursue cases of sexual assault, and where juries are more likely to convict the offenders, there is no place in a community discussion for cries of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’”
We know that Steven is a rapist and a predator. The fact that he was not convicted — either because of statute of limitations issues or because people did not want to relive their most traumatic moment in an impersonal courtroom — does not change that, nor does it change the obligations we have as a community to provide a safe environment for our fellow dancers, instructors, and students. So when a teacher/student/dancer says, “I’ve been raped,” the appropriate response it to create a safe space for her and NOT ask her what she was wearing, why did she lead that person on, gaslight her, or trivialize her experience in any way. If you would like to better know how to support survivors, check this out: https://www.rainn.org/articles/how-respond-survivor
And, for god’s sake, we need to stop conflating skilled dancing with good character. Yes, I totally get that it can be hard to believe that someone you know, you admire, that you’ve watched on youtube, or taken classes from could be capable of such a thing. It’s natural to be shocked by what a woman/women have revealed about a particular individual, but it’s really important to remember that people don’t cry rape just for “funsies.” When someone like Tatiana Udry spoke out about abuse and assault within the Swing Community, I was thrilled to see how many people share her post and voiced support. I hope that when the name(s) are revealed, that the support continues to be there, regardless of how well those individual(s) swing out.
Since the Max incidents have been reported I started watching your videos and think you are absolutely the best all around dancer with the most grounded and at the same time creative choreography I have seen. ( What do I know- I don’t even dance). My grandmother was a champion ballroom dancer and my mother an equity actress so I have been around a few dancers and choreographers.
Thank you, Scott. Much appreciated.