Re: "Message from USAs Top Representatives to WDC World Championships"

13 lipca 2008 12:26

Hello Barry,

historically many artists and performers have  often been first discovered,  recognized and had come to fame abroad, and only later they have become accepted for their fame ( gain abroad )  and greatness at home.

This applies not only to writers, poets, singers, but also dancers.

 I am not familiar with the article you refer to, and forgive me if I am not on the money...

It is only natural for these obviously talented artists to want to be recognized by their own people, in their own towns, in their own country.  It is unfortunate they are not.  Probably due to politics in their industry.

It applies also to products.   It is too bad that people cannot be satisfied and appreciate quality of their own products.

People living in Europe wish for USA,  Japanese  made products,  they always thought highly of Japanese motorcycles ( ie Honda )  , even at the time Japanese products were considered substandard in Americas. On the other in Americas we think that products made in Europe somehow means high quality, we seek it and are willing to pay premium for it. We  find Ford substandard to  Italian made cars while Italians want American made etc.

Even though we have great dance teachers locally, we  are looked up to , even admired when we travel far away,  abroad, and take dance lessons there.  After all, now we are thought as someone who gained what's not available to others, and it is considered to be "mysterious, superior and generally better". It does not matter if we have not improved and still limp around as we had before.

I think same applies to  the USA dancers you write about.

I do not think is has anything to do with  our "beloved Gorge" ,as you wrote.   It is natural, and it has always been there, I believe.

Same phenomenon does not apply to "real" sports, where the results can be accurately measured.  100 m dash in 9.5 secs,  means same in Europe, Asia and in USA,  but an acceptance of a painter or a singer in Europe means these artists are probably worth of the second look by his/her  own country man, because they may have overlooked something.

Re: "Message from USAs Top Representatives to WDC World Championships"

13 lipca 2008 17:40

@Barry,

thank you for the reference URL.

I do not think the writers try to indicate a wrong doing and bad treatment of USA dancers, after all, and you correctly pointed out,  and so have the dancers signed  onto the open letter,  that   USA couples get recognized into finals etc. 

Hence my previous response has missed  its  mark.

In reading the open letter  the writers  speak out and complain on behalf of their NDCA association,  on  behalf of  NDCA  adjudicators when complaining  that WDC promised to use them,  but have yet to live up to the promise.

I do not understand why the professional competitors  wrote the letter.   I think  the letter and the  complain should have been  written and signed by those to whom the promise had been made .

If WDC made the promise, they owe an explanation to the USA adjudicators, and it is NDCA which should demand it.

Is it possible that Donnie Burns was just joking and not serious ? Is it possible that Donnie meant well but was defeated via WDC democratic voting process  ?   

Perhaps NDCA and WDC have some differences and WDC had a change of hearts and the Good-Will expressed by Donnie has just evaporated.  I am sure there is a simple explanation,  but it would be good to see World Professional united,  they have a greater threat to deal with, and you know what they say about the prospect of those divided .

Re: "Message from USAs Top Representatives to WDC World Championships"

13 lipca 2008 17:55

Barry,

We agree that it is a great honour to win any top WDC title. But sambatogo is concerned about 2 things.

Firstly, why is it that the USA has not had a representative at any of the last 6 WDC World Championships? And how many other countries suffer the same exclusion? Or is it part of the regular process or not?

Secondly, why does the article in Dance Beat have an author by John Kimmons? When the article has, From the top couples from the USA? Who is it exactly from? The couples, via Mr. Kimmons? Surely they are capable of writing it themselves if they have a concern? Also, have these couples expressed their dissatisfaction to the WDC? {If they do infact have a dissatisfaction, to the WDC? As it is not absolutely clear}   It does seem a very strange way of getting ones point accross. Even if it is for good reason.

Sambatogo.

Re: "Message from USAs Top Representatives to WDC World Championships"

13 lipca 2008 22:59

Upon reflection, it has become clear that it is not unfair to the USA couples concerned.{As they have all done well} But maybe unfair to the NDCA, but this is not yet proven? What also is very clear, is that none of the couples mentioned had a signature to the document that was published. And therefore could not be then recognised as authentic or legitimate. {even though it could be} Just not official or legal, we would assume. But, merely a statement, no doubt under pressure from the IPDSC Vice President was it mentioned? Mr. John Kimmons.

Either way not good, and those couples concerned should immediately make their position clear with regard to this rather wreckless public statement.

Sambatogo.

Re: "Message from USAs Top Representatives to WDC World Championships"

14 lipca 2008 13:24

I accept the correction. The result is the same, the message is out, the consequences are to be seen.

Thank you for the contribution, and the e-mail  follow up to the source.   It is not enough to rumble and criticise in  forums.    Sending an e-mail to the principals is a good start.  If more readers, and especially the dancers,  let their organisations know their views the more likely likely would  organisations act in the members interest.

Will NDCA  read your e-mail ? Probably .  Will they react ?  That is no longer under our control and they have the ammunition and all the facts and motives to act, not act, keep pushing in one, or, in  another direction.

I believe and support the competitors right to choose and support what ever, and  who ever they wish,  and at the same time accept the organisations have the right to defend their own existence and the right to  direct their members if they feel their membership is under an attack,  the members possibly being lured away, deceived ,  taken advantage of  etc. 

I believe that dancers who properly registered  should never be forced  to  become  members of another  organisation  if they  wish to participate in another dance  organisation's  open event.  I find it deplorable, misleading  and  under-handed  if another organisation suggests that the membership is mandatory, but,   somebody else ( usually the event organiser ) would pay for the membership "this  year" ,  if  the dancers would attend.

WDC World Amateur Championship is a different story. 

If I am correct,  Amateur dancers are asked to participate regardless of their organisation's directives.

I like the idea, and it would be all great if WDC would agree not to declare, that  the dancers' participation in  WDC World Amateur Championship was  a support for the  WDC movement , the  WDC  vision, the WDC freedom  waving "thing"  ,  and a proof of a failure of the other organisations to keep own membership in line, and/or  declaring  the dancers' voluntary participation somehow a  victory for WDC and a failure and a defeat of , for example, the allegedly  evil and dictatorial  IDSF .

That would be unfair, unjustified, it would be abuse of authority, and insult to dance and dancers,  and in that case, dancers would be advised to stay away.  Dancers want to be treated with respect,  they have too much invested in dance,  they do not want to be used as pawns. They want to be judged on the merit of their accomplishments, result of hard work, result if a great investment and often a great sacrifice. And   if the dancers move on, and switch memberships,  they should not be scorned by one and,  should not receive a special treatment , as if  heroes,  by another.

Competition is healthy !  If you want to keep members, provide superior product and service. 

Just because I like shopping in one store does not mean I hate other stores. As a matter of fact shoppers should be encouraged to visit other stores,  test different  products and decide who offers the best value for the moneys.   And if the store insists on a membership,  the red flag should be up.

But if you see a value of  becoming a member ( because the members may receive extra perks, or discounts ) , do it, but no one has the right and nobody can  restrict you from shopping  elsewhere. 

If Organisations want your membership, want your moneys, they should offer a value.  I think the dancers wishing to attend a competition would think differently about memberships if they for example saved on entry tickets,  while non members would be asked to pay more, and it would be up to dancer to decide if the comp is too costly, or if  paying the membership and the privilege and associated perks would justify the expense.