how come us black people have such a good feel of rhythm?

Question

like if u take a little black girl an a little white girl an put on some music,the little black girl will most likely dance better,and stuff.WHy

Answer 1

Nothing to do with race, it's mostly cultural. If you educate a white kid to be in a musical and artistic environment they will develop that side of things. The fact is that music has become embedded in black culture from times intemporal and even more so when we were made slaves. It was our form of expression and communication since a lot of our culture was censored. Look at capoeira for example. It was three things in one, communication, self-defence and entertainment all in the form of dance. It was a way to communicate in a way that only slaves would understand.

In fact what I find really really offensive is that Hollywood still pushes that kind of stereotype and the actors abide to it to make a few bucks.

Take care,


Doppelganger

Answer 2

I heard during my school years...can't remember what class, what grade or what teacher. But, we were told Africans (if this is what you are referring to) has a different hip structure than "most" white people. this is the reason so many black people are great in sports that require running and jumping. This could be the same for rhythm. How ever for my personal opinion....well gee, I think if you can dance you have both coordination and rhythm. It takes rhythm and coordination to polka, or belly dance, or square dance even. You simply can't dance without it. Other wise your right foot would trip over your left foot -lol-. Now I might be. Might be heck... I AM showing my age here....but....take John Travolta for instance, as far as I know or can see, he's not black and he had some GREAT moves! Bet he still does.... ohhhhh yeah! (blush). Hope this satisfies your curiosity. I don't consider your question to be racist. You aren't the only curious person about this matter. It was a question similar to this that brought up the subject I mentioned at the beginning of this long drawn out answer :)

Answer 3

Not always, but for the most part what you have stated is true. It has to do with genetics and physical makeup. Black people are better at some things then others as are people of other races. Some will say that blacks are just physically superior to white people period, but when is the last time you have seen a black hockey player or a black surfer? They are just better at some things then others and not to stereotype because not all black people can dance either.

You also have to understand that this can be a major disadvantage for some people and this "gift" has actually cost a good number of black men their lives. Back in Vietnam every time a sergeant would yell "GET DOWN" as incoming enemy fire rained in upon them the black soldiers would get up and dance.

Answer 4

Culture...it's exposure. You don't have a better feel...you have perhaps more freedom of expression. Many of the 'moves' black people have done for years would have been considered overly suggestive in white culture. This is changing with time, but there's still a long way to go.

Answer 5

Well, I'm one of those white girls who doesn't have rhythm & probably dances worse than David Byrne of the Talking Heads, but I think I might know the answer to your question.

I went to Morgan State University on a minority scholarship (yep, it's possible) & my education consisted of quite a bit more than could be learned in textbooks.

My understanding is that dance & music were deeply rooted in early African culture (as opposed to us white folks), so that might account for much of our rhythm-less ways. Rhythm was a more spiritual form of expression for y'all, and music was more important in many ways.

(We don't have fashion sense, either, but that's for another question lol)

Answer 6

I think Doppelganger is on the right track with saying it's cultural, especially with the mention about how one educates a child. Many black kids in the U.S. get a very early introduction to rhythm through their churches. From the time these kids are born, they're exposed to rhythmic gospel music and encouraged to clap and sway in time with the beat. If they don't get this training at church, then they typically get it in their homes. White kids with the same early encouragement to develop their gross motor skills in this way would show the same feel for rhythm as black kids.

I also agree with Doppleganger that it is very offensive for you and others to perpetuate the stereotype that this is somehow genetic.

Answer 7

You can take a black person out of Africa but you can not take Africa out of the black person. It has been in the culture to dance from the beginning of time til now even. Today they dance for different reasons than a hundred years ago but it is in there genes (jeans)so to speak. I have been to black gatherings for dinner or drinks and the always have black music going and everyone is constantly moving. They love to dance and are damn good at it too !

Answer 8

i've noticed it too, and i also witnessed a little black boy, about 4 years old, dribbling a basketball in Walmart way better than my 4 year old could ever think of doing! It's an amazing gift, enjoy!

Answer 9

I beg to differ your stereotyping right there, any person can dance no matter what race, it just depends where you grow up and such.

Answer 10

yeah, i also believe so... its like the rhythm comes so naturally, coming from within. You guys dont even have to try hard at all. I even saw a video of a 2 year old girl dancing like Beyonce.