Is it racist to say white people can't dance?

Question

I ask because it seems this is an accepted stereotype in the media, particularly among blacks. For that reason, I don't feel comfortable dancing around black people, cause I don't want to worry about people making fun of me when I dance.

Answer 1

Racist is a strong word for it. I consider racism to be when you judge someone's character by their skin color and then treat them accordingly due to that. However, I would definitely say it is stereotypical and bigotry.
I do believe that black people tend to think they have the right to make racist comments though. Reverse racism is just as bad as the other. And they would be angry if white people said "all black people (fill in the blank).." It's the same thing. If you wouldn't want to be treated that way then you shouldn't treat others that way..

Answer 2

I think this saying came from white people first! Dances until the turn of the last century for white people, was pretty dull after all, althought clans in Scotland and around the world were doing the Highland Fling, the rumba, the samba, the can can, then came jazz and the Roaring Twenties and things speeded up. A lot of those moves coming from Latin countries and black tap dancers. One trying to outdo the other in the outrageousness of a new dance, some were forbidden like when Rock and Roll came around and Elvis wiggled and jiggled on stage, many thought it vulgar but we've come a long way since. There is also the saying about certain people "he (or she), dances to a different drummer". If we all danced the same it would be very boring, let loose have some fun and if you get laughed at just figure, they have to be watching you to do that and why aren't they dancing too. People who make fun of others are often hiding their own insecurities. Another thing I found that worked well is to picture those people that dance around you and perhaps laugh, being totally naked! Works for me!...Have fun and enjoy.

Answer 3

That's dumb. I'm sorry that you feel uncomfortable dancing around black people. If it makes you feel any better, I do too, and I'm black. Lol. Sadly there are people in all groups that will find some reason to poke fun at you.

I think it's very racist to say that a person can't do something because of how they look. People should never be judged like that.

Good luck to you and you should never let people stop you from having a good time no matter how stupid they are.

Answer 4

It's a stereotype, that's sort of taken as a joke, i do not think that it's a racism issue, just because racist things that are said are used against a group in order to hurt them as a whole, a stereotype is basically just a generalization, and this one is actually used in order to joke around. It's nothing serious and nothing derogatory. But lighten up and dance a little, so what if a black person laughs at you, or pokes fun, they'll just be doing so based on the stereotype... In a form of cross-cultural teasing.

Don't let it worry you, live a little.

Answer 5

Not really racist no, just incorrect. Some white people dance great, some can't. The same goes for any race. A lot of black people have more natural rhythm, but there is more to dancing than just shaking your booty. I have seen some black people try to dance to techno music with hilarious results, lol. The point is, just relax and have fun. The worst thing you can do is overthink it, just go with the beat you'll be fine. But no crazy moves (running man, etc), lol.

Answer 6

Frankly, it is as racist as saying black people can. I was at a politcal convention once when a speaker said "All men are rapists," to wild applause. I guess the antisexists were all asleep.

We live in a racist and sexist world. Most cultures (the Chinese in particular) have not even begun to think of it as an undesirable thing. We in the western world look at it as an evil, but in Beijing it is simply the way the world works. It will take a century of hard work to change that, if we can even get them to listen.

Answer 7

Actually, that statement is inherently racist. Making a generalized claim of an entire skin color based on stereotypes is racist.
Don't dance around people who you might think will make you uncomfortable. No need to make it about white versus black.

Answer 8

There are tons of racist and sexist stereotypes everywhere.
You should not care about these stereotypes, because they are broad overgeneralizations.
White people don't normally dance in the same way that black ppl do, and that is purely cultural, not racial. Anybody who spends a lot of time in a certain culture, say hip hop for example, will pick up on that cultural norm.
So my advice is do what you want, who cares what anybody thinks????????????

Answer 9

It is NOT racist because "can't dance" is an opinion. Maybe not everyone who believes that a certain dancer can dance better than every other dancer, is just stating his opinion. There is nothing wrong with that. To say that White people can't dance like Blacks IS racist! Also to say that White girls can't run as fast as Black girls is also racist. Try to avoid "comparing people to people" and you will be just fine. To compare "your own opinion about dancing" to "an other's opinion about dancing" is just fine too.

Answer 10

It's never racist to speak the truth.But your question is only half accurate.Straight white people can't dance.Gay white men are some of the best dancers around.I worked in a night club for years and know the truth of the matter.Only Gays,Blacks,and Hispanics can dance.Straight white people are pathetic dancers.