Ballroom (BR) dancing is a thriving industry in America. But what is it and how well does it mirror America?
1. What is BR dancing?
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Ballroom dance.
Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television.
2. What is America?
Simply put, America is the land of opportunity!
3. BR dancing and America
Although American “free market” as a whole is questionable (American “free market” is a lie), BR dancing in America is 100% free market at work, with its own good, bad, and ugly. Two perspectives:
- Sam Sodano, an American story.
- Importing foreign talents.
Let me briefly highlight each …
3.1 Sam Sodano, an American story
Read About Book – Sam Sodano.
Below is my book review published on FB in December 2021.
- The book is remarkably well-written, with clarity, humor, and a large amount of information about Sam as well as America’s ballroom dancing industry.
- Sam and his partner Pat Hogan placed 2nd in the 1st American “Int’l Latin Championship” in 1971. Sam was, and still is, a handsome man.
- Today, Sam is the face of Ohio Star Ball.
- Sam is no hero by the popular American standards (e.g., He was drafted for Vietnam, without ever going there). But his success story is uniquely American, especially [1] inspirational for professional dancers who want to be like Sam and [2] informational for amateur dancers like me who just want to know more about the ballroom dancing industry.
Bottom line: It is a must-read for everybody, who is anybody in BR dancing in America.
3.2 Importing foreign talents
Just like many other industries in America, BR dancing has grown exponentially over the past few decades by importing foreign talents, especially from the former Eastern Bloc, including Ukraine and Russia.
4. What is America, anyway?
America has two huge problems:
- Mass shooting: Read It’s guns, stupid!
- A culture of war: Read The Monroe Doctrine at age 200.
Both have directly and severely impacted BR dancing in America.
5. BR dancing in America
Two recent events:
- Mass shooting: Read Wikipedia – 2023 Monterey Park shooting.
- War in Ukraine.
Let me briefly highlight each …
5.1 Mass shooting in Monterey Park
It hit the BR dancing world hard. The image below was made by a FB friend – It is worth more than 1,000 words.
5.2 War in Ukraine
It has been hugely impacting the BR dancing world, which involves many Ukrainians, Russians, and, of course, Americans.
As an example, the image below was drawn by a friend of BR dancing as a tribute to Zelensky shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
What a tragedy upon a tragedy!
Specifically, it was a tragedy for Russia to invade Ukraine, but it was also a tragedy for Americans to portrait Zelensky as a hero!
Simply put, this is an American proxy war against Russia, with Ukraine being a pawn! For more, read What is America’s “State of the Union”, really?
Unfortunately, many Americans (and Ukrainians) have failed to understand the essence of this war, mostly thanks to America’s establishment, which has been lying about it, just like it did about all the other post-WWII American wars (e.g., Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan)!
Bottom line:
- The root cause of the war in Ukraine is the post-1991 NATO expansions, which ultimately provoked Russia to invade Ukraine on February 24, 2022!
- It does not matter what you think. When Russia feels threatened by a pro-West Ukraine, it will push back by all means. When Russia pushes back, it will prevail over not only Ukraine, but also NATO (Russia vs. NATO).
- Ukraine is not fighting for freedom! It is fighting for freedom from Russia, in order to be a loyal lapdog for America!
- Nobody knows how the war in Ukraine will end, but everybody should know that it will end badly for Ukraine.
My fellow Americans, ask yourself this question: What would America do if our neighbor Mexico (or Canada) chooses to be hostile to us by allying with Russia?
Answer: America would carpet-bomb it to the “Stone Age”!
Now ask: Why has not Russia done that to Ukraine?
A realistic solution for Ukraine to avoid a total destruction of Ukraine:
- Negotiating with Russia, without America.
- Getting along with Russia, while staying neutral between Russia and America in geopolitics.
For more. Read Ukraine: Look to Afghanistan for Lessons About US Proxy Wars.
6. Discussion
Like many BR dancers from the former Eastern Bloc, I came to America to pursue my American dream and have realized it (My American Dream Has Come True!).
Unlike many BR dancers from the former Eastern Bloc, whose native countries have been victimized twice in a row (i.e., first communism and then democracy – Are Democracy and NATO a lethal combination?), my native country China has found its own path to success (The People’s Republic of China at 73), without democracy (Why does America hate China?)!
Better yet for China, it is well on her way to claiming the 21st century!
It is this unique experience that has given me a unique perspective to profoundly understand both America and China, and write about them (Why and how do I write?).
For more, read History 2.0 – China’s Comeback vs. America’s Decline.
Now, why am I writing about BR dancing?
I am a part of the BR dancing world! Two informative readings:
7. Closing
Both BR dancing and America are huge subjects. This post has given you a unique perspective: BR dancing is a thriving industry in America and it mirrors America well. Hopefully you find it helpful.
Help me save America by reading my book cited above!
Happy ballroom dancing!
