This High School Dance Team's Uniforms Are Snatching Edges & The Internet Can't Take It
Three snaps in the air are in order for the Florida high school dance team that went viral for the way they snatch edges in the dancing game!
Last month, the Golden Girls dance squad of the Miami Northwestern Senior High School had the Internet shook with the blue and black costumes the young ladies adorned while on the sidelines of a football game.
While I saw young black women strutting with pride, heads thrown back, and invisible crowns held high as they made their entrance, others saw the need to offer their critique of what they deemed “inappropriate” and viewed as young girls wearing lingerie. The dance team quickly went viral with everyone offering an opinion, with comments that ranged from "These girls look like strippers," to "This is disgusting, I'm done." A father also offered his take saying, "Women don't see a problem with this but men with daughters do. Guaranteed none of these girls have a father in their lives."
This week, the principal of the high school, Wallace Arisitde, issued a statement to the public, explaining that the parents of every girl on the dance team gave approval for the costumes the young ladies wear:
“Miami Northwestern Senior High School has always been a source of pride for students, parents, alumni and the community. We will continue that tradition. While all the parents of the dancers who participated in the event approved of the attire, we understand the concerns that have been raised and sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused. Looking ahead, we will implement a more comprehensive and stringent uniform approval process to ensure an appropriate representation of our school.”
Unfortunately, the sexualization of black women has always been a cause for concern in the black community.
At the age of 8, little girls are told to stop being so “fast” when they walk into a room with their nightgown on while a male guest over the age of 30 is in the house. At 14, the shorts she is wearing because of the hips she is beginning to develop make her look easy, despite the fact that her peers might wear the same attire with no qualms at all. At 28, she could be fully clothed and still cat-called and called out of her name, just because.
The double standard runs deep.
Meanwhile, the dance team’s director and former Miami Heat dancer Traci Young-Byron, became privy to the heat and fired back at disparagements, shedding light on the fact that sexualization of women tends to be something only black young ladies are subjected to. The former dancer even noted the importance of wearing costumes that allow dancers to move without restriction.
Although the principal mentioned a more comprehensive uniform approval process in his statement, Young-Byron brought even more sass to their outfits this week. The Golden Girls were spotted entering the stadium entrance in shoulder wings, cage skirts, and neon pink ponytails, which had heads turning once again during Game 4.
YAS!
Yasss!
Yasssssssss!
There’s no better way to make a statement about how you won’t succumb to patriarchy and misogynoir than to make an entrance that screams busy and unbothered. Real Queens move in silence and allow their success to be their noise.
Keep slaying young Queens!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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6 Spring Events To Boost Your Professional And Social Networks
When spring arrives, we all want to be outside, looking fabulous, and back to socializing. And now is the perfect time to add a few great events to your calendar to get you through the quarter in order to make new friends, build new partnerships, and talk new opportunities to level up.
Spring is a high season for networking and social events for Black women, with many organizations and event entrepreneurs booking prime locations and offering dynamic experiences that you can maximize in whatever way possible. Write down your goals, and get out there. Start with a few of these events between now and the start of summer:
New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, April 23 - May 3
The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival is a 10-day event held over two weekends, bringing together thousands of musicians, craftspeople, and food lovers to share in common threads of culture in the heart of New Orleans. You'll get to enjoy works by artisans local to Louisiana as well as from across the U.S. and around the world.
Black Food Truck Festival, April 26-28
Hosted in Charleston, S.C., the Black Food Truck Festival includes an opening party, access to more than two dozen food truck vendors, and a time to workout with other attendees. Charleston has long been known as a Southern foodie destination, with global recognition due to James Beard-awarded chefs heading popular restaurants there and a renewed focus on Gullah and Geechee culture and food in the region. And what better conversation ice-breaker than to talk about food with a new acquaintance?
Black Women's Mental Health Conference, May 4
Hosted by New York University, this is a one-day event to tackle issues of mental wellness and health that uniquely affect Black women and girls. The keynote speaker for this year is Kim Young, MSW, LCSW, founder of Dope Black Social Worker® and host of the podcast Revolutionary Hoodrat, and leading licensed professionals in the field will offer their insights and share their experiences. And, of course, no college-led event is without time blocked specifically for networking.
Strength of a Woman Festival, May 11-12
Anything with Mary J. Blige headlining or leading is a win, especially if we're talking about women's empowerment and enjoyment. This event will be held in New York City, and beyond the performances from some of our favorites like Muni Long, Jill Scott, and The Clark Sisters, there will be a Gospel Brunch. And even if you're not able to attend or concerts aren't your thing, just being in the city during that time will mean you're bound to run into plenty of other women to network with at local bars and restaurants nearby.
Carefree Black Girl Cookout, May 4
Held in the Queen City, Charlotte, N.C., this is a day festival amplifying the voices and brands of Black women entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. There will be vendors, glam and beauty bars, and complimentary meals for the first hour (according to the platform's website). They're hosting another cookout in Philadelphia on May 25.
Black Women Leading Live, May 13-16
Touted as an “intimate retreat + conference,” this Virginia Beach, VA event will be held on a resort and is offering a professional development experience led by Laura Knights, founder of the Black Woman Leading® program and podcast. It’s an ideal fit if you’re a mid-level or senior professional, as the topics and approach are set to cater to those levels of career experience, with coaches and speakers pouring into attendees with a holistic approach.
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