I was going to discuss Westernized schemata of Middle Eastern dance that many people seem to have but in light of recent comments made about the newly crowned Ms. America, I though I'd talk about that instead.

Ms. Nina Davuluri, formerly Ms. New York, is the first Ms. America of Indian descent and that seems to be a problem for some really stupid people.  These same people also failed geography...miserably. Ironically, Ms. Davuluri's platform is "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency."

  

I for one think this is wonderful and very much needed.  As the world is getting smaller with our technology, it is only smart to get to know one another and its sad to see people that want to be ignorant. Here are just a sample of some of the horrible tweets and my corresponding commentaries:

"and an Arab wins Miss America. Classic."  

"How the f--k does a foreigner win miss America? She is a Arab"  (dude, I find your grammar particularly "unamerican." It is Miss America, capitalize the M and an Arab, not a Arab. Stupid.)

"Egypt dancing? This is America" (so I guess you'd have a problem with Salsa? Just saying. And for the record, THIS is what "Egypt dancing" looks like.)

Dina of Cairo and Fatme Serhan

Sadie (and she's from the Mid West.)

"Congratulations al-Qaeda. Our Miss America is one of you." (uh...I can bet money and I don't like gambling but I don't think they would let their women out the cave, let alone go in public, on TV in a swimsuit.)

According to these buffoons, Miss America is supposed to be a blonde, blue-eyed Kansas girl and better yet, Egypt and India are one in the same. But enough of their buffoonery.

In these United States of America, there are people from all over the world.  Remember the quote by Emma Lazarus, on the Statue of Liberty? "Give me your tired, your poor..." Ellis Island was the first place many new immigrants came through. And before that on (unfortunately) slave ships. Plus, lets not forget the Natives that were already here. Now America has a little but of each country within this country.  That is what makes this country so great.  I tell you, I love me some Guinness and Shepherds Pie in an Irish pub with Young Dubliners songs playing overhead (I recommend Rory Dolan's in Yonkers and Rambling House in Woodlawn, Bronx) and other days I crave Moroccan Chicken and Couscous (Tagine in the Fashion District, NYC). This diversity is how a Puerto Rican woman from the Bronx can learn a dance from the Middle East and how she can do it so much so that she has those natives saying "You remind me of home."

People, lets get it together! Some may not like groups that seem different but you know what? It isn't for you to like. Its a matter of respecting one another on a human level. Lets open our minds (some might need to open a geography book...) and we'll find that these perceived differences are actually similarities.

Ms. Davuluri, I commend you for your bravery and effort in educating people.  I'm going to help you out! Starting with a map!

Hello and happy September! The kiddies are back in school and soon we will be bombarded with all things pumpkin-flavored! LOL! I hope you're doing well and thank you for reading my blog.

Recently I started teaching bellydance classes in a lounge in the Bronx. I love sharing bellydance in the borough I'm from. Every-so-often I  advertise in the community and I speak to all the ladies, no matter what size, shape or age. Some of the ladies look at me and then look at themselves as if they are too big/fat to take the class. Bueno, I'm about to let all of you women know what's good!

This style of dance is the kind that flatters all shapes and sizes, no matter if you're tall, skinny, short, stubby, meaty or fluffy (Gabriel Iglesias is sooo funny!). Very often I hear women say "oh but my belly's to big...I'm too fat for that!" I tell them quite honestly that having meat on your bones actually makes the dance look nice!

Women think you have to look a certain way to do this dance. Even smaller women ask if skinny girls can do this dance. I say any person no matter the size and shape can do this dance.  It flatters all. On a slimmer female it can make her body look more feminine. It's a dance for every person because it expresses joy. Some other responses I've gotten were "oh, but I have to lose this stomach (before I do that)," I say bellydance will help you lose that if that's your goal but you do not have to lose weight before taking a class. Some women ask me if bellydancing will help them lose weight, it sure can but I recommend adding cardio to it for weight loss. Bellydancing is fantastic for strengthening the core and increasing flexibility.  Ladies, I say give it a try. What have you got to lose besides calories?

For opportunities to get your shimmy on this month I will continue to teach FREE bellydance classes every Thursday at 7p in Beso Lounge located on 320 E. 204^th Street between Hull Avenue and Perry Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx. This is great if you want to explore Bellydance but still wonder if it’s for you. Also they have drink specials!! J

Beginning next week, Tuesday, September 10^th at 6p and Thursday, September 12^th at 5:30p I will teach SharQui-The Bellydance Workout® in White Plains, NY at Love Dance Fitness located on 196 Maple Avenue on the corner of South Lexington Avenue. SharQui® is great for those who want to learn bellydance and get that real workout where you’re sweating but still having fun! It’s a total body workout that increases your stamina, tightens your core and burns more than 300 calories per class.