thegoddamazon:

Belly dancing.

We all know its origins, and we all probably want to do it, have done it, or like to watch it.

However, can we just discuss that damn near all the people in America “teaching” belly dance classes and doing performances are white women? 

They’re plain old white women who can belly dance, but what’s problematic and a trend is the bastardizing of the whole culture surrounding belly dancing, taking “exotic” sounding names to make their classes more appealing/edgy/ethnic-ish, and then performing at hookah bars or other “Middle Eastern-feeling” venues.

It’s always bothered me, especially when I hear the word “tribal” and “belly dance” used in the same sentence.

Can we discuss this problem? Because it’s a problem.