According to online reports, The Tyra Banks show has canceled a planned interview with the Jonesboro high school dance team that made headlines recently.
A video of the dance team performing splits and a tame lap dance routine with boys at a high school basketball game, sparked protests from parents when it was posted on Myspace.
The eight members of the dance team, mostly black, didn’t know their trip to NYC had been canceled. On Wednesday, a publicist for the show said the dance team will not appear on the show. But she didn’t give a reason for the cancellation.
“We initially did reach out to them,” said Jessica Fielder, a publicist for Banks. “But we’re not having them on now.”
Normally, guests are booked on the show before the host is informed. Word is, Tyra watched the video after the dance team had been booked, and she wondered aloud “what’s the big deal?”, before instructing her rep to cancel the dance team’s appearance.
Can you blame her? I saw the video on Fox’s O’Reilly Factor and thought nothing of it myself. Isn’t this par for the course when it comes to our youth?
Believe me, only white people were shocked by the images in that video.
For the past two decades rappers, record labels, radio stations, and music video outlets provided the stimulus for our children to behave like sluts and hoes. So I don’t see the big deal when they behave as they are expected to.
This is the result of Hip Hop’s influence on our youth in it’s rawest form. We should all be used to this type of vulgar public display by our young girls who are taught to have no respect for themselves or others.
Let’s just say TV..sex is everywhere.I’m sorry I can’t put on one type of person.It’s what entertainers do.If your kid somehow end up watching, not their fault.
This falls under the guise of “dancing?”
Yes, sex is everywhere, but the responsible adult should have known better than to allow this performance at a school game. The dance teacher was fired as she should have been. What is done at home or outside of school is parenting, but the school should not be where these kids can audition for Harlem Knights! Those in Houston , know this is where they belonged.
No, this is not “dancing”…this is Stripper Prep. Man, these girls have on VERY little clothing and are on chairs popping and gyrating all over the place. SMH. Not a good look at all.
I wouldnt blame this on hip hop…there are other seductive videos and artist such as Britney Spears, Madonna, Pink and etc….
Remember when you were a kid? Remember that you knew a lot more than your parents THOUGHT you knew? Well as the years go by kids know more and more about things that their parents THINK they have no idea about…things happen in school that parents can’t imagine…all it takes is for one kid to have a certain upbringing or experiences and expose it to another student for it to be passed aroung the school.
I say hip hop is responsible for some actions but everytime a child acts up or too grown we can’t keep blaming it on hip hop.
Hmmmm… I don’t think I agree with you or Tyra on this case. Regardless of how hip-hop or the media or whatever has depicted women and sex, we have to educate and try and undo that damage. Perhaps the question should be why did Tyra not see the big deal. She is supposed to be, or touts herself as, a role model for young women. This would have been the perfect opportunity for her to get these girls on her show and show them the error of their ways. Teach them to have more respect for themselves!
If we as a community would be more willing to be outraged by the actions of our youth, as you say that white people are, instead of just accepting it because of the influence of the media (rap, hip-hop, whatever)…. then we can get our young people back on the right track.
OK.. Off of my soap box now!!
I didn’t see one girl “dancing” – especially the one who kept tugging at her obviously too-tight shorts.
The jacked up thing about this, is that some “sponsor” of this “dance” team approved this ish. I don’t give a damn what is on TV and in videos – that can’t be an excuse for teenage girls dancing like little hos and training the young boys to be strip-club patrons. If the girls parents won’t step up, then at least the woman in charge of this dance group should have known better.
@ Sandra, I highly doubt Tyra said “what is the big deal?” She seems to be very much about empowering young girls and boosting self-esteem – I doubt she was like “whatever”.
I work with teens ages 13-18 and I teach them about self esteem and self respect. One of my girls dances at another school in this county and she is the captain and I am always on her about what their dance uniforms look like and the moves they are doing. One of the mothers feels nothing was wrong with the dance and thats the BIGGER PROBLEM IMO! That “dance routine” was way to sexy for some teens and those outfits were very stripperish. Yes this is the A and kids know thats one of the many things we are known for but they still need to be taught right from wrong.
@ Fenix6376 –
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I agree whole heartedly with you. We are so quick to point a finger at what/who we think is the root of our problems. Instead of trying to turn it around andshouw our kids the right way. If we (parents) instill some of our grandparents up bringings like teaching our girls to respect themselves and others. a lot of this crap wouldn’t take place.
For the past two decades rappers, record labels, radio stations, and music video outlets provided the stimulus for our children to behave like sluts and hoes. So I don’t see the big deal when they behave as they are expected to.
This is the result of Hip Hop’s influence on our youth in it’s rawest form. We should all be used to this type of vulgar public display by our young girls who are taught to have no respect for themselves or others.
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i have to agree with you sandra on these statements.
ive seen far worse than this and i graduated high school in late 90’s ,but today is a different time! however that wasnt bad all there wasnt even any touching. plus half the BULL Tyra talks about on that show and to cancel these kids, AWFUL! i bet she still gets some of the attention by having some type of spin off on the subject with some type of panel! F outta here Tyra
@Brwn it still doesnt make the dance right or mean PARENTS shouldn’t teach their kids right from wrong. Hip hop can’t be blamed on everything. Teens do know right from wrong and have to learn their are actions have consequences. When you have parents thinking nothing was wrong with the dance thats the BIGGER issue. I work you teens I know how much they love 106 and the all the hot latest rappers and videos etc.
Nah, there is NO excuse for this mess! Even if the parents’ didn’t personally teach these young ladies to have more respect for themselves and were okay with the routine,the staff should’ve intervened. Whomever approved the outfits and this dance routine should have their head delivered to them. We do live in a time in which “sex sells” but I be daggone if you are going to force sex on my child using their half-naked peers at a pep rally. Both the attire and the routine was completely out of line and definitely NOT kid friendly.
Okie dokey. I ain’t got all day to sit here and watch that video waiting for the suggestive part. I guess what is offensive is just having the boys. Admittedly I only watched for three minutes but at no time are they shaking their butts in the boys face nor did they sit on their laps. The overall dancing was not suggestive. It was mainly just terrible. The don’t deserve to be on Tyra’s show because they suck. The fat one wasn’t even trying to keep up and neither was the girl in the middle around the 3 minute mark.
@Yvonne AMEN AMEN and AMEN!!! The school officals are trying to act like they didnt approve or see the dance beforehand. The dancers are saying otherwise and I tend to believe them. Had they been told not to do the dance or wear those outfits they wouldnt have cause now they cant do what they love the rest of the school yr and thats dance.
I will knock my daughter into next week and meet her there… How sad I agree with you Sandra!!!!!!
Where are their parents?
@Bird I guess you missed the boys turn around and look dead in the girls booty once they were pulled on the court. I would NOT want my child doing a dance like that in high school. I went to a black college and was a cheerleader and we knew how to make our skirts pop like nobodys business. There is a time and place for everything and that was a bit much IMO for high school.
@Snooty the parents dont feel anything was wrong with the dance.
terika83 Says:
I wouldnt blame this on hip hop…there are other seductive videos and artist such as Britney Spears, Madonna, Pink and etc….
^ Thank you!!!!But they call them legends.F that!How you not know these girls were studying Britney?I’m not falling for this is hip-hop fault because these females happen to be black!It’s 2009 and no one is fooling me.Next!
Oh my. I have just read all the comments and clearly I am missing some detail by looking on such a small screen. I am going to assume there are suggestive moves that are not distinctive enough for me to see. I hate watching videos on the computer!
Sandra, please use your powers for good, can u post a story about Adji Desir the missing boy in FL.
@Daisy…. Thank you…. Well if the parents don’t mind then this is what you get as a result sexual movement and illicit behavior pregnancy will so follow for at least 2 of them.
Again I wish my child would. She would of have been so embarrassed when I walked down there an snatched a plug out of her…….
@Snooty I would have turned that gym OUT..lol My child would have never wanted to go back to school but she would have gotten over it. My mama was a lil taken aback the 1st time she came to see me cheer in college. She wasnt use to such popping in shaking..lol
Daisy Says:
@Bird I guess you missed the boys turn around and look dead in the girls booty once they were pulled on the court. I would NOT want my child doing a dance like that in high school. I went to a black college and was a cheerleader and we knew how to make our skirts pop like nobodys business. There is a time and place for everything and that was a bit much IMO for high school.
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Why is it ok for college and not for high school? I did see the guys looking around while the ladies were behind the chairs with their backs supposedly to the guy’s backs. I do agree the guys shouldn’t have been there because that is kinda mimicking a lap dance even though the girls didn’t actually do that. But was the dancing bad? I didn’t see it. I was a cheerleader from middle school through high school and we wore short skirts. My mother was the first black cheerleader in our NJ town in 1958 and their skirts were short as well. The point of these kind of ouftits are to allow easy movement. It is an added bonus that they happen to be cute, but don’t be looking for cheer and dance teams to be donning blue jeans. They never have. It’s too hard to do flips, jumps and splits in them.
@Daisy…. I can understand your mom’s stance however these are high school girls.. THey need to focus on school and hit the books as hard as they are popping their tails… College life and high school life is so very different.
SMH
KaraZ Says:
Sandra, please use your powers for good, can u post a story about Adji Desir the missing boy in FL.
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I saw heard some of his story on Nacy Grace last night. He was playing in the yard with his grandmother and basically vanished?
@Bird I would have not had a problem if they were in a dance uniform/costume like dance teams in college are for the most part. Our skirts were not super short our coach didnt play that. You are considered grown at 18 thats the difference. I would always be the one on the squad saying certain moves were a bit much even in college. I have always had respect for myself and body. We had a car wash one yr in booty shorts and tied up tops I did NOT participate I didnt think it was necessary to dress like that for a car wash.
MY daughter will not wear anything the emulates stripper clothes dont care if its for easy movement or anything. She will not end up on the back of a milk carton because i thought it was cute for my child to look like a slut and wearing clothes that validates that point…. ummmm NO
@Bird let me clarify the dance moves would have still been to suggestive in a dance costume for teens in high school.
I have boys and I already know that I will have the convo about not patronizing “thirsty” broads because I’ll be damned if they cross into our bloodline. I can’t see the vid til later but from the comments I am irritated.
As black women we have to own and enjoy our sexuality. That does not mean selling it for cheap as it is priceless. We have to talk to our kids about all that comes with sex and sexuality so that they know these displays are unnecessary and tacky.
terika83 Says:
Remember when you were a kid? Remember that you knew a lot more than your parents THOUGHT you knew?
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Yes, but as kids we made sure it remained that way. We didn’t do or say anything to let our parents know how much we knew out of respect. Kids today don’t give a damn who they disrespect.
@Snooty I agree and I dont think the kids should be called slut and whore in school like they have been but I do feel they need to know the dance was a bit much for their age range.
The dance team didn’t have much dancing. They can do a routine with 8 counts and acutal steps and throw in a pop and shake here n there vs doing a chair dance almost lap dance routine..lol I wonder what their other “dances” looked like.
@Daisy…. I am not saying they are sweetie because i dont know them personally but from the appearance what would you think sometimes perception is a reality…..
In one of the high schools out here in TX they had a blood drive and kids donated blood but when they tesedt all of the donated blood 80% of the blood could not be used because it had all types of STD’s… A lot of the kids had HIV already…
Times are different but my child will respect me trust that…
@Snooty I was referring to the kids in school calling them names such as slut, whore etc. The dance captain did an interview here with the local paper. She said she knows who she is before and after the dance in response to the name calling.
ALthough there is a degree of truthfulness in Sandra’s comments, I absolutely HATE when everything is blamed on HipHop. These moves are done in more than just hip hop videos, in fact you are more likely to see then in a Britney, Christina, Madonna etc. videos as well as a lot or rock videos. Hell, didn’t DC do a “classy” lap dance at the BET awards? Blame TV, movies, and all genres of music in the media today not just hip hop.
Also blame the adults who thought this was o.k to highschool females to perform.
Pardon my typo ” tested”
@Daisy…. Okay sweetie.. Its all LOVE you know that… sorry for the misunderstanding…….
i thought something horrible was going to happen here but it didnt…. they werent doing anything you dont see in a music video, but we all know white children dont listen to urban music, that why urban music never makes it to the top of the music charts. and im glad im see all yall in church on sunday morning sitting in the missionaries corner with white glove and white hat.
@Sandra, you def. have a point…kids now-a-days are a lot more disrespectful to their elders…but I was saying that to say that Idk why some parents are shocked…angry yes maybe they should be but shocked…no.
Daisy Says:
We had a car wash one yr in booty shorts and tied up tops I did NOT participate I didnt think it was necessary to dress like that for a car wash.
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I didn’t want to run off on a tangent on a differant topic, but I am more dismayed by ho-like behavior from college girls than high school because the college girls are our future managers. Ain’t no telling what half those high school girls are going to become. No doubt several of those dancers were 18. Age is not what matters for me and I’m truly not stuntin no dance or cheering costume unless it’s straight up lingerie. I don’t know what kind of strip clubs yall have been to where the “ladies” have this much clothing on, but when I used to go with my ex the ladies look exactly as they look in the Player’s Club. This dance team is definately not dressed like strippers. Now had they got down and did a combination split/booty pop like ole girl on For the Love of Ray J then I’da been all up on my soap box. It’s funny how people look at things differantly. As a former cheerleader I was most concerned about the girls screwing up the routine. Weird.
Daisy Says:
@Brwn it still doesnt make the dance right or mean PARENTS shouldn’t teach their kids right from wrong. Hip hop can’t be blamed on everything. Teens do know right from wrong and have to learn their are actions have consequences. When you have parents thinking nothing was wrong with the dance thats the BIGGER issue. I work you teens I know how much they love 106 and the all the hot latest rappers and videos etc.
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even though teens know right from wrong like anything else because the majority of kids are doing it it’s becoming normmal behavior. we are in a fight against our own children.
when we send our kids to school they are totally different than how they are at home. you know why? because they are fighting a battle everyday to fit in etc.
so, we as parents need to become MORE accountable for our kids actions. point blank. see, i would have been at the practice to see the dance ahead of time and My DAUGHTER…would not have been allowed to participate. it just sends the wrong message.
if more parents were involved with the school we would be able to change this around. this is GENERATIONAL…scary!
@brownsugga:
I agree. Parents should be a LOT MORE accountable for our kids’ actions. It parents assumed responsibility, a lot of children would not run amuck (sp) the way they do. Lord knows I am ALL over my kids. I tell them, “You better be on point at all times because you NEVER know when I may pop up.” My mom put that fear in me too. I used to think my mom would pop out of the damn bushes…LOL
This whole deal amazes me.
@Bird
The only issue is not the outfits. We ALL are aware of what cheerleaders wear, but these outfits clearly are not those type of outfits. Combined with the fact that the girls are simulating lap dances. This is not cool. I saw on the news a couple of days ago, that a a spokesperson for the school said that they saw the routine, but it was minus the outfits and the chairs. Bull if you ask me. And if that is acceptable, what are our standards for our kids.
Parents that saw nothing wrong are the same ones that are going to be grandmothers soon and blame everyone, but themselves.
@Bird everybody I cheered with is very successful in their careers. Some ppl don’t see anything wrong with showing a little or all your goods to get what they want need. As far as strip clubs I have never been to one and dont plan on going. No the girls were not dressed like full out strippers but thats the look/vibe they were going for im sure.
@Yvonne my mama pulled me out the club once in high school. I snuck out the house and she sure came and shamed me..lol I was not hot in the tail and didnt have sex in high school but my mama was NOT having it and taking any chances..lol
More like party vs club..lol I am from a small town we aint have no clubs back then..lol
It so easy to point the finger, but actually what is the REAL problem???
yvonne79 Says:
@brownsugga:
I agree. Parents should be a LOT MORE accountable for our kids’ actions. It parents assumed responsibility, a lot of children would not run amuck (sp) the way they do. Lord knows I am ALL over my kids. I tell them, “You better be on point at all times because you NEVER know when I may pop up.” My mom put that fear in me too. I used to think my mom would pop out of the damn bushes…LOL
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me too!! my parents did not play. but, we alot of the kids dont’ have that fear anymore..you know why? parents have become their kids friends instead of parents.
@Daisy: I didn’t skip class or go to the teen clubs, I was too afraid of my mom. That heffa was crazy! And I mean that literally.
I put TOTAL blame on the lame ass parents and families who allowed this to make it past weeks 1 and 2 of rehearsals. I was both a junior high and high school cheerleader and my mom made sure she saw the uniforms and routines ahead of performance time. Especially for school talent shows when we did dance routines. This is some bull for real. Little girls dancing like whores.
@Yvonne I only skipped class on senior skip day that was it. I was bad as a teen teachers would threaten to call my mama and I would rattle off her work # so fast..lol They use to get on my nerves. Like I said I was never boy crazy or hot in the tail still aint which is why im still single I guess.lol
@brwsugga:
Yep, parents are not PARENTING anymore. They are too busy swapping clothes/shoes with their teens. I have a LOT of interactions with females who have teenagers and this is what they do. Hell, what does a 30yr old have in common with a 15 yr old as far as a wardrobe is concerned (thinking aloud)? Don’t get me wrong, I do believe there should be a certain comfront level between a child and a parent. Your child should be comfrontable in approaching you with any problem and/or scenario they may experience clearly identifying the boundaries. Everyone must know their roles.
Unfortunately, children do not come equipped with instructions however it is your God-given right to raise them in which the way they should go. SMH.I would be interested in meeting some of these parents. I wonder if the apple falls from the tree?
If that was me out on the floor dancing like that trust mom would have walked her booty to the floor grab me up and beat my tail off the floor. I was always taught when I leave the house I represented her and my father they way she said it put the fear of God in me. Mom was a litte touch had no problem coming to get me anywhere with the big fuzzy slips and house coat LOL. Of the chain
@Daisy…
I didn’t participate in senior skip day either. My dumb behind even asked for permission to skip! Like some of the other parents, my mom was against it. My peers were telling me to skip anyway but I was TOO afraid my mom would pop out of the bushes with a belt! Shoot, my older siblings were bad as hell but I made sure to keep my nose clean. I didn’t not want a piece of Ms Sylvia..lol
Hello All. Funny thing. Last Dec they had a Christmas program at the Baptist church I just started attending, during regular church hrs, which included young boys and girls dancing, yes dancing, popping their stuff, cabbage patching, break dancing, right in front of the congregation! I was absolutely floored and I haven’t been back since. Me being raised in a Pentecostal Church, I’m quite aware of the differences in religions, beliefs and customs but what did this dancing program have to do with worshiping our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, especially on His birthday? That said, I’m not shocked by this video. And Sandra, you speak vehemently against rap/hip/hop music and it’s influence on our young folks but yet this is all we see on your blog–pics of this genre. Doesn’t make sense to me. YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE WE NEED SANDRA! PEACE.
@PA I dont have a problem with teens doing a hip hop routine in church. Alot of churchs have youth step and dance teams. The kids at my church can’t do any kind of booty rolls, poppin/shakin etc. but they do GET CRUNK for Jesus Christ!…lol I would rather for them to be praising God than on the street corners.
Daisy Says:
@PA I dont have a problem with teens doing a hip hop routine in church.
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Me either, but a lot of folks are not down with that. Many elders in the church still think Kirk Franklin music is sinful. I jams for the Lord. You are just as likely to see me jamming on an uptempo gospel track in my car as an R&B or rap club banger.
A nation can only rise as high as it’s woman.
THe girls are perfoming to a Beyonce song, of course they were going to look like strippers. Honestly, this is not funny its sad because alot of young girls think dancing like this is cute. Im even not into kids or teens performing Single Ladies because there is alot of dropping it like its hot
That’s right kdillon, blame it on Beyonce! (**drippin’ wit sarcasm**)
i think everyone else already covered all the bases so no need for me to reiterate what’s already been said.
Hello All. I remember back in the 60s, when most women hardly wore pants, especially not to church. Folks attended church with their “Sunday best” on. Women didn’t wear low-cut, tight-fitting stuff to church so they wouldn’t have the “men of the cloth” lusting after them in God’s house. (A time and place for everything.) We sang, clapped and many shouted up and down the isles, praising God, dancing in the name of Jesus. Now, we have our children popping their bodies in church. Next, they will be dropping it like it’s hot. (I’m just saying.) As for Kirk Franklin and others, God is watching all and He knows their hearts and mine. He and only He will make the final judgment. Right now, we need to turn this mess around and get our children, especially our young, impressionable ladies back on the right track. Teach them that their bodies are their temples and to respect it as such. After all, that pot of gold that we think we’re sitting on is often gold-plated to most men. Know what I’m saying?
PS I love most of you ladies on this board, plenty of common sense comes thru. (Hope most of you are parents.) Peace.
That was disturbing. Its not just about hip hop’s influence..its about parents not doing their fucking job. That couldnt have ever been my duaghter or even me in high school. My momma would monkey stomped my ass. she would have pulled me off the floor and mopped it with me. But thats the difference my moms woulda been there obviously theirs wasnt… so sad!