(Croteau and Hoynes, 2019)
Ideologies according to Croteau and Hoynes (2019) are systems of meaning that is concerned with what messages such images send about the world, how it operates and how it should be, that helps us explain our world. One is Media portrayals - a sample of ideology that constitutes beliefs about who's worthy of inclusion, roles and such.
Everybody can dance. Social media features like Instagram's story and reel, Facebook's Myday and Tiktok uploads allow every audience to tap in their creativity, one of which is hopping on trendy dance choreographies with groups or pair or solo performances. However, as proffesional dancers, there are certain values/ standard in dance that are not delivered well in social media.
For Dancers, foundations in dance are essential. Every dance genre has 4-8 basic steps that are called foundation. These steps evolve and overtime create a routine. It is like a bible for dancers but for dance enthusiasts and non-dancers, its simple movement of the body. Notice the app TikTok, there are dancers who upload 15 sec.- 1 min. routine with proper executions but, other users refer this as "over" "OA" or "exaggerating" to which they lack knowledge of what a foundation is. In our culture, we stretch the idea that singing as a talent is better than dancing because dance is expensive, tiring, everyone can simply sing, and it is relatable.
Social media paved ways for us to deliver our art and share them with others. Good and bad comments make room for improvement, validation and sense of fulfilment.
"five, six, seven, eight..."
"In the world of dance, we found a family..."
Growing up, I enjoy watching dance competitions and national or international group performances, dreaming to be part of a group of people with same interests as I do, and to perform on a big stage in front of a huge crowd someday. I wanted to feel the kind of bond that these professional dancers have, the unity, love, and respect. At first I thought dancing was hard and expensive because of how outstanding their costumes are, how extensive their routines and their expressions are very distinct. I initially thought i would not fit in that world.
I never thought that my childhood dream would came true and that along the way, I'd meet great people that will become my family. Liwanag was my high school dance team that honed my knowledge on Folk and traditional dances in the country, Hublag is my current college dance company that introduced me to different dance genres and lastly Skip is my current dance family that taught me foundations of hiphop and introduced me to a more diverse dance community and bigger competitions. As a person who has negative experiences with relationships and betrayals, I found a family who took good care of me and treated me like a sister. Family indeed is not measured only by blood but also through values, experiences, beliefs, and cultures.