Twerkmaster

[3min Read]

I find it funny when people get angry that a lot of youths seem so obsessed with dancing in multiple shakes and bounces. They get angry that youths aren't "working hard" or "reading hard" all the time.

But the funny thing is, they're actually the people who often promote this obsession in the first place, albeit indirectly.

Think about it like this. When you go to a childrens' party, or any adult event where children happen to attend as well, have you never realized that the only thing they often ask children to do are dance competitions? We actively promote a culture where dancing is given so much extreme emphasis, and rewarded more than almost anything. Why else will they end up in constant worship of body movements?


When have you ever gone for a party, and children were asked to come out for a spelling contest - to stimulate their academic spirit; or a running competition - to promote alternative sports apart from football; or a current affairs quiz - to promote social awareness. I could go on and on with a number of alternative activities that could be used to stimulate children into having fun, besides the old tested, tried and worn out "who can dance best" routine.

Most times if you go for any of these parties, and the children are asked to come out to dance, quite a number will refuse to come out - either due to shyness, self-perceived dancing incompetence, lack of interest, or fear of repercussion of some kind. But upon watching the participants, most children would imagine themselves doing the same moves - maybe even better. The Michael Jackson or Naira Marley of the party. With all the applause and cheer routed towards the more active dancers, they'd subconsciously wonder if they too, could be the stars of the show. That would be their take home. A strong mental decision to go home and practice for the next party, which would ultimately have the next dancing competition.

This process repeats itself over and over, as they attend more of such events, where dancing prowess is greatly, and singly above all else, celebrated. You might be tempted to remind me about the numerous academic competitions that exist around the country - such as the Cowbell Mathematics competition and others. But let's be real. How often do you think about these things? How often are they brought up in normal conversation? How many videos have you seen of people showing off 'how good they are', in math?

Exactly.

It's not enough to simply tell children/people that they should focus on certain things. You have to actively encourage it, reward it, promote it and satiate their consciousness with these things. Because pop culture is an amalgamation of the repeated emphasis of concepts. Just like building a house - it's not enough to talk inspiration-ally about something, you need to plan, work and repeat work on it. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will be versatile talented children. You decide whether your child becomes a twerkmaster, or a nerd, or a bully, or a good mix of everything valuable. It might not be 100% under your control, but you sure as heck are accountable.

Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike dancing. I'm not going into preacher mode against all things twerk. I appreciate good dancing just as much as any typical person. But I call a spade a spade; and a shake, a shake.

If you've ever attended an event I've organized, you will quickly notice how different it is from anything of the same name that you've attended. From seminars, to tutorials, to orphanage or school visits, to teaching classes, to trade fairs, to carnivals and more.

You must understand that people become what you encourage and set ablaze in their hearts. And you are not the only one who imprints upon them. The school they attend; the friends they interact with; the religion they have faith in; the media they consume; the punishments they fear or accept.

And it's not just what you surround your children with. It's also important to introspect and ask, "With what, do you surround yourself"?

Also, for the people who came here expecting a hilarious article about twerking, I apologize for the misdirection. But this isn't so bad, is it? 🙃


Thanks For Reading
Love, Stars and twerks of sorrow.


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