Ok. So, I LOVE ballroom & Latin (my fav!) dancing and I've recently decided to take it much more seriously, but, I wanted to pose a question to other ballroom dancers out there (both Pro & Am): Is the ballroom world racist?

I'm black/African-American/of African descent.....whichever term is politically correct in your eyes, and although I've only been to one competition and a handful of local dance events, I notice that I'm almost the only black person there. Even when I watch pros, and pro-am, I find that theyre mostly white. I've never really had a problem (i.e. remarks or rude comments) but, when I'm dancing, I do get the occasional that's-not-something-you-see-everyday look (LOL! I have to laugh when I think about it!)

Like I said before I absolutely ADORE ballroom & Latin(so hot!) and my determination and desire to do well and compete is unwavering, nonetheless, Im just curious to know. is race an issue on the dance floor...particularly at the competitive level?????

P.S. - I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!

Keep dancing! Check out Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine on you tube. Great rhythm dancer.

widenertn. Where I live in Australia we have Chinese, Japanese, and only one male of African decent. All of then do well especially a Japanese girl who dances with an Australian and the black guy who dances with an Australian. They do extra well. As far as anybody is concerned they are all joined with a common bond which is Ballroom dancing. It may be different in other places but here nobody would care where you come from. You are a dancer.

I don't think it's an issue. I imagine you are probably witnessing a disproportionate number of Eastern Europeans which ends up weighing heavily on the white side.

My own experience: My first instructor was black, my second was Japanese, my third was Hawaiian, my fourth was white and my current is Eastern European.

I know last year's American Rhythm champion from the Ohio Star Ball (Emmanuel) is black, and he's great. I wouldn't worry about it.

Just enjoy dancing

I think what you are seeing is individual's cultural tendencies towards finding their way into ballroom (or not) rather than much having to do with how they are received once they are there.
Ballroom is mostly owned by those who choose to put the time and effort into making something of it - it doesn't really matter who you were "before" only what type of dancer you choose to become.

I dont think the ballroom world is racist because ive been dancing for a long time and i know that there are many different types of people and nobody thinks that they are different. Just because a lot of whites dance doesnt mean they are racist, its just that ballroom dancing started in Englland, and it still is the ballroom dancing country

I knew a woman who was VERY compelling to watch on a Rhythm floor. Several years ago, I saw her in her last Rhythm competition: as a woman in her early 50s, and from a semi she placed 3rd in a field dominated by competitors in their late-teens and early-20s. Her foot work wasn't all that great, but no one saw that because her "top" and her attitude were fabulous. Oh- by the way, she was black, and she died about 6 years ago.

I have been a competitor in several different organization(s) and their competitions in various states. I've personally been on the floor competing against and watching other competitors of all races including African-American(s). It is not that foreign to me. I love watching everyone when I have a chance - for inspiration to apply to my own dancing technique and improvement.